Jeremy Utley - A Blameless Conscience Despite Different Convictions In The Body

Jeremy UtleyMay 23, 202222mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: A Blameless Conscience Despite Different Convictions In The Body Date: 05/22/2022 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The sermon addresses how Christians should navigate disagreements in conviction within the body of Christ. While the ultimate goal is to reflect Jesus Christ, differences in conscience are inevitable. When one's convictions are stronger than another's, the speaker advises living according to the conviction the Lord has given, even if it means appearing 'weak' in comparison. The core message emphasizes maintaining personal conviction rather than conforming to the perceived strength of others.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

United in goal, varied in conscienceWhile believers share the same goal of being conformed to the image of Christ, the Lord allows for gray areas and differences in personal conviction.

What does Romans 14 teach about judgment?Romans 14 warns believers not to judge or look down on one another over matters of personal conviction, because every servant stands before God.

What should you do when you are weak?When someone feels a restriction that others do not share, they should not act strong or compromise their conscience, but be willing to be weak for the Lord's sake.

The danger of compromising a clear conscienceCompromising personal convictions to avoid feeling restricted leads to a burdened conscience, proving that a clear conscience before God is most precious.

Resisting defensiveness when others have stricter convictionsWhen others have more restrictive convictions, the flesh tempts us to become defensive and rely on our knowledge rather than walking in love.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds upKnowledge can make a person arrogant, whereas love considers the conscience of a fellow believer rather than leaning on intellectual correctness.

Determining not to put a stumbling block in a brother's wayBelievers must be determined not to cause others to stumble or to destroy with food someone for whom Christ died.Romans 14:13–15

Paul's willingness to give up his rightsThe apostle Paul stated that if food causes his brother to stumble, he would never eat meat again, showing that love values the brother's conscience over being right.

Letting the weak one winInstead of the world's motto of letting the best person win, the church motto should be to let the weak one win through mutual consideration.

When the weaker brother is actually rightEngaging with someone who has a more restrictive conviction can sometimes reveal unconscious sin and lead to unexpected spiritual progress.

Growing in Christ's likeness through humilityChoosing not to glory in personal strength allows believers to be delivered from hidden sin, receive new light, and grow together in unity.

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Jeremy Utley - A Blameless Conscience Despite Different Convictions In The Body

Jeremy Utley · May 23, 2022 · 22m

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