Rev. David Holwick L
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
April 6, 2003
Daniel 1:8-16
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I. We need convictions.
A. President Bush's firm moral vision. (BBC television program)
1) Influenced by his evangelical faith.
a) Hardened by September 11 attack.
2) Critics think it is dangerous.
a) Is world really that black and white?
B. Wheaton College's new moral code.
1) Old code forbid drinking, smoking, dancing, cards.
a) Even tennis courts were locked on Sunday.
b) Code applied to students and teachers.
2) New code: Professors can drink and smoke.
a) Otherwise they were open to lawsuits.
b) (Bible itself is not clear on these points)
3) Sign of moral decay or opportunity to be truly moral?
II. Gray in a black-and-white world.
A. The pressure to conform.
1) In companies, you must fit in with corporate culture."
2) Influence of television, movies, magazines.
B. We must draw the line somewhere.
1) Clear biblical commands.
a) Don't lie, cheat or steal. Exod 20:15
b) Obey legitimate government. Rom 13:1
c) Conduct your business with integrity. Prov 20:10
d) Tell your neighbors about Jesus. Matt 28:18-20
2) Shady areas.
a) Romans 14 - eating meat sacrificed to idols.
b) Subscribing to HBO or other premium movie channels.
c) Driving a Cadillac with all the bells and whistles.
d) Homeschooling your kids vs. public schooling.
e) Crossing a picket line.
III. Making lifestyle choices where the Bible is silent.
A. Know where you stand with God.
1) Godly convictions require godly devotion.
2) Daniel's dilemma.
a) He decided king's food was inappropriate. Dan 1
1> Probably due to connection with pagan idolatry.
2> He formed a conviction and stood by it.
b) Later, he was forbidden to pray. He did anyway. Dan 6
3) The closer you are to God, the clearer it'll be how to live.
a) Confess your sin to him.
b) Pray for the Spirit's wisdom.
B. Obey what you know.
1) You won't have clarity in minor issues if you are
disobedient in larger ones.
2) A story from the stock market:
David Daniels knew a couple that decided to start a
savings program in 1999.
They wanted to put their children through college, so they
invested in a local company.
The stock doubled very quickly - remember, this was 1999.
Then the stock nosedived.
Should they sell and cut their losses? Hold on?
They couldn't decide what to do.
Anxiety filled their lives.
During his quiet time with God, the husband realized their
stock market worries were influenced by other choices
they had made in the area of finances.
Their church was having a fundraising campaign and they
pledged an amount that was generous but not sacrificial.
It occurred to them that they were hoping for God's
blessing in their affairs, but had not been willing to
walk by faith in God's affairs.
God taught them to walk by faith in their financial
commitment to their church.
As a result, they received faith to trust God for their own
financial future.
They had to do first things first to arrive at godly
convictions. [1]
C. Dig in the Bible.
1) Study Bible in-depth to discover its principles.
2) Beware of proof-texting. (pick one verse, ignore others)
a) Worship styles:
1> Uninhibited exuberance. 2 Samuel 6:14-16
2> Quietness and order. 1 Cor 14:40
D. Ask yourself seven questions:
1) Will it hurt me? 1 Cor 6:19-20
a) Your body is a temple.
b) How will this choice affect your well-being?
2) Will it enslave me? 1 Cor 6:12
a) Christians should be free people.
b) Avoid addictive habits.
3) Is it good stewardship? 1 Cor 4:2
a) We are to be faithful with our resources.
b) Fast food can devour your finances.
c) Television can eat up your time.
4) Is it worth repeating? Phil 4:9
a) We set an example for others.
b) Would we want them to do this?
5) Will it hinder God's ministry through me? 1 Cor 10:33
a) Think of spiritual impact on others.
b) Avoid even appearance of evil.
6) Will it cause others to stumble? Rom 14:21
a) Protecting others more important than personal freedom.
b) Be sensitive to others, even when they're too sensitive.
7) Will it glorify God? 1 Cor 10:31
a) This is the ultimate question.
b) Our convictions are for God's sake. [2]
Resolutions by Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards:
"Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God.
Resolved second: that whether others do or not, I will."
#2005
IV. Seek wise counsel.
A. Mature Christians can give wisdom.
B. Bible studies offer many opportunities to "compare notes" on
tough issues.
V. Just do it.
A. Know your weaknesses and prepare in advance.
1) Avoid areas where you will be tempted.
B. Thomas Jefferson:
"In matters of style, swim with the current;
In matters of principle, stand like a rock."
1) Learn when to swim and when to stand.
2) Convictions will keep you from being swept away.
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
[1] This sermon draws heavily upon the article "What's My Line," by David
Daniels, Discipleship Journal #122, Mar/Apr 2001, pp. 66ff.
Tag line: "Biblical convictions that protect from moral compromise"
[2] These points were derived from the sermon "What Is God's Will For My
Life?" by Rev. Matthew Mitchell, Common Ground Church of Gainesville,
Florida; March 23, 2003. http://www.theground.org. It is Kerux
sermon #16470.
#2005 "Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards," Leadership Magazine, Winter
1985, page 78.
These and 23,000 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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