I Am Not Ashamed: Hey! Christians Can’t Do That

David Krueger

I Am Not Ashamed • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Romans 14:1–13

Christian Liberty

Freedom

Church Fellowship and Unity

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We are not all at the same level of spiritual maturity, and we do not all walk the exact same path with Jesus; therefore, let us not get disagreeable over opinions.

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Theme: We are not all at the same level of spiritual maturity, and we do not all walk the exact same path with Jesus; therefore, let us not get disagreeable over opinions.

Date: 05/28/17 File name: Romans_2016_41.wpd ID Number:

In chapters twelve through fourteen of the book of Romans Paul talks about how our life in Christ affects the way we interact with those around us. In chapter 12 we saw the Christian's obligation to fellow Christians. In the first half of chapter 13 we see the Christian's obligation to the ruling authorities. In the last half of chapter 13, we see the Christian's obligation to all men. Now, beginning in chapter 14 we see the Christian’s obligation to a fellow believer’s liberty over disputable matters. The Christian church is a new community. Believers are to accept one another without condemnation over each other’s personal convictions. We have no right to judge fellow believers over disputable matters, for they are matters of conscience, to be settled between the individual and the Lord.

In this passage, the Apostle is dealing with how Christians are to behave with respect to issues where the bible does not clearly speak. The outline is simple. In this passage Paul speaks about three kinds of conduct, two kinds of Christian, and one proper attitude.

I. THREE KINDS OF CONDUCT

1. distinguishing between right and wrong in matters of personal conduct is often difficult

a. this is evident from the fact that there is so much disagreement among Christians as to what behaviors are sinful

as to what behaviors are sinful

b. practices which are approved of — even condoned — by some Christians are rejected, and condemned by others as being inconsistent with a Godly lifestyle

rejected, and condemned by others as being inconsistent with a Godly lifestyle

ILLUS. Case in point: Many of you will recognize the name of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon is considered the greatest English preacher of the 19th century. He was a Baptist, and pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church — probably the world’s first mega-church. Even today Spurgeon is referred to as the “Prince of Preachers.” His sermons are still studied in Baptist Seminaries. Rev. Spurgeon was a Baptist preacher who thoroughly enjoyed cigars — especially Cuban cigars. Everyone in his church knew he smoked cigars. He smoked a cigar every evening before he went to bed, and he smoked a cigar every Sunday on his way to church to, according to Spurgeon himself, “prepare his throat for preaching.”

Spurgeon. Spurgeon is considered the greatest English preacher of the 19th century. He was a Baptist, and pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church — probably the world’s first mega-church. Even today Spurgeon is referred to as the “Prince of Preachers.” His sermons are still studied in Baptist Seminaries. Rev. Spurgeon was a Baptist preacher who thoroughly enjoyed cigars — especially Cuban cigars. Everyone in his church knew he smoked cigars. He smoked a cigar every evening before he went to bed, and he smoked a cigar every Sunday on his way to church to, according to Spurgeon himself, “prepare his throat for preaching.”

In the Fall of 1874 Spurgeon had invited the prominent American evangelist, George F. Pentecost to preach at the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church in London. Dr. Pentecost stepped into the pulpit and proceeded to preach a fiery message against the sin of smoking, not knowing that Spurgeon was an avid smoker. Dr. Pentecost preached away, telling Spurgeon’s people how God had delivered him from the foul practice. As he preached the people in congregation just got quieter and quieter. After Dr. Pentecost concluded his message, Charles Spurgeon stood up, and in a very loving and kind way, said, “Let’s open our bibles to .” He used the passage I’m preaching from this morning to talk about Christian liberty. He told his congregation, “For some Christians, their conscience won’t let them smoke cigars. I have no such qualms. If anybody can show me in the Bible the command, 'Thou shalt not smoke,' I am ready to keep it; but I haven't found it yet. I find ten commandments, and it's as much as I can do to keep them; and I've no desire to make them into eleven or twelve. Not only do I smoke cigars, I smoke cigars to the glory of God.”

1) there are a lot of Baptists who wince at that statement, and wish Spurgeon had never said it

never said it

2) on the other hand there are a lot of Baptists in eastern Kentucky whose livelihood comes from growing tobacco who say Amen and amen!

comes from growing tobacco who say Amen and amen!

