Rev. David Holwick ZI Romans series #19
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 13, 2005
Romans 14:1-13
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I. Pass the peanut butter - or don't.
In THE GRACE AWAKENING, Charles Swindoll tells of a missionary
family who literally were forced off the mission field.
The issue? Peanut butter.
This family was sent to a location where peanut butter was not
available, so they asked friends back in the States to
occasionally send them some.
The problem was that the other missionaries considered it a
mark of spirituality NOT to have peanut butter.
The newer missionary family considered this a matter of
differing opinions, so they continued to receive and enjoy
their peanut butter.
But the pressure from the other missionaries to conform became
so intense, the newer family finally gave up and left the
mission field.
How could something like this - that probably seems petty and
foolish to us - have happened?
I imagine it developed something like this:
A missionary family who greatly enjoyed peanut butter went to
this particular mission field.
They faced the choice of doing without it or asking friends or
relatives in the States to send it to them.
As they considered their options before the Lord, they came to
the conclusion that doing without peanut butter was a small
sacrifice to make.
Though, like the Apostle Paul, they had a "right" to peanut
butter, they chose not to use that right (see 1 Cor. 9:1-12).
If my theory of this issue's origin is correct, I personally
find their thinking quite acceptable, maybe even laudable.
So what went wrong?
My guess is that one family elevated the particular leading of
God for them to the level of a spiritual principle.
This was then applied to everyone: "If God has 'led' us to give
up peanut butter, surely that is His will for YOU, too."
#30697
A. Sign on church in Celeste's hometown:
"In essentials, unity;
In non-essentials, liberty;
In all things, charity."
B. Can we make the correct distinctions?
II. Two groups at each other's throats.
A. The weak. (Not their own label, obviously)
1) Three hangups:
a) Eating meat. 14:2
b) Holy days. 14:5
c) Drinking wine. 14:21
2) Probably identifies them as Jewish Christians.
a) Two issues helped Jews define themselves against world:
1> Kosher food laws.
A> They only ate meat that was ritually killed.
B> Most meat in pagan markets would not qualify,
so they became vegetarians.
2> Religious holidays.
A> Sabbath-keeping was strictly followed.
3) We might call them Conservatives.
a) Rule keeping was a big part of their religion.
b) Personal discipline was important.
B. The strong.
1) Second group has one hangup: Group #1.
a) They feel they are free to indulge in meat, wine, and
worship on any day they wanted.
b) After all, Jesus declared all foods to be clean.
2) We might call them Liberals.
a) Paul agrees with them. 14:14
b) He puts himself in the "strong" category. 15:1
1> The strong have the most mature assessment of
how to live.
2> They do not rely on petty rules and restrictions.
3> They appreciate the freedom we have in Christ.
A> And sometimes, they get uppity about it.
III. This conflict is not about essentials.
A. Salvation is not at stake here.
1) Even the "weak" group agreed with this.
2) "Faith" is on-going commitment to Jesus in daily life.
3) If salvation was at stake, Paul would have nailed them.
(As he does in Galatians)
B. Instead, each side saw it as a matter of spirituality.
1) Who follows Jesus the closest?
2) The "weak" saw the strong as unspiritual because they
lacked discipline.
3) The "strong" saw the weak as unspiritual because they
were hung up and not liberated as Christians.
a) Philip Yancey notes that a close reading of Romans 14
(along with parallel passages in 1 Cor. 8 and 10),
reveals that Paul used "weak brother" to describe an
immature, newborn Christian.
b) They are too insecure to let go of a clinging
dependence on unnecessary rules. #3898
C. Paul says both groups are wrong.
1) They are wrong because they let secondary issues result
in criticism and hurt feelings.
2) The church was being torn apart rather than lifted up.
Back in the 1750s the British and French were fighting in
Canada.
Admiral Phipps, commander of the British fleet, was told to
anchor outside Quebec.
He was given orders to wait for the British land forces to
arrive, and then support them when they attacked the city.
Phipps' navy arrived early.
As the admiral waited, the statues of the saints that adorned
the towers of a nearby cathedral began annoyed him.
So he commanded his men to shoot at them with the ships'
cannons.
No one knows how many rounds were fired or how many statues
were knocked out.
But when the land forces arrived and the signal was given to
attack, the admiral couldn't do anything.
He had used up all his ammunition shooting at the "saints."
Christians have been shooting at saints ever since!
#16647
D. Areas of contention:
1) How you worship - praise music or hymnals?
2) How you relax - Play golf on Sunday?
