Overcome Evil With Good

(Victory Church Sermon Notes for Sunday, 14 September 2025)

Psalm 46:1–2 (NLT)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Psalm 91:1-6 (NLT)
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge.

The last week was difficult. We remembered the 24th anniversary of the most devastating and horrific attack on American soil. It was a day of fear, as our nation stood in shock, witnessing unimaginable evil unfold before our very eyes. 2,996 lives were taken.

Also, it was a very somber week as we witnessed the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, at Utah Valley University in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Just so you can know me a little better, I personally do not troll, scan, scroll, or stalk others on social media. If you ever post anything, then ask if I saw it, the answer is most likely, "No, I did not." The only way I see anything is if I'm "tagged" and it shows up in my notifications.

My motto on social media is, "Post and ghost!"

Therefore, I personally did not follow Charlie Kirk. Before last week I had only seen about 3 of his videos in which he was "defending the Bible." I did agree with what he said in those videos concerning the Bible. So what I'm stating is, I may or may not agree with every statement he ever said, because I do not know. However, here is what I do know about Charlie Kirk:

• He was a Christian brother...we lost a brother!
• He was a son...his parents lost a son!
• He was a husband...his wife lost her husband!
• He was a father...his children lost their father!
• He was an American...we lost an American!

As a Bible-believing Christian American, that saddens my heart to know he was assassinated for simply sharing, talking and debating what he believed - openly and freely! Which, it should sadden your heart as well. It is hard to believe that in America today, someone can be assassinated simply because of their political or religious beliefs; and for giving those who disagree a platform to share their own beliefs.

This reveals to me the spiritual battle between good and evil. This past week, evil prevailed! However, Jesus reminds us in:

• John 16:33 (NLT) “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
• 1 John 5:19 (NIV) “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

We all face trials, sorrows, and spiritual battles against unseen forces of darkness, and the world remains under the influence of the evil one.

• Ephesians 2:1-2 (NLT) Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Yet, Jesus assures us in John 16:33 that He has already overcome the world, giving us hope and strength to stand firm in Him and His Word.

Timeline of Evil in Scripture:

1. Rebellion in Heaven (Before Genesis 3)1

• Lucifer’s Pride — An angel desired God’s throne 
  • Isaiah 14:12–15 (NLT) “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ 15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. 

• Cast out of heaven with other fallen angels 
  • Revelation 12:7–9 (NKJV) And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for  them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him..

2. The Fall of Humanity (Genesis 3)

• Satan deceives Eve in the Garden of Eden.
• Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
• Sin, shame, and death enter the world (Romans 5:12).

3. The First Murder (Genesis 4)

• Cain grows jealous of Abel and kills him.
• Evil spreads from disobedience to violence.

4. Corruption of Humanity (Genesis 6:5)

• “Every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”
  • Leads to the flood in Noah’s day.

5. Rebellion at Babel (Genesis 11)

• Humanity unites in pride to build a tower “to make a name for ourselves.”
• God scatters them, confusing their languages.

6. Ongoing Pattern in Israel’s History

• Idolatry, injustice, and rebellion against God’s commands.
• Prophets continually warn of the consequences of evil.

7. The Cross — Evil’s Greatest Act, God’s Greatest Good (Matthew 27; Acts 2:23)

• Religious leaders and Rome crucify Jesus.
• Yet through this act of evil, God brings salvation.

8. Final Defeat of Evil (Revelation 20–21)

• Satan is cast into the lake of fire.
• Evil, sin, and death are destroyed forever.
• God makes all things new.

Evil began with pride and rebellion, infected humanity through sin, and now runs through human history. But from the very beginning, God promised victory (Genesis 3:15) — which was fulfilled in Christ and will be completed in the New Creation.