2. what do we do when we have such a profound difference of opinion over whether-or-not a behavior is sinful when the bible says nothing about it?

not a behavior is sinful when the bible says nothing about it?

a. this is what the apostle addresses in this chapter

b. he addresses it because Christian unity is at stake within the church at Rome

3. there are three kinds of conduct talked about in the Scriptures

A. WRONG CONDUCT (i.e. ... SIN)

1. obviously there are many areas of conduct, attitude, and behavior where the Bible clearly speaks

clearly speaks

“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (, ESV)

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (, ESV)

• “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (, ESV)

a. in these, and similar passages, the bible lists behaviors that are always wrong

1) there's no way that a confessing Christian can shoplift something off of a store shelf and say with a straight face, "Well, I really don't believe stealing is a sin — especially if I really need it."

shelf and say with a straight face, "Well, I really don't believe stealing is a sin — especially if I really need it."

2) there is no way that a confessing Christian can engage in premarital sex, or adulterous sex, or homosexual sex, and confess, "You know, I just don't think that's wrong. God made me this way. Who are you to judge?"

adulterous sex, or homosexual sex, and confess, "You know, I just don't think that's wrong. God made me this way. Who are you to judge?"

3) there is no way that a confessing Christian can drink themselves into a drunken stupor and say, “I’m sloshed to the glory of God!”

stupor and say, “I’m sloshed to the glory of God!”

2. there are some behaviors that are wrong because the Scriptures clearly tell us they are wrong

are wrong

a. every Christian is fully accountable for their behavior in those areas where the Bible clearly speaks

clearly speaks

b. and, we are accountable to the church, and it’s spiritual discipline when we continue to practice that conduct which is specifically forbidden

to practice that conduct which is specifically forbidden

c. the culture may preach that there are no moral absolutes, but the confessing Christian knows better because we have the absolutely inerrant Scriptures

Christian knows better because we have the absolutely inerrant Scriptures

B. RIGHT CONDUCT

1. just as there are many kinds of behavior that the Scriptures thoroughly condemn, there are also many kinds of behavior that the Scriptures thoroughly condone

are also many kinds of behavior that the Scriptures thoroughly condone

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (, NIV84)

“Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (, NIV84)

• “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (, NIV84)

a. in these, and similar passages, the bible lists behaviors that are always right

1) there is no reason for a confessing Christian to ever ask, “Gosh, I wonder if I should respect the leaders of my church?”

should respect the leaders of my church?”

2) there is no reason for a confessing Christian to ever ask, “I wonder if I should express gentleness toward that obnoxious believer in the pew behind me?”

express gentleness toward that obnoxious believer in the pew behind me?”

3) there is no reason for a confessing Christian to ever ask, “I wonder if I should go out of my way to help that weak believer who is struggling in their faith?”

out of my way to help that weak believer who is struggling in their faith?”

2. there are some behaviors that are right because the Scriptures clearly tell us they are right

are right

a. we act righteously, because we have received the righteousness of Christ by faith, and we are a new creation

and we are a new creation

C. DISPUTABLE CONDUCT

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 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. 4 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.” (, NIV84)

1. there is some conduct that, for the confessing Christian, is always wrong

2. there is some conduct that, for the confessing Christian, is always right

3. there is some conduct that, for one confessing Christian, is wrong, but for another confessing Christian is permissible

confessing Christian is permissible

a. how can this be?

1) isn’t this moral relativism?

2) isn’t this exactly what the world teaches us ... that there is no objective morality? — that just because it’s wrong for you, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong for me?

— that just because it’s wrong for you, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong for me?

b. no, Paul is not teaching moral relativism, because what the Apostle is dealing with is the inner workings of the confessing Christian’s conscience when the bible does not clearly speak on an issue

is the inner workings of the confessing Christian’s conscience when the bible does not clearly speak on an issue

1) it may be possible for believer "A" to participate in a behavior that for believer "B" to participate in would be sinful because it would be a violation of his conscience

to participate in would be sinful because it would be a violation of his conscience

ILLUS. The Apostle opens chapter 14 with one of those areas. Believer "A" has no moral objections to chowing down on a good steak. They do so with a clear conscience. However, believer "B" believes that eating a succulent ribeye is sinful, and so he chooses to be a vegetarian. For believer "B" to eat meat would be a violation of their conscience, which the apostle says is sin.

moral objections to chowing down on a good steak. They do so with a clear conscience. However, believer "B" believes that eating a succulent ribeye is sinful, and so he chooses to be a vegetarian. For believer "B" to eat meat would be a violation of their conscience, which the apostle says is sin.

