Sermon Outline - A Good Conscience, Acts ch.23 v.1
Date | 08/08/2004 |
---|---|
Time | 10:00 |
Preacher | Rev. Maurice Roberts, Inverness |
Sermon Title | A Good Conscience |
Text | Acts ch.23 v.1 |
Sermon ID | 900 |
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Introduction
- Paul before the Jewish Council (wisdom)
- The unjust way he is treated (appeal)
- His wonderful claim here (rare)
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY CONSCIENCE?
- Definition: Inner voice that tells us we are guilty when we go wrong.
Illustration: Alarm bell for fire or other danger. - Important facts about Conscience:
- It is not something we can control directly:
Cp. the muscles of the body. - Its voice is heard on moral matters - it can excuse and accuse depending on our actions.
- It excuses when we do what the law of God requires: "Not guilty".
- It accuses when we do what God forbids: "Guilty".
- Conscience can speak powerfully when we do what is wrong: guilt/shame/fear...
- It can burn like fire: blushing/stammering/sweating/trembling...
- It is not something we can control directly:
- Bible examples of its power:
- Adam and Eve in the garden:
Observe: They were uncomfortable before God. - David when Nathan spoke to him:
Observe: He could not forget his sin: Psalm 51 - Adoni-bezek in Judges 1:7:
Observe: He admitted God's just punishment. - Judas Iscariot's confession of guilt.
- Adam and Eve in the garden:
- Definition: Inner voice that tells us we are guilty when we go wrong.
HOW FAR SHOULD WE LISTEN TO OUR CONSCIENCE?
- It is God-given but, through sin in us, it is no longer perfect:
Illustration: Knox before Mary Queen of Scots.Observe: Conscience can be damaged - just as an alarm can be(in two ways). - Rule: Conscience should be obeyed except when it goes against or beyond scripture. Examples
- Conscience is faithful when it warns us against breaking God's commandments; e.g. when we are tempted to lie / steal / cheat...
- Conscience is unfaithful when it goes against the commandments: e.g. Mary-worship
- Conscience is unfaithful when it goes beyond scripture: e.g. The Pharisees criticism of the disciples for plucking ears of corn.
- A conscience may fail in 2 ways:
- too slack: a "seared conscience"
Illustration: a garment ironed by an iron which is too hot. - too stern: a "pernickety conscience"
It accuses when there is no need.
Observe: We are not called on to add to God's law.
See Matthew 12:7: "guiltless"
- too slack: a "seared conscience"
- Unlawful Vows: e.g. monks & nuns.
This is an important example. - So, RULE: an educated conscience is to be respected and its voice listened to. But test your conscience by scripture.
Conscience can "overspeak the Word of God" (Duncan ?)
- It is God-given but, through sin in us, it is no longer perfect:
AS CHRISTIANS, WE MUST TRY TO KEEP A GOOD CONSCIENCE
- This begins by coming to faith in Christ. There is no good conscience except one that is cleansed: Hebrews 10:22
- By following the Word of God carefully: 1 Timothy 1:19
- By keeping ourselves unspotted by this evil world: James 1:27
- By daily and hourly repentance and sorrow for our sins: Psalm 119:59
CONCLUSION
To keep a good conscience is a blessing:
- it gives boldness in our life
- it helps our assurance
- it brings enjoyment of God
So may we have a life of fellowship with God, as we see in 1 John 1:7.
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