"Matters of opinion shouldn't cause division"
Brian Lynch
Romans 14 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Romans 14:1-23
Romans 14:1-23
-Pray
For the note takers I’ve titled today’s message “Matters of opinion shouldn’t cause division”
As we continue in our study in Romans we are in the last five chapters in where Paul gives believers practical guidelines on how we should behave.
In the first 11 chapters of Romans Paul sets forth the foundations of the Christian faith and our beliefs.
In chapter 14 we are going to look at some examples of what caused division within the church in Paul’s day and what still causes division in the church today.
Almost church mentioned in the new testament had divisions to contend with.
In the church of Corinth the Corinthians were divided over human leaders they were following in 1 Corinthians 1 10-13, We are followers of Christ first and foremost. Paul himself said follow me as I follow Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Some of the members were even suing each other over civil matters that could have been resolved between each other.(1 Corinthians 6)
We are to be followers of Christ first and foremost. Paul himself said follow me as I follow Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
The Galatians were “biting and devouring” one another —— speaking of hurting and tearing each other apart. Paul warned them that it would destroy them.
But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
The saints in Ephesus and Colosse had to be reminded by Paul the importance of Christian unity.
In the church of Philippi two women were at odds with each other and were splitting the church. Philippians 4
These are some examples of why unity within the church is so important. Division causes harm to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ and also to the church.
David writes in Psalm ——
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
Some of the problems between believers in the new testament was because of their backgrounds.
The Jews were saved out of a legalistic background—— that was difficult for them to forget.
The gentiles (non jews) never had to worry about diet restrictions and celebrating the Jewish holy days.
In our study we will look at how we have similar problems today with many “gray areas” of life that are not clearly right or wrong to every believer. Some activities we know are wrong because the bible clearly condemns them. Other activities we know are right because the bible clearly commands them.
When it comes to things that are not clearly defined in scripture we need guidance so that we can remain united even though we may disagree on the nonessentials ——things we have liberty in (that don’t pertain to our salvation) —— or the “gray areas”
In the essentials (the death and resurrection of Christ, salvation through Jesus Christ alone, or the Trinity of God) for some examples ——we should remain united.
Are there examples of “gray areas” that you can think of that has caused division in the church?
Paul breaks it down in chapter 14 of Romans.
The first twelve verses speak on receiving on another, just as Christ has received us.
Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
VV 13-23 talk about edifying one another (building each other up in the faith) and helping each other grow in love and knowledge.
Let’s take a look at the first 4 verses in Romans chapter 14
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
v. 1 We receive those who are weak in the faith just as Christ has received us
There are many reasons why a Christian might be weak in the faith.
They may be a babe in Christ ——A new believer
They may be sick or diseased by legalism ——that salvation is earned by good works and strict adherence to old testament laws. Instead of salvation by grace through faith.
They might be malnourished by the lack of good teaching
They might lack encouragement by fellow brothers.
v. 2 The bible clearly states that if you only eat vegetables you become weak so that must mean that we should only eat meat.
In context Paul is stating the brother who is weak in faith is still following the old testament laws of not eating meat instead of enjoying their freedom in Christ. They are weak because they are criticizing other brothers who they perceive as weak for not following the same laws they are.
v. 3 God has received both the weak and the strong, we must receive one another and not dispute over man made restrictions or even our own convictions.
Paul speaks about serving all men for the gospel’s sake.
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
v. 4 Paul reminds us that it isn’t our place to pass judgement on any fellow Christian over the nonessentials or “gray areas”. God is our master and we as Christians are his servants. It’s wrong for anyone of us interfere with this relationship.
God is the judge and He is able to make us stand or fall.
As His servants we should be busy winning souls to Christ and not wasting time arguing over things that are non-essential.
Illustration of the firefighters and burning house.
Next lets look at vv. 5-9
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Here is the example of one person who has the opinion that we should worship the Lord like in the old testament on the sabbath (day of rest) which starts on Friday at sunset and ends on Saturday at sunset. Some believers choose to worship the Lord on the first day of the week Sunday.
Other believers believe that the Lord should be worshipped every day of the week not just on the day of rest or on Sunday’s . Same thing with eating meat or not eating meat.
The word Lord is used 8 times in versus 5-9. Whatever your opinion or conviction is should be done for the Lord giving thanks to Him.
In vv, 7-9 Paul emphasizes our unity with fellow believers (we are not alone in ) and our unity with Christ. Jesus is our Lord! He died and rose again so that we can have eternal life with Him.
10 But why do you judge (condemn) your brother? Or why do you show contempt (look down) for your brother? For we shall all 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 of us shall give account of himself to God.
Paul is asking the question ——why are you condemning your brother or looking down on him. We all will stand before God in the judgment seat of Christ.
The judgment seat of Christ in the Greek is the Bema seat. The judgment for believers who will give an account of ourselves to Christ according to what we have done here on earth both good and bad. It’s both examination and reward.
We will be rewarded for the faithful works we have done for the Lord.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
The judgment for non-believers is the great white throne judgement - it’s the final judgment before being cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
In v. 11 Paul is quoting out of
I have sworn by Myself;
The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall take an oath.
Let’s look at vv. 13-23 where Paul talks about edifying (build each other up in the faith) and help each other grow in love and knowledge.
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
Jesus explains this type of judgement in the sermon on the mount
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
It’s talking about not criticizing each other over the non essentials to salvation or gray areas. We will be judged with the same measure we judge others. We can offer advice in those things but we should never judge them.
We should be putting stepping stones in our brothers way not stumbling stones.
We still do need to admonish or rebuke one another on the essentials and sin that is condemned in the bible.
To admonish one another —— it’s the act of warning, advising, or exhorting (encourage) someone, often with the intention of correcting behavior or encouraging spiritual growth.
Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
In vv. 14-15 Paul is convinced by Jesus that there is no food that is unclean. We are not bound to the old testament laws. Even though he knew this and had liberty in eating meat he chooses to walk in love towards one who Jesus loves and died for.
16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 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 acceptable to God and approved by men.
Our liberty in Jesus and freedom from the law is good. But it’s not good if we use it to destroy another brother in Christ then it can be spoken of as evil.
God’s heart and priorities for us are not about eating and drinking. His priority for us is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
This is what is acceptable in His sight and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Even if we have liberty in eating meat or drinking wine, we don’t have the liberty to stumble, offend, or weaken a brother. If something would sincerely cause a brother to stumble we should stay away from it.
If eating meat offends you then I won’t invite you to the barbeque.
Seriously though as far as drinking I don’t have that liberty because of my past addiction to alcohol. Even if I did have the liberty as a leader in the church I would still choose not to drink so I wouldn’t cause another brother or sister to stumble.
Both the strong believer and the weak believer need to grow.
The strong believer needs to grow in love and the weak believer needs to grow in knowledge.
22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
If you have faith that you have the liberty to partake in certain things then have that faith before God and not before a brother who could stumble.
Same goes for convictions. If you have a conviction from God about a certain thing keep it to yourself and don’t force everyone else to accept your conviction between you and God.
Examples —— Certain genres of music, sports, shoes, where you buy your coffee.
If you not following your own convictions on the gray areas before God then you are sinning.
-In closing
Our matters of opinion in the gray areas should not cause division between believers and within the church. We should receive each other just as Christ has received us. We are to edify each other and help each other grow in love and knowledge.
-Let’s pray
