Bulletins - Rock Family Church of Morgantown WV

Theme: – live the Bible – walk the walk.
His priorities your priorities
I know, but…
Key Scripture - By their fruits you will know them
For God So Loved the World.
John 3:16–21 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

What do you do when pressure comes for you?
Elijah anointing divides and UNITES
twofold , double edged sword – Elijah’s spiritual conflict divided the carnal OT church but later, it’s conviction healed the nation – turns hearts, making ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Malachi 4)
Conflict – Mt Carmel – how long tarry between two opinions? Serve God or Baal!
Conviction –
Godly conviction will bring public conflict – for GOOD. It cannot stay silent – even for those
Definitions
Conviction = certainty, Assurance, confidence
· : the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law
· : a strong persuasion or belief
· : the state of being convinced
· : the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth
· : the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth
Hebrews 11:1 ESV
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the convictionof things not seen.
Convicted
· : to find or prove to be guilty
· : to convince of error or sinfulness
Conflicted - in opposition, incompatible
· : experiencing or marked by ambivalence or a conflict especially of emotions
Conflicting
· being in conflict, collision, or opposition: INCOMPATIBLE
· example – conflicting theories
BY vs UNDER Conviction
Stage 1 – IN conflict
We are to be UNDER conviction until we live BY conviction
We are to have strong convictions – in God
“Good” Conviction sides with God - conflict opposes God
Conviction vs convinced
Conviction is based on the Bible, being convinced can be based on anything
Conflict opposes God’s Will
Why would someone choose to do wrong when they know what is right?
· Primary - Self preservation
· Secondary- Personal convenience
· Systemic - voting is only a symptom of a system - of rebellion.
The root cause of conflict is not wanting to do God’s will despite knowing His will.
Conflict is often systemic by nature
Conflict = the symptom of a system
· The fruit reveals the root.
· “Voting” in life is only a symptom of a much bigger issue.
· Conflict = There is a fundamental flaw in the faith of the follower
Conviction is good but often viewed as bad
Conviction is a GOOD thing - Stay positive - educate
Conviction is God’s CONCERN. About your DIRECTION
Conviction is God’s INVOLVEMENT for your CORRECTION. If God didn’t care, He would stay silent.
Conviction UNITES – provides common ground and is consistent. All those with the same conviction will say the same thing believe and do the same thing

· WHO - Conviction is God’s knowledgeof your NEED to change – WHO means you
· WHAT - Conviction is God’s Graceto get in your face -- if He must - to show you WHAT to change
· HOW - Conviction shows God cares by informing you HOW to change
· WHEN - The Holy Spirit gives the POWER to change NOW – His ministry convicts
o Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. When we ignore the Spirit, we grieve Him by disobeying His voice
o Soil - harden heart when you hear his voice as they did in the rebellion
Conviction CARES
Conviction comes from
· my love of God - first and foremost
· my loyalty to call - second
· my care or concern for man.
· I love you, but I love God more

Conviction is CONSTRUCTIVE
· Positive, helpful
· Conviction is for, conflict is against
· Conviction is FOR life - not anti abortion,
· I am for truth, though truth is called hate speech.
· I am for liberty even though the Cross is viewed as an offense

· Conflict is disguised as love - tolerant, accepting, grace
· Conflict labels conviction as decisive, hateful, intolerant - anti prefix or phobic suffix
· The traits of God cannot be separated from the conviction of God
· Conflict attempts to hijack the good things of God for man’s evil purposes - love is love - don’t judge - tolerate - while opposing those living by true conviction.

· Conviction is based on principle, conflict is based on personality
· Conviction majors on the majors, conflict majors on the minors

· Conviction leads to - Fruit, actions words, history-
· Conviction Speaks to the belief system of the believer
Sleeps well
Conviction sleeps well at night because it stood in the day
Conflict tosses and turns from remorse of the past and anxiety of the future. - because of the things they have allowed have snowballed into an avalanche.
Conviction in the Christian
· Conviction is based on love for the unborn, gender integrity, marital celibacy, national sovereignty- protection of borders, religious freedom, love for safety of girls in sports
· Tomi Ariyomi’s prophecy - America will arise when they come for your children.
· Convicts receive a “sentence” - a Word from God! A sermon in a sentence.

