Series: The Cure [#24]
HOW TO TREAT EACH OTHER
Romans 14:1-12
Introduction:
There has been much said about me, the Church, and people that attend this Church; and it’s not been very kind. I realize that this is the enemy trying to hurt us; but we can continue to have victory over the enemy if we draw close to God and one another. We have each other and we will remain strong as long as we don’t start turning on one another. Our text tells us how Christians ought to treat one another.
Romans 14:1-2 (NIV)
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.”
Christians treat each other right by…
1. Not arguing over differences.
We aren’t supposed to pass judgment on disputable matters. What is disputable matters? There are some things that the Scripture doesn’t come out and say that we should or shouldn’t do. In those areas, Christians must seek God’s direction and when we disagree with one another on these things, we need to just let it go.
Romans 14:5-6 (NIV)
“One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
Don’t allow things that do not matter to destroy your relationship with other Christians.
Several years ago, I had a pastor friend that would attend our services on occasion. The main difference between the 2 of us was not that he was black- The main difference is that he believes we are supposed to worship on Saturday, (the Sabbath); not on Sundays. He is Seventh Day Adventist. I visited his church a time or two and he visited ours a time or two. Obviously, we disagree about what day we should have our Worship Services; but who cares? We both believe that Jesus Christ came to this Earth, lived a perfect life, and became our sins on the cross. We also both believe that Jesus Christ arose from the dead on the 3rd day and has given us victory.
Romans 14:7-9 (NIV)
“For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”
Don’t forget that we are on the same side.
This is not all about you or me. I think that Christians often forget that we are part of 1 body. I think that they forget that we are part of 1 army. I think that they forget that we are part of 1 Church. When Christians attack one another we cause those who aren’t Christians to question the sincerity and truth of our religion. Just because we disagree with one another doesn’t give us the right to destroy one another. I must tell you that the attacks that we are facing are by people who say they are Christians. They are hurting the Body of Christ.
Romans 14:3-4 (NIV)
“The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
Christians treat each other right by…
2. Not judging one another.
We must remember that the only opinion that really matters is God’s.
Romans 14:10-12 (NIV)
“You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "`As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Don’t forget that each of us will stand before God and give an account of our life.
Conclusion:
I made a comment on the Church’s Facebook page last night and I want to read it to you. “Getting ready for tomorrow. I have had several people make comments about people that go to Bel Aire. Some have said Bel Aire is ghetto, (because we don't mind what color you are or where you live). Some have said Bel Aire should burn because we have sinners in our Church, (I thought that was the point). Some have said Bel Aire is flat broke, (we may not be rich; but God continues to provide). The bottom line is that Bel Aire is ministering to those whom God sends to our Church. If you are looking for a Church that won't judge you- Bel Aire is that place. If you are looking for a Church that doesn't beg for money- Bel Aire is that place. If you are looking for a place that teaches the Bible and strives to follow Jesus- Bel Aire is that place. I hope that you will be in Church tomorrow and if you don't have a Church to attend, make Bel Aire that place.
Let’s continue to honor Jesus with the way we live our lives and minister as a Church.
