RENEWING YOUR CONVICTION

Shane Meredith

The Need for Renewal • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Good morning church! Happy Mother’s Day! God bless all of you who are mothers and grandmothers and great grandmothers. What about expectant Mothers? (Mothers in Laws?)

**Prayer of thanksgiving and strength for mothers.

I am fully convicted that Mothers have one of the most important roles there is! I am grateful for my Mother and my Mother-in-law. (It’s true, she’s great, Ha.)

OPENER: We are continuing our series on the need for renewal and today I want to encourage you to consider your need to renew your conviction!

Since we have talked about mothers already I want to tell you about something that my mother-in-law did. Don’t worry she’s not here so it’s alright. HA! Just kidding, do not worry, it is to her credit in my book.

The question on our wedding day: I said that I loved my mother-in-law and I mean it. She is great. I still think that after the question she asked each of us individually on our wedding day. Now when I tell you the question you might wonder what she was thinking but I assure you it was a good question. And she warned us that she was going to ask this so I was ready. She said if either of us answered no that that is all we would have to say. Just before I was about to walk out she asked, “Are you absolutely sure that you want to do this?” When she came to ask me I didn’t let her finish the question, I said “With all of my heart yes, I am sure!” (And every day since then I have been just as certain that it was the right decision.)

Now whatever you think about that I think it was a good question. We need to be sure and convicted about the important things in our lives.

WE NEED TO BE CONVICTED ABOUT WHAT WE BELIEVE AND ABOUT EVERYTHING WE DO IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.

If we do not have conviction in our beliefs then we need a renewal of the certainty that we once had or we need to be convicted anew.

To further clarify what conviction is; it is that certainty that goes down to the deepest part of your being. It is a complete certainty that comes when you hear a truth and your heart follows fully the conclusion you have come too.

That is conviction. You know what it means to be convicted. It is that certainty that goes down to the deepest part of your being. It is a complete certainty that comes when you hear a truth and your heart follows fully the conclusion you have come too.

Conviction defined is: “a belief or opinion that is held firmly.” - Encarta but the bible gives us a better idea of what conviction is.

A biblical definition comes from the familiar verse in Hebrews; “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Conviction is important because it is such a big part of our faith. And we must be convicted of things that are true but have not seen.

We didn’t see Christ hang on the cross so we could be saved but we are convicted that He did. We have not seen the empty tomb or the resurrected Lord but we are convicted that He is alive and at work in our hearts and lives!

Our belief and conviction has lead many of us to give our lives to Christ based on the conviction of the gospel.

Conviction is something that goes beyond just thinking.

CONVICTION IS SOMETHING THAT LEADS YOU TO LIFE CHANGE.

Conviction is true belief that we are so certain of that we are moved to action. TRUE CONVICTION LEADS TO ACTION.

ONE WELL KNOW AUTHOR SAID IT THIS WAY: (jOSH mCdOWELL)

“Having convictions can be defined as being so thoroughly convinced that Christ and His Word are both objectively true and relationally meaningful that you act on your beliefs regardless of the consequences.” – Josh McDowell

ONE NOT SO WELL KNOWN MINISTER SAID IT THIS WAY: (ME)

“Conviction is the connector between what you say you believe and your actions that prove that belief to be so.” - me

MY CONVICTION BEFORE SALVATION: I remember the conviction that I had before I was saved. I was convicted by the preaching of the gospel. I was fully convinced of sin in my life (I could tell you exactly many of the things that I was guilty of and felt overwhelming guilt about.) I was completely sure that I needed Christ’s blood to cleanse me and make me whole. I knew that scripture said that I needed to repent of my sins and be baptized for the forgiveness of my sins or to have them washed away. (That same conviction is the reason I felt the weight lifted and the feeling of excitement of salvation.) I felt like raising my hands in the air as if I had just recieved the greatest things I could. And I did.

True conviction compels us to act! for example:

What is conviction?

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Conviction is being fully certain of something; so certain that you are willing to act upon it.

True conviction impacts what you say and what you do whether for good or for ba. When you are truly convicted of a belief you will talk about it and even be willing to defend it.

True conviction impacts what you say and what you do whether for good or for bad. When you are truly convicted of a belief you will talk about it and even be willing to defend it.

CONVICTION LED THE APOSTLE PAUL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.

