Disputable MattersRomans 14 - 15

I have had people argue with me aboutPoliticsCountry

ChocolateThey want me to change my mind

about disputable matters

The SettingReligious fads – Vegetarians

Religious concern – Market meatMixed company – Jewish food laws

Is one day holier?What about what we drink?

Romans 14Accept 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.

First, do not judgeThis person may be early in

their faithFragile in their faith

There is no harm

5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

10 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.

Second, do not judgeIt is not our place to judge why

people do what they doWe do not know the reasons

God is the judge

14 …I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 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.

Third, do not judgeIf your faith allows you more

freedom, do not flaunt itDo not cause people distressBe kind and understanding

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Fourth, do not judgeAnyway, says the apostle, it is all about righteousness (Faith)

And rememberThe righteous will live by faith

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.

Fifth, do not judgeKeep your opinions to yourself

Do what you believe – what your faith convicts you to do

We do not all have to agree on everythingEach one of us must own our relationship

with God

Romans 15We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus…

Sixth, do not judgeRemember Jesus was patient with youIn order to bring us together and make

us oneOne church with Jews and Gentiles

15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Seventh, do not judgeThen Paul says to this mostly Jewish congregation in RomeMy calling is to the Gentiles

Faith, grace, mercy and redemptionDo not judge by old standards

Then, an illustration is usedA practical application

Did you know?The Gentiles are raising funds to help

the saints in JerusalemThis is one way we care for each other

24 …I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

He ends these thoughts with a simple request

Pray for me

Putting it all togetherIt is not our calling to judge one

anotherJudging assumes we actually know

somethingWe are called to welcome and love

Putting it all togetherA vibrant church has diversity of

all kindsWe are not robots

We have opinions and tasteswe can live in unity with diversity

Putting it all togetherJudging others takes energy and time

It can consume us or make us feel superiorWe are called to do something useful

We need to get our hands dirty

We notice differences and want to point them out

But since we do not know the whole story

We might want to keep our thoughts between us and God

And use that time and energy to do something useful for the

benefit of the church