Aligning Convictions with God's Unchanging Standards
Summary
In today's message, we explored the importance of being a person of conviction, which inherently requires having the right standards. It's crucial to recognize that conviction without the right standard can lead us astray. Many of the challenges we face in life stem from adopting the wrong standards, often influenced by the prevailing worldviews around us. To navigate this, we must align ourselves with the ultimate standard bearer: God. As the embodiment of truth, God provides the unwavering standard we need. Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," emphasizing that He is the standard we should follow.
There are two answers to every question: God's answer and everyone else's. When others' answers conflict with God's, they are inherently flawed. By making God's way the foundation of our decision-making, we ensure that our convictions are rooted in truth. This is particularly important when we consider the influences on our children. We often worry when they adopt standards from their peers that differ from what we've taught them. These lower standards can lead them away from the path we desire for them.
Just as we guide our children, God desires for us to follow His guidelines. By adopting God's standards as our own, we can become convinced of their righteousness and pursue them with conviction. This pursuit leads us to true success, as we aim for the right goals. In doing so, we align ourselves with God's truth and experience the fulfillment that comes from living according to His standards.
Key Takeaways:
- Conviction requires the right standard. Without it, we risk being led in the wrong direction. It's essential to evaluate the standards we hold and ensure they align with God's truth. [00:18]
- God's truth is immutable. Unlike the shifting standards of the world, God's truth remains constant. Jesus' declaration as "the way, the truth, and the life" serves as a reminder of the unwavering standard we should follow. [00:52]
- There are only two answers: God's and everyone else's. When others' answers conflict with God's, they are wrong. Aligning our decision-making with God's way ensures our convictions are rooted in truth. [01:12]
- We must be vigilant about the standards influencing our children. The desire to conform to peers can lead them to adopt lower standards. Encouraging them to follow God's guidelines helps them aim for higher goals. [01:47]
- Pursuing God's standards leads to true success. By becoming convinced of the righteousness of God's standards and striving for them, we align ourselves with His truth and experience fulfillment. [02:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Importance of Standards
[00:33] - Influence of Worldviews
[00:52] - God as the Standard Bearer
[01:12] - Two Answers to Every Question
[01:28] - Decision Making with God's Standards
[01:47] - Guiding Our Children
[02:01] - The Danger of Conformity
[02:17] - Pursuing God's Standards
[02:30] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
2. Hebrews 6:18 - "God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the risk of having conviction without the right standard? [00:18]
2. How does the sermon describe the influence of worldviews on our standards? [00:33]
3. What does the sermon say about the two answers to every question? [01:12]
4. How does the sermon suggest we should guide our children in terms of standards? [01:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be "the way, the truth, and the life" in the context of setting standards for our lives?
2. How can the concept of God being unable to lie (Hebrews 6:18) influence our trust in His standards over worldly ones?
3. In what ways might the sermon suggest that adopting God's standards leads to true success? [02:17]
4. How does the sermon interpret the danger of conformity, especially concerning our children? [02:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you followed a standard that was not aligned with God's truth. What was the outcome, and how might you approach it differently now? [00:18]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel influenced by worldly standards. How can you realign this area with God's truth this week? [00:33]
3. How can you actively ensure that your decision-making process is rooted in God's standards rather than societal pressures? [01:12]
4. Consider the standards you are setting for your children or those you mentor. How can you better guide them to follow God's guidelines? [01:47]
5. What practical steps can you take to become more convinced of the righteousness of God's standards in your daily life? [02:17]
6. Think of a situation where you felt the pressure to conform to lower standards. How can you resist this pressure and encourage others to aim for higher goals? [02:01]
7. How can you incorporate the truth of John 14:6 into your daily routine to remind yourself of the ultimate standard bearer?