The Apostle Paul preached the gospel with full conviction

Illustration of conviction…our wedding day question...

1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Conviction is full certainty.

I love the description here: “Full conviction.” You are so sure that it is the truth that you will tell others with complete confidence and act in your life on it. (It is not a possibility, it is a certainty in your heart.)

When we are convicted about something...

Abraham was convicted that God would do what He promised.

Romans 4:19–20 ESV

He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,

When we are convicted about something...

CONVICTION IS SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO COMPROMISE.

The book of Daniel is a great example of conviction:

Daniel (we find in Daniel chapter 1 was not willing to compromise when pressured to eat the kings food because he was CONVICTED that it would be a sin.

Likewise is chapter 6 Daniel was not willing to compromise and give up even a day of his prayers for God and was willing to give His life for it.

Daniel was convicted that eating the Kings food was wrong and He was not willing to compromise.

Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael (Shadrach Meshach and Abednego) were convicted that bowing down to the Kings statue was rebellion against God so they were willing to die for it and even be thrown into the fiery furnace because they were convicted that GOD was the only true God. (and in the story we are going to look at today…)

When you are truly convicted, it will lead to action and the change of behavior in your life.

The difference between a preference and a conviction is that your preference will change when it threatens your safety or comfort. A conviction is something that you will not change under any circumstance, even death.

ELIJAH WAS SO CONVICTED THAT GOD was the only true GOD that He sets up a showdown against the prophets of Baal to prove which God was the one true God.

ELIJAH

(Trans: This is story I want to look at more in depth from this morning to help us see if we need a renewal of conviction…)

Common example

(Background: The ministry of Elijah was amazing) He was God’s prophet in Israel after the division of the kingdom and during the reign of the evil king Ahab and his pagan wife Jezebel. Israel had again fallen into idolatry and sinfulness. The rule over the kingdom had become corrupt but also the religious leaders. There were false prophets and pagan prophets who had come in with Jezebel.)

biblical example

Israel was suffering from a lack of conviction. They had compromised God’s law and tried to worship God and baal at the same time. Israel was trying to have this plurality of religious belief. They had forgotten the truth that God is One.

Spiritual example

Ahab had come to meet with Elijah and Ahab said to him that it was his fault that Israel was in such trouble. Elijah’s reply is very important: Read

d. In verse 17 Ahab had come to meet with Elijah and Ahab said to him that it was his fault that Israel was in such trouble. Elijah’s reply is very important…Read 19:17-18

1 Kings 18:17–19 ESV

When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

1 Kings 18:17–19 ESV

1 Kings 18:

Elijah is going to reignite the conviction of some in Israel through this showdown between Himself and the 450 prophets of Baal.

Trans: As we continue with the story we find that Ahab brings the prophets of baal and even the people of Israel to come and watch the contest between them. There is an important lesson in what Elijah tells the people before they start. That is that...

RENEWING YOU CONVICTION STARTS WITH TRUTH!

NOTICE WHAT ELIJAH SAYS TO THE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY START IN .

1 Kings 18:21 ESV

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

Elijah points out their lack of conviction in what they believed and what proves that is in the last line, “And the people did not answer him a word.”

From this statement it is obvious that the people had lost their conviction of the truth that God was One God. This was in the law and lesson that they should have know. It was one of the biggest lessons that God tried to teach Israel.

We need to understand the truth, be convicted by it, stand on it and live in it because we know it is truth.

They were not convicted of the truth and gave in to the idea that they could serve multiple gods along with God when the truth was there is only one true GOD.

WHY MIGHT WE NEED A RENEWAL OF CONVICTION?

We may need a renewal of conviction just like Israel did. We are not serving baal but we might be trying to serve false gods and GOD as well.

Jesus said you cannot serve God and have money as your God as well.

You cannot have anything in your life that is given an equal amount of your heart and passion as God; not career, money, pleasure, relationships or anything.

We might need a renewal of conviction because we are not loving Christ by obeying His commands. We could take Elijah’s phrase and apply it to some of the things that we might lack conviction to do…and say:

If we are not convicted that a change needs to be made then change will not happen.

If God’s word says in “go therefore and make disciples” then go and make disciples. Share your faith, tell others the gospel with full conviction.

If God’a word says His love for you is “unconditional” as it does in and “unfailing” as it does in then live in that love. But if He does not then keep seeking love from source that are incomplete and disappointing.

