Wk 5 - The Holy Spirit Convicts

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Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

We are reaching out to our family, friends, and neighbors as the body of Christ.

Prayer for...

Sangamon Valley Church Updates:

Who we are…our distinctives…

Kingdom Partnerships: partners in God’s mission with other churches and organizations in our cities and around the world. *Mission Fund*

Mention Helping Hands - 8:45a on 9/21

Call up Trish

Sound Doctrine: the priority of God’s Word

Mention Revelation Study on 10/6

Empowering Leadership: intentionally partner with God to prepare and release men and women to use their gifts

Mention Youth Kick-off next Sunday evening in Urbana

Family Relationships: We believe that relationships are at the heart of God’s Kingdom, we sing HYMNS and NEW

Spirit Empowerment: We are a Spirit-filled AND Spirit-formed community.

First Wed. Prayer

Shared Mission: passion for the lost and an understanding of our place in joining God on mission in our world.

Reaching Out

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

Story of Conviction -

TODAY: The Transformative Power of Conviction

CONVICTION—the Holy Spirit’s process in dealing with one’s own conscience, alerting and sensitizing us to God’s Word and demands (HBH)

Opening Scripture:

The Transformative Power of Conviction:

1. Conviction without Christ is our ruin (Romans 1:18)

Ephesians 2:1 “1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins”

Romans 1:18 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

Romans 4:25 “25 [Jesus] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

2. Conviction is the Holy Spirit’s role in leading us to Christ (John 16:8)

John 16:8 “8 And when he [The Paraclete] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”

John 16:9 “9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me [Jesus];”

Greatest sin is rejecting Jesus

“God graciously makes us aware of our sin that he might make us receptive to his grace” (Bruce Barton in LABC)

3. Conviction and the Holy Spirit can be resisted but it does not mean the Holy Spirit stops working (Acts 7:51)

Acts 7:51 “51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.”

Aware of sin and yet resist

4. Conviction can be reinforced by the miraculous (Acts 10:38)

Saul to Paul is a story of conviction reinforced by the miraculous (Acts 9)

Acts 9:17–18 “17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”

Acts 10:38 “38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

1 Corinthians 14:24 “24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,

5. Conviction leads us to respond in worship (1 Cor. 14:24-25)

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 “24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.”

Conclusion/Reflection:

Conviction is a divine process that should lead to radical transformation.

A potter and the clay, as found in Jeremiah 18:1-6. A potter takes a lump of clay, which on its own is shapeless, without form or beauty. The potter molds and shapes the clay, but sometimes the clay resists, or becomes marred. The potter then patiently reshapes it, pressing and turning it until it becomes a beautiful and useful vessel.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit works in the world. Humanity is like clay, often resisting. Conviction is the process of the Holy Spirit calling us to our Creator-Savior.

Are you resisting the Holy Spirit today? Or are you ready to let conviction lead you to the feet of Jesus in worship?

Next week: Sanctification - Makes Us New

Talk It Over

How does understanding our spiritual condition without Christ help us see our need for salvation? How can awareness of this truth shape our approach to sharing the gospel with others?

What are some common ways people resist the Holy Spirit today?

Can you think of any modern examples where a miraculous event led to someone's radical transformation? What does this teach us about God’s desire to reach us, even when we resist?

How can we create an environment, both personally and in our church, where the Holy Spirit can bring conviction that leads to worship?