Don’t Make Your Freedom Someone Else’s Stumbling Block

Text: Romans 14:13–23 (ESV)

Series: Journey’s Road Map

Theme: Christian freedom must always be guided by love, maturity, and concern for others.

Before we get into Romans 14 this morning, since it is Memorial Day weekend, I think it’s important for us to pause and remember.

This weekend is more than cookouts, sales, and a long weekend.

It is a time to remember men and women who gave their lives so others could live in freedom.

Jesus said in John 15:13:

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

And while no earthly sacrifice compares to Christ’s sacrifice, Memorial Day reminds us that freedom is always costly.

Some families this weekend are visiting graves.

Some are remembering folded flags.

Some still feel empty seats at the table.

And as Christians, we honor sacrifice because our faith itself is built upon sacrificial love.

So before we continue, let’s take a moment to pray:

for military families,

for those grieving loss,

for those serving,

and that God would help us live worthy of the freedoms we’ve been given.

Introduction – Freedom Can Still Be Foolish

Funny Story with a Point

Memorial Day cookouts are one of the great American traditions.

And every family has “those guys” at the cookout.

One person says,

“The burgers are done.”

Another says,

“No they’re not.”

Then suddenly a full-scale debate breaks out over:

charcoal vs propane

ketchup vs mustard

whether hotdogs are sandwiches

and why Uncle Samuel insists flip-flops count as formal wear.

And somehow by the end of the afternoon, people who survived family road trips together are arguing over potato salad like it’s a theological issue.

It’s funny how people can turn small preferences into major conflicts.

And honestly… churches do the same thing sometimes.

Romans 14 is Paul speaking to believers who were dividing over:

food

traditions

personal convictions

And Paul says:

“Don’t destroy relationships over secondary issues.”

Because mature Christians understand something important:

Not every preference deserves a fight.

Some things matter eternally.

Some things are just barbecue sauce opinions.

That’s Romans 14.

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Some believers in Rome had freedom to eat certain foods.

Paul says:

“Yes, you have freedom…

but don’t use your freedom in a way that harms somebody else.”

Christian maturity is not just asking,

“What am I allowed to do?”

It asks,

“What helps others follow Jesus?”

Point 1 — Don’t Let Your Freedom Trip Someone Else (vv. 13–15)

“Decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”

Explanation

Paul shifts the focus:

Stop judging each other…

and start protecting each other.

A “stumbling block” refers to something that causes another believer to fall spiritually.

The issue is not:

truth vs compromise

holiness vs sin

The issue is:

using freedom carelessly.

Paul says:

“By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.”

That is powerful.

Christ loved that believer enough to die for them.

So love them enough to limit your freedom when necessary.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 8:9 — Take care your freedom does not become a stumbling block

Philippians 2:4 — Look to the interests of others

Illustration – Driving Through a Neighborhood

You may legally be allowed to drive 35 mph through a neighborhood.

But if children are playing nearby, wisdom says slow down.

Freedom without love becomes recklessness.

Quote — Charles Spurgeon

“Liberty is a blessing, but license is a curse.”

Application

Ask yourself:

Could my actions confuse a weaker believer?

Could my attitude damage someone spiritually?

Am I more concerned about proving freedom or showing love?

Point 2 — The Kingdom Is Bigger Than Preferences (vv. 16–18)

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Explanation

Paul reminds the church:

You are fighting over tiny things while missing massive things.

The kingdom is not centered on:

diets

traditions

preferences

personal comforts

The kingdom is about:

righteousness

peace

joy

the Holy Spirit

The church gets unhealthy when minor issues become major obsessions.

Cross-References

Colossians 2:20–23

Matthew 23:23 — neglecting the weightier matters

Illustration – Arguing on the Lifeboat

Imagine survivors rescued onto a lifeboat arguing over seat placement while the storm rages around them.

That’s what churches do sometimes.

The mission is too important to waste energy on petty divisions.

Quote — C.S. Lewis

“The real test of being in the presence of God is that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object.”

Application

Don’t make preferences the center of Christianity.

People need:

truth

grace

hope

Jesus

Not endless arguments about secondary issues.

Point 3 — Mature Christians Pursue Peace and Edification (vv. 19–23)

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Explanation

Paul gives the goal:

peace

building others up

walking in faith

The mature believer asks:

Will this help someone grow?

Will this strengthen unity?

Will this honor Christ?

Then Paul ends with a principle:

“Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

Actions matter…

but motives matter too.

Cross-References

Ephesians 4:29 — words that build up

1 Corinthians 10:23 — not everything beneficial

Illustration – Construction vs Demolition

It takes months to build a house.

It takes minutes to wreck one.

The same is true in churches.

One careless attitude can damage people deeply.

Paul says:

Be builders, not wrecking balls.

Quote — John Stott

“Strong Christians are not called to flaunt their freedom but to use it lovingly.”

Application

Maturity is not measured by how much freedom you claim.

It is measured by how much love you show.

Conclusion — Love Is Bigger Than Liberty

Romans 14:13–23 teaches:

Don’t trip other believers with your freedom

The kingdom is bigger than preferences

Mature Christians build others up

The strongest Christians are not the loudest.

They are the most loving.

Final Reflection

Jesus gave up His rights for your salvation.

Surely we can surrender small preferences for someone else’s spiritual good.

Closing Line

“Real maturity is not demanding your freedom—it’s knowing when love should limit it.”

Amen.