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By David Watson

Benchley, January 25, 2012

• Peace with God
• Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:11-22 – Peace with God is the restored relationship we have with God through forgiveness of sins.
• If we want peace with God, we can only have that through Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:34-36)
• Peace with self (conscience)
• John 14:27; 16:33; Philippians 4:6-9 – True peace with self only comes as a result of true peace with God. A clean conscience is a blessing from God.
• I Corinthians 15:9; Ephesians 3:8; I Timothy 1:15 – Did the apostle Paul have peace with self? Yes. We must recognize the difference between a guilty conscience and regret.
• Peace with self does not require spiritual amnesia. It requires current service to God and humility from past sins.
• Peace with people
• Romans 12:18; Colossians 3:12-15 – To what extent can and should we achieve peace with others? We must achieve peace with others to the extent that it depends on us (and we can do so within God’s law).

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By David Watson

Benchley, March 20, 2011

• I Timothy 4:8 – Godliness is profitable now and in the future.
• A mess
  • II Samuel 11:2-15; 12:14 – the mess created by David’s sin with Bathsheba
  • Hebrews 12:15-17 – Esau lost his blessing and birthright.
• A guilty conscience
  • Genesis 42:21-22; 50:15 – the guilt of Joseph’s brothers after selling him into slavery
  • Matthew 27:3-5 – the guilt of Judas after betraying Jesus
  • Acts 24:16 – Paul tried to avoid guilt the rest of his life.
• A ruined conscience
  • I timothy 4:2; Titus 1:15 – We are born with pure hearts, but it is possible to ruin our consciences with sin.
  • Ephesians 4:17-19 – Sin hardens our heart.
• Bad habits
  • Acts 8:9-24 – Even after being converted, Simon is tempted by the power of the apostles’ spiritual gifts.
  • Hebrews 10:25 – Skipping the assembly can become a habit.
• Effect on others
  • Galatians 2:11-13 – Peter carried others away in his hypocrisy.

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By David Watson

Benchley, April 11, 2010

• Applications, continued:
  • Don’t make yourself stumble.  II Peter 1:5-7,10-11
  • Edify through the authoritative word of God.  Ephesians 4:12
    • II Corinthians 10:8; 12:19 – Paul wrote to edify.
  • Don’t cause another to violate his conscience.  Revelation 2:14; Matthew 13:41; 18:6; I Corinthians 8:4,7; Romans 14:3,14-17
  • Choose your words carefully.  Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6