Conviction is what led Paul to believe that nothing could separate God’s children from His love.

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Are you as sure of God’s love for you? Are you convicted that no matter what mistakes that you have made, or how people have treated you, or neglected you,

If God’s word says “be zealous for good works” as it does in Titus then get to serving others and doing good works. If not then continue to live a self centered life.

Without conviction that is based on truth but culture that we believe is that we can follow Christ and have no passionate, active spiritual lives.

Culture not the truth tells us we can have a casual, comfortable, made to fit my life commitment, with a mediocre prayer life, hap-hazard study habits, non-existent sharing of our faith and occasional commitment.

Elijah was trying to get them to see the truth and make a decision. The contest that he proposed would show them the truth.

As we continue with the story we see the results of true conviction. Elijah’s conviction did not fold under pressure of being outnumbered. Verse 22. In verses 23-24 Elijah gives the rules for the contest. Read 22-24.

1 Kings 18:22–24 ESV

Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.”

According to their beliefs they should have been at an advantage. Baal was besides the god of harvest, the god of fire and so it should have been no problem. Even though Baal had not brought rain or harvest in the past 3 years while there was a drought.

The prophets of baal. They called out to baal from morning till noon with no answer.

At this point Elijah mocks them…V27. After this they cried out danced around the altar and even cut themselves to get Baal’s attention.

1 Kings 18:27 ESV

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

1 Kings

(1) This shows you the conviction Elijah had that baal was nothing. (2) This also goes to show you that you can be convicted of the wrong thing very strongly and it still not be the truth. That is why we need to base our convictions on the truth. (3) Convictions are contagious; whether they are right or wrong. If our convictions are wrong then those convicts influence others. (i.e. )

- (This also goes to show you that you can be convicted of the wrong thing very strongly and it still not be the truth. Many are convinced that they are ok away from God.)

Convictions are contagious; whether they are right or wrong. If our convictions are wrong then those convicts influence others. (i.e. )

Elijah shows His conviction even more by upping the magnitude of the miracle when it becomes his turn to call on God. Verses 33-35 tells us Elijah has a trench built around God’s altar and then has four jars of water poured on the sacrifice, and repeats that three times completely soaking the sacrifice and filling the trench. (12 times)

Elijah then calls on God and I want to emphasis the reason He gives for all of this in verse 37.

1 Kings 18:37 ESV

Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

ELIJAH asked so that the God would would be convicted that God was God and they would turn back to Him.

GOD SENT DOWN FIRE AND COMPLETELY BURNED UP THE SACRIFICE AND THE WATER AND EVEN THE STONES.

God did this and the people were convicted and proclaimed that the Lord is God! GOD DID THIS SO THEY WOULD BE CONVICTED BUT IT ALSO SHOULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON US.

THE PEOPLE WERE SO CONVICTED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PUT TO DEATH THE PROPHETS OF BAAL.

ARE YOU CONVICTED THAT YOU ARE FOLLOWING CHRIST WITH ALL YOUR HEART? DO YOU HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT ELIJAH HAD? IF SO DOES IT SHOW IN YOUR LIFE?

There is a difference between knowing the truth and really having faith in it. When we have real faith that what God’s word says is true, we will act on that truth. () Let us no longer be guilty of having knowledge of the truth in the back of our minds without allowing it to convict you personally to action.

“We may say we are convicted of a truth but if that truth does not lead to action it is not a conviction in our hearts, it is just a concept in our minds.” - me

says, “but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”

Daniel 11:32 ESV

He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

(trans: Another point that we really need to make is that RENEWAL OF CONVICTION IS NOT JUST A ONE TIME THING THAT WE DO TO RESURRECT THE STRONG BELIEFS THAT WE HAD BEFORE BUT…)

RENEWING YOUR CONVICTION IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS

WE NEED TO ALLOW GOD’S WORD CONTINUALLY CONVICT US TO TRANSFORM US.

Without conviction that God’s truth is real and this His promises do not fail, you cannot live your life as you should. You will have a hard time trusting God. You will not be motivated or open to being transformed. You will struggle to hope and believe in God’s love for you as well as God’s care.

What people often experience is being convicted and on fire at one point in their lives and then having that fire and conviction fade.