Church - every sermon should bring conviction. A sermon that does not bring conviction has not done his job because we all need to change.
Conviction brings the awareness of change
The Holy Spirit convicts of sin - identifies areas of conflict.
· Paul’s spirit warred against his flesh. - Romans 7
· The conflict of the world is won through the conflict of the soul.
· The battle is WON when we are ONE in the SON.
Conviction in the Kingdom
Lord’s Prayer - Thy Kingdom come.
During the millennium, there is very little conflict because God’s conviction rules through His church, who will be the governing body on earth for 1,000 years.
In the new heavens and earth, there will be no conflict because God‘s Word absolutely rules forever.
Conviction speeds the Gospel, accelerates Christ’s return.
· Thy WILL be done – then Thy Kingdom WILL come!
· God’s kingdom will come when His will is done
· Conviction is required to do God’s will – this is why the enemy stirs conflict
· Conflict between Heaven and Earth hinders the Gospel
· Thy will vs MY will
· Anytime we put our wills before God’s, it hinders His Kingdom from coming because it delays His will being done.
Faith – Conviction comes from faith and the father's fidelity versus religious dogma
Unity – Conviction brings unity and forgiveness - walk in the light - 1 John 1:17

Conviction is concrete
· Convictions settled, conflict struggles
· Conviction settles the issue- done - final verdict has been rendered, gavel falls, pronouncement is made. Recorded on record (altar of salvation)
· Only conflict implies a struggle
· Conflict appeals the verdict - you don’t understand - I’m different- I’m an exception to the rule. I have extenuating circumstances.
· Conviction- case closed
· Conflict - endless appeals
· Conviction respects the verdict
· Conflict - I heard what you said, now listen to what I say.
· If conflict doesn’t get its way, it claims injustice.
· Conflicted mind is double minded
· Conflicted, tongue
o sweet and bitter waters.
o Blessing and cursing.
o Prophesying then gossiping.
o Nullification of blessings
· Conflicted marriage, hinders prayers
Conviction is Consistent
· Conflict excuses or ignores God’s Word
· Conflict leads to compromise
· 7 churches - 5 conflicted for various reasons
· Jesus rebuked
· Conviction calls balls and strikes, even when their kid is at bat.

· Conviction keeps the letter of the law, Conflict looks for a loophole
· Uses Bible as an excuse

Conviction stands FOR, not AGAINST
· Immigration that’s legal, enforced, equally applied, encumbered and vetted.
· Babies of all colors to be born and adoption that’s hassle free and non discriminatory.
· Elections that are fair - by legal citizens, documented and verified registered voters, with accurate registration free from all disqualified , including the deceased and those who moved away.
· Voting that is in person, hand counted ballots observed and validated by all parties.
· Protection of pro life clinics to operate without state pressure to refer clients to life ending facilities.
· Protecting the Hyde amendment - Cutting off of tax payer funding of abortion clinics-
· The free expression for prayer, counseling and peaceful demonstrations in front of abortion clinics and pride parades without fear of harassment by the state through discriminatory lawfare, and arrest for expressing their constitutional rights.
· Education that is free from revisionist history, political bias and all forms of indoctrination.
· Education that informs parents of a confused child so they can make the best decision for their family and not deceived and kidnapped by the state
· Children to keep their genetically assigned sex organs and free from mutilation by surgery hormone altering drugs until they reach adulthood.
· Athletics that are fair and gender faithful. Allowing girls to obtain sports scholarships because they won in their own merit.
· Protecting athletes from having their future stolen through forfeiture for refusing to compete against trans athletes in an unfair competition for concern for their safety on the field.
· Protecting students in the locker room from showering, dressing, sexual harassment by being exposed to and approached by members of the opposite sex.
· Faithful and accurate academics free from any curriculum, including woke, that would detract from a sound education
· promotions in school, the workforce and government based on merit, qualifications and performance, vs gender, race or ideology.
C-O-N-V-I-C-T
Consistency vs hit or miss
Conviction is easy because it is consistent.
Voting record - would do it again
Conflict is difficult for us keep track of its lies and compromise.
· every time or sometimes – always or maybe – what is your batting average?
Conviction is consistent- fights for life regardless of an election year
A conflicted person is inconsistent.- opportunistic - election year
· Example politician votes for then against then he or she is probably conflicted, compromised by extortion, bribes.
· One day, therefore, the next day against.
· They say therefore something but vote against something once in office.
· If it Doesn’t make sense, doesn’t add up. They’re possibly conflicted.

