The Courage of Our Convictions

1. The Courage of Our Convictions 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

2. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love. All of these phrases connote strength and courage in the child of God. But, they also indicate a responsibility we have to act upon our faith in a particular way.

3. Conviction’s … Duty: “Watch” • 1 Peter 5:8

4. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

5. Conviction’s … Duty: “Watch” • 1 Peter 5:8 Task: “Stand fast in the Faith” • Philippians 1:27; 2 Timothy 1:13

6. Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

7. 2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

8. Conviction’s … Duty: “Watch” • 1 Peter 5:8 Task: “Stand fast in the Faith” • Philippians 1:27; 2 Timothy 1:13 Courage: “Be Brave” • Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 13:5-6

9. Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Our confidence not in ourselves, but in Him!

10. Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

11. Conviction’s … Duty: “Watch” • 1 Peter 5:8 Task: “Stand fast in the Faith” • Philippians 1:27; 2 Timothy 1:13 Courage: “Be Brave” • Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 13:5-6 Power: “Be Strong” • Ephesians 6:10-13

12. Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

13. Conviction’s … Duty: “Watch” • 1 Peter 5:8 Task: “Stand fast in the Faith” • Philippians 1:27; 2 Timothy 1:13 Courage: “Be Brave” • Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 13:5-6 Power: “Be Strong” • Ephesians 6:10-13 Conduct: “Let all be done in love” • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 John 4:7-11

14. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

15. 1 John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

16. Conclusion May each of us heed the exhortations of the Apostle in this passage, and act upon our convictions as God’s children in such a way as to bring Him glory and honor!