Paul’s Clear Conscience and Comfort Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [42] Acts 22:30-23:11 February 10, 2013 Pastor Paul K. Kim

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR CONSCIENCE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY Clear conscience is a result of guilt-free heart in the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1). I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit. Romans 9:1

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR CONSCIENCE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY Clear conscience is a result of guilt-free heart in the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1). Clear conscience is not absolute by itself—it must be surrendered under God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 4:4). My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 1 Corinthians 4:4 [NIV]

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR CONSCIENCE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY Clear conscience is a result of guilt-free heart in the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1). Clear conscience is not absolute by itself—it must be surrendered under God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 4:4). Clear conscience is a mark of a true Christian leader who is led by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:12). For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR CONSCIENCE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY Clear conscience is a result of guilt-free heart in the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1). Clear conscience is not absolute by itself—it must be surrendered under God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 4:4). Clear conscience is a mark of a true Christian leader who is led by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:12). Clear conscience is what all Christ-followers ought to pursue toward God and men (Acts 24:16). So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Acts 24:16

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY? 1) Paul’s CLEAR CONSCIENCE gave him freedom even in captivity. 30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. 1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” (22:30-23:1)  To Paul, having “good conscience” before God was a way of life in order to check his faith for its truthfulness and validity.  How we live our lives according to conscience matters to God and our witness for Christ.  Following Paul’s example, we are to live out our freedom in Christ by keeping a clear conscience always before God.

Freedom from a Clear Conscience in Christ Boris Kornfeld was not an especially brave man. He knew his life would be in danger as soon as the orderly was released from the cell block... But, paradoxically, along with this anxiety came tremendous freedom to live. He signed no more papers or documents sending men to their deaths. He no longer turned his eyes from cruelty or shrugged his shoulders when he saw injustice. He said what he wanted and did what he could. And soon he realized that the anger and hatred and violence in his own soul had vanished. He wondered whether there lived another man in Russia who knew such freedom! - Charles Colson

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY? 2) Paul’s BROKENNESS TO GOD gave him humility to admit his wrong and repent promptly. 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” (23:2-5)  Here, Paul lost his temper and reacted with his flesh.  But how was he able to admit his wrong doing and repent so quickly? It was Paul’s everyday practice by brokenness to God.  Following Paul’s example, we are to practice our own self- surrender to God by dying to self and living by the Spirit.

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY? 3) Paul’s SHREWD WISDOM gave him brilliance to defend himself in trials. 6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. (23:6-8)

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY? 3) Paul’s SHREWD WISDOM gave him brilliance to defend himself in trials. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. (23:9-10)  Paul’s wisdom was not to compromise his testimony of Christ to be shrewd like a serpent (Matt. 10:16)  The dispute between Sadducees and Pharisees became a great clamor that the tribune had to save Paul’s life again.  Following Paul’s example, we are to maintain this critical balance of having a broken spirit yet also shrewd wisdom.

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY? 4) Paul’s COMFORT FROM JESUS gave him confidence to face the unknown future. 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (23:11)  After the series of exhausting events, Paul needed a comfort and the right time, Lord Jesus came and stood by him.  Jesus’ comfort was not for deliverance from imprisonment or persecution but for TAKING COURAGE!  Following Paul’s example, we are to seek Christ’s comfort by drawing near to God and take courage by the confidence of Christ’s presence and promise.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.How can I take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and men? What is my first step? 1.In what ways can I keep practicing both humble brokenness and shrewd wisdom in my everyday life for Christ? 1.How do I seek Christ’s comfort in the coming week? What would it look like?