Romans 14:13-23
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SLIDE 2
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Rom 14.
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INTRO:
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Today’s passage continues with the same message that was found in the study from last week. Though the overall topic is the same, the nuances are different.
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Last week’s passage built a case… and this week’s passage is the application.
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Paul is addressing a congregation of believers who are very diverse in their convictions. Some are ok with the eating of certain kinds of meat… others only eat vegetables. Some hold to the importance of observing certain religious holidays. Others think of every day as having the same amount of significance.
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Paul’s advice is this:
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Whatever your conviction is… be fully convinced in your own mind. … … - - Now, obviously, Paul would not give a pass to a person who was fully convinced that they could commit adultery, or that they could commit murder, or that they could worship idols. The SCRIPTURES ARE CLEAR ON THOSE, AND MANY OTHER BEHAVIORS- Paul is addressing areas of conviction that do no trespass the clear and concise teachings of scripture.
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If you have a strong conviction about not eating meat, and your traditions combined with the teaching of scriptures support your conviction… then you should not eat meat. God honors that conviction.
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But, if you do not have such a conviction, because you believe, based on the teachings of the scriptures, that it is completely ok to eat something that may or may not have passed by an idol, because you believe, an idol is actually nothing… then you can eat that t-bone steak, and God honors your faith on this matter.
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Since we are always looking for a rule or a guideline that is telling us what is right and what is wrong… we often miss the entire point of this passage..
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The Jewish scholars scoured through the law and the prophets and gave the people of Israel 613 specific rules that they were to follow… -That made things easy. That brought control to every situation in life…
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But, the reality is… the Bible is not that inclusive as it pertains to every single activity in life.
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Sometimes, when the scriptures are not abundantly clear on what is or is not commanded, we are left to our convictions.
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And because we all have varying degrees of conviction… based on our history, based on our understanding of the Word, based on the situations we are in at a certain point in our life… -We have a hard time with compatibility.
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And so, this was a big part of our message last week. God wants us to demonstrate His love and His grace in the midst of our fellowship. He wants us to show the world around us, that we can handle our differences… not with conflict… not with division… not with judgment or distain.
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But rather, with love and consideration for one another.
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He also made it clear… that when it comes to these differences in conviction… we are responsible… to the one who is doing the convicting. - We don’t need to be judged or despised by our fellow believer… we are doing what we do, in good conscience, before the Lord. He is the one who judges us, on the matters where He is the one who convicts us.
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This is the information that we need to have in hand… when we read the first word in verse 13:
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Therefore… because of the lesson laid out in the previous verses…
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let us not pass judgment on one another.
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SLIDE 3
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
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Paul is still speaking to both parties here… the offended and the offender. The weaker brother, and the stronger brother. The eater and the abstainer.
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We know he has included to the weaker brother, because the passage tells us, to not pass judgment. The one who abstains from eating the meat, in the example given in vs. 3… is the one who judges. The one who eats the meat… in the same example… is the one who disdains.
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We often overlook this fact, because the thrust of this message seems to apply mostly to the strong.
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But here’s the reality… whether our views or legalistic or liberal… the lesson here is the same. No matter what our convictions might be… there may be things that we do that cause others to stumble in their faith.
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Obviously, the one who eats meat in front of the vegetarian… may cause some of them to struggle. But that doesn’t mean that the vegetarian’s beliefs aren’t controversial to other believers.
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This is a principle for everyone… but, it only applies, in the areas where our convictions of liberty cause a problem for those who have convictions of constraint.
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Here is what we are called to do:
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WE ARE TO ‘DECIDE’ TO NEVER PUT A STUMBLING BLOCK OR HINDRANCE IN THE WAY OF A BROTHER.
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This is a decision of resolve that we are called to make… not in the moment where there might be conflict… but rather.. RIGHT NOW.
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DECIDE NOW… That we are going to be mindful of how our actions might affect our fellow brother or sister in the faith.
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I keep going back to this passage in … but I think it’s vital in understanding how this principle plays out.
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SLIDE 4
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
I Cor 9.
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I want you to take note of something here… something that we might not always think of. Paul does things, that would set stumbling blocks in front certain people groups. He admits it, right here in this passage.
