Fatal Conflict of Consciece
Book of Luke • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Service Notes
Service Notes
Seedline Project
Ben Mize Ordination tonight
Bible Reading
Bible Reading
Returning back to Luke and the day leading up to the crucifixion of Christ
On Easter we saw Peter deny Christ and then stand in the tomb and wonder
Jesus the the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6.
We will watch as the crowd, Herod, and Pilate are face to face with truth.
We will focus our attention on Pilate and his inevitable decision concerning the innocency of Christ.
Pilate’s story is every man and woman’s story who has seen the truth and realized they were forced with a decision to make.
Luke 23:1–25 (KJV)
1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and (Lie - set up in ch 20) - forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ (the anointed one) a King.
3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
Before we jump back into the passage let’s talk about a proper understanding of our conscience.
“Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture, or by evident reason, I cannot recant, for my conscience is held captive by the word of God, and to act against conscience is neither right nor safe.” - Martin Luther
Without God, there is no virtue because there's no prompting of the conscience. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. - Ronald Reagan
Whatever conscience condemns is condemned by God. Can the holiness of God pursue a lower standard than our conscience? - Watchman Nee
Man is the only animal that blushes, and the only animal that needs to. - Mark Twain
We are ashamed, are we not, of things we've done in the past? Nobody is free who is unforgiven. Instead of being able to look God in the face or to look one another in the face, we want to run away and hide when our conscience troubles us.
Today, we rarely hear any reference to the conscience.
This does not mean that is isn’t of utmost importance.
Where Does Conscience Come From?
Where Does Conscience Come From?
When we talk about God’s revelation, we make a distinction between general revelation and special revelation.
Special revelation refers to that information given to us in the Scriptures. / Not everyone has equal access. This is why we as a church are committed to the Seedline Ministry
General revelation refers to the revelation that God gives to every human being on earth.
Some general revelation as been revealed to us through external means such as creation. Romans 1:20 “20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Some general revelation is not given externally but is implanted internally into all of us.
God reveals his law in the mind of every human being by planting a conscience within each of us.
Problem concerning our conscience
Problem concerning our conscience
We learn how to turn the volume of our conscience down so that our ethics align with how we want to live and not how God tells us we should live.
Maybe you can recall the first conflict you had in wanting to rewire your conscience. Fell into the water fishing and needed to tell my mother a story so that I would not get into trouble.
The supreme irony and tragedy of sin:
The more we repeat our sins, the greater the guilt we incur.
But the less sensitive we become to the guilt in our consciences.
When people destroy their own consciences, they do everything in their power to destroy the consciences of their neighbors. / this is where we are at as a nation.
Transitional Question: Can you rightly say your “conscience is held captive by the word of God” realizing to act against conscience is neither right nor safe.
Transitional Question: Can you rightly say your “conscience is held captive by the word of God” realizing to act against conscience is neither right nor safe.
Let’s return to our passage for today.
Innocence of Jesus
Innocence of Jesus
Luke will begin to describe the Crucifixion very soon. When he does he has already answered some questions for us. —
Why is Jesus on the cross?
Why is Jesus being crucified?
What charges have been brought against Him?
Since the charges have been proven untrue, why does He end up on the cross?
These questions are being answered in the verses we have already read this morning.
Innocence has been established
Innocence has been established
John 19:5 “5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!”
5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
As we behold this man we see Jesus is innocent
As we behold this man we see Jesus is innocent
Story starts with this admission. Luke 23:4 “4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.”
4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
After Pilate sends Jesus to Herod. Luke 23:14-15 “14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.”
14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
Now a 3rd time this is acknowledged. Luke 23:22 “22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.”
22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
Innocent, so I will chastise Him and let Him go?
Innocent, so I will chastise Him and let Him go?
How does this make any sense?
Pilate’s conscience is on trial not Jesus.
Jesus is perfect. Pilate’s conscience is greatly troubled.
The response of the crowd was louder than his conscience. Luke 23:23 “23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.”
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Pilate was facing the same dilemma that Herod had faced
Pilate was facing the same dilemma that Herod had faced
Fellowship in the denial of truth
Fellowship in the denial of truth
Luke 23:12 “12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.”
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
Walked past the same Truth to come to the same fatal conclusion.
Herod once also wrestled with his conscience concerning what should be done with an innocent man
Herod had put John the Baptist in prison.
Herod had put John the Baptist in prison.
Luke 3:19-20 “19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.”
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
Herod had taken his brothers wife.
John the Baptist warned him of his sin.
Herod had come to fear John the Baptist.
Herod had come to fear John the Baptist.
Mark 6:20 “20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.”
20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
Herod has a party and through the results of being drunk and careless makes a commitment to his new wife’s daughter.
Herod is brought to a point of crisis. Mark 6:23-24 “23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.”
23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
He had to make a decision. He had a moral dilemma.
He had to make a decision. He had a moral dilemma.
Mark 6:26 “26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.”
