Conviction or Convenience?
I.
Introduction: (1 Kings 12:25-33)
A. Text tells of Jeroboam’s offer of convenient (and false) religion for Israel.
Ø He “devised in his won heart” the convenience (v. 33).
B. It takes courage to stand against the convenience we are often offered from the world. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
Ø 1 Cor. 10:12-13 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. [13] No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
C. Complaining is indicator of wanting a convenience over following your convictions
D. Purpose of lesson is to examine some Bobble examples of conviction and convenience and make application to us.
E. If the source of our convictions is from God, they are good for us.
F. Conveniences are for self.
II.
Bible Conveniences & Convictions.
A. Cain’s offering was convenient (Gen. 4:2-5)
Genesis 4:2-5 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. [3] In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, [4] and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, [5] but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
Ø Abel’s offering took conviction (Heb.11: 4).
B. Nadab & Abihu offered what was convenient (Lev. 10:1).
Ø Joshua had the voice of conviction.
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. [15] And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
C. Giving a bad report concerning the land of milk and honey was convenient. (Num. 14:2)
Ø Standing up against the other Spies took conviction. (Num. 14:6)
D. Complaining against God is convenient. (Exo. 15:24; 16:8)
And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
Ø Obeying God without question takes conviction. (Gen 22:6)
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
III.
Worldly Conveniences & Convictions.
A. Fornication is convenient.
Ø Maintain self-control takes Conviction. 1 Cor. 7:5,9
B. Abortion, suicide and euthanasia are convenient.
Ø Defending life takes Conviction. Gen. 1
C. Denying that God exist is convenient.
Romans 1:20-22
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Ø Proclaiming Christ by word and deed takes Conviction.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
D. Accepting homosexuality as normal is convenient.
Ø Rejecting homosexuality because it is an abomination.
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; [27] and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
E. Redefining marriage as between any two consenting adults is convenient.
Ø
Standing up for the way God created marriage takes Conviction.
Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and
hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
IV.
Modern Day Religious Conveniences & Convictions.
A. Joining the denomination of “your choice” is convenient.
Ø Seeking & joining the one church takes conviction.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
“There is one body and one Spirit…”
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
B. Justified by “faith only” is convenient.
Ø Having saving faith takes conviction (James 2:19-24; Luke 6:46).
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"— and he was called a friend of God. [24] You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?
C. Sprinkling for Baptism is convenient.
Ø Immersion takes conviction.
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
D. Mechanical instruments & choirs are convenient.
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
E. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper monthly, quarterly or annually is convenient.
Ø Weekly observance takes conviction.
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
F. Using the Church building for social functions is convenient.
Ø Sharing our homes with Christians takes conviction.
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
V.
Christian’s of Convenience & convictions.
A. It is convenient to be like the world.
Ø To renew one’s life takes conviction (Ephesians 4:21-24).
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, [22] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [23] and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
B. It is convenient to stay home when Christians are assembling.
Ø All always yearning to be with Christians takes conviction.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
C. Never talking about salvation to sinners is comfortable and convenient.
Ø Taking the Gospel message to anyone at anytime takes Conviction.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
D. Praying when in trouble is convenient.
Ø Praying without ceasing takes conviction. (Luke 18:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 5:20). publican
pray without ceasing,
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
E. Never caring about the physical & spiritual needy is convenient.
Ø It takes conviction to care for them.
James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
F. Doing nothing is convenient.
Ø Getting involved with the work of the congregation takes conviction.
Philip. 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
G. Never maturing spiritually is convenient. (Heb. 5:12-14)
Ø Growing in Christ takes Conviction. (1 Peter 2:2).
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation—
H. Surrendering in face of adversity is convenient.
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
2 Peter 2:21
For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
Ø Never allowing our faith to fail takes conviction.
and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Rev. 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
VI.
Conclusion.
A. Complaining is indicator of wanting a convenience over following your convictions
B. It may be easier for us to see the difference in convenience and conviction concerning Jeroboam.
Ø My challenge to you is can you see the difference of convenience of conviction in you service to God?
C. Are you a disciple of conviction or convenience?
D. I thank God that He never chose the convenient way in justice toward me.
Modified from Ron Griffin