As we come to the end of Romans, we discover the church in Rome is divided. There’s a food fight going on in the church.
• Paul writes in chapter 14-15a to mop up this problem before it gets out of hand.
• On one side, you had the weak believers. Their conscience led them to be vegetarian and to abstain from wine and meat. They believed these things were wrong for them.
• On the other side, you had the strong believers. Their clear conscience led them to eat meat (even on Fridays) and drink wine or to skip fasting/holy days altogether. But, they took their liberties too far. Paul is on their side, but He takes issue with them.
• Both sides were unchristian in their attitudes.
• They judged and despised one another.
Paul gives the church one simple command, “Accept one another.”
• Accept means to welcome, receive, remain in fellowship.
• Accept one another as Jesus accepts us.
• Remember that Jesus is Lord and Judge – not our fellow Christians.
BACKGROUND: We must remember, that the early church worship always involved a meal together. They modeled their meetings after the last supper (sometimes with footwashing). The meal was known as a love feast, and after the meal they would have a time of worship and communion.
1. Determine not to cause another Christian to stumble.
Romans 14:13 (NASB), “Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died.”
• A stumbling block is some action/attitude that encourages another Christian to sin or violate their conscience.
• Accept one another means accept our differences too – especially in matters of conscience.
2. Pursue kingdom priorities that build up other Christians.
Romans 14:17, “...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by other people. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother or sister stumbles.”
• Michael Bird, “When one realizes what the kingdom is... petty squabbles over meat and sacred days appear comparatively pointless and even pitiful.”
• Wheel Illustration: Three parts of the wheel are like three categories of faith: The Hub is the central truth, “Jesus is Lord.” The rim is the essentials. The tire is the non-essentials and matters of personal conscience.
• Unity in church or family is possible if everyone agrees on what issues go in which categories.
• The trouble with our divisive world today, is the center is that everyone puts their issue, their politic, their convictions, their agenda as the hub of the wheel. This leads to idolatry and more division.
3. The key to happiness is in remaining true to our convictions while giving glory to God.
Romans 14:22, “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin... 15:5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”
CONCLUSION: No Doubt About It (Romans 14-15:7)
1. Is this biblical? (Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7).
2. Will this cause another believer to stumble?
3. Is my conscience clear?
4. Is this consistent with my faith convictions?
5. Do I have any doubts?
6. Is this edifying to other believers?
7. Does this put God’s kingdom priorities first?
8. Is this glorifying to God?
9. Is Jesus Lord in this decision?
