August 23, 2007

Conviction of the Holy Spirit       

Convict – it is a legal term speaking of a lawyer cross examining a person until they plead guilty. 

            -it means to convince and expose

(1)   Conviction is realizing there is a God – Hebrews 11:6

a.)   God Exists

-I Am – present tense – He Is present right now

-He exists through creation

b.)   He speaks – Rev 2:17

-to the believer and the unbeliever

1.)   God speaks Himself

2.)   He can use the word of God – 1 Cor 6:18-20

3.)   God can use a human being – 2 Timothy 4:2

-rebuke – means to forbid;censure;straight talk

(2)   Conviction is Recognizing – 1 John 1:9

-recognizing that what we are doing is wrong

-it does not line up to God’s will or word

Confess – means to say the same thing that God says – Psalm 51

(3)   Conviction is taking personal responsibility for our actions – Genesis 3:1-13

Remember 2 things:

a.)   do not blame others for your sin

b.)   do not do wrong because someone else does wrong

(4)   Conviction is stopping – 1 Peter 1:14-16

How do you stop?   - a miracle vs a process

-repent immediately

-determine not to go in the same direction

-take action until you reach heaven

Who can be convicted?

THE BELIEVER – 1 John 2:20,27

a.)   there is personal conviction by the Holy Spirit

-this is special instructions to each believer that does not effect the entire body of Christ

b.)   there is conviction of sins by the Holy Spirit

-Ephesians 4:30

THE UNBELIEVER – John 16:5-11

Vs8,9 – convince them of sin

-all of us have sinned and we need a Savior

Vs8,10 – convince them of righteousness

-our own righteousness will not give us eternal life

Vs8,11 – convince them of judgment

-God’s judgment is already upon them  - John 3:16-18