Let the Light In

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 3:18-22

KEY VERSE

1 Peter 3:21 NKJV

21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

INTRODUCTION

Water Baptism is an External Expression of an Internal Transformation

Water Baptism does not save us.

Water Baptism is a public declaration of faith that we have already been saved.

Water Baptism is the Answer of a Good Conscience Toward God

Conscience = moral awareness | moral compass | ability to discern between right and wrong.

Good Conscience = clear conscience | when our actions, thoughts, words are in conformity to our values.

Warren Wiersbe compares a good conscience, or a clean conscience, “to a window that lets in the light of God’s truth.” The more we read, study, and apply God’s Word to our lives, me more light we let in and the more sensitive we become to right and wrong.

MESSAGE

Don’t Allow Your Conscience to Become Darkened

1 Peter 3:19–20 NKJV

19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

Seared

1 Timothy 4:1–2 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

Defiled

Titus 1:15 NKJV

15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Be Transparent in Light of What Christ Has Done for You

1 Peter 3:18 NKJV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

He Suffered

He Died

He Got Up

Let the Power of Christ’s Resurrection Make You Clean

When you have a clear conscience toward God, the window of your soul will be clean (Windex).

When you have a clear conscience toward God, the window of your soul will be transparent (No Curtains|Veil - Darkness).

When you have a clear conscience toward God, the window of your soul will reflect God’s righteousness (Let the Light In).

CLOSING

Baptism is a powerful declaration of the transformation God has already worked within us. It’s not the water that saves, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ that grants us salvation and the ability to live with a clear conscience before God.

A clear conscience is like a window, allowing the light of God’s truth to shine through into our lives. It’s not about perfection, but about transparency—about living in the light of God’s grace and aligning our actions, words, and thoughts with His righteousness.

Don’t let your conscience become darkened by sin, seared by disobedience, or defiled by unbelief. Instead, let the resurrection power of Christ cleanse your heart and renew your spirit.

Let us commit to living with a clear conscience:

A conscience that is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

A conscience that reflects the righteousness of God in all we do.

A conscience that boldly declares, through baptism and beyond, that we belong to Christ.

Let the light of God’s truth shine through you this week, and may your life be a window for others to see the hope and power of the risen Savior.