The issue is more clearly defined in 1 Corinthians, chapter eight, were Paul refers to eating meat offered to idols.

Even a cursory reading of the Bible reveals that God the Father is a jealous God, who is deeply offended when his creation worships anything but Him. Pagan worship in the ancient world was not just about worship. It was also a major economic enterprise. Worshipers would bring their animal sacrifices to the temple as an offering to whatever deity they were worshiping. The priests would slay the animal as a sacrifice to the diety, and then the meat would be sold in the open market to help support the upkeep of the temple. The question arose among Christians, "Can a Christian, in good conscience, eat meat that was sacrificed to a pagan deity?"

The apostle Paul's attitude was, "Why not? It's only a dumb, dead idol anyway. Why let perfectly good meat go to waste?" So the Apostle Paul had zero problem eating a T-bone steak from a steer that had been sacrificed to Zeus. There were other Christians who felt differently than Paul on this issue. For them, eating meat sacrificed to a pagan deity was to be complicit in maintaining the system of pagan worship.

c. the question becomes how do these two believers engage with each other? — how Do they fellowship?

do they fellowship?

4. what is a disputable matter?

a. a disputable matter is an issue, or a disagreement over an issue, that the Bible does not specifically forbid, but which some Christians are nevertheless uncomfortable with

does not specifically forbid, but which some Christians are nevertheless uncomfortable with

1) in other words, this refers to conduct some confessing Christians think is wrong, even though it’s not condemned in the Scriptures, but which their conscience or personal preference, our cultural context, or denominational tradition finds questionable while other confessing Christians see nothing wrong with the conduct

even though it’s not condemned in the Scriptures, but which their conscience or personal preference, our cultural context, or denominational tradition finds questionable while other confessing Christians see nothing wrong with the conduct

b. that's the kind issue the Apostle is dealing with in this passage — what the Apostle refers to as a disputable matter in vs. 1

refers to as a disputable matter in vs. 1

5. the disputable matters of Paul’s era

a. the diet and drink issue

1) there were some Christians in the Church at Rome who loved a good steak and a nice Chardonnay to go with it

a nice Chardonnay to go with it

2) other Christians in the Church at Rome said, Hey! Christians Can't Do That

ILLUS. There were some Christians in Rome, more than likely the ones who came out of Judaism’s religious culture, who went apoplectic over those Christians who, more than likely, came out of a Gentile religious culture who had no qualms about eating meat or drinking wine that had been offered to pagan gods. The Christians of Jewish heritage looked at their Gentile Christian brothers, and said, “That wine has been offered to an idol. You shouldn’t drink it. That meat is not kosher. You shouldn’t eat it.” But the Christians of Gentile heritage looked at their Jewish Christian brothers, and said, “Hey, no big deal. In coming to the true and living God, we know that those idols we once worshiped are no gods at all. They aren’t real. So why let perfectly good beef go to waste? Why pass up a really good vino? It’s cheap and it’s good. What’s the rub, bubb? By the way do have some good dry-rub? We’ve go the church barbeque coming up.”

out of Judaism’s religious culture, who went apoplectic over those Christians who, more than likely, came out of a Gentile religious culture who had no qualms about eating meat or drinking wine that had been offered to pagan gods. The Christians of Jewish heritage looked at their Gentile Christian brothers, and said, “That wine has been offered to an idol. You shouldn’t drink it. That meat is not kosher. You shouldn’t eat it.” But the Christians of Gentile heritage looked at their Jewish Christian brothers, and said, “Hey, no big deal. In coming to the true and living God, we know that those idols we once worshiped are no gods at all. They aren’t real. So why let perfectly good beef go to waste? Why pass up a really good vino? It’s cheap and it’s good. What’s the rub, bubb? By the way do have some good dry-rub? We’ve go the church barbeque coming up.”