Daniel – I will pray no matter what you say and I will not bow and I will not burn

Obedience – yes or no
Convictions take things seriously willing to stick by it -
Conviction is preemptive - proactive- chooses to pay the price now versus later because conflicted
I have decided to follow Jesus
Necessary – needed or nice
Victory – Sold out vs Sell out
Conviction, can’t be bought or sold
· Sold out or sell out
· Conviction is sold out
· Conflict is a sell out
Integrity – promise vs compromise
Conscience – clean or dirty
· Example – Paul kept a clean conscience by telling the truth
Trust – worthy or unworthy
An unreliable person is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint. It won’t work when you need it and causes pain.
Both conviction and conflict have consequences, go or bad
Criteria
Convicted
Conflicted
Integrity
promise
Com-promise
Hypocrisy
walk
talk

unconditional
situational
Standards
absolute
relative

consistent
inconsistent

When no one is watching – God service
When the right people are watching – man service

Fear of God (servant)
Fear of man – (slave) money – job – popularity

Source is God

I know I should
And I will
But… I won’t

obeys
disobeys

Makes adjustments
Makes excuses
Dependability – Can God or man trust you? Would you trust you?
dependable
undependable

obeys
disobeys
boldness
confidence
cowardice

· I know I was told – but
· I know I’m supposed to – but
Checklist
· Checklist - from acrostic? Check means you agree.
· X means conflict of that area on your life.
· Represents crossed swords - God’s will vs your actions
Awareness is not conflict
· know not what they do
· You are trying to help them
· Would you watch a loved one go in the wrong direction without intervening?
· That’s what the gospel is all about - stepping into the path of lost people with the conviction of God‘s love so they will turn to God.
Personal conviction
Drs. abortion – cannot violate conscience – or Christian convictions
Education -
I know to answer correctly with what God wants, but I could fail the test- not graduate if I don’t give the answer to teacher wants
Gay gene- evolution - non traditional marriage or family

Double Jeopardy versus recidivism.
I cannot be “charged” with conflict of God twice!
I have already received my “sentence” of mercy from the Judge of heaven - who has declared me to be in right standing with Him.

Boldness - I fear not the Mark of the beast, for I am already marked by God.
Sealed by the Holy Spirit
The righteous (or godly convicted) are a bold as a lion! It’s time to roar with conviction!
Stop being afraid of the nay sayers.

Vs Repeat offenders
Beware of constant conflict with God - you will become a repeat offender of God’s Word. Repeat offenders- sear the conscience - conviction becomes harder - end times
Are you a repeat offender?

You are a Living epistle - your Testimony reflects your convictions
Does your “voting record” in life match your conviction or your conflict?

Source of Conflict
· How does conflict start?
· How do we go from everyone getting along to drifting apart?
Where does conflict come from?
· Within – “warring members” - James
· We are to war with the members of our HAND (fingers) – not the members of our CHURCH
Conflict comes from a crossroads
Key Issues cannot remain neutral -
Important Issues are usually binary in nature -
· birth, marriage, gender, debt
· Baby – alive or not
· Marriage – single or not
· Gender - Male or female
· Debt - in or out
2- Conflict demands a side

3 - When the issue becomes one- trigger - crossed a line
· Abortion was never a major issue until 1973
· Traditional Marriage was never an issue until 2015
· Gender was never an issue until 2020
Everyone chooses a side -
· for, against, even choosing not to choose is a passive choice
· 40 million Christians non voters can easily hand their nation passively to non Christians for 4 years. what they do NOT do affects you.
· 2024 election was decided by tens of thousands of people - 0.3% of 150 million voters
Many people do not know they are the source of conflict forgive them for they know not what they do
Cause - 2 Timothy 3:2 men lovers if self more than God
Cause - criticism
Cause - selfishness - James warring members among you
Pettiness
· Starts - splitting hairs - reformation argument
· Strife
· Division

