Sermon Notes

Necessary Convictions

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB

Convictions are a strong persuasion or belief. Some are right and some are wrong. The Apostle Paul had a great desire to help others spiritually. He lived his life wholly for the Lord- to bring glory to God and not upon himself. Paul’s convictions can be an example for us.

Read: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 { v.6 }

I. Personal Convictions

* v13 Paul had a personal conviction against causing offense

* he was willing to “give up” something for that conviction

* too often we have convictions about what others should be or do

* true convictions are worth sacrificing for-

Genesis 50:20 Joseph preferred purity to popularity

Daniel 1:8-16 would not defile himself with the Kings meat

Daniel 3:13-18 Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego would not

bow, bend, or budge from their convictions of serving only God

Jeremiah 20:7-11 wanted to quit preaching

Acts 5:27-31 Peter and the apostles obeyed God than man

* we need strong convictions which will sustain us in difficult times

II Practical Convictions daily living

Romans 12:1,2 we are save to serve (2 Timothy 2:15)

1 John 5:1-5 believing in Christ will bring victory over self

! Thessalonians 3:11-13 we must establish our convictions

Proverbs 16:6-9 your convictions must please the Lord

* convictions are powerful only if they are centered in Christ

* Christ centered convictions will turn us from sin and compromise

* Christ centered convictions will make us faithful to Godly service

“Any dead fish can float downstream; it takes a live one to swim against the current”