May 15, 2022

Decision Making and the Christian Conscience

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Romans 14:14-23
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Expanding last weeks theme in 1 Cor 8 - to bring some extra thoughts
    • How do we make decisions
    • How do we consider Christian conscience
  • Christians differ in grey areas
    • There are many things today that Christians disagree on
    • It doesn't necessarily mean that one is sinner
  • Paul has said that an idol is nothing
    • Paul says that food cannot contaminate the soul
    • Paul warns you not to abuse your freedom - if it leads your brother to sin
    • Paul has a word for the person with the weak conscience and for those with a strong conscience
  • Focusing attention on v23
    • Reading v22 - be happy if your conscience does not condemn you
    • Reading v23 - if you act in a doubtful state, you sin
      • Be convinced in your heart that what you are doing in right
      • All that is not of faith, is sin - this is quite strong
  • Thinking about:
    • On what principles should Christian's make decisions? - thematic teaching
    • What is the function of conscience?

Is it to the glory of God?

  • 1 Cor 10:31
  • Helpful - it reminds us that our whole life is before God
    • There should be no divide between secular and spiritual - examples
  • Challenging - are these activities honouring God?
    • 1 Cor 10:30 - do we thank God for our food?
    • 1 Cor 10:32-33 - to consider our fellow man
    • Example of dress
  • Do we do all to the glory of God?
    • If we do not know the glory of God we can study together in fellowship
    • There is wisdom in the multitude of counsellors

What does the Bible say?

  • Questions:
    • Are there Biblical principles?
    • Is it a moral command?
    • How would Jesus have acted?
    • Are there examples in Scripture?
    • Is it an area of personal freedom? - but pray for wisdom
  • 1 Cor 10:20-22 - don't touch things involved idol worship
    • This was a moral area
  • There are other moral areas in Scripture - examples
  • There are Biblical principles - examples
  • Do we try to find loopholes?
    • Rom 14:23 - we must not doubt, our conscience must be informed by Scripture
  • What about neutral areas?
    • 1 Cor 6:12
    • Personal example
    • 1 Cor 10:23
    • Ask - is this helping me?

What are the consequences of our decisions?

  • Think about other Christians - examples
  • Think about our family - examples
  • We are exhorted to be an example - 1 Tim 4:12, 1 Cor 11:1
  • Consider the advice of Proverbs - examples
  • We reap what we sow

How Christ like are our decisions?

  • Consider the example of Christ - examples
  • How much do we our consider our own needs?
    • Rom 15:1-3, Rom 14:15-19
  • In neutral areas
    • We are not to lord it over others
      • We ultimately stand before God
    • We must remember the above
      • Examples - money, leisure time, chores, etc

Act in Faith

  • Do not be double minded
  • Have a strong faith
    • Remember that God is sovereign in the affairs of men
    • The secret things belong to God but the things revealed in the Bible belong to us
    • Prov 3:5-6
    • Ps 37:4-5
    • Ps 32:8
    • Example of Jander

Closing Remarks