Conviction comes from confrontation
· Elijah – confronts Israel’s idolatry on Mt. Carmel – how long will you tarry between two opinions? Is God for real or not?
· They answered not a word
Internal conflict silences the mouth
Conflicted comes from conflict
Conflict always comes from conviction, but conviction should not come to conflict.
• Conflict only arises from contrary desires after knowing the truth.
• Conviction should never be a struggle
Conviction is proactive, conviction is reactive
Conviction made its decision, Conflict weighs its options
Personal gain

Not everyone handles conflict well – shoot the messenger
I am your friend – I am speeding up your blessing and breaking the log jam of conflict that has been holding you, your family back
Paul asked - have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
Conviction is efficient – Conflict robs resources
Resources such as – Time, energy, money.
Those under the same conviction, such as a marriage, family or church, are all pulling in the same way.
Conflict pulls against
The voting for gay marriage forces pastors to defend their churches and pulpits from nefarious actors. When they could be presenting the gospel.
How to tell a person’s conviction
Conviction can look you in the eye and tell you why
Conversation –
· Words - conviction has confession
· Conviction can answer the question- why they did what they did – with confidence
· Conviction says the same thing regardless of the crowd they’re in.
· I’ll say the same thing with their friends and same things with those that disagree versus duplicity.
Personality
· Conviction is strong, a conflicted person is weak
· Conviction would do it again
· Conflicted wished it never went there, or said that
Accountability
· Conviction comes to the light - public record
· Conflict craves confidentiality
Association
· Conviction stands alone if necessary
· A Conflicted person needs others, redirects, shifts blame or tries a mob mentality to intimidate or drown out.
· Conflicted by association- a conflicted person will often seek refuge from other conflicted people for moral support.
Animosity-
· Conviction fights for what’s right
· Conflict attacks those with conviction - -
· Makes them look bad by comparison
· Lies exposed stories don’t add up.
· tries to muzzle
· Compare Harris rally to Trump.
· “Trumpers” agree to disagree, Harris beats you. Christ is king
Conflict is compartmented
· Secret life - compartmented
· God is in a Sunday box
· Jesus is not Lord on those areas
· Matt 7 - best case scenario- if ministers are not exempt neither are you

· Conflict of a Divided house - Saul and David
· Conflict hinders progress - pulling on two different directions
· How can two walk together unless they’ve been in agreement?
· At worst, conflict cancels progress
· God loves you enough to separate those in conflict with you and His plan - thank Him - He did you a favor
· Conviction, when conflicted, leads to compromise.
· Are you compromised, and which areas?
· Live by firm convictions – in all areas of life

Conflict of Interest – wants it both ways
· A conflicted person wants it both ways vs God’s way
· wants all the prosperity - benefits
· Conflicted judge running for re-election may sway his rulings to stay in power
· Politicians vote on special interest money vs public interest- to stay in office
Conflict of Emotions
· My head says no but my heart says yes (and vice versa)
· Vs Conflicting Interests
· God’s interest’s vs mine
Schedule Conflict
· Scheduling Conflict – not now
· Church much? Sorry I’m busy

Conflicting information
· God’s Word vs the world’s system
· your senses
· controversy in history, politics, science, and even religion!

Conviction does what IS right for ALL, Conflict does what FEELS right for ME
· A dad’s conviction for his family’s happiness puts their needs before his own.
Conflicted Territory – wants all the possessions
AREAS of Conflict
· What’s yours is mine – what’s God’s is mine
· Disregards boundaries – personal and otherwise
· National Conflict = Civil War
Demilitarized zone = NONE
· Because of the cost of conflict, many try to take the easy way out my opting out
· Struggle and drama is why many people choose to remain neutral
· Choosing not to choose is not a choice
· Ironically, choosing not to choose IS a choice
· In or out – saved or lost
· 40 million Christian nonvoters – lets the devil win
Internal Conflict
· Push back – says “wait a minute”
Conviction is easy - conflicted complicates
· Godly conviction has but one story - God’s!
· Conviction is safe - Conflict enables manipulation
· Mistakes used against you. - now at risk
· Use your words against you. Slander- gossip, criticism
· Use your photos and social media against you
· What you said in confidence against you
· You did it before
Conviction is public, conflict is private
· Conviction speaks as if the person is in the room
· Conflict is afraid of exposure
· Test of conviction - Challenge someone to post their social media on the church wall on Sunday.
Inner conflict is to produce outward conviction –
· The refiners fire draws away the dross of conflict, the potter’s wheel smoothes out the rough places of conflict.
Spiritual Conflict – God’s Word vs My Words
Religious Conflict –
Is there any conflict between God’s Word and your actions?
Conflicted Pastors Compromise the Word
The hireling Shepherd was conflicted when the wolf came

