Moving With Conviction

Introduction:
New series of lessons: “The Demise of a Congregation.” Our congregation sits at a crossroads. In areas of evangelism, edification, and benevolence how are we doing? What direction are we headed? Where will we be in 30 years? Are we serving God “from the heart?” Having our heart in it means we will be full of conviction! Success requires more than good intentions. The core ingredient must be conviction! Without it, progress in evangelism, edification, and benevolence will fail every time and we will find ourselves full of discouragement and disillusionment with God’s plan.

I. Much is packed into the meaning of “__________________.”
    A. 1 Thess. 1:5-7—church at Thessalonica accepted gospel despite ____________; jealousy; mobs
    B. Rev. 2:1-7—even in later years, Ephesus could not tolerate __________ __________.
        1. There is more to conviction than being ___________ of evil men.
    C. Rev. 2:18-29—the church at Thyatira did good deeds, but tolerated _______________. They lacked full conviction!
        1. Conviction is more than doing _______ _______!
    D. Num. 25:1-9—Phinehas grabbed spear, killed fornicators!
        1. Could I have done that?

II. __________ on our ____________.
    A. Conviction is what ____ _____ about what we ________!
        1. Acts 4:18-20—was someone forcing them to preach?
        2. Their ____________ was forcing them!
    B. 1 Thess. 1:5-7—what were they convicted of?
        1. The _______________ of God. (1:5-7)
        2. The ___________ of Jesus some day. (1:9-10)
        3. Because of their conviction the change was totally evident!

III. Conviction is the absence of all _____________!
    A. Contrast Phinehas’ conviction _________’s walking on water.
        1. One began with good intentions but would need to be rescued! See Mt. 14:30-31—received strong rebuke!
    B. If a congregation is going to be successful, there must be no doubt that God will grant them success!
        1. Mt. 21:21—is this our conviction as a congregation?
        2. Jesus expresses what will happen through us if His _______ is combined w/our _______.
    C. We constantly battle ______________. Look at a main theme of Philippians:
        1. 1:6; 1:25—constantly urged to __________; dwell on good; possess confidence!
    D. How can we avoid confidence when we have scriptures such as Rom. 8:28?

IV. What a congregation w/o ________________ looks like:
    A. It lacks ____________ that comes from confidence in God.
        1. Overall spirit of ____________; ________ of the future; wish to go back to good old days.
    B. It has no desire to “_________ still more.” (1 Thess. 4:10)
    C. It does not make every effort to ________ ________. (Eph. 5:1) “It’s heart is not in it.”
    D. It possesses all sorts of _________.

Conclusion:
A. A lack of conviction will lead to the demise of the congregation. How are we doing?



Moving With Conviction Introduction: New series of lessons: “The Demise of a Congregation.” Our congregation sits at a crossroads. In areas of evangelism, edification, and benevolence how are we doing? What direction are we headed? Where will we be in 30 years? Are we serving God “from the heart?” Having our heart in it means we will be full of conviction! Success requires more than good intentions. The core ingredient must be conviction! Without it, progress in evangelism, edification, and benevolence will fail every time and we will find ourselves full of discouragement and disillusionment with God’s plan. I. Much is packed into the meaning of “__________________.” A. 1 Thess. 1:5-7—church at Thessalonica accepted gospel despite ____________; jealousy; mobs B. Rev. 2:1-7—even in later years, Ephesus could not tolerate __________ __________. 1. There is more to conviction than being ___________ of evil men. C. Rev. 2:18-29—the church at Thyatira did good deeds, but tolerated _______________. They lacked full conviction! 1. Conviction is more than doing _______ _______! D. Num. 25:1-9—Phinehas grabbed spear, killed fornicators! 1. Could I have done that? II. __________ on our ____________. A. Conviction is what ____ _____ about what we ________! 1. Acts 4:18-20—was someone forcing them to preach? 2. Their ____________ was forcing them! B. 1 Thess. 1:5-7—what were they convicted of? 1. The _______________ of God. (1:5-7) 2. The ___________ of Jesus some day. (1:9-10) 3. Because of their conviction the change was totally evident! III. Conviction is the absence of all _____________! A. Contrast Phinehas’ conviction _________’s walking on water. 1. One began with good intentions but would need to be rescued! See Mt. 14:30-31—received strong rebuke! B. If a congregation is going to be successful, there must be no doubt that God will grant them success! 1. Mt. 21:21—is this our conviction as a congregation? 2. Jesus expresses what will happen through us if His _______ is combined w/our _______. C. We constantly battle ______________. Look at a main theme of Philippians: 1. 1:6; 1:25—constantly urged to __________; dwell on good; possess confidence! D. How can we avoid confidence when we have scriptures such as Rom. 8:28? IV. What a congregation w/o ________________ looks like: A. It lacks ____________ that comes from confidence in God. 1. Overall spirit of ____________; ________ of the future; wish to go back to good old days. B. It has no desire to “_________ still more.” (1 Thess. 4:10) C. It does not make every effort to ________ ________. (Eph. 5:1) “It’s heart is not in it.” D. It possesses all sorts of _________. Conclusion: A. A lack of conviction will lead to the demise of the congregation. How are we doing?