September 16, 2012
Evening Service

This morning we got very close and personal as we discussed how our transformed life views the areas of politics, our money, and our time.  We are to place God first in all three.  It was made very clear that we are to obey, honor and pray for those who have authority over us because God is the one who placed them there.  We are to pay our taxes and manage our money in such a way that it portrays a good witness for Christ to others.  Paul called us to wake up and realize how fleeting time is and use what we have been given wisely.

A secondary message came along also that love fulfills all the laws.  When we love our neighbor as ourselves we will break no laws.  Our debt of love will never be repaid.

 

Rom 14:1 And receive him who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

·         This first verse states the theme for this entire chapter.  How to deal with weaker brothers in the faith.

·         Weaker brothers are those who are new to the faith or continue to hold onto beliefs that we have been set free from.  When Christ made “All things new” He granted us a liberty in a lot of areas that some feel we are still bound to by the law, traditions or also our own personal convictions.

·         Notice how we are to handle these who are not as far along their spiritual journey as we are.  We are to receive them gladly, but not create any disputes over “doubtful” or the smaller issues of faith that it takes time and experience to learn.

Rom 14:1 (MSG) Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with--even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

 

Rom 14:2-4  For indeed one believes to eat all things; but being weak, another eats vegetables.  (3)  Do not let him who eats despise him who does not eat; and do not let him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has received him.  (4)  Who are you that judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. But he will stand, for God is able to make him stand.

·         Food is a big area of dispute for young believers.  The OT taught clearly about what things were to be excluded from our diet but now we have been given liberty.

1Ti 4:4-5  For every creation of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.  (5)  For it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer.

·         Notice all things are free to be eaten if taken with thanksgiving.  We are not to despise or judge anyone for abstaining from or for eating anything.

·         The point here is that we can still worship and serve together even if we do not agree on everything in the Scriptures.  Long suffering, patience, sympathy and understanding should always outweigh contempt or judgment.  Agree on the crucial things and  agree to disagree on the smaller.

 

Rom 14:5-6  One indeed esteems a day above another day; and another esteems every day alike. Let each one be fully assured in his own mind.  (6)  He who regards the day regards it to the Lord; and he not regarding the day, does not regard it to the Lord. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, does not eat to the Lord, and gives God thanks.

Col 2:16  Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or in respect of a feast, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbaths.

·         We are not called to judge one another on any of these fronts.  We are called to know why we believe (Verse 5).  We should be able to back what we believe by what we read in God’s Word.  Let the Holy Spirit through the Word direct your choice on these matters.

 

Rom 14:7-9  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  (8)  For both if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore both if we live, and if we die, we are the Lord's.  (9)  For this Christ both died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.

·         Every aspect of our lives should be driven that we have decided to follow Jesus.  All of our actions in life should glorify Him even unto our death.  Christ earned that devotion from us by the love he showed by taking our sins upon himself on the cross.

 

Rom 14:10-13  But why do you judge your brother? Or also why do you despise your brother? For all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (11)  For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God."  (12)  So then each one of us will give account concerning himself to God.  (13)  Then let us not judge one another any more, but rather judge this, not to put a stumbling-block or an offense toward his brother.

·         Everyone will bow before the Lord and give an account for the decision we have made about Christ.  That is the only fact that truly matters.  Do not let judgment of a “smaller” matter place a burden on someone that hinders them from accepting Christ.

 

Rom 14:14-21  I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing by itself is common; except to him who esteems anything to be common, it is common.  (15)  But if your brother is grieved with your food, you no longer walk according to love. Do not with your food destroy him for whom Christ died.  (16)  Then do not let your good be spoken evil of,  (17)  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  (18)  For he who serves Christ in these things is well-pleasing to God, and approved by men.  (19)  So then let us pursue the things of peace, and the things for building up one another.  (20)  Do not undo the work of God for food. Truly, all things indeed are clean, but it is bad to the man eating because of a stumbling-block.  (21)  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak.

·         We as the more mature Christians are instructed to forfeit the liberty we have been granted and pursue peace by not offending one of these weaker brothers.  It is not about food but edifying one another, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him.

·         It is the Holy Spirit’s job to guide us along with our personal convictions.

 

Rom 14:22-23 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Blessed is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.  (23)  But, the one doubting, if he eats, he has been condemned, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not of faith is sin.

·         Follow your heart.  If you feel something is wrong to eat or do, you should stay away from it.  If it is not of faith then it is sin.

·         Let God’s Word be your filter and let the Holy Spirit guide you into doing what is pleasing to the Lord.