3) I’m one of those folks that see sees things as black and white — I like things neat and well defined

neat and well defined

a) I would have preferred, and many of you would have preferred, if Paul had just said, “I’m going to address this issue. Here’s the way it is. The meat is fine, but nix the wine.”

just said, “I’m going to address this issue. Here’s the way it is. The meat is fine, but nix the wine.”

b) that would have settled it

4) instead, the Apostle tells them, “It’s a matter of personal conviction. After all, Jesus said ... “

Jesus said ... “

“ ... “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ” 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ” (, NIV84)

b. the day issue

1) in vs. 5, we find that some Christians considered some days more sacred than others

others

ILLUS. Again, this probably has to do with the Jewish-Christian/Gentile-Christian divide in the early church. Those Christians who had come out of Judaism were still observing the Sabbath, which is Saturday, and then worshiping on the Lord’s day which is Sunday. And when new Gentile Christians came into the church, the Jewish-Christians said, “Hey listen, guys. You want to be a Christian? You’ve got to observe all the Sabbath regulations. You can’t walk more than half a mile; you can’t work, you can’t cook food, can’t do all these things.” In turn, the Gentile Christians were saying, “Nope. No day is more important than any other day.”

divide in the early church. Those Christians who had come out of Judaism were still observing the Sabbath, which is Saturday, and then worshiping on the Lord’s day which is Sunday. And when new Gentile Christians came into the church, the Jewish-Christians said, “Hey listen, guys. You want to be a Christian? You’ve got to observe all the Sabbath regulations. You can’t walk more than half a mile; you can’t work, you can’t cook food, can’t do all these things.” In turn, the Gentile Christians were saying, “Nope. No day is more important than any other day.”

2) these Jewish-Christian converts looked at the Gentile-Christian converts and said, Hey! Christians Can't Do That

said, Hey! Christians Can't Do That

3) again, Paul could have solved the issue by simply saying, “Jesus rose on a Sunday, and that’s the day the church comes together to worship him. BUT you still need to observe the Sabbath.”

Sunday, and that’s the day the church comes together to worship him. BUT you still need to observe the Sabbath.”

a) issue solved

b) but no, the Apostle tells them, "It's a matter of personal conviction”

c) thanks Paul ... big help you are

c. so there were disputable matters in the early church

6. the disputable matters of our era

a. the first great disputable matter of our day is what’s a disputable matter???

ILLUS. Can I be honest with you? The entire Christian world believes that the use of alcoholic beverages is a disputable matter. Except Baptists. For many Baptists the prohibition against alcohol is a firmly established doctrine of the church as thoroughly orthodox as justification by faith alone. There are Baptists who have gone to great lengths to prove that the wine at the marriage in Cana, and the wine at the Last Supper were actually unfermented grape juice.

alcoholic beverages is a disputable matter. Except Baptists. For many Baptists the prohibition against alcohol is a firmly established doctrine of the church as thoroughly orthodox as justification by faith alone. There are Baptists who have gone to great lengths to prove that the wine at the marriage in Cana, and the wine at the Last Supper were actually unfermented grape juice.

As an interesting historical side-note, do you recognize the name Jasper Newton Daniel? His family called him “Jack.” He was raised a Primitive Baptist, and was a Baptist lay-preacher. He also created the bourbon-whiskey “Old No. 7" and started the distillery that sill bears his name — Jack Daniels. Our Baptist forefathers were not above a good snort now-and-then.

b. just in my life time, disputable matters have included; card playing, board games that use dice, attending movies, watching television, dancing, the uses of cosmetics, smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, eating certain foods, drinking certain beverages, “mixed bathing”, women wearing slacks, pledging allegiance to the American Flag, shopping on Sunday, and celebrating certain religious days (like Christmas)

that use dice, attending movies, watching television, dancing, the uses of cosmetics, smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, eating certain foods, drinking certain beverages, “mixed bathing”, women wearing slacks, pledging allegiance to the American Flag, shopping on Sunday, and celebrating certain religious days (like Christmas)

1) taboo or not taboo? ... questionable or permissible? ... right or wrong?

2) the bible addresses none of these specifically so what is a Christian to do?

c. some of you could probably add to that list

1) the point is that all of these are, whether you like it or not, disputable matters

ILLUS. In America, most Baptists remain teetotalers. But if you would travel to Germany and fellowship with German Baptists, you would discover that not only do German Baptists regularly drink beer; they’ll serve beer at their church suppers!

