The Death of a Conscience

Notes: The Death of a Conscience

Matthew 14

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

God Came Near

Sunday, October 11, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Woodlawn is opening October 16.

Have you ever heard of Arthur Conan Doyle, he wrote the Sherlock Holmes series? As a joke he wrote twelve friends an anonymous note saying, "Flee at once, all is discovered!" All of those people fled the country. Apparently they all had a guilty conscience.

What shape is your conscience in?

A clear conscience never fears midnight knocking.

A conscience can be seared, as if by an iron, where it becomes less responsive.

Today we are talking about the life and death of conscience. King Herod had seared his conscience.

Luke 23:5-7 NKJV

[5] But they were the more fierce, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place." [6] When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. [7] And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Matthew 14:1-5 NKJV

[1] At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus [2] and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." [3] For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. [4] Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." [5] And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Who was King Herod? This Herod is not Herod the Great that was searching for the King of the Jews when Jesus was born.

This is Herod of Antipas, he is the son of Herod the Great.

John the Baptist was one of Herod's advisers.

John the Baptist was the first prophet the Jews had heard from in over 400 years.

John was a man of immense moral courage and the greatest prophet that ever lived. John was the direct forerunner of Jesus Christ.

Mark 6:20 NKJV

[20] for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Herod liked John, but his wife Herodias despised John.

John the Baptist was a true friend to Herod because he told him the truth.

Proverbs 27:6 NKJV

[6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

A true friend will stab you in the front.

Mark 6:20 NKJV

[20] for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

"He did many thing" we don't know what he did, but maybe he was a little better to others.

A little religion in your life could be a bad thing; you can be searing your conscience if you are not all the committed.

Mark 6:19 NKJV

[19] Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;

Alcoholism is a choice not a disease. The Bible calls them drunkards.

Herod was a drunkard.

Mark 6:21-24 NKJV

[21] Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. [22] And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." [23] He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." [24] So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"

In the pursuit of keeping yourself looking good, don't forget your soul.

Titus 2:3-5 NKJV

[3] the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- [4] that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Matthew 14:6-11 NKJV

[6] But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. [7] Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. [8] So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter." [9] And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. [10] So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. [11] And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

Herod was prompted to kill his only friend for two reasons, sexual desires and the desire to please others.

Don't feed lust you need to starve it.

Matthew 14:9 NKJV

[9] And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.

Instead of admitting he was wrong, Herod had murder committed.

Herod's conscience was not just troubled it was dying.

Mark 6:16 NKJV

[16] But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"

Herod had a guilty conscience, because your sin will find you out.

Sometimes we don't even realize what we have done in our sin until later in life. Women who have abortions seem to get hit later in life with the realization of what they have done.

Jesus did not speak a single word to Herod.

Luke 23:8-11 NKJV

[8] Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. [9] Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. [10] And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. [11] Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Jesus would not engage Herod.

John 2:23-25 NKJV

[23] Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. [24] But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, [25] and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

Jesus knows when a commitment to Him is either true or fake.

Luke 23:11 NKJV

[11] Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

The death of a conscience starts with small things. Then those things grow.

1 Timothy 1:19 NKJV

[19] having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,

Has God been speaking to you through your conscience and you have been ignoring it?

Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

[22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

[9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

[6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

The only way to get rid of a guilty conscience is by going to the cross.

We all need the Gospel.

Valor: Grace Above the Law

Notes: Valor: Grace Above the Law

October 6, 2015

Pastor Jason Powell

Harvest OC

What is the wire we are balancing on in our Christian walk, the thing we need to have laser beam focus on?  Justification

Galatians 2:16 NKJV

[16] knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Justification is the truth of the gospel.

Justification is a legal word borrowed from the court system. To be justified is to be declared legally righteous.

God delivers righteousness to us. God takes it from Jesus and hands it to us.

Romans 5:9 NKJV

[9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Colossians 3:3 NKJV

[3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Justification is what gives us joy because we are right with God.

One of the greatest mysteries in life is that a righteous God in Heaven has handed justification to me.

When we learned that we are justified we all tend to work harder for the Lord, not because we have to but because we want too.

In Galatians 2 Paul is calling out the distorters of the Gospel. Then Paul calls the people back to the Gospel.

Acts 14 and 15 appear to be written in parallel to Galatians 1 and 2.

In Acts 14 and 15 Paul is a new believer. Galatians 1 and 2 are referencing that time.