26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
Now you do not see a man under conviction but a man cold to the realities around him. Luke 23:8 “8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.”
8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
Now Jesus is before Herod
Now Jesus is before Herod
Pilate had tried to “pass the buck” to Herod
This brings us to one of the saddest stories I have ever read. This week I felt the weight of the silence.
Look at the last 5 words of Luke 23:9 “9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.”
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
Have you ever heard of the unpardonable sin?
Have you ever heard of the unpardonable sin?
(1) Commit a really bad sin such as adultery, murder, or denying Christ under pressure.
(2) Commit suicide
(3) Attribute Spirit-empowered miracles to Satan.
(4) Reject clear truth the Spirit reveals about Jesus
Luke 12:10 “10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.”
10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
Why bring this up about Pilate?
Why bring this up about Pilate?
Pilate was rejecting truth,
One pastor when explaining this sin said we see the unpardonable sin “with evil intention, resist God’s truth, although by its brightness they are so touched that they cannot claim ignorance.”
What Pilate is doing is a text-book example
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, but he would continually reject the truth.
As with Pilate you can get to a place where you no longer will hear the voice of truth.
This is such a staggering and weighty thought.
Some will hear the truth of the gospel and will not sit there with assurance, or even sit there under conviction, but will sit under the preaching with apathy because they have become so hardened to the truth.
Luke 23:9 “9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.”
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
Pilate’s opportunity to hear and respond
Pilate’s opportunity to hear and respond
Pilate had a concerned wife.
Pilate had a concerned wife.
Matthew 27:19 “19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
The facts she knew about the situation followed her into the night.
A conversation between to non-believers about the conviction they felt when they thought about Jesus.
Pilate could have released Barabbas.
Pilate could have released Barabbas.
Luke 23:17 “17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)”
17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
He did not act on his conscience but pleases the crowd.
So much of the world lives with Pilate’s problem.
To not accept Him as King leaves you with no middle ground
Pilate’s fatal conflict of conscience
Pilate’s fatal conflict of conscience
Willing but gave into the will of the people.
Willing but gave into the will of the people.
Luke 23:20 “20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.”
20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
Luke 23:25 “25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.”
25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Instead of questioning himself, he questions the question.
Instead of questioning himself, he questions the question.
John 18:38 “38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.”
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
This is new lie, that has been renewed in our day.
Truth is the self-disclosure of God Himself.
Truth is and has always been divine, absolute, singular, objective, and authoritative.
Truth could not be killed.
67 percent of the adults agree that there is no such thing as absolute truth. That is, they believe that what is true for one person may not be true for another.
Can I tell you that number can get to 100% and it will not change the definition of truth.
Abraham Lincoln asked, “How many legs would a sheep have if you called its tail a leg?” They quickly answered, “Five!” The President then said, “No, it would only have four legs. Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one.”
Pilate’s dilemma is every mans dilemma
Pilate’s dilemma is every mans dilemma
Desire to wash his hands. Matthew 27:24 “24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.”
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
You cannot walk away from truth without having made a decision. Pilate couldn’t. You cannot.
Pilate sought for a clear conscience
Pilate sought for a clear conscience
Since all sin is ultimately a sin against God, only God can redeem a violated conscience.
Just as He did in the Garden of Eden, God provides us a covering through the sacrifice of something perfect and blameless
A good conscience is only possible through identification with the truth
1 Peter 3:14–16 “14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Pilate was certainly afraid of their terror and troubled.
He was not ready to give an answer of hope.
He did not have a good conscience.
What could have Pilate have done to truly have a clear conscience. Publicly identify with Christ. 1 Peter 3:21 “21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
He exhorted them to have the courage to commit themselves to a course of action by taking a public stand for Christ through baptism.
The act of public baptism would “save” them from the temptation to sacrifice their good consciences in order to avoid persecution.
For a first-century Christian, baptism meant he was following through on his commitment to Christ, regardless of the consequences.
Transitional Statement: Now we have come to a time or response. PIANO PLAYER WILL COME. I want to help you respond according to God’s Word.
Transitional Statement: Now we have come to a time or response. PIANO PLAYER WILL COME. I want to help you respond according to God’s Word.
May your “conscience is held captive by the word of God”
Remind you. Putting off the question in front of you today does not make the matter go away.
You will not be better equipped to answer it at another time.
You will be more hardened to the truth, every time you walk away from it.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Now, is the time the birds enter the service.
Luke 8:5-7 “5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.”
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
To the believer
To the believer
1 Timothy 3:9 “9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.”
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Speaks of the spiritual life of a deacon, but should be true for all of us.
In other words they must not profess one thing but practice another.
What decision have you put off week after week?
Let me help you? Next Steps. Email address. Place this on the top of your list for the week.
To the non-believers
To the non-believers
Just like Pilate and Herod I pray you have had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus
Jesus was headed to the cross innocent.
Putting off this decision is a decision in itself.
If you are ready to recognize the truth then do so right now, where you are seating.
Confess to God your need of a Savior.