We Should Be Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Stones

I. Avoid Ourselves To Be STUMBLING Block

1. We must SUSPEND our judgment

*verse 10, (we have no RIGHT to judge and RIDICULE anyone)

"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."

2. We are SUBJECT for God's judgment

*verses 11-13, (no one else SHOULD judge but the SOVEREIGN God)

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. 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."

3. We are SAVED from God's judgement

*verses 14-16, (through Jesus' redemption, we are CHERISHED and CLEANSED)

"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. 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. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil."

II. Allow Ourselves To Be STEPPING Stone

1. By PRACTICING the fruits of the Spirit

*verses 17-19, (MATURE Christians should MINISTER with these fruits)

"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. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

2. By PROTECTING the work of the Lord

*verses 20-21, (the LOVING testimony of the church is more important than personal LIBERTIES)

"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."

3. By PRESERVING the purity of our faith

*verses 22-23, (heed the CONDEMNATION of our CONSCIENCE if we are wronged)

"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."

Conclusion: Instead of criticizing and judging those who are still weak in faith, let's help and encourage them to continue in the Lord. Let us be their stepping stone in their spiritual growth, instead of being a stumbling block.