The sermon explains the concept of spiritual victory as taught by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. The true Christian life is a continuous life of triumph—believers are called not to conquer others but to overcome themselves, their weaknesses, temptations, and the devil through the power of Christ.

🔹 True Victory:
Victory does not mean defeating others but winning them through love. The victorious person conquers his inner weakness and faces hardships with faith and patience. The Church on earth is “the struggling Church,” while the one in heaven is “the victorious Church,” both united in one body in Christ.

🔹 Types of Victory:

1. Victory over trials: Through patience, faith, and wise reflection, like Job the righteous.

2. Victory over sin: By remaining pure, as Joseph the righteous did when he refused temptation.

3. Victory over the devil: By firm resistance and trust in God’s help.

4. Victory over oneself: The greatest of all victories, for he who conquers himself conquers everything.

🔹 Inner Strength:
The victorious believer is unshaken by words or threats. He lives in inner peace from God, overcoming evil with good and hatred with love.

🔹 Christ as the Model of Victory:
Christ triumphed over sin, death, and the devil—He conquered death by His death, restoring humanity to its original image and leading us in His triumph.

🔹 Heaven’s Joy:
Heaven rejoices over the victorious soul, offering the prayers of saints and angelic intercession. The victory of one believer strengthens and inspires others to remain steadfast.

🔹 Means of Triumph:
Pope Shenouda urges the use of means of grace—prayer, Holy Communion, confession, reading the Bible and saints’ lives—to gain strength and live in victory.

🔹 Spiritual Conclusion:
The victorious person remains strong even at the hour of death, peaceful and joyful to meet Christ. The Christian life is a call to continual victory, for the children of God are not defeated but strong in Christ who strengthens them.

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