I know this is a good Word and pastor asked me to click the share button, but what would my friends think? they might unfriend me
Conflicted Churches Compromise the Spirit
A Conflicted church puts the Holy Spirit in the back room.
Conviction is not ashamed of the Gospel or the Holy Spirit or His Gifts.
o knows the Word that shedding innocent life is an abomination to God but votes for abortion.

Conflicted church - begins with a conflicted pastor
Church knew better - but put up with it
The pastor’s lack of conviction OF the church created conflict with the Head of the Church!
Conflicted Church tolerate that woman Jezebel

Conflicted in commitment to Church – I know I should go to church, but my kids have activities or visitors have come to town. After all, family is important to God. Conviction would bring the family to Church.

Conflicted in confession - Faith
I know I should be on faith, but I’m frustrated, disappointed, mad etc.
Would you rather be authentically wrong or deceptively right?
I don’t want to lie
Song - singing I will do anything - but I won’t. I will give everything - but I don’t.
Convicted for Hisinterest or conflict of your interest

Conflicted Bible Characters
· Eve – Knew God said not to eat of the tree ok knowledge of good an evil, but she listened to the serpent, looked at its beauty, and wanted its power.
· Moses was conflicted when he killed the Egyptian
· King Saul– offered sacrifice because people were leaving – even though he knew to wait on Samual the prophet. The conflict led to compromise and crossing the line.
· Pontius Pilate – knew Jesus was innocent but yielded to public pressure
· Weedy soil– I have bills – I know the Sower sowed His seed in me – but
· Unfaithful servant– hid talent for conflict of emotions – fear – you knew I was a hard man
· Goats– thought they were sheep – workers of iniquity
· Jews – freedom in Christ followed by religious rules? Spiritual conflict was the theme of many of Paul’s letters. Homework – Galatians 4
The conflicted Christian
· Knows the Word – wants to live like the devil and still make heaven
· Live like a sinner yet blessed by the Savior
· Leads to hyper grace movement
· Gay Christian
· Pro-choice Christian
· Anti Semantic Christian – disguised as pro Palestine

Conflict uses Scripture as an excuse
Throws God under the bus
Misquotes, misapplies Word

· All things in moderation
· God sees my heart
· God wants me to be happy
· Love is love - God is love, and we’re in love so it’s okay
· Gay Christians claim John 3:16
· Don’t judge
· Sin is sin - Your sin is just as bad as mine