What does it take to be saved? Faith in Jesus.

Galatians 2:1-4 NKJV

[1] Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. [2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. [3] Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. [4] And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),

Galatians 2:5-10 NKJV

[5] to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. [6] But from those who seemed to be something-whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man-for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. [7] But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter [8] (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), [9] and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. [10] They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

The world around us today is trying to do the same things as the false brethren were doing here.

The world is very ardent in trying to tear away at our foundation as believers.

We need to confront the distorters of the Gospel with the truth of the Gospel.

The church needs to hear the gospel just as much as everyone else.

Galatians 2:11-16 NKJV

[11] Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; [12] for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. [13] And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. [14] But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? [15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, [16] knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

In Acts 10, Peter clearly knew that he was no longer under the law. Yet, even Peter returns to the law.

Proverbs 29:25 NKJV

[25] The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

I am counted right in front of God because of Jesus, not because of me.

Galatians 2:17-21 NKJV

[17] "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! [18] For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [19] For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. [21] I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Again...

Galatians 2:21 NKJV

[21] I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Nothing can justify us in front of God except the blood of Jesus Christ.

Symptoms of drifting away...

1. Pride for what you have been doing, going to work, the way you act etc.

2. Feel like you act different at church then at home?

3. Feeling a little conviction for your actions?

We are to focus on the gospel. We will never be justified by our acts.

We all need to be called back on a daily basis to justification by faith alone.

Glory Days

Notes: Glory Days

Joshua 6

SPEAKER: Max Lucado

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, October 4, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Some times it feels that we all need to just spend a moment with Christ.

Max became a believer in college, just before he could of easily gone into a life of alcoholism and womanizing. Best decision he ever made.

Jericho was a walled city filled with bad people. The walls seemed impenetrable. Joshua didn't take the walls down, God did.

Our Jericho could be anger, fear, grief, pain or any other thing that keeps us from our glory filled lives.

Joshua led 2 million people into the promise land during the 7 Glory Years of Israel.

Do you feel like you could use some glory days? Do you feel like you have spent more time in the wilderness than with God?

Only 11% of Christians feel like they are advancing in their faith.

The book of Joshua is in the Bible so people can see how God can move us from a barren life into a Promised Land life.

To enter into the promise land, your Jericho must come down. That is anything that is blocking your faith from advancing.

Joshua 6:2-5 NKJV

[2] And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. [3] You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. [4] And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. [5] It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him."

Saved people fight from victory not for victory.

The Christian Faith is all about receiving your inheritance from the Lord. You didn't earn it, your received it.

You are not just a heir but a co-heir of Heaven with Jesus.

Promised land people get these things, Promised Land people know there are bad things coming but those bad things will not win.

Do not trap yourself with "Wilderness" thinking.

Promised Land people don't think or talk like Wilderness Land people.

We move forward in faith not fear. From victory not defeat.

Joshua believed in his inheritance.

Joshua 6:6-10 NKJV

[6] Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD." [7] And he said to the people, "Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the LORD." [8] So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. [9] The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. [10] Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, 'Shout!' Then you shall shout."

There was no war cry, the people were told to be quiet.

Jericho was engaging in Spiritual Warfare.

There is a devil, he is on a short leash and his days are numbered. He spits lies at all times to deceive us all.

As Christians we are not afraid of the devil. We see that he is there, but we focus on God.

Jericho is a stronghold or attitude that keeps us from marching into the promise land.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV

[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

In our case, a stronghold is not a physical wall, but a thought or opinion that keeps us from God. It's a lie.

"Nothing good has ever happened to me" is a stronghold it's a lie.

You have to acknowledge that there is a stronghold, just like Joshua acknowledged there was Jericho.

Then he put the Arc of the Covenant in the middle of it, for us that is God. You put God into the center of your stronghold.

Then he blasted the ram’s horn. It's a symbol of how God provides. They were living out their inheritance. You get your Rams horn out of Bible scriptures.

A great Rams horn...

Romans 8:1 NKJV

[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Rather then give into a stronghold pick up a Rams horn.

Next time you sense a stronghold grab a Rams horn:

Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We are in spiritual warfare, and we must battle it accordingly. Satan will not stay where scripture is used to battle him.

Psalm 25:5 NKJV

[5] Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

The Bible is the sword of the Spirit.

Memorize some scripture and pull it out like a sword when you need to battle the devil.

We don't know how long we have to march around our Jericho.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Keep God in the middle of your strongholds.