I Hate Onions

If you ask Andrea, she will tell you I am a picky eater. I'm so picky, If I don't like something, I'll say "I'm allergic" to it just to justify my hatred for foods I dislike eating. For instance, I hate onions. They smell awful. They make you cry when you chop them. When they are cooked, they are slimy. They taste terrible when you try to eat them and make your breath stink. And they smell up the whole house. Onions are the grossest food ever created! I also place mushrooms, liver, hearts, and squash in the grossness category. If you eat them, we can't be friends! LOL!

MUSHROOM STORY - Mike

Mike invited us to lunch after church. As a joke, he put a stuffed toy mushroom on my plate. He knew how much I despised those things. They are called Shitake mushrooms for a reason, if you know what I mean.

Since I'm being honest about my dislike for the food, I also think salt is the greatest substance made! As a matter of fact, the known salt mines in the USA cover thousands of square miles centralized in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Utah, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

Salt is so amazing it is used to enhance the flavor of good food, preserve meat and fish, help make ice cream; it promotes good vascular health, balances electrolytes, prevents muscle cramps, supports a healthy nervous system, and improves sleep. If you have a sore throat, gargle with salt water, which helps eliminate the pain.

Too bad salt can't help me eat onions, mushrooms, liver, heart, and squash. Those things should be put in the trash! LOL

(WE) We all have (food) preferences. However, if you want to go to Heaven, you'll agree with my food choices. If you want to risk it, eat those nasty things. I mean, the Bible says, "Each of us will give an account of yourselves to God" (Romans 14:12). {LAUGH}

Okay, I know it's taken out of context, but I have a point. Think about this: PEOPLE'S PREFERENCES AREN'T A HEAVEN OF HELL THING. Let me qualify this statement. Food preferences are different from lifestyle choices. Food preferences are not a sin, while some lifestyle choices are sinful and go against God's Word, His commands and laws. Regarding judgment, we all will stand before God someday to give an account for our choices and decisions outside of God's will!

CHOICES: We have so many choices today. Go to the grocery store and buy a spaghetti sauce bottle. There are dozens and dozens of choices. Some have meat; others don't. Or they have garlic and herbs, or just plain ole sauce. Others are sweeter, while some are saltier — choices upon choices.

Honestly, your food choices come down to preferences. You prefer onion, and I don't. You prefer liver, and I don't. Your preferences are based on your likes and dislikes. They have no moral or ethical ramifications. And your opinion about what I eat or you eat is truly irrelevant in the scope of eternity.

Let me add some other choices we make based on preferences. However, our preferences should be honoring to the Lord!

• Music - Do you listen to God-honoring music? Worship wars (stylistic preferences)

• Dancing - Are you dancing to the Lord with your spouse or to provoke a sexual response?

• Alcohol in moderation isn't a sin. However, drunkenness is considered a sin.

There are TABOO issues that are not based on choice preference but Biblical and societal norms/ lines you don't cross that are sins.

• Incest

• Abortion

• Gossip

• Slander

• Adultery

• Premarital Sex

• Homosexuality

• Theft/Bribery

• ETC.

However, we must not quarrel over opinions.

(GOD) DO NOT QUARREL OVER OPINIONS

[SLIDE – SCRIPTURE]

Romans 14:1–4 (ESV) As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

For thousands of years, the church has fought over unimportant issues such as:

• When Jesus returns a second time,

• What day to observe the sabbath,

• What types of clothing, hair, and make-up to wear, and

• What version of the Bible is the correct translation.

These unimportant issues have kept the church from succeeding at its fundamental mission to "Go and Make Disciples of the nations "(Matt. 28:18-20). Too often, we have taken the part of the Great Commission out of context that says, "And teach them to obey everything I have commanded you" (verse 20).

We've tried to dictate what to eat, how to prepare it, what to wear, what not to drink, eat or dance, which version of the Bible is correct or what style of music is appropriate for churches to sing. For the most part, it's a distraction to the furtherance of the Gospel. Therefore, stop passing judgment...

