Moving with Conviction
Pt. 1 The Demise of a Congregation
2003001
Subject: Conviction; church growth
Introduction:
A. A look at the church at Ephesus in the beginning:
1. Got its start in Ax 18 w/help of Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila.
2. Paul would return on 3rd missionary journey & labor for 3 years. Congregation had a marvelous beginning!
B. Observe:
1. 19:9-10 – gospel went to all Asia while Paul taught here.
2. 19:11 – extraordinary miracles worked by Paul.
3. 19:17 – word of the Lord magnified in this area.
4. 19:18 – “kept coming” implies daily additions as in Acts 2:47
5. 19:20
6. Christianity had become so influential that idol worshippers were afraid entire city would convert to Christianity.
C. The Middle Period:
1. Picture of a mature congregation. Similar to many congregations today.
2. Paul seeks to remind them of who they were in chapter 1. (Chosen in Christ; redeemed; Heirs in Christ)
3. They needed to remember from where they came in chapter 2.
a) had been dead in sin; led by Satan; w/o God & hope.
4. They needed to focus on unity & continue imitating God & walk in love.
D. In the early & middle period we see a NT church filled with:
1. love; rich fellowship; joy
2. enthusiasm; hearty singing of praise to God.
3. prayer; concern for learning truth.
4. full of genuine repentance & vibrant evangelism…
E. But…now take a look at a congregation on the threshold of demise – when the 2nd generation of believers came into influence.
1. younger men & converts would now be teaching & helping w/in the congregation. What direction were they headed?
2. Rev. 2:3-7 – we see them still active – even decades later.
a) tremendous commendation!
b) Many churches last only 1-2 generations. Zeal is not genetic! It must be taught & grown!
3. BUT…they left their first love. 2:3-4.
a) doing the right things – but Jesus addresses their motivation!
1) their heart wasn’t in it!
2) Actions were doing them no good!
4. Told to repent – acknowledge sin & turn away.
a) Jesus not only wanted their actions – He wanted their heart behind the actions.
5. By the end of the 2nd century, the congregation would move into apostasy.
F. As we begin a new year – have a new series of lessons – The Demise of a Congregation.
1. Our congregation sits at a crossroads. What we do in the next few years will play a role in the long-term survival of the congregation!
2. In areas of evangelism; edification; benevolence; how are we doing?
a) in what direction are we going?
b) Where will our congregation be in 30 years?
3. Efforts are being made to spread the gospel. But are we supporting these efforts with our heart?
a) volunteering; participation; hospitality; speaking well of one another?
b) Encouraging one another’s efforts? Praying for? Planning for the future?
G. Having Our Heart in it means we will be full of conviction!
H. Success requires more than good intentions! The core ingredient must be conviction!
1. without this ingredient – progress in evangelism; edification; benevolence will fail every time!
2. Brethren find themselves full of discouragement & disillusionment with God’s plan.
I. Much is packed into the meaning of conviction.
A. Think of church at Thessalonica Acts 17.
1. accepted gospel even though persecuted; jealousy; mobs; uproars.
2. read 1 Thess. 1:5
B. Rev. 2:1-7. Church at Ephesus even in later years – could not tolerate false teaching.
1. hated deeds of Nicolatians.
a) yet as you read on – even though they took stand for truth – they lacked full conviction.
2. There is more to conviction than being intolerant of evil men!
3. Rev. 2:18-29 – church at Thyatira.
a) practiced good deeds but were tolerant toward immorality.
b) They lacked full conviction.
4. Conviction is more than doing good deeds!
C. Num. 25:1-9. Phinehas – grandson of Aaron. (fin-e-as)
1. Israel falls into trap of seduction by Moabite women. God displeased.
2. man takes woman into his tent – in front of all.
a) Phinehas grabs his spear – runs both man/woman through.
3. Ask: Could I have done that? Could I carry responsibility of grabbing a spear and following them into that tent?
4. From beginning to end, Phinehas provides a living example of conviction!
II. Acting on our beliefs.
A. Conviction is what we do about what we believe!
1. it is motivating confidence.
2. it is more than just a firm belief – it requires something from us!
a) Acts 4:18-20 – was someone forcing them to preach?
b) Their conviction was forcing them!
c) Just couldn’t help telling others about Jesus – no matter what authorities said.
3. In fact, their conviction would lead them back to report what happened – then entire church prayed for boldness. Acts 4:23-31.
B. Consider Thessalonians again…
1. 1:5-7 – they were fully convicted.
2. of what?
a) teachings of God
b) 1:9-10 their resurrection from the dead & the return of Jesus someday.
4. As a result of their conviction the change in their lives was evident to all!
C. From this, we see a saint’s conviction must be founded upon teachings of God & the promises of God.
III. Conviction is the absence of all doubt!
A. Contrast Phineahas’ conviction to Peter’s effort to walk on water.
1. Peter began with good intentions!
2. what happened? Needed to be rescued in end & received rebuke from Jesus – Mt. 14:30-31.
B. If a congregation is going to be successful – there must be no doubt that God will grant them success!
1. Mt. 21:21.
2. Is this our conviction as a congregation?
3. Note: Jesus expresses what will happen through us if His power is combined with our assurance!
4. Why is it so tempting to understand this, and till utter the word, “but…”
C. Conviction is the confidence that we as a congregation WILL grow and thrive as long as we follow God’s plan for us!
1. We constantly battle pessimism.
2. Consider a theme that runs through Philippians.
a) everything Paul says is an effort to get them to see the positive side of things – to have confidence.
b) 1:6, 1:25; He constantly admonishes them to rejoice; dwell on good things; to avoid anxiety.
D. How can we be anything but positive if we are convicted that God is perfecting our work & that we will progress? (Jason Cheney)
1. How can we avoid confidence when we have scriptures such as Rom. 8:28?
IV. What a congregation without conviction looks like:
A. It lacks the motivation that comes from confidence in God’s words & promises.
1. There is an overall spirit of pessimism; fear of the future; and a wish to go back to the good old days.
2. Do we have confidence in God’s plan? Are we optimistic w/the future?
B. A congregation w/o conviction has no desire/drive to “excel still more.” (1 Thess. 4:10)
C. A congregation w/o conviction does not make every effort to imitate God. Oh yes, living right, but heart not in it.
D. A congregation w/o conviction possesses all sorts of doubts.
1. doubts that our message will be heard and if heard, no one will respond.
2. doubts they can change individually
3. doubts Jesus’ power that they can cast mountains into the sea.
Conclusion:
A. A lack of conviction will lead to demise of congregation.
1. Let’s start improving things today!
2. Let’s work w/confidence that God will work through us & that natural growth will take place.
B. Here today & not Christian? Consider 1 Thess. 1:5-10 again.
1. Do you believe in God? Believe you are lost in sin? Is there a certain dread & guilt when thinking of deeds you have done?
2. Acts today out of conviction & obey Gospel. Act on what you believe & begin your relationship with God today.
C. I N V I T A T I O N
