Sermon Tone Analysis

*Accept One Another*

*Romans 14:1-4*

*/June 8, 2008/*

 

 

*Prep: *

·         Romans 14ff, 1 Cor 8, 10.

·         Last week’s sermon, leftovers, two “weak bro” articles.

·         First half of Marc’s Cor 10 sermon

 

 

Last week

 

Talked about alcohol and the Christians.

Short versions: God gave wine as a blessing, but it has become a curse to many.

Christians are allowed to drink, but drunkenness is forbidden.

This week is a continuation of that sermon, except on a much broader scope.

Rather than focusing on drinking, we will look at the broad topic of “disputable matter”: Things that the Bible is not clear on and that Christians legitimately disagree on.

Unlike OT, the NT never intends to outline every aspect of life.

It is as if God people are expected to grow up a little and no longer need babysitting.

·         We are given a *limited* number of clear *commands*, but are to be *guided* by Biblical *principles* and the Holy *Spirit*.

·         The law is written on our *hearts*, but we *read* it *differently*.

For instance: In reference to *alcohol*, the Bible is very clear that believers are not to get *drunk* and not be *mastered* by drink, but it does not answer specifics:

 

Q   How *often* are allowed to drink?

Q   *What* exactly is “drunk”?

Q   How are we to *instruct* our *kids* about drinking?

Q   Are certain *forms* of alcohol *more* *acceptable* than others?

The *purpose* of this sermon is 1) to help us *examine* our *personal* *stand* on all disputable issues in *light* of the *Bible*, and 2) show us how to *interact* with those who *disagree* with us.

This message can be *boiled* *down* to this *one* *command* from Paul, as he addressed disputable matters in Rome:

 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. /Romans 15:7 NIV/

 

 

*Prayer*

 

·         Examine our *personal* *convictions* in *light* of your word.

·         Help us have *grace* and *accept* others, to your glory.

·         When the world *recognizes* us by our *love*, you’ll be glorified.

A new DILEMMA

 

*Acknowledging* that there is such a thing as disputable issues is a mark of *maturity* for the believer and a church, even though it is indisputably Biblical, as we will see today.

Ä  “Disputable matters” is nothing new in Christianity – we have a long, long tradition of disagreeing on stuff.

In the NT, *pagan* *religions* had no real emphasis on morality, other than loyalty to the state and civic responsibility.

*Judaism* had the entire Torah, and *further* *clarified* and defined rules /ad nauseam/.

These groups got along okay because they could “live and let live.”

But as they both got *saved*, they had to start *dealing* with each other in the church and their different ethics.

*Idol meat and devil music*

 

Two passages, one in Romans and the other 1 Corinthians, deal with these questions.

In both, Paul is dealing with a *similar* *disputable* matter: Meat sacrificed to idols.

We don’t argue about meat sacrificed to idols, but we have our own list of disputable matters, things that Christians can *legitimately* *disagree* on.

Let’s begin by *muddying* the *waters*.

Each of these items will elicit *thoughts*, *opinions*, and *feelings*.

Think about 1) *why* you think that and 2) *how* you *feel* about believers who *disagree*.

1.

Movies: “R” rated movies; R for violence, R for nudity.

2.      Music

3.      Tattoos

4.      Wear a bikini in public.

5.      Spank their children, not spank children.

6.      Size of family, natural home birth or C-section?

7.      Home school, private or public?

8.      Which political party?

9.      Go dancing, in a bar.

10.

What swear words are allowed?

Darn it?

Shut up?

11.    Play cards, go to a casino; work at a casino.

12.    Work on Sunday.

13.    Eat a lot of fast food or eat organic.

14.    Smoke a pipe, smoke cigars, or smoke cigarettes.

Remember the *two* *questions* I asked you to keep in mind?

They will frame our goal this morning:

 

Q   How do we *develop* our own *conscience* on these issues?

Q   How are we to *interact* with each other on *contentious* issues?

·         On every one of these issues, there are Christians that believe the *exact* *opposite* of you, and believe they are right.

*Everything is permissible *

 

Ä  First, it’s *crucial* we know *why* we make the choices we make.

Too many believer *create* their *list* either in keeping with their *upbringing* or in *rebellion* to it, without considering “*why*” and “what does the Bible *REALLY* say?”

 

Ä  Paul says that each must be *fully* *convinced* (Rom.

14:5).

23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.*

*/Romans 14:22-23 NIV   /

 

·         EG: Two *engaged* *couples*, one *not* *kissing* before marriage.

·         *Violating* our *conscience* is *dangerous*, regardless of how ill informed it is.

So it is *vital* that we *critically* *consider* our choices, and ensure that we are doing things for the *right* *reasons*.

Again, there are *many* *issues* that the Bible does not give clear direction.

Don’t have *sex* outside of marriage is pretty clear, but we aren’t told what *base* we can get to.

"Everything is permissible"-- but not everything is beneficial.

"Everything is permissible"-- but not everything is constructive.

24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,  26 for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."

27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.

28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--  29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours.

For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?  30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?  31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--  33 even as I try to please everybody in every way.

For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

/1 Corinthians 10:23-33 NIV/

 

Ä  This passage has many *principles* *embedded* in it, plus I will use *other* Biblical *principles* in creating a check list:

 

1.

Is it permissible?

What does the Bible say?

Can I do it?

(Includes not breaking the law or disobey parents.)

 

2.

Is it beneficial?

Should I do it?

·         Beating my head with a *hammer* may be *permissible*, but not beneficial.

A 48 hour xBox marathon is not beneficial.

·         Does it *help* *grow*?

May not be directly (EG: Exercise)

 

3.

Is it dangerous to me?

Does it violate my conscience?

·         Based on your *background* and *weakness*, which may *change*.

·         “To me”: Do not put your *conscience* on *others*.

·         *Noel*: I can’t drink because of *my* *mistakes*.