STOP PASSING JUDGMENT

[SLIDE – SCRIPTURE]

Romans 14:13 (NIV84) Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Passing judgment puts you in that place of authority over a brother or sister in Christ. Essentially, you've taken the Biblical role of lawgiver that's not your ordained place to be.

Too often in the church, there are more leaders than followers—each person wanting their way to the detriment of the Gospel. As I teasingly stated earlier but now make a point, "each of us will give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

[SLIDE – SCRIPTURE]

Romans 14:12 (NIV84) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

God will hold us accountable for our actions, attitudes, and words. God will not hold us guiltless. When we diminish other people, we are diminishing God as if we are taking His name in vain (Exodus 20:7). Each person is made in the image of God, not in your image or in an image you wish someone to portray. As a matter of fact, it is considered idolatry to push or make them do or be someone they are not meant to be.

• EX. BRENDEN DANCING: I struggled to admit Brenden was a dancer for several years because I'm a "Nazarene" pastor. I was pulled between the church's stance in our manual over his desire and giftedness to be a dancer. I struggled internally, hid it publicly, and grieved silently to be able to marry his gift, his faith in Jesus, with our Nazarene Church. As a result, I went to our manual statement on dancing and began to research and study each word. What I came to understand were these words that helped me to evaluate what form of dance with God's Word, to be in accordance with our Denomination, and to ensure it didn't lead others to sin.

• COTN STATEMENT: "All forms of dancing that detract from spiritual growth and break down proper moral inhibitions and reserve." (29.4)

• Does classical dance distract Brenden from spiritual growth and break down proper moral inhibitions and reserve? This is what I had to consider letting him dance. Understand the Bible does not state this as it is stated in our manual. However, it does give scriptural references about a person's morality and holiness. Therefore, I was confident that his form of dancing, where he took lessons, and those who influenced him to do so, was ethical and wholesome. Obviously, we as his parents, felt it was within the limits of the Bible to allow him to dance, and I felt confident to tell others he was a dancer - and proud of it!

As I stated, we often tear each other down before we build them up. What if we took responsibility for building up others' weak in their faith?

BUILD UP OTHERS WHO ARE WEAK

[SLIDE – SCRIPTURE]

Romans 15:1 (NIV84) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Paul is talking about two kinds of Christian people: THE STRONG AND WEAK followers of Christ.

Let's look at a STRONG CHRISTIAN.

A strong Christian is someone who:

• Knows and follows the laws of God

• Studies the Word of God and mediates on it daily

• Pray for himself, family, and others often

• Fasts and keeps the sabbath

• Loves God and his neighbor

• Takes care of the widow and orphan and feeds and clothes the needy

• Makes disciples

• Serves as a leader in the church

• Protects the church with the Armor of God

On a scale from 1 (weak) to 10 (strong) are you a strong Christian?

{A MOMENT OF SILENCE}

It's assumed that if you've grown up in the church, served on the Board, taught a Sunday school class, or are a pastor/leader; you are strong in your Christian faith. If this is you, you are obligated to help those Christian brothers and sisters who are weak in their faith! As a matter of fact, you'll be held accountable if you do and don't help a weaker Christian sibling.

THE WEAK IN THEIR FAITH

• Those weak in the faith are typically new Christians who know very little about the Bible and the Church.

• Weak Christians are those who are forgiven but still fight worldly passions and fall prey to the Devil easier.

• They fall for the lies of false teachers and prophets and insist on living legalistically.

• They follow a church's manual rather than God's Word.

• Weak Christians expect their pastor to lead them spiritually rather than take responsibility for their spiritual growth.

• Weak Christians cannot explain their faith well or can lead others to Christ evangelistically.

On a scale from 1 (weak) to 10 (strong), are you a weak Christian?

{A MOMENT OF SILENCE}

TO THE WEAK - We who are strong want to help you grow up and mature in your faith. We are here to help you find your God-given purpose (Eph. 2:10).

• PLUG FOR ADULT BIBLE STUDIES, YOUTH GROUP, CHILDREN'S MINISTRY.

