Conviction: Day by Day in 2016 A. Day by day. That’s our congregational focus for 2016. To be “of Christ.” Every day. Everywhere. To follow in the footsteps of the earliest Christians—men and women whose lives were powerfully changed (Acts 2:42-47). 1. They were devoted to God and to one another. 2. Their hearts were filled with gladness and generosity. 3. They had a real impact on the lives of their fellow believers and on those who needed salvation. B. How did it happen? What led to their transformation? Where must we begin if we are to follow the same path? The God-Defined Pathway to Transformation  The ____________, the Holy Spirit, empowers the apostles of Jesus to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth (John 14:25-26, 15:26-27; 16:7; Acts 2:1-4).  The aim of the Spirit’s coming and the apostles’ work is to __________ the world concerning sin (“You have separated yourself from God”), righteousness (“Your Creator has expectations of you”), and judgment (“You will be held accountable”) (John 16:8-11; Acts 24:25).  Men and women in need of salvation must come in ______________ with the good news of God’s grace (Acts 2:5-13; Rom 10:14).  The “dots” of God’s revelation to mankind and rescue mission throughout human history are ____________________ (Acts 2:14-35).  Jesus is ___________________ as the risen Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36; John 14:6; Acts 4:12).  In the hearts of those who are willing to meekly receive the implanted word (James 1:21), alienation from God leads to amazement leads to questions leads to realization leads to ________________ leads to transformation (Acts 2:37-41; Rom 12:2) The Transformation of Hearts and Lives: Our Ongoing Mission  The means of transformation: “the word of the cross” (1 Cor 1:18-31)  The first steps of transformation: “buried therefore with him” (Rom 6:1-4)  The fruit of transformation: “fully convinced” (Rom 4:20-25)  The aim of transformation: “the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:13-14