Courage to Preach the Gospel Through Conviction

Devotional

Day 1: I Belong to God

To belong to God means more than simply identifying as a Christian; it is a conviction that shapes every aspect of life. Like a worker who is “on the clock,” a believer recognizes that their life is no longer their own, but is lived in service to the One who purchased them at the highest price—the blood of Jesus Christ. This conviction brings courage, even when the world finds it strange or even offensive, because the God who owns us is good, loving, and desires our holiness above our happiness. When fear or cultural pressure tempts you to shrink back from sharing your faith, remember that you are on God’s time, called to live and speak as His representative, trusting that His ownership is always for your good. [56:26]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most resist God’s ownership, and what would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: God’s Word is True

Conviction grows when you are convinced that God’s Word is absolutely true and trustworthy, even when it challenges your desires or contradicts the culture around you. Paul’s confidence came from believing “everything laid down by the law and written in the prophets,” and for us, that means trusting the whole of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—as God’s communication to us. This trust is not blind; it is built as you read, wrestle with, and see God’s faithfulness proven in your life. When you encounter difficult teachings or are tempted to compromise, remember that God’s Word is breathed out by Him, profitable for teaching, correction, and training, and that living by it leads to true freedom and transformation. [01:08:51]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Reflection: What is one specific command or promise in Scripture you struggle to believe or obey, and how can you take a step of faith to trust God’s Word in that area today?

Day 3: Hope in the Resurrection

The hope of resurrection is not just a distant theological idea, but a living conviction that gives courage to face trials, suffering, and even opposition for the sake of the gospel. Paul stood on trial, unafraid, because he knew that one day God would raise him up, and that every wrong would be made right in God’s final judgment. This hope transforms how you live now, reminding you that your suffering is not the end, and that your faithfulness will be rewarded. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, guaranteeing that death is not the end and empowering you to live with boldness and joy, even in the face of fear. [01:18:06]

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection change the way you approach your fears, suffering, or opportunities to share your faith today?

Day 4: Courage Flows from Conviction

Courage to share the gospel does not come from personality or training, but from deep convictions about who God is, what He has said, and what He has promised. When you are convinced that you belong to God, that His Word is true, and that your hope is secure in Christ, you can speak and act with boldness—even when it is uncomfortable or costly. This courage is not bravado, but a quiet confidence that God is with you, that He will use your faithfulness, and that your identity and future are secure in Him. Building this kind of courage requires intentional reflection, prayer, and a willingness to act on your convictions, trusting God with the results. [46:44]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: What is one opportunity you have this week to speak or act for Christ, and how can you prepare your heart to respond with courage rooted in conviction?

Day 5: Building Conviction Through God’s Presence and Word

Conviction is not something you are born with; it is built over time as you experience God’s presence, read His Word, and see His faithfulness in your life. The more you walk with God, the more you become convinced of His goodness, His truth, and His promises. This process requires intentionality—choosing to spend time in Scripture, to pray, and to reflect on how God has worked in your life. As you do, your convictions deepen, and you become someone who not only knows about God, but is transformed by Him, able to stand firm and share the gospel with authenticity and love. [01:19:40]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your conviction—such as a new habit of Bible reading, prayer, or sharing your story with someone?

Sermon Summary

As we come to the end of our journey through Acts, I want to remind us of the heartbeat of this book: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” This is not just a call for the apostles, but for every one of us. The gospel is not something to be kept within the walls of our church or reserved for Sunday mornings. It is a living, transforming power that we are called to share—wherever we go, with whomever we meet. My hope is that we would be a people marked by this conviction, that our lives would be so changed by the good news of Jesus that we cannot help but speak of it.

Yet, I know that fear often holds us back. We worry about not knowing enough, about how others will respond, or about the cost of standing out in a culture that often pushes back against the claims of Christ. But courage to speak does not come from self-confidence or expertise; it comes from conviction. Conviction is more than opinion—it is a deeply held belief that shapes how we live. Paul, standing on trial for his life, shows us what it means to live from conviction. He draws courage from three foundational truths: he belongs to God, he knows God’s word is true, and he trusts that one day God will raise him up.

To belong to God is to recognize that our lives are not our own. We are “on the clock” for Him, called to live not for our own desires but for His purposes. This is not a burden, but a joy, because our Master is good and loving. The world may see this as strange or even judgmental, but we know that being owned by God is the path to true freedom and holiness.

Paul’s second conviction is that God’s word is true. He believes everything written in the law and the prophets, and for us, that means trusting the whole of Scripture. This trust is not blind; it is built through experience—by reading, wrestling, and seeing God’s faithfulness play out in our lives. When we forgive, when we respond gently, when we trust God’s promises, we find again and again that His word is reliable. This gives us courage to stand firm, even when culture disagrees.

Finally, Paul’s hope is anchored in the resurrection. He knows that one day, God will judge the living and the dead, and that those in Christ will be raised to new life. This eternal perspective frees us from fear—what can man do to us, if our future is secure in Christ? With these convictions, we can speak boldly, love deeply, and live faithfully.