Weakness in Christ isn't a deficit but an opportunity to grow in your relationship with God and become a stronger Christian as time progresses. Every Christian must keep growing - we are all growing, but it takes initiative and diligence.

SIDE NOTE: Did you know your ears never stop growing? They grow throughout your life.

Being a Christian means, you learn to lean on Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, and stay away from the world's enticements (Colossians 3:1-17). Colossians 3:1-4 says,

[SLIDE – SCRIPTURE]

Colossians 3:1–4 (NIV84) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

EVERYONE LISTEN! WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE WEAK IN FAITH IS STILL VALID FOR THE STRONG IN FAITH! POINT: SET YOUR HEART AND MIND ON CHRIST; SET ASIDE EARTHLY THINGS! What you treasure the most is what you fill focus on and desire.

EX. SEX. It is estimated the average teen boy thinks about sex every 7 seconds or about 8000 times per day. (https://avoiceformen.com/featured/teenage-boys-dating-and-sex/)

As a teen boy develops, it's a natural response to a God-given desire to procreate. However, if a boy becomes addicted to sex, he will find outlets such as pornography or female companionship to satiate his desires.

LISTEN, MATURE CHRISTIAN MEN, we must teach our young men about sex, how to handle sex, and what's appropriate in sex.

LISTEN MATURE CHRISTIAN LADIES - Girls think about sex less often but have as much curiosity as boys, especially in our over-sexualized society. Therefore, it's up to you to teach young girls to regard sex as a natural desire and not a dirty, sinful, or gross thing.

(YOU) The Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:9-11 prays for the church in Philippi that they would become mature Christians, and with exuberant prayer for his fellow Christians, he asks God to help them to become what he knows they can achieve.

[SLIDE – SCRIPTURE]

Philippians 1:9–11 (NIV84) And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Paul prays that they may -

• They will fall in love with learning,

• They will be able to discern the ways of Christ (Bible),

• They may be holy and righteous so that

• it will make God happy and joyful.

Paul's prayer is similar to Romans 15:19 that we who are strong may encourage the weak in their faith.

[SLIDE – SCRIPTURE]

Romans 14:19 (NIV84) Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

CALL TO ACTION

GOAL: It's time for mature Christians to step up to build up the weak.

But how?

• Measure your faith

• Recount your journey

• Find your weak spots and develop a plan to grow in them. Get help if needed.

• Become a mentor

• Find a mentee (Jesus has 12 disciples, with the three closest disciples he trained.)

• Continue the process.

WEAK:It's not a sin to admit you need help. If that's you, talk to a pastor and allow us to help you find a mentor.

STRONG: If you're ready to mentor, let a pastor know, and we can group you with a mentee.

(WE) God established the institution of the Church to help each other grow up and become mature in their faith. Each Sunday, when we gather for worship, it's a celebration of the goodness of God, with thankfulness to Jesus for sacrificing his life for us and gratefulness to the Holy Spirit for his helpfulness in guiding us daily.

For more than 2000 years, Christendom has thrived because the church has taken seriously the Great Commission to make disciples. If the church is to survive today, it must recommit itself to making disciples.

[slides] VISION: New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene Vision

• NBC is dedicated to discipleship.

• We must pray for God to bless our church with new believers and spiritual seekers.

• We must be diligent in offering discipleship classes (FLOW TO DISCIPLESHIP)

CONCLUSION

Let's face a serious fact. We all have differences of opinion and preferences. I hate onions and mushrooms, liver, and squash. Regarding food or the non-essentials, we discussed earlier, we must not condemn or attempt to change that which doesn't matter. However, we must live out the Great Commission and seek to better ourselves and help others grow in their faith too!

Perhaps one day, I will grow up and like those gross things I mentioned. Until then, I will keep trying them occasionally until my taste buds change, or I die and go to Heaven, where they will have non-stop steak and potatoes!

PRAYER

SONG

EUCHARIST

DOXOLOGY

BENEDICTION

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