Scripture ReadingScripture Reading1 Kings 12:25-301 Kings 12:25-30

Conviction or Convenience?Conviction or Convenience?

Principle is set forth in our reading.Principle is set forth in our reading. It takes courage (conviction) to It takes courage (conviction) to

stand; yet the cowardly are stand; yet the cowardly are ashamed.ashamed.

We can stand if we want to, with We can stand if we want to, with conviction; it takes effort.conviction; it takes effort.

Water runs downhill effortlessly; Water runs downhill effortlessly; resistance stops it.resistance stops it.

Bible ExamplesBible Examples

Abel’s offering took conviction (Heb. Abel’s offering took conviction (Heb. 11:4).11:4).

Cain’s was a more convenient Cain’s was a more convenient sacrifice (Ge. 4:2-5).sacrifice (Ge. 4:2-5).

Nadab and Abihu offered a ‘strange’ Nadab and Abihu offered a ‘strange’ fire before the Lord (Lev. 10:1)fire before the Lord (Lev. 10:1)

The voice of conviction says, “We will The voice of conviction says, “We will serve” (Josh. 24:15).serve” (Josh. 24:15).

Denominational Examples Denominational Examples of Convenienceof Convenience

““Join the church of your choice”Join the church of your choice” Scriptures teach there is only one church Scriptures teach there is only one church

and the Lord adds you to the church (Eph. and the Lord adds you to the church (Eph. 4:4-6; Ac. 2:47).4:4-6; Ac. 2:47).

““Justified by faith only” Justified by faith only” Scriptures teach it takes a combination of Scriptures teach it takes a combination of

faith with works (Jas. 2:17-18).faith with works (Jas. 2:17-18). ““Sprinkling or pouring, whatever method Sprinkling or pouring, whatever method

you choose”you choose”

Conviction or ConvenienceConviction or Convenience

Scriptures teach that one must be Scriptures teach that one must be baptized, immersed, buried, in order to baptized, immersed, buried, in order to have one’s sins washed away (Col. 2:12).have one’s sins washed away (Col. 2:12).

““We play and sing”We play and sing” Scriptures teach we are to sing (Eph. 5:19; Scriptures teach we are to sing (Eph. 5:19;

Col. 3:16).Col. 3:16). ““We take the Lord’s Supper once a month”We take the Lord’s Supper once a month” Scriptures say weekly (Ac. 20:7)Scriptures say weekly (Ac. 20:7)

Conviction or Convenience Conviction or Convenience for those of us who call for those of us who call

ourselves Christiansourselves Christians Convenient to be conformed-Rom. Convenient to be conformed-Rom.

12:1-212:1-2 Convenient to stay at home-He. 10:25Convenient to stay at home-He. 10:25 Convenient to not study-2 Tim. 2:15Convenient to not study-2 Tim. 2:15 Convenient to leave others alone-Mt. Convenient to leave others alone-Mt.

28:1928:19 Convenient to not sing-Eph. 5:19Convenient to not sing-Eph. 5:19

Conviction or Convenience Conviction or Convenience (cont.)(cont.)

Convenient to neglect prayer-1 Convenient to neglect prayer-1 Thess. 5:17Thess. 5:17

Convenient to spend-1 Cor. 16:1-2Convenient to spend-1 Cor. 16:1-2 Convenient not to visit-Jas 1:27Convenient not to visit-Jas 1:27 Convenient to be lazy-Phil. 2:12Convenient to be lazy-Phil. 2:12 Convenient to quit-Mt. 10:22Convenient to quit-Mt. 10:22

ConclusionConclusion

I believe we can see that it takes very I believe we can see that it takes very little conviction to go along with the little conviction to go along with the crowd.crowd.

Our service to God should not be one Our service to God should not be one of convenience, but one of conviction.of convenience, but one of conviction.

Following God is not always the Following God is not always the easiest, but it is the best and only easiest, but it is the best and only way, especially if we want the hope of way, especially if we want the hope of Heaven when we die.Heaven when we die.