Standing on Our Convictions

2001020
Topic # 1121

Introduction:

A. What do you think of those who are willing to stand up for what is right?

1. Think highly of Christians who have stood up w/conviction – even when in minority.

2. Preachers/brethren 100 yrs ago in division over instrumental music; 40-50 years ago in battles over institutionalism.

3. Recommend Ed Harrell’s book.

B. Always been a small minority of God’s people who have been willing to stand up – no matter what.

1. Cost of losing favor w/God too much despite:

a) Being the odd ball

b) Having people make fun; discount your beliefs as trivial.

c) Even persecuted physically.

2. Example in Scriptures of someone w/conviction – Daniel – Dan. 1.

a) Daniel & friends refused to handle the king’s food and wine.

b) A small thing to those around them – but was a matter they felt important so they would not lose favor w/God.

C. Would we be willing to stand on our convictions no matter what?

1. Conviction defined: a strong belief; the state of being convinced; a strong persuasion.

2. How do we do when:

a) Family function – Sunday – attend Sun PM service? School function – Wednesday – attend Bible Study?

b) Not partaking of raffle at work – even when for a good cause?

c) Refusing to take part in the office pool on the NCAA tourney.

d) Objecting to TV shows; musical artists; etc.

3. These are but a few of the tests where our convictions come to play.

D. Purpose of tonight’s lesson: to make sure we evaluate our faith & realize the importance of serving God – no matter what.

E. Let’s look at the example of Daniel.

I. Daniel’s convictions were based on God’s word.

A. Dan 1 – Objections to eating the kings food.

1. Why? Ex. 20:3 – God specifically forbid idolatry.

a) See also Deut. 17:2-5 – idolatry – a sin = punishable by death!

b) Also told – Deut 14:3 – not to eat any detestable thing.

2. Certainly king’s food not up to God’s standards – pertaining to what was clean/unclean for the Israelites to eat.

B. Main reason for their refusal to eat kings meat: the reason of their rejection of it was, that the heathen at their feasts offered up in sacrifice to their gods a part of the food and the drink, and thus consecrated their meals by a religious rite; whereby not only he who participated in such a meal participated in the worship of idols, but the meat and the wine as a whole were the meat and the wine of an idol sacrifice, (Keil & Delitzsch)

C. The conviction of Daniel; Hanniah; Mishael; Azariah caused them to firmly & politely refuse to partake of that which would involve them recognizing any other God than Jehovah.

D. Likewise, our convictions today must be based upon God’s word.

1. Few people willing to stand up for truth…for what is right.

2. Need to be willing to call sin sin and do what necessary to get rid of it in our lives!

II. How did Daniel stand up?

A. Politely, calm, but firmly. Asked that commander of officials not force he & friends to violate conscience.

1. Know some who stand up rudely – makes lasting NEGATIVE impression!

2. Can adversely affect non-Christians! Fine line that drawn….

3. Daniel suggested a test: 1:12-15 – whether or not veggies would do the trick or not.

B. 1:8 – Daniel made up his mind.

1. Note the firm resolution. Had already decided the matter fully.

2. We must resolve to

a) Know what is right/wrong in God’s word

b) Do that which is right – at all times!

3. Young people need to do this – because resolve can wane when temptation strikes….

a) Don’t hide b/h my parents won’t let me.

b) Stand up for your principles as a Christian!

C. Note Daniel obligated himself to obey it.

D. Note also: His resolve was the kind that strengthened his friends:

1. 3:14-18 – Shadrach; Meshac; Abendego – (Babylonian names) faced the fiery furnace.

2. 3:18 – refused to worship the image; the king; etc.

3. No doubt Daniel’s good example strengthened them in the months/years leading up to this incident.

III. Daniel benefited from his stance with God.

A. 1:9 – gained favor/compassion in the sight of the commander.

B. Great/wonderful sight to see Christian young/old refuse to defile themselves by sin.

C. 1:17 – They gained “superior knowledge.”

1. Gain not always in $$$

2. Gave them a superior knowledge/intelligence – superior by 10x to the others

D. We too can benefit from serving God.

1. Reputation

2. Wisdom/common sense.

Conclusion:

A. No greater need in the church today than for every member to have courage of convictions based on plain biblical instruction.

