Judgment in the Church
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Thank you all for coming out tonight. I enjoy our time together on Wednesdays whether that be in a service like this or in a group situation.
Be sure to sign up for our groups on the back table or by going to lbcbristol.org/lifegroups
Open your Bible’s to Romans 14. Tonight I’m starting a 2 week series on Church hurt.
Next week we will be recognizing our LBC kids and all they did last semester as well as enjoying our service as normal.
Tonight we are going to look at, what I would deem, as one of the great problems that plagues churches in America. Judgement.
Have you ever judged someone? Have you ever felt judged by someone? How does that feel?
Most of us have had a time in our lives we could point to and remember someone making a statement, looking at us in a different way, or maybe even whispering about us.
The sad thing is, there is a stereotype associated with Christians that we are some of the most judgmental people around.
a 2007 book reported that 87 percent of the unchurched in their twenties “said that the term judgmental accurately describes present-day Christianity” (David Kinnaman, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity … And Why It Matters [Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007], 182). For believers of the same age category, 53 percent still said that the judgmental label fits
What I hope to accomplish tonight is to show you from scripture how there are a number of things we should not be judging others on, how Christians should conduct themselves when in disagreement over non-essential things, and lastly how you should respond when someone judges you.
Follow along with me as I read and let’s hear from God’s word
Romans 14:1-12
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Pray
Tonight, I’m going to teach and preach a little differently than what you see on Sunday. Tonight, I want us to take each of these verses, some grouped together, and explore their impact.
This passage is full of so much truth and application that if I were to just preach through it, I’m afraid I’d leave out some important things.
To get a running start here let me make sure we are all on the same page. The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to believers in Rome and is full of theological truth.
Look at verse 1 with me
Rom 14:1
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
1 Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters.
1. Be accepting of people without arguing over non-essentials
1. Be accepting of people without arguing over non-essentials
Paul is admonishing the believers in Rome to accept anyone who is weak in the faith and not to argue over disputed matters.
Some questions we can ask about that...
What does it mean to be weak in the faith?
It would be easy for some of us to say that we are weak if we are new to the faith.
1 Cor 3:2
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
I wouldn’t say that is an incorrect idea but I would say it’s not what I believe Paul is referring to in this passage.
Based upon verses we will see in just a few verses I believe we can define weak as, immature, hung up on non-essentials.
Now we have to ask, what is the difference between the essentials and the non-essentials.
Whether you know this or not, Liberty is an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. This means we are independent from other churches so non-denominational. Fundamental, in that we believe in the fundamentals of the faith as taught from scripture. Baptist in our doctrinal beliefs.
So we believe in the fundamentals or the essentials as taught in scripture.
Those are things like the gospel, who Jesus is, and important things like that.
Non-essentials would be…well…anything else.
2. We can disagree and still be friends
2. We can disagree and still be friends
As we go on to verse 2 you will see what the non-essentials were in Paul’s day
Rom 14:2
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
2 One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables.
Paul seems to be indicating the non-essentials people were arguing over were the dietary restrictions of one another.
This is in reference to the dietary restrictions the Jews were accustomed to following and the lack of restriction the Greeks and Romans had.
notice Paul is not saying the one who only eats herbs or follows a more strict diet, or can also be understood as having the more conservative or stronger convictions, is the strong one. On the contrary, in this are of preference and conviction, Paul says the “one who is weak, eats herbs”
For all you vegetarians out there, take notice.
What I really want you to see here is this:
It is perfectly fine for me, you, and anyone else to disagree on non-essentials. What are some non-essentials for the 21st century?
Ties and tshirts, mask or no mask, contemporary or traditional, Pews or chairs, lighting styles, and anything else the bible is not specific on. It’s ok. We are to welcome one another as brothers and sisters in Christ because of our uniting faith in the gospel.
3. Know your role and....
3. Know your role and....
Romans 14:3-4
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge another’s household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand.
Verse 3 is a clear admonishment that we are not to look down on someone because of their choices or convictions. Maybe you believe you should wear a suit and every week. Maybe you believe you should not watch movies at a theatre, maybe you believe that Christians shouldn’t drink alcohol, maybe you believe a number of different things and others don’t.
Well guess what…Since when did the Lord designated you as the individual to change others hearts?
This is where we are going to get into the hurt portion of the night. This is where people begin judging others. When they differ on things.
You could be here or listening online and feel you’ve been judged by the church because you were different.
First, I want you to know…One persons opinion does not equal the churches. Second, just because one church treated you a certain way doesn’t mean every church will. Third, your not at the church house to worship, please, or glorify the people there. You are at the church house to worship your creator and hear from His Word.
So whether you are the one that eats herbs or the one that enjoys the big juicy steak, Know your role.
Rom 14:4
4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Love Paul here....Who are you to cast judgement on another man’s servant?
Who are you to judge someone that serves the Lord?