Key Takeaways

1. We Belong to God, Not Ourselves To belong to God means surrendering our autonomy and embracing His ownership of our lives. This is not a loss, but a gain, because our Master is perfectly good and loving. When we remember that we are “on the clock” for God, it reframes our fears and gives us courage to live and speak for Him, even when culture pushes back. [51:52]
2. God’s Word is True and Trustworthy Conviction grows as we experience the truth of Scripture in our lives. Reading and applying God’s word—especially when it challenges us—builds a deep trust that His ways are right. This trust becomes a wellspring of courage, enabling us to stand firm and speak truth even when it is unpopular or costly. [68:20]
3. Our Hope is in the Resurrection The promise that God will one day raise us up gives us an unshakeable hope. This eternal perspective reminds us that our lives and our witness matter, and that ultimate justice and reward are in God’s hands. When we live with the end in view, fear loses its grip and we are freed to be bold and faithful. [73:11]
4. Conviction Fuels Courageous Witness Courage to share the gospel does not come from personality or training, but from deep convictions about who God is, what He has said, and what He will do. When these truths are rooted in our hearts, we find the strength to speak, even in the face of opposition or uncertainty. [46:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:18] - Gratitude for the Tech Team
[39:48] - Purpose of Acts and Our Calling
[40:19] - The Power of the Gospel
[41:52] - Invitation to Men’s Prayer
[42:51] - Fears About Sharing the Gospel
[44:19] - Conviction vs. Opinion
[45:19] - Personal Story of Conviction
[46:44] - Building Courage Through Conviction
[48:27] - Paul’s Three Convictions
[48:58] - Conviction One: I Belong to God
[59:29] - Conviction Two: God’s Word is True
[73:11] - Conviction Three: Hope in the Resurrection
[79:40] - Next Steps and Invitation
[80:23] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 24:14-16 (ESV) — > But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
> Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
> All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Observation Questions

In Acts 24:14-16, what three core convictions does Paul mention as part of his defense before the authorities?
According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what does Paul say about our bodies and who they belong to?
What does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 say about the purpose and usefulness of Scripture?
In the sermon, what does the pastor mean when he says, “I am on the clock with God”? [[51:52]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul’s conviction that he belongs to God give him courage to speak, even when facing opposition or danger? [[51:52]]
The pastor says that conviction is more than opinion—it’s a deeply held belief that shapes how we live. How does this difference show up in the way we talk about our faith? [[44:19]]
How does trusting that God’s word is true help someone stand firm when culture disagrees or pushes back? [[01:09:48]]
What difference does it make in daily life to have hope in the resurrection, as Paul describes in Acts 24:15? [[01:13:11]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared that being “on the clock” for God means our lives are not our own. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to surrender control to God? What would it look like to “clock in” for God in that area this week? [[51:52]]
When you think about sharing your faith, what specific fears or worries come up for you? How might remembering that you belong to God help you face those fears? [[43:41]]
The sermon talked about conviction growing as we experience the truth of Scripture. Can you share a time when following God’s word—even when it was hard—led to a good outcome in your life? [[01:04:23]]
The pastor mentioned that culture often pushes back against Christian beliefs. Is there a topic or situation where you feel pressure to stay silent about your faith? How could you respond with both truth and love? [[01:09:48]]
Paul’s hope was anchored in the resurrection. How does having an eternal perspective change the way you handle criticism, rejection, or suffering for your faith? [[01:13:11]]
The sermon said that courage to share the gospel comes from conviction, not personality or training. What is one step you could take this week to deepen your conviction about who God is or what He has said? [[46:44]]
Think about someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus. What is one practical way you could be a witness to them this week, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? [[40:19]]

Sermon Clips

The conviction that you have to preach the gospel comes from the fact that you belong to God, that he gave his life for you. You are not your own. You were bought at a price. What was the price that was paid for you? It was the cross. It's the blood of Jesus Christ has been applied to your life. [00:56:17] (24 seconds) #NewMasterInChrist

God does not want me to be happy. God wants me to be holy. And so when the world pushes back and I say, I belong to God. No, that's weird. No, that's kind of judgy. No, that's just, no, we can't put up with that. That I can have courage to speak because of my conviction that I am owned by a God who is good and who loves me and who has the best in mind for me. Isn't that great news? [00:58:33] (23 seconds) #SpeakWithConviction

The only way you're ever going to get to where you can start to directly apply the scripture to your situation is if you know what's in the scriptures. And so you have to read it for that purpose. There is no substitute. You can listen to sermons. That's great. And that's helpful. You can read books. That's great. And that's helpful. But there is no substitute for being in the scriptures yourself. Because through them, you can become convinced as you see God come through time after time after time. I know his word is true. And that gives me such courage to speak because I'm coming from that place of conviction. [01:07:40] (36 seconds) #ScriptureEquips

All scripture is breathed out by God and it is profitable. It is useful for what? For teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness that the man of God or the woman of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Do you want God to use you? Do you want God to use you, believer? You want to know that you belong to God and that he is using you well. Here's where it starts. All scripture is breathed out by God. [01:08:58] (37 seconds) #SpiritTransformsHearts

I belong to God. I know His word is true. One day He'll raise me up. That's the last thing that He says. Look in Acts 24 again. He says, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law and written in the prophets. Verse 15. Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. [01:12:56] (33 seconds) #LiveByConviction

``God will judge the just. And what happens when God judges the just? What is there to judge? All of our sins have been completely taken away so that there is now not even the slightest bit of sin in us. We are pure and God is as pleased with me. God is as pleased with you if you're in Christ. God is as pleased with you as he is his own son. You're forgiven. And this falling apart, this loss, this suffering, this trouble, this hardship, this life, though we are outwardly wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [01:16:21] (44 seconds) #RenewedInSpirit

If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Jesus from the dead. Think about the power it took to raise Jesus from the dead. What does it take to conquer death and Satan and sin? That power. Therefore, if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. [01:18:06] (30 seconds) #PowerOfResurrection

Paul says, here's what I know. Now, you all are angry and you want me to reject this, but here it is. I believe in God. His word is true. And one day He's going to raise me up. I can have courage to preach the gospel. Does that help? [01:18:53] (19 seconds) #FaithInTheRisenLord

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