For Children： A Clear Conscience And Receiving God's Gift
Zac Poonen teaches that maintaining a clear conscience from childhood is essential for receiving God's gift of salvation and living a godly life.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of conscience, highlighting how God created man with a conscience to guide right and wrong decisions. It explores the significance of listening to one's conscience from a young age to avoid descending into a life devoid of moral compass. The sermon also delves into the concept of salvation, illustrating the need for personal response and faith in receiving God's grace. It warns against the dangers of sin, comparing it to poison that can lead one astray from God's path.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Creation of Man and Conscience
- God created man on the sixth day distinct from animals
- Man was made from dust and given breath and a living soul
- Conscience is the voice that guides us to know right from wrong
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II. The Importance of Keeping a Clear Conscience
- Ignoring conscience leads to spiritual decline and problems
- A bad conscience is likened to leprosy, causing numbness to sin
- Children should obey conscience to grow into godly adults
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III. Responding to God's Offer of Salvation
- Salvation is a free gift from God given by grace
- Faith is the human response to receive salvation
- Like marriage, both God and man must say 'yes' for union
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IV. Practical Christian Living for Children
- Avoid sin even in small things like cheating
- Read the Bible regularly to please God
- Obey parents as a response to following Jesus
Key Quotes
“If you don't listen to that voice one day that conscience will die and that'll be terrible because if the conscience dies you grow up to be a very bad man or bad woman.” — Zac Poonen
“By grace you have been saved through faith... salvation is a very very expensive thing but God offers it as a free gift and you must take it by faith.” — Zac Poonen
“Jesus wants to be united with you just like that man and woman are married... it's not enough that God says yes to you, you have to say yes.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Listen to your conscience daily and obey its guidance to grow in godliness.
- Respond to God's gift of salvation by faith, accepting Jesus personally.
- Practice obedience to parents and read the Bible regularly to please God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is conscience according to the sermon?
Conscience is the inner voice that tells us when we have done something wrong, guiding us to live righteously.
Why did God create man separately from animals?
God made man from dust and gave him a living soul and conscience, making humans distinct and accountable to God.
How can we receive salvation?
Salvation is received by grace through faith, meaning God offers it freely and we must personally accept it.
Why is it important to keep a clear conscience?
A clear conscience allows God to speak to us and prevents us from descending to a sinful, animal-like state.
What practical steps can children take to follow Jesus?
Children should obey their parents, avoid sin like cheating, and read the Bible regularly to grow in faith.