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Convictions with Divine Standards
Conviction is a powerful force that guides our actions and decisions. However, without the right standard, conviction can lead us astray. Many people find themselves adopting standards that are influenced by the prevailing worldviews around them, which can often be misleading. To ensure that our convictions are rooted in truth, we must align ourselves with the ultimate standard bearer: God. God's truth is immutable and provides the unwavering standard we need. By evaluating the standards we hold and ensuring they align with God's truth, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and clarity. [00:18]
"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 33:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: What current standard in your life might be influenced by worldly views rather than God's truth? How can you begin to realign this standard with God's unwavering truth today?
Day 2: The Unchanging Nature of God's Truth
In a world where standards and truths seem to shift constantly, God's truth remains constant and unchanging. Jesus' declaration as "the way, the truth, and the life" serves as a powerful reminder of the unwavering standard we should follow. Unlike the shifting standards of the world, God's truth provides a solid foundation upon which we can build our lives. By making God's way the foundation of our decision-making, we ensure that our convictions are rooted in truth and righteousness. This steadfastness is a source of comfort and guidance in an ever-changing world. [00:52]
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself swayed by changing societal standards? How can you anchor yourself more firmly in the unchanging truth of God?
Day 3: Choosing God's Answer Over Others
There are only two answers to every question: God's and everyone else's. When others' answers conflict with God's, they are inherently flawed. By aligning our decision-making with God's way, we ensure that our convictions are rooted in truth. This is particularly important when we consider the influences on our children. We often worry when they adopt standards from their peers that differ from what we've taught them. Encouraging them to follow God's guidelines helps them aim for higher goals and remain on the path of righteousness. [01:12]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent decision where you chose a path based on others' opinions rather than God's guidance. How can you seek God's answer in similar situations moving forward?
Day 4: Guiding Our Children with God's Standards
As parents and mentors, we must be vigilant about the standards influencing our children. The desire to conform to peers can lead them to adopt lower standards, which may lead them away from the path we desire for them. By encouraging them to follow God's guidelines, we help them aim for higher goals and align themselves with God's truth. This guidance is crucial in helping them develop convictions that are rooted in righteousness and truth, leading them to true success and fulfillment. [01:47]
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively encourage the young people in your life to adopt God's standards over societal ones? What practical steps can you take this week to guide them in this direction?
Day 5: Pursuing True Success Through God's Standards
Pursuing God's standards leads to true success. By becoming convinced of the righteousness of God's standards and striving for them, we align ourselves with His truth and experience fulfillment. This pursuit is not just about achieving worldly success but about aligning our lives with God's purpose and experiencing the joy and peace that come from living according to His standards. As we aim for the right goals, we find true success and fulfillment in our journey of faith. [02:17]
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What does true success look like for you when aligned with God's standards? How can you begin to pursue this vision of success in your daily life?
Quotes
If you really are serious about being a person of conviction then that means you must be a person of standards, right? You've got to have the right standard to be convicted about. I mean, if you follow the wrong crowd and they give you the wrong standard you may have conviction, but you're convicted in the wrong direction. [00:00:08]
Many of the problems we would not have in our lives, if we didn't change our standards. You see, we've got a lot coming at us that want us to enter in to their worldview, their standard, their belief of what's right and wrong. So, let's get something straight: if you want the right standard, you've got to have the right standard bearer. [00:00:30]
By two immutable things, God can't lie. He is truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." In other words, He wants to be the standard. God has spoken and He has not stuttered. Did you know there are two answers to every question: God's answer and everybody else's. And everybody else, when they disagree with Him, are wrong. [00:00:55]
If you and I would make God's way setting the standard for our decision making and then we have conviction of that, then we're having the right standard for the convictions we espouse. Look, we're concerned when our kids come home and their peers have given them a standard, a goal to reach for different than what we've taught them. [00:01:19]
We tell them, "No, that's a low standard: what they're telling you to do, asking you to do, telling you to go." That's not what you want to relate to. The mere fact that they want to be like everybody else ought to wake us up to say, "Ah, they're going after not a high enough standard." We want them to follow our guidelines. [00:01:47]
But we have a father who wants his children to follow his guidelines. Make God's standard your standard, become convinced that that is the right standard, go for that standard, and let's see what winning looks like because you're going after the right goal. [00:02:08]
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