HoHum:
Been a few Sunday’s since preached in the morning. Several topics I thought about: the evils of tobacco, the evils of tattoos/ piercings, public, private or homeschooling, how modern country music, rap music, and rock music are all the devil’s music, a woman who wears pants or slacks is breaking the command about cross dressing, people who take psychiatric medications are not trusting in God, Politics especially Republican vs. Democrat.
Why do I not talk about all of this: This is opinion. Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent.
WBTU:
Talking on Sunday night from Romans 14 about what to do when someone is different from us and they claim to be Christians. They have different personal convictions from us about things that are not talked about in the Bible like the things I just mentioned.
Must say that we need to have personal convictions for the safety of our own faith, witness, and families. God wants us to give thoughtful and prayerful consideration to disputable matters (Romans 14:1), until we develop a personal conviction based on careful study, godly counsel and even debate with other Christians. Need to do this so that we are not just going along with the crowd and then enticed to sin and/or damage our witness for Jesus.
However, from this, personal convictions can lead to division. One person believes something and someone else holds a contrary position. Conflict and division come from this.
Paul is talking to the “strong” group that believes it is fine to drink and eat anything including meat. Another group “the weak” believe that is it wrong to eat anything but vegetables because the meat from the meat market may have been used in sacrifice to a pagan idol and god. Paul, (coming to a personal conviction and being fully convinced in his own mind, vs. 5), is with the strong group. Even so the strong have an obligation to the weak. Need to build each other up (mutual edification, vs. 19) and not tear each other down. Need to do what leads to peace and harmony and avoid anything that will cause unnecessary division.
Even though we have freedom in Christ to do many things, we need to head these words: ““Everything is permissible”--but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”--but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23, NIV. Even when we have freedom in a particular area of our lives, we may sometimes need to restrict our freedom for the purpose of building up our fellow Christians.
There are times when it is not right to enjoy our liberty in Christ, because doing so would be harmful to another Christian. Look up and read 1 Corinthians 8:4-13.
We need to be aware of the weaknesses of other Christians and be careful to act in a way that edifies them rather than encourages them to sin. Look up and read Romans 15:1-2
Dave Swavely- One time I was playing Uno with 3 of my children. The youngest one, Madison, was only 4 and still learning how to win and lose with grace. So when things were not going her way in the game, she would be tempted to whine and cry. In one game, she was not doing well at all, and she was on the verge of losing it. I, on the other hand, was about to win, and I almost put down a “Draw 4” card which would have put her deeper into the hole and almost certainly sent her over the edge emotionally. But I didn’t want to have to discipline her for throwing a tantrum, and I wanted her to have a good first experience with Uno, so I kept the “Draw 4” card in my hand and picked one off the pile (which disadvantaged me). Then the next time around, the only card I could play was the “Draw 4” card again, but after staring into Madison’s blue eyes and noticing her quivering lip, I kept it in my hand and drew again. This happened a third time and a fourth time, until Madison finally won the game and I was left with a big stack of cards! I don’t like losing any kind of game, even when the winner is so cute, but I thought afterwards what a great illustration this is of how we should treat one another in the body of Christ. We must be willing to give up our rights and our freedoms to keep others from going down the wrong path, when we know they might be headed that way.
Why? Because we do not want them to sin and also we need to do what leads to peace and mutual edification, vs 19! Why should we be concerned with that? I need to be concerned with my rights and my freedoms. I know that we live in the US where we are interested in our rights and have stood for our freedoms and rights even if it hurts others and the nation.
In the church, we need to be different. We need to be concerned about this because Jesus Christ is concerned about his church. He is not for division and neither should we. One of Jesus’ concerns in his last prayer was for the unity of all believers (John 17). His concern was this “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:23. A concern about those outside of Christ.
Vs. 16- Paul tells the “strong” Christians not to use their freedom in such a way that it is “spoken of as evil.” Spoken of as evil among whom? Those outside the church.
Is it any wonder that people have nothing good to say about Christians when they see them fighting and hating each other over such trivial things as “eating and drinking?” Are rules about food and drink what the kingdom of God is about? Does true Christianity consist of getting one’s way with regard to eating and drinking? No, the kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy in the HS, vs. 17
Who cares what the world thinks of the church? They always misunderstand us. True, but we should not be apathetic about outsider’s views of the church. When we serve Christ to bring about righteousness, peace and joy, we earn the approval and respect of our neighbors, vs. 18. The opposite of this it to live a life of strife and division, which brings about the contempt and ridicule of the world. No respect
Mature “strong” Christians love one another. We have already looked at and emphasized the statements in scripture that tell us to "love one another" like Romans 13:8- “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” Loving one another is not only a matter of words; it is a matter of deeds. It is one thing to say to someone, "I love you," but quite something else to prove it by our actions. Notice the word "edify" in verse 19. The word means "to build up." Christians who are mature “strong” edify one another; they build one another up in the faith. We can be used of the Lord to help "build up" others, or be used of Satan to tear down, to destroy. It is much easier to be a destroyer than to be a builder.
Thesis: God has given us several spiritual tools that we can use for building up one another!
For instances:
Our Example
the example of the strong Christian should encourage the weak Christian to grow. A strong Christian is concerned about his own walk with Christ, but he is also concerned about other Christian’s walk with Christ especially those who are weak or babes in Christ. “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4
Reminds me of sports. Some times teams will have veterans to be good examples to the younger players. Even though the veterans are past their prime, they are kept around because they are such a help to the team, to the other players. “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1, NIV.
As mature, “strong” Christians we do not want to put stumbling blocks or obstacles in our brother’s way, vs. 13. We want to see them be the best they can be for Christ and for the Kingdom. In helping others on their journey with Christ, we also help the church, the team.
Our speech
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
As we speak to others, we are either using words that build them up or tear them down. We should choose our words carefully and use words that encourage, that strengthen, that build up - edifying one another - rather than words of discouragement.
Our Spiritual Gifts
“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12:1, NIV. Everyone has a spiritual gift to use for the church and share with others.
Unfortunately the Corinthian church was using their gifts as ‘toy’ to play with and ‘weapons’ to fight with, and not as ‘tools’ to build with.
“Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12, NIV.
Our prayers
As we pray for people, then God is able to work and build them up! We build up one another through prayer. Why not use the prayer list! Pray specifically for people by name.
“as you help us by your prayers. ” 2 Corinthians 1:11, NIV.
God’s Word
““Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32, NIV.
Always use the Word of God when discussing problems with people. Because the Word of God edifies, it builds people up, it has the answers to the problems of life.