Spiritual conflict - Middle East

Political Conflict – proper vs popular – battle of agenda
Moral standards require moral people - John Adam's
According to historical records, John Adams is credited with saying that "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.".
Explanation: This quote is often attributed to a letter John Adams wrote to the Massachusetts Militia on October 11, 1798, highlighting the Founding Fathers' belief that a strong moral foundation was essential for the proper functioning of the US Constitution.
To vote against the Bible is to ignore God’s prophetic warnings
Tommy Aryaomi, - last chance – King Saul – will make your life hard and God will not hear your prayers
Perry Stone – tsunami
Voting against the Bible forces the nation to go in a direction that God does not want
– King Saul
Conflict affects others
your vote affects me-
Politics effect every area- Realize - perspective-
I’m standing for you, conviction stands up, even if it does not have a dog in the fight.
Conviction may not have kids, but it will help others who do -their school, sports, opportunity and safety
Migrant students disenfranchise resident students by taking their seat, consuming resources without contributing taxes, don’t speak language, slows education down
School staff - someone - school board - else hired them
Just like your teacher affects your children
Your coach affects your athletes. WVU
Would you let them do whatever they want?
Or would them accountable? Fired
On a larger scale, our votes affect us all - forward or backwards. Pipelines open or shut. Laws that are written, enforced or repealed.
inflation, God’s National blessing vs my personal blessing like Daniel in. Babylon. censorship affects my ability to fulfill My call, cancel, debanked. Energy and fracking affects my family inheritance to receive and pass on. Way beyond price at the pump. Not available in NY millions of mineral dollars by all private and corporate ownership is disenfranchised of their royalty that could’ve been used to pay for their children’s education. Now the children have to take student debt.
Seriousness - Kamala said church will decide future for generations
Look at bigger picture
How to get and stay by convictions
Education - how do you vote? What facts, history, data can you give at an exit poll
Reason - Why did you vote- for or against? Policy or pettiness?
List options
Do you want to keep girls free from boys in sports
Do you want a White House press secretary, who is a born again, Christian or open lesbian?
President who was prayed for by top Christian leaders or celebrate trans day on Easter morning
Appoint Supreme Court justices that interpret the law versus legislate from the bench.
Protect our borders or let in criminals
How did you vote?
Are you willing to publicly state who you voted for?
Why or why not? If you claim that it is private, remember that
private votes become public policy
- including mine.
If you cannot state your vote, is conflict the reason?
Conflict in Politics
Conflicted states - are called “battleground” states
HALF of the church does not vote – 40 million – election results should NEVER be close
Half of the VOTING church does not vote for godly convictions
How the church HISTORICALLY votes – A trusted study revealed which Key church groups that back certain political parties.
Summary – some church demographics vote the same as unbelievers.
https://share.newsbreak.com/9d9vvc65?s=i0
Conflicted nations - control - communism was wars there, now WOKE here, from foreign to domestic. From military to education, from overt to covert. From obvious to sublime, from adults in the battlefield to the school children on a field trip about evolution.

From fighting Communism abroad on the battlefield, to indoctrinating communism at home schools. Both are taxpayer funded.
Conflicted nation - civil war, attempted assassination
· Christian should not get involved in politics
· I don't like the other candidate
· Conviction holds its nose in the ballot box

Bad example = Pilate – knew Jesus was innocent but caved to public riot who threatened to report him for treason.

Good example = Paul – if his goal was still to please men, he would not be in the ministry

Put the right president in the house and God will deal with him –
put the wrong one in and God will deal with you

Stand by your convictions, and let God deal with the conflict in the office.
The conflict lies with the power that be, not between God and me

Every day is election day. Choose this day who you will serve

Social Conflict – battle of groups
Conflicted Socially –
I know this is a bad. Crowd, but they will - put in a good word for me - will help my career
· When in Rome…
· Don’t want to stand out
· Conflict would rather Get labeled as a funny buddy vs a fuddy duddy

Conflicted Community
Christian family celebrates the devil and dead and disembodied souls - Halloween
HOA no solicitation - but not for evangelism?

Sexual Conflict – battle of passions
Sexually - I know I should wait until marriage, but said she loves me
· Conflicted maritally - unequally Yoked - I know he is not saved but I will change him and God will understand. Which brings conflict in the marriage.
· King Solomon was conflicted sexually because he knew God told him to worship only God, but his foreign wives let his heart astray to worship idols and lost the kingdom.
· Conflict pays a heavy price

Financial Conflict – battle of bucks
Money-
I know I should buy American, but it costs twice as much.
cheap for me, expensive for country
good for my economy , bad for my country-
cheap Chinese puts American factories out of work - from ma and pa to shopping malls to big box stores to Amazon to Temu.
Money in marriage
I know we don’t have the money, but I want a bass boat.
taxes
I know to claim all income, but that will put me in the next tax bracket
Out of state purchases
Workspace
I know to hire citizens, but aliens work for cheap.
Tithe - I know I should tithe, but inflation is high
· I lost the conflict with the Word, now I have no money.

Which way do you allow pressure to bend you? Toward or away from God?

How far would you go to keep your job? – mortgage, bills, 401k, kids
Drink, company parties, fudge figures, lie, over bill and under report?