GOD’S WORD IS POWERFUL AND GOD IS A GOD WHO IS CONTINUALLY WORKING TO TRANSFORM US TO MORE AND MORE LIKE HIM.

This kind of transformation cannot happen unless we are open to being convicted of what we need to change. We can be mistaken to feel that just coming and hearing God’s word is enough and it is in and of itself makes us Holy. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT:

COMPREHENSION DOES NOT EQUAL CONVICTION and change.

One of the greatest problems that we face is we have a lot of learning and comprehension without a lot of conviction.

Do not misunderstand me. Comprehension and learning God’s word are important, that comes first but if it does not lead to conviction then it does no good.

We are constantly learning for comprehension but that is not always turning into conviction and you know it when your behavior has not changed.

Jesus warned about hearing God’s word but not doing it. He said in :

Jesus said in :

Luke 11:28 ESV

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

When we hear God’s word and go away from it and do it did not let it convict our hearts so that it would take action.

The Holy Spirit though James said something very similar -

James 1:22 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:22

We should consider God’s word sacred, powerful, authoritative, living active and useful but we should not consider that coming and listening to God’s word somehow makes us more Holy.

Just listening to it and not doing it is not pleasing to God. Jesus said do not be like that. It is foolish.

We should consider God’s word sacred, powerful, authoritative, living active and useful but we should not consider that coming and listening to God’s word somehow makes us more Holy. Just listening to it and not doing it is not pleasing to God. Jesus said do not be like that. It is foolish. But I am afraid that for many in American religion many have somehow blurred the lines in their minds between hearing and doing. It is as if somehow just because I was present to hear God’s word and I agreed with it and I liked it makes me more Holy in God’s sight.

But I am afraid that for many in American religion many have somehow blurred the lines in their minds between hearing and doing. It is as if somehow just because I was present to hear God’s word and I agreed with it and I liked it makes me more Holy in God’s sight.

When we do this we are deceiving ourselves as James says. This is exactly what is happening many today.

When we do this we are deceiving ourselves as James says. This is exactly what is happening many today. (This comes out in phrase like “He is a good Christian, a church goer.” “He is there every time the doors open,” (which is a good thing but only if something when He is there.)

When we are convicted that it applies to others and that they need to change but we do not let it convict our hearts and bring godly sorrow and change we have missed it.

We need to understand that we can come and listen to God’s word, we can agree with it, we can write it down and memorize it and quote it. We can even teach it and preach it but if we are not ourselves convicted by it so that our lives are changed and we are constantly be transformed then all the rest means nothing.

“There is much more to being convicted of the truth of God’s word than understand the concepts within it.”

GOD’S SPIRIT AND GOD’S WORD WERE MEANT TO CONVICT US TO CHANGE

Let us never

“There is much more to being convicted of the truth of God’s word than understand the concepts within it.”

Jesus said this of the Holy Spirit in ;

God’s word and God’s Spirit convict the world

John 16:8 ESV

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

John 16:7–8 ESV

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

If we approach the word of God with the attitude that it should change me and convict me then we are ready to receive it.

BIBLICAL HEROES WHO HAD CONVICTION

Abraham was convicted that God would do what He promised.

Romans 4:19–20 ESV

Romans 5:19–20 ESV

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Conviction is what led Paul to believe that nothing could separate God’s children from His love.

Romans 5:19–20 ESV

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

PAUL PREACHED THE GOSPEL WITH FULL CONVICTION. (Total

1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

1 THESS

If we are not fully convicted then we will not live out God’s commands in our lives.

If we approach the word of God with the attitude that it should change me and convict me then we are ready to receive it.

We need to have the attitude that Josiah had when he heard the word of God read. As heard it read He looked within Him self and his people. He was convicted in his heart and immediately began to take action to change what did not match up with God’ will

Josiah

THE OPENNESS WE NEED TO BE CONVICTED TO CONTINUALLY CHANGE

RENEWAL OF THE OPENNESS WE NEED TO BE CONVICTED CONTINUALLY TO CHANGE

It is not that we only need a renewal of conviction for the things we once held passionately.

We need a renewal of a heart that is ready and willing to be continually convicted by God’s word and God’s Spirit to change.

We need to have a heart that is humble enough to receive God’s word and His discipline

James 1:21 ESV

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

So that every time we go to God’s word, or hear a lesson we are primed and humble enough to be convicted that our lives need to change.

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