A Greater Cause: Part 2 Romans 14:13 15:6 (NKJV)

Transcription

1 A Greater Cause: Part 2 Romans 14:13 15:6 (NKJV) Today we pick up where we left off last week, when we looked at the first twelve verses of Paul s exhortation to the Church to receive one another. When it comes to the nonessentials, let s not make them essential. Specifically regarding diet and days, there is a greater cause that we are to live for and if we are not careful, we can divide and divert one another with our petty things and miss on the most important the kingdom. Paul points out that we can actually cause someone to stumble. Vs. 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. Notice Paul says that instead of debating and dividing, we should make it our aim not to cause our Christian brother to stumble or fall. Which means you and I are to consider one another when it comes to living out our faith in the Lord. We can cause our brother to stumble in two ways. First, for those of us that tend to be more legalistic in our walk with the Lord, if we are not careful, we can lay a burden on our brother that is not their burden to carry. Second, for those of us who are walking in liberty, if we are not careful, we can use our liberty in an unwise manner and entice our brother to engage in something that is sinful. Vs. 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. Paul grew up with strict dietary laws, which was his Jewish roots, making sure everything was kosher. Yet Paul is able to say, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he was convinced by the Lord Jesus He is the One who convinced him that eating meat was not unclean. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 1

2 Actually, if you read this correctly notice what he says the Lord Jesus has said nothing is unclean, but with that said, to the one who considers it unclean, then it is. For me to get a tattoo would totally be going against my conscience. I think they re cool on others, not on me. No different than you won t ever see me color my hair. Bring on the grey! It s fine for you guys that do it, just not for me. I can t say that this is a conviction that came from the Lord; it s just something that I know is in my conscience, and I can feel the turning when I think about it. It s not clear in scripture. I am not even sure that the Lord cares one way or another about it He might, I don t know. But I know this it s something in me that I don t cross. I don t need to. I do it unto the Lord. But I am not sure that the Lord has placed that on me, and it s not something that I place on others. There are thresholds in my life that I am all good with. And I am all good with those who don t have that particular conviction. It s not a big deal the key is that we are walking in love. Vs. 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. If Jesus was willing to give up His life for the sake of that brother, I can certainly give up my steak dinner. David Guzik ( If Jesus died for my brother, then I can die to a few things to keep my brother from stumbling. Vs. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil Paul points out that we may be walking in grace, we may be walking in freedom, we may be walking in a greater understanding of the cross, but if we are not careful that good can be spoken of as evil. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 2

3 How? Because it is being used to destroy another brother. Vs for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. We may have a lot of ideas about what the kingdom of God is all about, but here Paul gives us some clarity about what it is. It s not about what to eat and what to drink. It s about righteousness a righteousness that is a gift and not something to work for. It s about peace a peace that can only come through His grace. It s about joy that is connected to Jesus, not like the fleeting happiness that comes from the world. If we find ourselves putting what we eat, what we wear, and what days to worship before righteousness, peace, and joy, then we are totally out of sync with the Spirit. We are not carrying the heart of the Lord. Let me just put out a warning flag here. When the building gets built, I have seen something very interesting happen. We start looking at the carpet or the lack of carpet, we start looking at the stage and the lighting, we start looking at the colors and the classrooms; and instead of being grateful and blessed, we slip into ungrateful and start blasting. And instead of seeing it as a net by which to reach the harvest, or a place to gather to worship the Lord, it becomes a diversion that the enemy uses to get us off-track. Let s make a decision now not to go in that direction. Let s not let the building become a stumbling block, but a building block by which we minister to this community; a lighthouse by which others find the true light the light of Christ. What is the kingdom about? Buildings? No, it s about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. And when that building is built, let s fill it with those qualities. Vs Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 3

4 of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. Let s pursue the things that make for peace and edification. Instead of stumbling or tearing down, I want to be building up and edifying. Paul spoke to the church of Thessalonica about the return of Christ, realizing that since He is coming back we should place a great importance on building one another up. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV) The author of Hebrews also connected the need to build one another up with the return of Christ. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good work, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) Because the Day is approaching, we are in the final hour, and we should be building one another up in the faith. Like a coach that knows the last lap is important, the last shot is vital, and the last inning is not the time to fall apart and start taking each other out but to build one another up, realizing that we are getting out of here. Vs It is good neither to eat meat or drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Here Paul brings up alcohol. The key once again let s make sure that our liberty is not interfering with someone else. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 4

5 Now, for pastors this one should be a non-issue. Paul tells Timothy and Titus that drinking alcohol is forbidden. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money Titus 1:7 (NKJV) not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous 1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV) The word given in the Greek means, stay away, don t get near it. Just in case you were wondering, this is a non-negotiable for the pastors here at Wildwood. Those in leadership as deacons, Paul will tell Timothy in 1st Timothy 3:8 that they were not to be given to much wine. It s always better to just stay away from it altogether, but if you walk in this freedom, then Paul reminds you not to feel condemned. Still, notice he points out in verse 22 have it to yourself. Don t be sucking down a brewski at your kid s party in front of half the church who would stumble. Keep it to yourself, to keep others from stumbling. There are more than enough scriptures to keep us in line with this Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverbs 20:1 (NKJV) At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Proverbs 23:32-33 (NKJV) I am sure there are many of you that have experienced this very thing it s embarrassing what alcohol can do to us. I like what Paul said to the church of Corinth Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 5

6 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NKJV) I may have the liberty to drink, but the question I must always ask before I do is will this benefit me? Will this better me? What effect will this have on me? We all know the power that alcohol can have on a person. Here is a verse that has helped me Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) Ch. 15:1-2 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. The word for bear is the idea of enduring with someone, or carrying the burden for someone. Those who claim to be strong in the faith, here is the test that you are willing to bear with the scruples of the weaker believer s conscience. Scruples means, infirmity, weakness, or fragility of the believers conscience. And then Paul reminds us that Jesus set the example for us in this. Vs. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me. Remember what Jesus did for us. It s what we do when we celebrate communion. We are to remember Jesus and the sin He bore to bring us back to the Father. He laid aside heaven and the comforts of heaven, He laid aside being served to serve, He took on the confinement of an earthly body, He was tempted in all ways as we are, and He was nailed to the cross to become sin on our behalf. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 6

7 Why? For us He set the example for us, laying aside His liberty to bring us liberty. And so Paul reminds us to have the mind of Christ. Vs. 4-6 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be likeminded towards one another, according to Christ Jesus. How do we do this? Notice verse 4 it s when we study the scriptures together. When we open the Word together on Sundays, during our midweek, and in our small groups, there is a oneness of mind that takes place. That s why when you and I pull away, we start to drift away, and then little by little we no longer have one mind, we are no longer walking in unity. Don t pull away, don t drift away, there is a greater cause we are living for. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 7