The Victory That Overcomes the World: A Committal Service Homily

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is fitting for us to be here today. Three of the most important dates in the lives of David and Ardyce DeWitte happened here in Jasper, Minnesota at Trinity Lutheran Church—their baptisms, confirmation, and marriage. They were united in marriage here on October 12, 1948, a joyous occasion, no doubt, the start of a family blessed with six children, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and their spouses.

But their connection to one another and Trinity began much earlier. Ardyce Elaine Bauman was baptized here on November 2, 1924. David John DeWitte was baptized here a little over one month later, on December 14, 1924.

Both Ardyce and David publicly confessed their faith on May 28, 1939. Psalm 24:4-5 is David’s confirmation verse: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Ardyce’s confirmation verse is 1 John 5:4, and it will serve as the text for our message this morning: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

To be sure, to the world on a day like this, it doesn’t look like much of a victory. It does not look like Ardyce has overcome the world. It looks like the world has had the last word. But these things cannot be seen through worldly eyes; they can only be seen through the eyes of faith. To find out what kind of victory, what kind of overcoming, what kind of faith, St. John is talking about, we need to make sure we read and hear this text in its proper context. In this case we need to hear, at least, the full paragraph. The apostle writes in 1 John 5:1-5:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

On the surface, it might sound like John is preaching conditional Law. “Want to be a Christian? Want to overcome the world? Then obey God’s Law. Love God. Love your neighbor.” But if you listen closely, you’ll find that such words are not written to make people Christians, but are written to people who are already Christians—to those who already have been born of God, born again, saved through Baptism, a washing of renewal and rebirth in the Holy Spirit.

In each reborn Christian, God has forever forgiven all sin, changed the clothes from filthy rags of sin to righteous robes, snapped the power of sin to control, implanted the Holy Spirit, and changed the mindset. The goal of saving us is not merely negative—to get us out of hell, but positive—to transform us into men and women who think and act like God.

If you have been born of God, you love God. If you love God, you will love people. Faith and love are inseparable. Believers love to hear God’s will and do it. The faith and obedience that connect us to Jesus enables us to share in His triumphs. In John 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples: “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Several hours later, as He dies on the cross, He crushes the head of the serpent for us and gives us His victory.

But like Christ’s overcoming the world through the cross, our overcoming the world is, for the time being, not apparent to anyone but those with the eyes of faith. For just as Christ’s overcoming the world came in the midst of the weak and shameful, in the common and ordinary, in struggle and suffering, and cross and tomb—so does ours.  

Overcoming the world is not a superior way of being a Christian that is open only to a more advanced stage in spiritual life. It is something given to every faithful Christian. It is simply following Jesus. It is the ordinary life of faith in which you receive Baptism and live in that Baptism through daily contrition and repentance. You overcome the world as you attend the Divine Service, participate in the Holy Supper, read the Scriptures, pray for yourself and others, resist temptation, and work with Jesus in your given vocations. You are not called to become more spiritual by disengaging from earthly life, but simply to rely on Jesus as you do what is given for you to do, as you experience what is given for you to experience, and as you enjoy what is given for you to enjoy. 

Yes, many times the world, the devil, and your own sinful flesh will seem too much for you to overcome. They are far too much for you to overcome on your own. But take heart; our Lord Jesus has overcome the world for you! He has fulfilled all of God’s Commandments for you. Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, you have forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life. You have the certain hope of your own resurrection of the body, as well as the resurrection of David, of Ardyce, and all of your loved ones who die in the faith.

That is the ultimate victory that overcomes the world! Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.