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This is a sermon based on Romans 14:14-23 and it is part of a series of messages that Pastor Les has been doing on the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
Today we are moving to the second half of chapter 14, but we are
keeping the same title that we used last week, since the subject of this
section is a continuation of the previous portion we studied last week.
We have been doing this series of messages over the book of Romans and
we are currently discussing the various ways that the Christians in Rome
Paul is essentially telling the Romans that the salvation they have
received through faith in Jesus Christ should show up in how they live.
We have covered several topics so far. Let’s briefly review some of the
things we have learned.
1. Christians should be totally consecrated to the Lord in every area
of life. (12:1-2)
2. Christians should be actively engaged and involved with the church –
the body of Christ. (12:3-8)
3. Christians should be demonstrating genuine love to both believers
and non-believers. (12:9-21)
4. Christians should have respect for those in authority. (13:1-7)
5. Christians should practice public morality by living in love and
avoiding contemporary evils. (13:8-14)
6. Christians should show evidences of spiritual maturity by the ways
that they interact with other believers who differ from themselves.
(14:1-15:13)
Last week we focused on vv. 1-13 of the 14th chapter. Today
we are going to move on to the remainder of the chapter.
Last week we talked about accepting other believers who may not
see things exactly as we do on issues that we might describe as “non-essentials.”
Today we are going to talk about showing consideration for other
believers by purposely avoiding actions and conduct that would foster their spiritual
shipwreck.
When I prepared the outline for this study, I described this entire
section (14:1-15:13) as having to do with personal maturity.
One reason I chose the theme of personal maturity as the description
for this section is because the kind of consideration and concern for others
described here is what you would expect to find in a person that is grown up
and mature.
You wouldn’t expect an immature child to have any particular desire to
accept others who have totally different opinions and practices, even if it is
in areas that we call “non-essentials” (i.e. things that don’t have major
importance).
You wouldn’t expect a child to be very concerned about the needs and
concerns of another person, at least not for the long term.
You wouldn’t expect an immature child to be very willing to deny
himself something he enjoys just because he knows that it is harmful to another
person.
So, Paul is truly describing the behavior of a mature Christian who
does exhibit those qualities.
(F.) ii.
Those who are mature show consideration for others. (14:14-23)
Today we are going to take a look at Paul’s admonition for believers to
show consideration for others.
a. [Showing]
Consideration involves personal restraint. (14-16; 20-21)
14:14-16 (NKJV) 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. 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. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as
evil;
14:20-21 (NKJV) 20 Do not destroy the work of God
for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man
who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat
meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is
offended or is made weak.
The Apostle starts out by declaring with confidence and certainty that
nothing is “unclean” (i.e. common; in contrast with the “holy”).
In this context he is specifically talking about food, but the
principle can be applied to other areas as well.
Remember the vision that Peter had in the book of Acts prior to his
calling to go preach to Cornelius and some Gentiles?
In contrast to this statement of principle, Paul acknowledges that when
a person considers something as unclean (i.e. common or unholy), then it is
unclean to him/her.
Therefore, in spite of the fact that nothing is common or unholy, there
are some who can be “grieved” (i.e. sorrow) by what they see others doing, and
may “speak evil” (lit. blaspheme) about the “good” that the others are doing.
So…… What shall we do?
“Do not destroy” – in v. 15, 20; Paul uses two different words that
forbid the tearing down or destruction of another believer through our careless
behavior.
v. 20 – Even though the item itself may be pure, if a person of weaker
conscience partakes it can be “evil” because it destroys his conscience.
v. 21 sums it all up by saying that we ought to voluntarily refrain
from eating, drinking or doing anything that causes a fellow-believer to sin or
weakens him against sin.
(Wuest's Word Studies) “…the
selfish man who so uses his Christian liberty as to lead a weak brother to
tamper with his conscience is … [taking] part in that ruin."
Just a few days ago we received a complementary copy of a Christian
magazine in the mail. It was published earlier this summer and it just happened
to have a couple of articles regarding the issue of alcohol consumption by
Christians.
One of the articles was written by someone who had purposely chosen to
drink alcohol socially as a “demonstration of her liberty in Christ.” However
she later made the decision to become a “tee-totaler” because she had become
sensitized to the plight of individuals who are addicted to alcohol and other
chemical substances, and she felt compelled to voluntarily restrain her own
preferences in order to avoid the harmful influence she may exert over
neighbors and friends.
This author had become so concerned about her neighbors and new
acquaintances struggling with addiction, it took the pleasure and joy out of
her new-found freedom with regards to drinking.
This same principle might be applied to a number of different areas of
practical living (e.g. concern for those struggling with lust and addiction or
attraction to pornography).
b. [Showing]
Consideration involves positive encouragement. (17-19)
14:17-19 (NKJV) 17 for the kingdom of God
In these verses it seems like Paul is emphasizing the fact that if food
and drink and other such matters are non-essentials, then the stronger believer
should not allow those non-essentials to overshadow the more important
principles of the Kingdom
of God
When the stronger Christians willingly restrain their own preferences
in order to protect the conscience of the weak, then they exemplify these same
principles that carry so much more importance.
Having said that, Paul seems to be also promoting the fact that even
weaker Christians need to learn that the kingdom of God
Therefore, it is the responsibility of mature Christians to live in
such a manner as to pursue the things that promote peace [i.e. the absence of
conflict and turmoil] and will build up (i.e. edify) our brothers and sisters
in the faith, rather than pursuing the things that can destroy them.
c. [Showing]
Consideration involves personal faith. (22-23)
14:22-23 (NKJV) 22 Do you have faith? Have it to
yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he
approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats,
because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Coming to the end of this paragraph, the Apostle emphasizes the
importance of personal faith and conviction.
When we exercise our faith and live according to our faith, we are to
do so “before God.” He is not talking about just having our own opinion about
things, but having a conviction that this action, choice or principle is within
the will of God; having a vibrant, living faith that is personal with God.
(i.e. not based on what someone else says or does.)
The person who is not firmly convinced or convicted in his heart about
what is right or permissible stands to be condemned if he partakes or performs
simply out of a desire to “fit in.”
If there is the slightest doubt in his mind that this behavior is not
God’s will, then it is a choice that is described as sinful.
Doubt is a sin that is frequently condemned in Scripture. Here, in this
context, doubt is applied to the performance of some deed or the pursuing of
some behavior about which the Christian is not
firmly convinced would be approved by God.
Conclusion:
There are a number of practical ways that the principles of this
chapter can be applied to our everyday lives.
Many controversies have been generated between believers who have
different interpretations and opinions regarding things that could be
classified as non-essentials.
Paul is urging us to be considerate of each other, and rather than
argue and tear down one another, we should seek the general welfare and
building up of one another.
It takes a certain level of personal maturity in order to practice that
principle in everyday life.
Let us conclude our service this morning by
singing a hymn that emphasizes our responsibility to live in harmony and in
love with one another.
I Then Shall Live # 604Click Here to view or hear the next sermon in this series.
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