Martyrs of the Apostles, Church Fathers, and Believers

Martyrs of the Apostles

• Stephen (c. AD 34–35) Stoned to death in Jerusalem (Acts 7:54–60). He was the first Christian martyr.
• James the Greater (Son of Zebedee) (c. AD 44) Executed by sword under King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1–2). He was the first apostle to be martyred.
• Philip (c. AD 54) Crucified in Hierapolis (Phrygia, modern Turkey) Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.
• Matthew (c. AD 60–70) Tradition says he was slain with a halberd (spear-like weapon) in Ethiopia.
• James the Less (Son of Alphaeus) (c. AD 62) Thrown from the temple pinnacle in Jerusalem, then beaten to death with a club.
• Peter (c. AD 64–67) Crucified upside down in Rome during Nero’s persecution.
• Paul (c. AD 64–67) Beheaded in Rome, also under Nero.
• Andrew (c. AD 60s) Crucified on an “X”-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.
• Thomas (c. AD 72) Pierced with spears in Mylapore, India.
• Bartholomew (Nathanael) (c. AD 68–71) Accounts vary — beaten and crucified, or flayed alive and beheaded in Armenia.
• Simon the Zealot (c. AD 74–80) Tradition says crucified in Persia (Iran).
• Matthias (replacement for Judas) (c. AD 80s) Some traditions say stoned and beheaded in Jerusalem.
• John (c. AD 100) Survived an attempt to boil him in oil (according to Tertullian); later exiled to Patmos; died naturally in Ephesus —the only apostle not martyred.

Martyrs of the Early Church Fathers

• Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 107) Thrown to wild beasts in Rome under Emperor Trajan. Famous Quote: “I am God’s wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread of Christ.”
• Polycarp of Smyrna (c. AD 155)

Life of Polycarp (c. AD 69 – 155)

• Born around AD 69, likely in Smyrna (modern-day İzmir, Turkey).
• Tradition says he was a disciple of the Apostle John, making him a link between the Apostles and the next generation of church leaders.
• Became bishop of Smyrna, serving faithfully for many decades.
• Leadership & Writings - known for his strong stand against heresies like Gnosticism and Marcionism. Wrote a letter to the Philippians, urging them to live in faith and holiness. He was respected across the early church as a faithful pastor and defender of the true gospel.

Death of Polycarp (c. AD 155–156)

• Arrest & Trial - During a wave of Roman persecution, Polycarp was arrested for refusing to worship Caesar. The emperor urged him to deny Christ and swear loyalty to Caesar, but Polycarp replied: “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”
• Martyrdom - He was sentenced to be burned at the stake. Witnesses say the flames seemed to form an arch around him without consuming him, so an executioner stabbed him with a dagger. His death was recorded in The Martyrdom of Polycarp, one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of a Christian martyrdom outside the New Testament.

From the apostles through the early church, martyrdom was seen not as defeat but as victory. These believers showed that: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

God’s Victory Over Evil

Genesis 3:15 (NLT) Promise of Christ crushing the serpent. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.

Colossians 2:15 (NLT) In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Revelation 20:10 (NLT) Then the devil ... was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

1 John 4:4 (nkjv) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Takeaways: Practical Steps

1. Guard Your Heart Daily

• Spend time in prayer and Scripture. 
• Goodness flows from God’s presence.
• Psalm 119:11 — “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

2. Identify and Uproot Evil

• Ask: Where am I tolerating small compromises?
• Confess sin quickly before it grows.
• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive…

3. Respond to Evil With Good

• Forgive someone who wronged you.
• Do something kind for someone difficult in your life.
• Romans 12:20 If your enemies are hungry, feed them.

4. Live in Christ’s Victory

• Memorize verses to use against temptation.
• Remember: evil is defeated at the cross.
• 1 John 5:4 Everyone born of God overcomes the world.

5. Be a Light in Darkness

• Look for one opportunity to show Christ’s love where evil seems strong — at work, online, or in your neighborhood.
• Matthew 5:16 Let your good deeds shine… so everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Wrapping It Up:

Evil is loud, but good is stronger because Christ has already won! Don’t be overcome by evil — overcome evil with good.

Memorize this verse: 
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came into the world to save us from our sins and to give us new life. Through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, He offers forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12, NLT).

When you put your trust in Jesus, you’re not just following a religion—you’re beginning a personal relationship with the living Savior who loves you and desires to be Lord of your life. He stands ready today to forgive you, to walk with you, and to give you hope that never fades.

“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Thank You for loving me and making me a child of God. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.

(Romans 10:13, NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(John 10:28, NLT)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”