Series: The Cure [#25]
HOW TO BUILD EACH OTHER UP
Romans 14:13-15:13
Introduction:
Last week we looked at how we should treat one another as Christians. This week is a continuation of that sermon. Not only should we treat one another right, we should build one another up. On this Father’s Day, I want to be that person who builds up others. My dad is a pro at this. Win or lose, my dad always encourages me- He builds me up.
Romans 14:19 (NIV)
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
As a Church, we are to focus on 2 things- Things that bring peace and things that grow the Church. As I was studying, I came across a great statement by Rick Warren. “We don't have to work too much on focusing on things to make the church to grow. I believe the wrong question is "What will make a church grow?" The question should be: "What's keeping the church from growing?" Growth is automatic. All living things grow. If a church is alive and living it will grow naturally. The question when a church isn't growing is, “What is keeping it from growing?”- And you have to remove those bottlenecks. When you remove the barriers to growth in your ministry or the church as a whole it will automatically grow.”
Romans 15:1-2 (NIV)
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
So how do we build each other up?
Romans 14:13-14, 17, 20-21 (NIV)
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”
I build others up by…
1. Remembering that my actions affect others.
Last week we talked about not battling over disputable matters. Disputable matters are those things that are not “lined out” for us in Scripture. We need to understand that how we deal with these things affects others. We need to be careful that we don’t cause others to stumble. That means that we have to put others ideas concerning disputable matters ahead of our own. We need to be about “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”.
Romans 14:15 (NIV)
“If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.”
I build others up by…
2. Remembering that Christ died for us all.
When you cause others to stumble because you won’t give on an issue, you are acting like you are better than they are. You are behaving as if Jesus only died for you. Don’t destroy someone that is so important to Jesus that He would die for them.
Romans 14:16-18 (NIV)
“Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.”
I build others up by…
3. Remembering what’s most important.
What is important is that we please God. We have to remember this important fact. If we get hung up on stuff that doesn’t matter, we forget our goal- Pleasing God.
Romans 14:20-21 (NIV)
“Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”
I build others up by…
4. Giving up my rights.
When people in Church get mad at one another and word gets back to me, one of the things I always hear is, “I was just doing what was right for me. What, do you want me to let them walk all over me? It is my right to ________________ (fill in the blank). You need to give up your rights in order to see others please God. Don’t cause them to fall.
Romans 14:22-23 (NIV)
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 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.”
I build others up by…
5. Not trying to change them into me.
Often, we think that our ideas and views are the only way to go and in order to be a part of our group, you have to be like us. Your ways are not the only right ways. We don’t need 2 of you- 1 is plenty.
Romans 15:3-6 (NIV)
“For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I build others up by…
6. Following Jesus Christ daily.
In order to follow Christ in your daily walk, you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. When you deny yourself, others will take advantage; but it doesn’t matter as long as you are following Christ.
Romans 15:7-13 (NIV)
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name." Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples." And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I build others up by…
7. Accepting them.
Please don’t take this to mean that you need to accept sinful behavior. What I’m talking about is that we are all different and we are going to see the disputable matters different. Christ accepts us for who we are and we should do the same- We do not need to play God.
Conclusion:
I pray that we will strive to build each other up and not tear each other down.
