Conviction and Perspective

I. FAITH: (Hebrews 11:1-8)

1. Faith is believing the promises of God and acting upon them.
2. Hebrews 11:1-8
   • Able worshiped
   • Enoch walked
   • Noah worked
   • Abraham went

II. THE EXAMPLE OF MOSES: (Hebrews 11:23-29)

1. What did Moses do “by faith?”
2. What did his parents do “by faith?”
3. Faith without conviction is presumption.
   • Moses had faith under the influence of his parents (Heb 11:23).
   • Moses acted based on his own convictions (Heb 11:24-29).
   • How do you live your Christian life now that you are beyond the influence of your parents?

III. PERSPECTIVE:

1. Perspective is has to do with a philosophy of life, seeing life as God does.
   • What was Moses’ philosophy of life (Heb 11:25-26)?
   • What was Jesus’ philosophy of Life (Luke 12:24-34)?
   • How do you help your “Timothy” to have conviction and perspective?
     • Psalm 127:1
     • Philippians 2:13

IV. GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING CONVICTION AND PERSPECTIVE:

1. Major in principles, rather than methods.
   • The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-15).
     • The principle: seed is sown, something takes place.
     • The method: no mention of how the seed was sown.
   • The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): Principle with no method.
   • Don’t follow methodology simply because of tradition.
   • Conviction is developed by probing into the “Why” something is done.
2. Major in meeting needs, rather than in developing and imparting techniques.
   • What was the focus of Jesus in relation to meeting needs (John 9:7, 12, 35-38)?
   • Do you feel it is proper to make friends with non-Christian?
   • Is this the same as biblical fellowship (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
3. Major in developing the thought process rather than the skills.
   • What was the major problem Jesus had with the Pharisees?
     • Did they not know how to evangelize?
     • Did they not tithe, pray, know the Word, fast?
   • It was their philosophy of life: conviction without perspective.
   • Discipleship is the imparting of character, not simply skills and knowledge.
4. Major in how to trust God, rather than theories about God.
   • The parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-15).
     • No faith – Luke 8:12.
     • Faith without conviction – Luke 8:13.
     • Faith without perspective – Luke 8:14.
     • Reproductive faith – Luke 8:15.
   • Notice the rest of Luke chapter 8.
     • Jesus’ ministry in storms (Luke 8:22-25): “where is your faith (Luke 8:25)?”
     • Jesus’ ministry over demons (Luke 8:26-39): witness of faith (Luke 8:39).
     • Jesus’ ministry in death (Luke 8:40-42,49-56): “Only believe (Luke 8:50).”
     • Jesus’ ministry over despair (Luke 8:43-48): “Your faith has made you well (Luke 8:48).”
   • The objective of the Christian life is not survival.
     • If Satan is on the defensive, God must be on the offensive (Matthew 16:18b).
     • Gates are a defensive weapon, not offensive.
     • Disciples need conviction and perspective, or it will be like charging the gates of hell with a water gun.
     • What do you think will happen to a boxer who only defends, and never goes on the offensive?