They don’t stand or fall based upon your opinion. They are beholden to God and God alone.
There is not much more of a clear way to put how we should conduct ourselves when we find ourselves at a disagreement over non-essentials.
In modern vernacular Paul says know your role....and shut your mouth. I know, sounds harsh but between some of Paul’s writing and the book of James, it’s apparent they thought the direct approach was the best way to communicate sometimes.
Too often we put ourselves in the place of God. We believe that because we have an opinion and we believe its right everyone else should not only hear our opinion but should listen to it. And if they don’t well then they just don’t like me.
You know what that tells me? That tells me you have your identity wrapped up in your opinions and others view of you, not Christ.
Church hurt happens too often from us not knnowing our role.
It also comes when we stop giving people the benefit of the doubt
4. Believe the best in people
4. Believe the best in people
Rom 14:5-8
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Paul is adressing another area of non-essentials. The idea of one day being more important than another. this was in refernce to jewish holy days under the law.
Paul says let everyone make their own decision regarding these things. I believe those decisions should be based on the principles of the Word of God and seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we are doing that and we believe others are doing that we can believe the best in people. Why? Because we can believe they are making their decisions to the Glory of God.
That’s what Paul means by regarding it unto the Lord. Hey, if you eat broccoli to the glory of God, more power to you. I eat steak to the glory of God.
This is where we begin to not only exercise Christian liberty but also accept Christian liberty in others. It is not a liberty to sin.
Rom 6:15
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
As verse 8 says, If we live, live for the Lord. If we die, die for the Lord.
Whatsoever ye eat, drink, or whatsoever you do, do unto the glory of God.
“Pastor you mean I can do whatever I want?” NO…again, God forbid.
IF it’s not a sin, and you can do it to the glory of God, then you have the Liberty to do so. Let me caution you as a friend and as your pastor, if you find yourself wrestling with the Holy Spirit or rationalizing what you are doing as glorifying God, you may want to take a step back and be sure of it before proceeding.
Why should we do all this to God’s glory?
5. Being your Lord and Savior is why Jesus died for you
5. Being your Lord and Savior is why Jesus died for you
Rom 14:9-12
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
These verses are very plain and simple. Christ died to be Lord of the living and the dead. Ultimately so that God may be glorified through the Son.
If He is the Lord of each indidivudal…why are we trying to be?
Being hurt by a person in the church is not a fun experience. Having someone treat you or say something to you because you may look, act, or be different, isn’t very Christian of them is it?
But it happens.
Now, what do you do when you take offense from someone in the church?
Matthew 18:15-17
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Some of you may have heard this passage called church discipline…these verses are done a great diservices and taken out of context when presented in that light.
This is relationship restoring 101.
If someone in the church offends you, you go to them. Tell him the faut that you believe has been perpetrated. If there is forgiveness requested, there must be forgivenness given.
If that doesn’t work, get two or three people to go with you, not your buddies to gang up on someone but two or three people that can have an unbiased view. They here the situation from both sides. Present biblical truths and principles that apply, point out the issues at hand, and forgiveness should be requested and recieved.
If the two cannot work that out with one or two witnesses, then it should be brought before the pastor to make the decision to bring it before the church.
Why go through all this to seek reconciliation?
The relationship between believers is important to Jesus.
To ensure that there isn’t a false accusation being made
To ensure both sides are heard and understood
To give mutual respect to both parties
When we get hurt…we can’t bottle that up…we give it God and handle it His way.
“Pastor, you don’t understand.” Maybe I don’t, but God does. Come talk to me sometime and let’s look in His word for better understanding.
Tonight, I’ve spoke about judgment in the church. I hope you’ve seen how you are to act when people are different on non-essentials. I hope you’ve seen how to respond when people hurt you. Don’t hate them, pray for them. Seek for restoration.
Time of Response
Time of Response
Would you make a commitment to Christ right now? Would you say “Lord, I don’t want to be God of someone else’s life. Lord, I’m not going to judge people based on non-essentials.”
What about this “Lord, if I’m offended, I’m going to go talk to the person about it rather than letting it fester. I’m going to handle things your way.”
I pray that I’ve hurt or offended anyone in my 18 months as a part of this church you’ll forgive me. Let me know.
If you know you’ve offended someone because of a difference of opinion on a non essential…Go to them. Seek forgiveness...
It’s in forgiveness, mercy, and grace, we find unity.
PRAY
Pews and Chairs
Pews and Chairs
Spending a few moments praising God and thanking him for providing these pews 30 years ago for this building to be a beacon of the gospel for many years.
For the lives that have been changed and affected ebcaue they chose to come to liberty and sit in these pews.
Then, pray for the chairs. Pray for each person who will sit in them. Pray for God to use these chairs in an even mightier way than He did the pews. Pray for Him to work in the lives of each person that sits in one of the chairs in such a way that the gospel penetrates their hearts and changes them from the inside out.
Pray for God to be glorified in all that is done here.