B. Every bible teacher/spiritual leader – must be a person w/the courage of conviction to refuse any sort of defilement.

C. Job 17:9

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Standing on Our Convictions 2001020 Topic # 1121 Introduction: A. What do you think of those who are willing to stand up for what is right? 1. Think highly of Christians who have stood up w/conviction – even when in minority. 2. Preachers/brethren 100 yrs ago in division over instrumental music; 40-50 years ago in battles over institutionalism. 3. Recommend Ed Harrell’s book. B. Always been a small minority of God’s people who have been willing to stand up – no matter what. 1. Cost of losing favor w/God too much despite: a) Being the odd ball b) Having people make fun; discount your beliefs as trivial. c) Even persecuted physically. 2. Example in Scriptures of someone w/conviction – Daniel – Dan. 1. a) Daniel & friends refused to handle the king’s food and wine. b) A small thing to those around them – but was a matter they felt important so they would not lose favor w/God. C. Would we be willing to stand on our convictions no matter what? 1. Conviction defined: a strong belief; the state of being convinced; a strong persuasion. 2. How do we do when: a) Family function – Sunday – attend Sun PM service? School function – Wednesday – attend Bible Study? b) Not partaking of raffle at work – even when for a good cause? c) Refusing to take part in the office pool on the NCAA tourney. d) Objecting to TV shows; musical artists; etc. 3. These are but a few of the tests where our convictions come to play. D. Purpose of tonight’s lesson: to make sure we evaluate our faith & realize the importance of serving God – no matter what. E. Let’s look at the example of Daniel. I. Daniel’s convictions were based on God’s word. A. Dan 1 – Objections to eating the kings food. 1. Why? Ex. 20:3 – God specifically forbid idolatry. a) See also Deut. 17:2-5 – idolatry – a sin = punishable by death! b) Also told – Deut 14:3 – not to eat any detestable thing. 2. Certainly king’s food not up to God’s standards – pertaining to what was clean/unclean for the Israelites to eat. B. Main reason for their refusal to eat kings meat: the reason of their rejection of it was, that the heathen at their feasts offered up in sacrifice to their gods a part of the food and the drink, and thus consecrated their meals by a religious rite; whereby not only he who participated in such a meal participated in the worship of idols, but the meat and the wine as a whole were the meat and the wine of an idol sacrifice, (Keil & Delitzsch) C. The conviction of Daniel; Hanniah; Mishael; Azariah caused them to firmly & politely refuse to partake of that which would involve them recognizing any other God than Jehovah. D. Likewise, our convictions today must be based upon God’s word. 1. Few people willing to stand up for truth…for what is right. 2. Need to be willing to call sin sin and do what necessary to get rid of it in our lives! II. How did Daniel stand up? A. Politely, calm, but firmly. Asked that commander of officials not force he & friends to violate conscience. 1. Know some who stand up rudely – makes lasting NEGATIVE impression! 2. Can adversely affect non-Christians! Fine line that drawn…. 3. Daniel suggested a test: 1:12-15 – whether or not veggies would do the trick or not. B. 1:8 – Daniel made up his mind. 1. Note the firm resolution. Had already decided the matter fully. 2. We must resolve to a) Know what is right/wrong in God’s word b) Do that which is right – at all times! 3. Young people need to do this – because resolve can wane when temptation strikes…. a) Don’t hide b/h my parents won’t let me. b) Stand up for your principles as a Christian! C. Note Daniel obligated himself to obey it. D. Note also: His resolve was the kind that strengthened his friends: 1. 3:14-18 – Shadrach; Meshac; Abendego – (Babylonian names) faced the fiery furnace. 2. 3:18 – refused to worship the image; the king; etc. 3. No doubt Daniel’s good example strengthened them in the months/years leading up to this incident. III. Daniel benefited from his stance with God. A. 1:9 – gained favor/compassion in the sight of the commander. B. Great/wonderful sight to see Christian young/old refuse to defile themselves by sin. C. 1:17 – They gained “superior knowledge.” 1. Gain not always in $$$ 2. Gave them a superior knowledge/intelligence – superior by 10x to the others D. We too can benefit from serving God. 1. Reputation 2. Wisdom/common sense. Conclusion: A. No greater need in the church today than for every member to have courage of convictions based on plain biblical instruction. B. Every bible teacher/spiritual leader – must be a person w/the courage of conviction to refuse any sort of defilement. C. Job 17:9 D. I N V I T A T I O N