3) How you vote - Can a Christian vote for Republicans?
4) How you spend your resources - Fancy car?
IV. Christians need to learn how to handle options.
A. Modern cable TV fight.
Cable TV system owner in small Ohio town of West Lafayette.
Subscribers wanted premium channels like HBO.
Owner, a strict Nazarene, didn't want to provide it.
Big heated meeting on the issue.
(Interesting - people demanded more "trash.")
What should Christians do?
(Internet is similar issue.)
B. Four basic positions:
1) Immature participator.
a) I want cable, and no church is going to tell me not to.
2) Immature non-participator.
a) I don't get cable, and no real Christian should.
3) Mature participator.
a) I can make good choices without acting superior.
4) Mature non-participator.
a) I do not have self-control so I won't get it, but
I will not condemn those who do.
C. Paul suggests a positive agenda.
V. Seven steps to H.A.R.M.O.N.Y.
A. Hold back judgment on disputable matters. 14:1
1) People are more important than issues.
2) Accept them!
B. Avoid looking down on those you disagree with. 14:2-4
1) Remember that God has accepted them, even if you don't.
C. Realize that we must live for the Lord alone. 14:4-10
1) Even those we disagree with may have positive spiritual
reasons for what they are doing. 14:5-6
2) In the end, they will answer to God and not to us.
3) We will answer to God, too.
D. Make sure you don't trip others up. 14:13
1) They must be allowed to live by their convictions.
2) Don't let your maturity destroy someone else.
E. Only do what leads to peace and mutual edification. 14:19
1) Always act in love.
F. Never put your preferences over people. 14:20-21
G. Yield to your neighbor for their good. 15:2
#30698
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
Rev. Steven Dow's sermon "How To Get Along When You Don't See Eye To Eye,"
Was very helpful for this sermon. Dow is the pastor of Heritage Wesleyan
Church. It is Sermon #21972 in the Kerux database.
# 3898 "What Does A Weaker Brother Look Like?" Philip Yancey, Christianity
Today magazine, November 9, 1984, page 84.
#16647 "Shooting the Saints," Our Daily Bread reading, quoted in Rev. Brett
Blair's Illustrations by Email, www.sermonillustrations.com,
September 3, 2000.
#30697 "Expelled Because of Peanut Butter," Jerry Bridges, quoting Charles
Swindoll, article in Discipleship Journal #65, Sept/Oct 1991,
"God Loves You And People Have A Wonderful Plan For Your Life."
#30698 "Seven Steps To H.A.R.M.O.N.Y." Rev. Steven Dow, in sermon "How To
Get Along When You Don't See Eye To Eye," Kerux sermon #21972.
These and 25,000 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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Commentary notes:
John Stott
I. Identity of the weak.
A. Ex-idolaters.
1) While 1 Cor 8 refers to idol-meat, Rom 14 does not.
B. Ascetics.
C. Legalists.
D. Jewish Christians.
1) Kosher food issues.
a) Offered a clear boundary issue for Jews.
2) Sabbath issues.
a) Paul's attitude here is in accord with Acts 15 and
Jerusalem Council's decree.
II. Are issues essential or non-essential?
A. Essential argument, but non-essential issues.
1) Paul is even sarcastic about issues.
B. Discernment is necessary.
C. Issues today:
1) mode of baptism
2) wedding rings
3) confirmation
4) cosmetics
5) tongues
6) alcohol
III. Paul's argument in Romans 14.
A. Fundamental principle of acceptance.
1) It is positive.
2) It is qualified.
B. Negative deductions that follow from this:
1) Do not despise or condemn the weak.
2) Do not offend or destroy the weak.
3) Do not please yourself, but follow Christ's example.
IV. Positive principle of acceptance.
A. Accept those weak in faith.
1) They are mistaken.
2) Accept them into fellowship warmly.
3) Does not mean "unconditional acceptance."
a) Hinges on our repentance and faith.
B. Qualification for acceptance.
V. Negative deductions.
A. Do not despise weak people.
1) God has accepted them.
2) Jesus died and rose for them.
3) Because he is our brother.
4) Because we will all be judged by God.
B. Do not destroy weak people.
1) Christ died for them.
2) Destroy = injuring them. (doesn't mean hell)
C. Do not please yourselves.
1) Bear with failings of weak.
2) Don't please yourself.
3) Build up neighbor.
a) Christ did not please himself.
VI. Digression on importance of Scripture. 15:4
A. Contemporary intention.
B. Inclusive value.
C. Christological focus.
D. Practical purpose.
E. Divine message.
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