ILLUS. I have a pastor friend up in New Bloomfield who told me a funny story a few years ago. One Sunday he mentioned during the sermon that he believed smoking was a sin. One of the older ladies in the church gave him a resounding “Amen preacher!” The problem was that Jim knew this lady dipped chewing tobacco. As she was leaving the church this lady shook his hand and said, “Great sermon pastor!” Jim looked at her and said, “So. You think smoking tobacco is a sin, but chewing it is OK?” With total seriousness she responded, “Absolutely. It’s a sin to burn anything that tastes so good!”

• ILLUS. I have a pastor friend up in New Bloomfield who told me a funny story a few years ago. One Sunday he mentioned during the sermon that he believed smoking was a sin. One of the older ladies in the church gave him a resounding “Amen preacher!” The problem was that Jim knew this lady dipped chewing tobacco. As she was leaving the church this lady shook his hand and said, “Great sermon pastor!” Jim looked at her and said, “So. You think smoking tobacco is a sin, but chewing it is OK?” With total seriousness she responded, “Absolutely. It’s a sin to burn anything that tastes so good!”

7. for the confessing Christian, there are three kinds of conduct:

a. Wrong Conduct — those behaviors that the New Testament specifically condemns

b. Right Conduct — those behaviors that the New Testament specifically condones

c. Disputable Conduct — those behaviors that the New Testament is silent on, but which may be sinful for one Christian because it goes against their conscience, but not sinful for another Christian because their conscience is clear

which may be sinful for one Christian because it goes against their conscience, but not sinful for another Christian because their conscience is clear

II. TWO KINDS OF BELIEVERS

1. in this passage, the Apostle refers to three kinds of conduct, and two kinds of believers

A. THE WEAK CHRISTIAN

1. three times in this passage, Paul speaks about the Christian who’s faith is weak

a. when Paul refers to one who is weak in the faith, he is referring to a Christian who has not progressed in Christian maturity

has not progressed in Christian maturity

2. the weak Christian has two characteristics

a. their list of sins is longer than God’s list

1) this is what the Jews did in the Old Testament

2) they had the word of God, and in an honest attempt to apply it, began adding to it, and soon their traditions became as important, if not more so, than God’s Word

it, and soon their traditions became as important, if not more so, than God’s Word

3) Jesus told the Pharisees in , “You have made the word of God of no effect because of your traditions.”

because of your traditions.”

4) there’s a second characteristic of a weak Christian

b. they often condemn those who don’t follow their list

1) too many believers see Christianity as a faith of rules and regulations

2) they believe you gain God’s favor by doing certain things and abstaining from doing other things

doing other things

3) essentially, many believers are still trying to earn a right relationship with God and have not yet accepted the way of grace

and have not yet accepted the way of grace

4) there are some believers who live in mortal terror that some Christian somewhere is enjoying himself

somewhere is enjoying himself

c. the temptation that lies before the weak Christian is that of legalism — their faith will become about rules and rites

become about rules and rites

B. THE STRONG CHRISTIAN

1. the Apostle also refers to Christians whom the Bible calls strong, and they live under liberty

liberty

a. was the apostle Paul weak or strong?

b. in he writes, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” (, NIV84)

weak and not to please ourselves.” (, NIV84)

c. so Paul was in the strong camp

1) he said, “It’s okay to eat meat.” ... He said, “There’s not one day that’s more sacred than another day, but if you want to believe that, that’s okay.”

sacred than another day, but if you want to believe that, that’s okay.”

