Community, Not Disunity
Romans 14:1 - 15:4
I. INTRO:
· Whether we may not want to admit it but, the church is full of weak Christians and weak seekers of Christ. Some of our weaknesses are are mental, some moral. Some of have to do with our work, or family life, or our relationship with Christ. Some have short tempers, others lack diplomacy. Some are too proud, others lack back-bone. Some miss worship for reasons we know aren’t right. Some don’t give much because there are too many things he wants to buy. Some struggl with drinking or swearing.
· Yes, even that strong Christian, you really look up to you will soon find out that he has some weaknesses also. So what are we going to do about those in the church who are weak?
· The Fighting Temptations, Here is the kind of thing most churches do.
· DVD Chapter: 2 Start Time: 0:05:40 End Time: 0:08:16.
· No one tries to come alongside MaryAnn to counsel her, or to get at her reasons for working in a night club. No one examines Scripture, but just looks to church by-laws and mottos. It is amazing how quickly some Christians are to self-righteously condemn others. Paulina tried to equate working in a place where sin occurs with a sinning.
· What would God think, what would Jesus do?
II.Read Romans 14:1 – 15:4
III. on disputable matters, We are only to be judged by our Master for whom we live.
· Weak faith = only veggies, strong = meat, etc, both are ok according to respective convictions. Neither should judge or treat the other as “unfit”
· Some consider some days holier than others, others consider all days alike; same principal applies.
· Vegetarians & Sunday Sabbath keepers are not holier, sorry. Others either, sorry.
· Personal convictions are extrapolations from what God has said, while what He said is NOT in dispute.
IV. we must pursue unity before personal convictions. We must sacrifice the lesser things for the greater when necessary.
· We can’t let these things of personal conviction and much less importance cause harm through division and judgmental condescension.
· Politics? Smoking? Atkins?
· Also, don’t stress out and come unglued when someone judges you on your own personal convictions that are not specifically addressed in Scripture.
· Our sacrificing must come out of a love for our brothers, and so a desire to build them up. That is what Jesus did, is it not?
· Is.42:3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
V. We must remember the main things are righteousness, peace and joy. WOW!! Right before God in Christ, right with God through Christ, and joy in all circumstances abiding in Christ!!
· Vs.22-23 State that if we are too strong and outspoken about what we believe we err, but if we don’t know what we believe and do whatever, we also err.
· He did not tell the weak to grow up and have a ham sandwich and go golfing on the holy days. He told the strong to have their faith before God and at home while eating chicken and drinking tea at church. Following that logic, you would not invite the weaker brother to a tailgate party at the stadium on a day he considered holy.
VI. I Corinthians 9:22 -- "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.”
· If we don’t follow this advice, then when we are weak and most need help, we’ll all keep our pie holes shut tight, for fear that if we ask for help, we will be condemned. However, we are told to confess our sins one to another and to pray for one another. This will only happen if we bear with the weak, and avoid condemnation.
· Are you creating an atmosphere that builds trust to ask for help, or are you impatient with the weak?
· Do you hide all your weaknesses? Does that promote your spiritual health? Does it cause others to feel “weaker” in your company? Vulnerability can be a great service.