A Conscience Of Value

     And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day."   Acts 23:1  ESV

     It seems, in today’s society and culture, it’s the “in” thing to challenge Godly standards and anyone who holds to them.  Standards, which have been set by God and validated in the Bible, His written Word.

    The media seems to have no conscience or accountability for what it portrays as the right principles and standards to be politically correct. 

 “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.”      Romans 1:21,22 ESV

Read:  Acts 24:1-16;   (17-27 )

I. vs. 1-9  Take Your Stand For Christ 

*  if you are living in Christ Jesus, expect to be challenged

            2 Timothy 3:11,12  expect persecution and ridicule

            Matthew 5:11,11  God know all about it already

*  persecution is not punishment-  punishment is for behaving badly

*  like Paul, we too can have confidence in criticism

II.  vs. 10-16  Be Of Good Moral Standard   

*  conscience is that inner voice which notifies us of doing wrong

*  however, conscience can lead us astray unless it is based in God

            Acts 24:16  a conscience void of offense

*  then we can be confident even in criticism / peace in persecution

            Titus 1:15  be careful not to be swayed in conscience

*  conscience can be like a sundial & a moving flashlight

*  but, conscience is also like a window with the light of the Word

  shining through.  the dirtier the window, the less light shines through

      Hebrews 10:19-23  with boldness in Jesus we have no worries

*  Paul was being persecuted by the Sanhedrin, but he had peace!

*  even in the face of criticism and judgment, he stood there in

  confidence- knowing God was his standard of conscience