Bad example = Ship captain – Acts 27 - conflicted captain shipwrecked Paul
Conflicted Currency - Finances
· conviction will continue to sow seed, even if it sees no immediate harvest.
· Conflict bends for bills - for security of money.
· Conflict will lie to keep a job -
· Integrity conflicts with security - mortgage, family, bills
· If I rock the boat, I will get voted off the island. - fired.
· If I become a whistleblower, there may be retaliation
Conflicted Currency bucks the blessing!
· Don’t jeopardize what God has given you
· A messed up “blessing” may be worse than no blessing at all.

Unresolved Conflict leads to compromise
Conflicted Christians compromise their health
I know I shouldn’t eat this chocolate cake, but it has eggs and flour and milk in it
Cost of Conflict = Corruption
· Conflict leads to com-promise - corruption - scandals
· Conflict is often gradual - increases if left unchecked
· Never intended to go this way - but here I am
· Conflict is fueled by the enemy - “you already did it, don’t be a hypocrite now”
Casualties of good relationships
· If you’re retaliated for reaching out, realize the problem is not you
· Lost friendships – unfriended – cancelled
· Polarization has split families, churches, and friendships

Comradery of evil relationships
Conflict creates strange bed fellows.
· Former enemies often unite against a common enemy.
· The Jews partnered with Rome against Jesus
· Muslims partnered with a Christian presidential candidate against the conflict of woke-ism in schools
Conflict comes with consequences
Rockers sold their soul for rock ‘n’ roll. God kept me from being one of them.
Ministers are warned against the “three G’s” – gold, glory, girls.

When you stand before God, may you never have to say that you voluntarily voted of your own free will for the codifying of killing of thousands of babies daily, the endangerment of your girls at school, and that you voted for the mutilation of Children’s bodies and while consenting to keep their gender surgeries knowledge from their parents,
You voted for the systematic destruction of the only one of two nations that was created for the spreading of the gospel,
and that you voted for turning your back on Israel.
All because you were conflicted over and didn’t like a personality.
Tomi - America’s last chance and final warning.
Elections have consequences.
To those conflicted - it is Too late to change the past - the damage has been done.
The laws are passed, and many enemies have been welcomed in.
Millions of voters on the democrat party were disenfranchised in the primary election because the sitting president they voted for was forced to quit his campaign
All voters are now disenfranchised by allowing illegal aliens into our country and registering them to vote.
The only thing you can do now is ask for forgiveness and mercy of the past and repent for the future.

To the convicted- be encouraged to continue to stand, even when your heart hurts and your soul is lonely.

Jesus Factor – Conflict Resolution
How do we fix the problem?
The sooner we identify the conflict, the sooner we can resolve the conflict.
How do we heal the festering sores and open wounds and ripped scabs?

Learn the truth
Educate – know what you stand for – study history, voting record,
Separate – Fact vs feeling
evaluate – pray if there is a check in your spirit

By Following Jesus!
Follow Christ – Jesus mastered the conflict of conflict
Tempted in all areas without sin
Conviction wins with the Word - Wilderness. It is written
Conviction wins with the spirit - Gethsemane- warred but won - warred in soul but won in the spirit

Crucifixion – The cross cures conflict
Aligns and submits
No one wants to carry a cross - even Jesus in Gethsemane
We carry our cross because of the dedication that conviction brings

Conflict allows only selected blessings.
Conflict limits God to areas of conviction.
Conflict brings Partial blessing partial curse.
Don’t confuse blessing in one area as God’s total approval.
Scheduling conflict is your timing versus God‘s timing? Rushing against God’s timing
Spiritual conflict is sin blocking your blessings.
Financial conflict is withholding tithe
Political conflict - voting against Gods plan
Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Faith – Faith factor - Convictions requires faith to stand contrary to modern culture

Be patient in preaching conflict
2 Timothy 2:23–26 (NLT)
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
Conflict resolution - submission or separation
God did you a favor

A personal opinion is overrated
· A Personal agenda is overpriced - comes at a high price
· people apparently value highly their opinion based upon the price they pay for it in lost jobs and broken relationships and frustrated anointing
Encourage others
Call Senator - express your convictions – your support gives him /her a backbone to stand
How to Applications
Conviction Always SAYS the right thing
· Conviction chooses Ministry vs popularity
· what God wants to say vs what man wants to hear.
· Paul would not be in ministry
· we preach with conviction vs scratching itching ears

