CONVICTION: COURAGE TO STAND ALONE In Christ – Part 5 6/29/2025 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:10-11 ESV Key Word Highlights (Greek): • Keep – Greek: tēreō (τηρέω) – to guard, watch over, or preserve; implies intentional obedience. • Abide – Greek: menō (μένω) – to remain, dwell, endure; speaks of perseverance and steadfast presence. • Commandments – Greek: entolē (ἐντολή) – authoritative prescription, divine injunction. • Joy – Greek: chara (χαρά) – deep, abiding gladness not based on circumstances. I. Jesus Stood in Conviction Before the Crowd After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66–69 ESV Conviction isn’t proven in comfort—it’s proven in conflict. And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1–13 ESV • The enemy offers comfort and shortcuts; Jesus chooses truth and obedience. II. Jesus Stood Alone in Truth Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37 ESV Conviction flows from clarity of mission. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. John 8:29 ESV Conviction means choosing God’s pleasure over people’s approval. III. We Are Called to Stand in Conviction 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. Romans 12:2 ESV Transformation begins with courageous non-conformity. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV Stand firm in love, truth, and grace. Conviction is not arrogance—it’s Spirit-shaped courage. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16–18 ESV Conviction is courageous when joy is rooted in God—not outcomes. Don’t wait for approval to stand. Find joy in faithfulness itself. When you are in Christ, courage is not just possible—it’s promised. Your convictions are anchored not in personal strength but in divine relationship. Talk About It: 1. When have you chosen comfort over conviction? 2. What truth are you afraid to stand for right now? 3. How does abiding in Jesus strengthen your resolve? 4. Who in your life needs to see your example of courageous obedience?