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In this passage, Paul is telling us, that he does things intentionally, that would probably offend the Jews. He does things intentionally, that would offend those who are under the law… He does things intentionally, that might offend those outside the law. He does things intentionally, at different times… but all for the same purpose.
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The purpose, is not to prove what he thinks he is or is not allowed to do, based on his convictions. The purpose, is to serve the people he’s ministering to. So, yes, his action might be a stumbling block to a Jew, while he’s ministering to a Gentile… but he would not stumble the Jew, while ministering to the Jew.
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He considers his audience, and takes action to behave in a manner that does not distract them with offense.
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Some would read this, and they think that they have to behave a certain way in every circumstance, all the time, in the off chance that a ‘weaker brother’ might see them eating a pork chop and sipping a glass of wine down town at The Commonwealth.
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That is not at all what Paul is saying.
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Paul is simply calling the reader, to follow his example of discernment. Be mindful of those to whom you are ministering.
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When you are with the teetotalers who have strong convictions about alcohol… don’t flaunt your beer privileges… when you are hanging with your Hebrews roots buddies… don’t bring bacon to the potluck. In terms of evangelism… be mindful of how other cultures think..
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When you go to other countries… learn how to say the right or the wrong thing. Years ago Teen Missions had a drama team doing evangelism in England… and they would invite people to their event by telling them there would be punch and cookies.. and that they would be the ones wearing red suspenders.
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I’m sure a lot of people showed up at those events… They just told them, that they would be the ones wearing red garter belts, prostitutes would be present, and they’d be serving alcohol.
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When we go to places like India… even though it’s going to be 90 degrees… we leave our shorts at home. Men wearing shorts is weird in places like India. It would be a distraction in our ministry.
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And yet, when I’m back home in America… in the summer time, I pretty much only wear long pants on Sunday.
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The key… think more, about your ministry to the other person… than about your personal liberty to do what you feel is right.
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SLIDE 5
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
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1 Cor 14.
Paul is sharing his personal conviction with emphatic terminology. He both knows and is persuaded in the Lord Jesus.
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From what Paul has learned about the grace of God… from what Paul has learned as a follower of Jesus. From what Paul has learned, as one who received the message of the Gospel directly from Jesus..
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…he knows… that nothing is unclean in and of itself.
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Paul is speaking directly to the idea that some things are holy, and some things are common. Some foods are clean, and some foods are unclean.
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And yes, when they operated under the law… there was a difference between that which was holy and that which was common. Common bread became holy bread in the tabernacle. Common incense, when mixed properly and used according to the instructions, became holy in the tabernacle. Common gold became holy, when it was forged into the image of the Mercy Seat.
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Many foods and activities in daily life were labeled clean or unclean. If someone touched a dead body, they were ceremonially unclean for a period of time. Because they were ceremonially unclean, they had to go through a process of becoming clean again before they could come and worship in the temple.
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Animals, based on their diet, or the manner in which they organize themselves, or their physical make up , were deemed clean or unclean to eat. Though this was made very specific in Leviticus, as far back as the days of Noah, they recognized that some animal were clean… that is, edible… and some animals were unclean.
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God was teaching a lesson to humanity… There was a difference between common and holy. And the lesson wasn’t about food, incense or gold. It was all about the people. Things that were clean and unclean were part of the lesson. They were illustrations. They were pictures of a bigger story..
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And that big story is this: God is holy and people are common. If common people want to come to a holy God, they have to follow specific rules and make specific sacrifices.
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But it had to be an ongoing work. They may have been regarded as holy, or as clean for a moment… but when their hearts and minds turned back to sin… they became unclean… and common again.
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The entire message of law… sets the contrast between the unclean human, and the holy God.. The entire message teaches the inability of the unclean human, to please the holy God..
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The entire message, points forward with great hope… to the Messiah who redeems the unclean, and mends the division between man and God through His final sacrifice.
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Though it’s not abundantly clear… when I read Paul’s words here in vs. 14… when he says that ‘nothing is common or unclean in and of itself… - He is saying, the lesson of clean and unclean is fulfilled in Jesus. The idea of unclean and clean food… is a cog in the wheel of an unfulfilled law.
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FORTUNATELY FOR US… THAT LAW HAS BEEN FULFILLED. Yes, it’s true, some foods are safer to eat than others… and the law did ensure many practices of safety, and order, and cleanliness… the principles of which, carry over in many practical ways.