Conviction Always DOES the right thing
· Vocation – when the boss isn’t looking – when on a business trip
· Vote – we vote our convictions
· Do right all the time – even if no one is doing it.
· Don’t do wrong even if everyone is doing it.
End time warning – No conviction – leads to apathy and anarchy
lack of conviction escalates the conflict. Conscience seared. No remorse. Reprobate.
lack of conviction avoids the conflict – no involvement – a salt free life
Are You a Convict?
Does the Word convict you?
Does your life convict others?

· End time – we all end up convicted – pronounced either innocent or guilty
· We all have a record – whether good or bad
· Great commission – brings conviction – chance to choose
Conviction brings revival through repentance! Acts 2:37
Acts 2:37 ESV
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
LIVE by Conviction!
· PREACH with CONVICTION
· PRAY with conviction
· PRAISE with Conviction
· Give with conviction.
· Witness with conviction.
Epitaph- Our tombstones will basically say one of two things -
· “this sucker was a sell out” or
· “this soldier was sold out”
· What will yours say?
Closing - Live by God’s convictions!
· Do the right thing - everyday in every way
· People are saved
· God gets glory

Prayer
I am convicted of being conflicted.
Forgive my double mindedness.

I bind my mouth to speak your Word – with conviction
I bind my feet to walk in your path always – to walk by conviction
Because of my convictions that God is God and that I am not, I make no excuses and all adjustments until my life consistently reflects the heart of the father
In my words, thoughts and actions
- - John 3:16–21NLT

Definitions

Conviction = certainty, Assurance, confidence

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Convicted

Conflicted - in opposition, incompatible

BY vs UNDER Conviction

Conflict opposes God’s Will

Conviction is good but often viewed as bad

Conviction CARES

Conviction is CONSTRUCTIVE

Sleeps well

Conviction speeds the Gospel, accelerates Christ’s return.

Conviction is concrete

Conviction is Consistent

Conviction stands FOR, not AGAINST

C-O-N-V-I-C-T

Consistency vs hit or miss

Obedience – yes or no

Necessary – needed or nice

Victory – Sold out vs Sell out

Integrity – promise vs compromise

Conscience – clean or dirty

Trust – worthy or unworthy

Both conviction and conflict have consequences, go or bad

Awareness is not conflict

Source of Conflict

Conflict comes from a crossroads

Conviction comes from confrontation

Internal conflict silences the mouth

Conflicted comes from conflict

Not everyone handles conflict well – shoot the messenger

Conviction is efficient – Conflict robs resources

How to tell a person’s conviction

Conflict is compartmented

Conflict of Interest – wants it both ways

Conflict of Emotions

Schedule Conflict

Conflicting information

Conviction does what IS right for ALL, Conflict does what FEELS right for ME

Conflicted Territory – wants all the possessions

Demilitarized zone = NONE

Internal Conflict

Conviction is public, conflict is private

Inner conflict is to produce outward conviction –

Spiritual Conflict – God’s Word vs My Words

Conflicted Pastors Compromise the Word

Conflicted Churches Compromise the Spirit

Conflicted church - begins with a conflicted pastor

Conflicted Bible Characters

The conflicted Christian

Conflict uses Scripture as an excuse

Political Conflict – proper vs popular – battle of agenda

To vote against the Bible is to ignore God’s prophetic warnings

Voting against the Bible forces the nation to go in a direction that God does not want

Conflict affects others

How did you vote?

private votes become public policy

Social Conflict – battle of groups

Sexual Conflict – battle of passions

Financial Conflict – battle of bucks

Unresolved Conflict leads to compromise

Cost of Conflict = Corruption

Casualties of good relationships

Comradery of evil relationships

Conflict comes with consequences

Jesus Factor – Conflict Resolution

Learn the truth

By Following Jesus!

Be patient in preaching conflict

Encourage others

How to Applications

Conviction Always SAYS the right thing

Conviction Always DOES the right thing

Are You a Convict?

Conviction brings revival through repentance! Acts 2:37

LIVE by Conviction!

John 3:16–21NLT