2. the strong Christian has two characteristics

a. they are set free from man’s lists

1) their mind is held captive to the Word of God, not the traditions of men

2) every generation of Christians faces the need to decide just what beliefs and behavior are morally mandated of all believers, and what beliefs and behavior may be left to the individual believer’s conscience

behavior are morally mandated of all believers, and what beliefs and behavior may be left to the individual believer’s conscience

3) disputable matters are not unimportant matters

a) they are disputable in the sense that believing certain things or not believing certain things, adopting certain practices or not adopting them, does not keep a person from inheriting the kingdom of God, but they may not be consistent with a Christian lifestyle or witness

certain things, adopting certain practices or not adopting them, does not keep a person from inheriting the kingdom of God, but they may not be consistent with a Christian lifestyle or witness

ILLUS. Until the last three or four decades, going to movies and drinking alcohol was prohibited in the majority of American evangelical circles: the prohibition, in such circles, was indisputable. Those practices were considered sinful. Nowadays most evangelicals view such prohibitions as archaic at best, displaced by a neat transfer to the theologically disputable column.

was prohibited in the majority of American evangelical circles: the prohibition, in such circles, was indisputable. Those practices were considered sinful. Nowadays most evangelicals view such prohibitions as archaic at best, displaced by a neat transfer to the theologically disputable column.

On the other hand, in the past many Christians judged smoking as a disputable matter, but their number has considerably shrunk. Scientifically demonstrable health issues tied to smoking, and a deepening understanding of our body as the Temple of God, has ensured that for most Christians smoking is indisputably a no-no.

b. they are careful not to offend a weaker Christian

“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” (, ESV)

1) if the temptation for the Christian who is weak in the faith is to move toward legalism, the temptation for the Christian who is strong in the faith is to lean toward being a libertine

legalism, the temptation for the Christian who is strong in the faith is to lean toward being a libertine

2) Paul says to those mature in the faith, “Hey. It’s not about your Christian liberty. It’s not about you. It’s about love and unity within the local Church. You may have liberty in a certain conduct, but don’t flaunt that conduct to the point where it causes a brother to stumble in their faith.”

It’s not about you. It’s about love and unity within the local Church. You may have liberty in a certain conduct, but don’t flaunt that conduct to the point where it causes a brother to stumble in their faith.”

III. ONE ESSENTIAL ATTITUDE

1. in this passage, the Apostle refers to three kinds of conduct, and two kinds of believers and one essential attitude

and one essential attitude

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” (, ESV)

A. ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER!

1. he doesn’t just mean merely tolerate one another

a. he means embrace and accept one another, even those who disagree with you about some of these matters of personal conviction

about some of these matters of personal conviction

ILLUS. Philip Melancthon was a great leader of the Protestant Reformation. He was famous for this observation on Christian liberty.

famous for this observation on Christian liberty.

1. In the essentials, there must be unity

2. In the nonessentials, there must be liberty

3. In all things, there must be love

2. Paul is saying, “To all of you Christians who know that you are strong and you’ve been set free from man’s lists, you’re living under grace, you’ve been set free by the truth, don’t flaunt your liberty, don’t force it on somebody else. While they’re over there not eating meat, don’t say, ‘Boy, this sirloin steak is delicious. Too bad you can’t eat it.’”

set free from man’s lists, you’re living under grace, you’ve been set free by the truth, don’t flaunt your liberty, don’t force it on somebody else. While they’re over there not eating meat, don’t say, ‘Boy, this sirloin steak is delicious. Too bad you can’t eat it.’”

3. Paul is saying, “To all of you Christians who are weak in the faith, grow up. Quit imposing your list on somebody else. It’s okay if you’ve got that list. Make sure it doesn’t compromise anything in the Bible, but don’t make somebody else follow your list.”

imposing your list on somebody else. It’s okay if you’ve got that list. Make sure it doesn’t compromise anything in the Bible, but don’t make somebody else follow your list.”

4. there are three reasons we accept our brothers

a. 1st, I have been accepted by the Lord

“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.” (, NIV84)

b. 2nd, I belong to the Lord

“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.” (, NIV84)

c. 3rd, I will be judged by the Lord

“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.” (, NIV84)

There are all kinds of disputable matters that come up in churches today. Church members debate over the translation of the Bible. Church members debate over whether to use organ and piano or use guitars and drums in worship. Church members debate over how much of the budget should go to missions, whether to tithe the gross or the net, and what Sunday School literature to use. Church members debate about whether it is proper for a Christian to have a tattoo or whether to wear dress clothes or casual clothes to church. Some churches debate over whether or not it is proper for a man to wear short sleeves and a woman to wear makeup. Some even debate over the color of the carpet.

So how do we handle it when disputable matters come up in the church? asks, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” The point Paul is making is that the Lord Jesus is the Master, not you or me, so don’t get critical over sideline issues.

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