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SLIDE 6
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
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IT WAS OUR GUARDIAN… our school master. It told us what to do in every area of life. It showed us a degree of perfection in which we were unable to be justified in through our own effort. .... It put us in a place, where we hoped for, and longed for something better. - It pointed to that better thing.
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It was our school master… telling us what to do… and yet, showing us that we really couldn’t do it. Why? So that we would look for and believe in THE ONE WHO WOULD DO IT FOR US.
SLIDE 7
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
1 Tim 4.1
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Pastor Steve out at CC Fluvanna said something brilliant on the radio a couple weeks ago. He said, that sometimes our religion inoculates us from salvation.
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This is the means of deceit… to twist what is right, just enough… so it still seems right… but it’s wrong.
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The Bible clearly defines the things we should and should not do, in order to live a life that pleases God… -But be careful when people come to you with a set of rules… with a list… with a set of principles that push the limits of Biblical clarity.
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The examples here are on marriage and food. … but the principle can extend far beyond that.
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More simply stated… consider this passage in Colossians
SLIDE 8
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Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
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This is the other side of the coin… concerning Paul’s lesson to those who are strong in their faith concerning food and drink.
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Yes… go out of your way and do your best to serve those who hold to strong convictions in these areas. Yes.. show them love and consideration, because they are your brother and your sister.
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But, don’t let them pass judgment on you… In fact… as we look at vs. 16 in today’s passage… basically, we should do our best, within reason… to not give them an opportunity to pass judgement.
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SLIDE 9
So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Rom 14.16-
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SLIDE 10
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. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
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First off… if you eat or drink, or observe or not observe certain days… and you are convinced in your hearts on these issues… don’t let these things be spoken of as evil.
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How do we prevent this? - By regarding the context. - Don’t flaunt these things in front of those who might speak evil of them.
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Here, in these final verses, is the ultimate instruction for the practice of spiritual liberty.
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-It is wrong to make another stumble.
-it is good to abstain in the presence of your brother, so he doesn’t stumble
-The faith that you have on these issues… keep it between yourself and God.
-Know this, you are not a low class Christian if you eat a rabbit and drink a beer… instead, according to vs. 22, you are blessed for having no reason to pass judgment on yourself for what you approve.
-But take heed… If you do something in doubt… if you are not fully convinced… if your are not eating or drinking from faith… it is sin.
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Yes… some in this very room are blessed for not condemning themselves in what they practice… while other who do the same thing, are committing sin.
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Why?
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Because, with God… under this New Covenant… things are not so black and white in deed… but rather.. they are now, in some cases… unique issues of the heart.
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Under the law… murder was murder. Under the N.Covenant.... hatred is murder.
Under the law… adultery was adultery. Under the N. Covenant.. looking upon someone with lust is adultery.
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Jesus has set us free from the letter of the law… from the list… from many of the rules and regulations… from the oversight of the school master…
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but He has set us free by placing His law in our hearts. The principles of which… more often than not… raise the standard.
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Outward obedience can easily mask inward hypocrisy. The letter of the law made that provision. But Jesus has taken this provision for hypocrisy away.
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In … the Pharisees accused Jesus of using demons to cast out demons. - Jesus didn’t take that one sitting down. In vss 25-30… He lit into them. What he said in vs. 24 was especially applicable.
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SLIDE 11
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
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What matters… is the heart.
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Jesus had similar words for these guys again in chapter 23
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SLIDE 12
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
Matt 23.23-
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Here’s the principle. - Our outward deeds my look different. They might even appear to conflict with one another… but God’s concern, is the heart of faith behind those outward deeds.
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Be true to the convictions of your heart. They are there for a reason, and God honors what is going on in your heart much more than what is going on with your deeds.
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If, because of your faith… you condemn yourself concerning unique convictions about food, drink, days, movies, playing cards, dancing or music… - Then honor those convictions. They are yours for a reason…
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If you do not… then the faith you have… keep it between you and God… that is, don’t flaunt it in front of those who don’t share your conviction. And know this… you are blessed when you have no reason to pass judgment on yourself for what you approve.
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Here’s the principle stated in even simpler terms.
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Set yourself aside, and love people where they are at.
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Close.