(1) Walk Thru The Word: Romans 14: 1-4 (ESV)
Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, & Making no provision for the flesh
1As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.2One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
(2) Walk Thru The Word: Romans 14: 5-9 (ESV)
5One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
(3) Message map — Rom. 14: 1 – 23 “Being Committed To Christ is The Foundation of Faithful, Friendly Fellowship” (The Book of Romans: Session 23)
“Following Christ Fulfills Faithful, Friendly Fellowship”
The Book of Romans: Session 23
“Following Christ Fulfills Faithful, Friendly Fellowship”
- Rom 14: 1 those in the faith can be weak From Wallowing in Works, and should be welcomed
- Rom 14: 2 The Works We Tend To Wallow In Include we get proud of whether or not we … eat, Worship
- Rom 14: 1, 3-6 Our Acceptance & Fellowship should Be based On Bible Commands & not Convictions over Opinions
- Rom 14: 7-9 Let’s give grace to those truly in the faith to let them serve god their way
(4) Rom 14: 1 We should welcome those Who Are Weak in faith From Wallowing in Works.
The Weak in Faith Wallow in Works
- 1 Rom 14: 1 address believers, those in the faith.
- Believers faith (system of belief in Christ) can be weak (morally, feeble and unhealthy/sick).
- Faith is the system of things we believe about Christ, which makes us His disciples.
- What is of faith pertains to a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, 4102/pistis (“faith”) for the believer is “God’s divine persuasion” – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet it engages us to produce within us confidence in what God gives.
- The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers (discriminates, chooses and regards as His will for them).
- Mature faith is explained in 1 John 5:4 — (ESV) For everyone who has been born of God overcomes (conquers, is victorious, prevails against, subdues and is free from the power of) the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
- Weak faith is engaged in stumbling over and being tripped up by the things in the world, as if whether or not we touch or are near them, or brush against them is evidence of our spirituality.
- Reliance upon works that do not impact how our salvation is rooted in Christ weakens us
- Notice the more “rules” you want to make for yourself and others that do not impact how our salvation is rooted in Christ, the weaker you are.
- Man’s subjective rules do not make us more spiritual or stronger, but have the danger of weakening us through a works system
- Thus, we can conclude that reliance upon works weakens us
(5) ROMANS 14: 1 the Weak in Faith Should be Welcomed & Accepted
We are commanded to welcome /accept the weak, which means
- we invite them in, as co-heirs of blessings of the gospel,
- we may meet people who need discipling in some areas
- we may meet people who can disciple us in some areas
- we want to be sensitive to people’s weaknesses,
- we want to balance being sensitive to people’s weaknesses, but not necessarily being controlled or manipulate by their version of Christian rule keeping.
(6) ROMANS 14: 2 The Works We Tend To Wallow in Produce pride over what we do and do not do
Rom 14: 2 The Works We Tend To Wallow In Produce pride over what we do and do not do …
- Performing Our Preferences Puffs Us Up with pride
- Whether we 2Eat or Don’t Eat certain things, becomes a source of pride in our accomplishments. This includes whether or not one wants to be a vegan or a vegetarian. Neither is a matter of Bible doctrine, but of one’s personal preferences, which could or may not be based in Scripture.
Performing Our Preferences puffs Us Up with Pride. (Prov 8:13, 11:2, 16:8. Jas 4;6 & 1Pet 5:5)
- Jas 4;6 & 1Pet 5:5 God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
- Prov 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
- Prov 16:8 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” No one keeps all their own human-made rules perfectly.
- Psalm 59:12-13 —indicates we all can get trapped in the pride of what we say. “12By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter. 13Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah”
When we are focused on our preferences & convictions, our eyes are on …
- our performance
- what we think we know
- how others are not doing what we think we know
- Christ, our Lord and Savior
So if we are works or performance oriented we tend to make needless ungodly comparisons of ourselves with others. (1 Cor 2:10-14 10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual 14The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
(7) ROMANS 14: 3-6 Our Acceptance and Fellowship Should Be based On Bible Commands & Not Convictions Of Opinions
Rom 14: 1, 3-6 Our Acceptance and Fellowship should Be based On Bible Commands & not Convictions Of Opinions
- Know The Difference Between A Doctrinal Command vs. A Personal Conviction Thus verses Rom 14:2-3 says it doesn’t matter so much what your convictions are because they don’t affect salvation, so it shouldn’t matter to you.
- A Doctrinal commandment is a prescribed obligation, statute and ordinance, and/or a prescribed way of behaving.
- A Personal conviction is what 5One person esteems or considers or regards as prized; highly valued to regard with reverence and respect, based their own intelligent comparison and contrast from assessing God’s word to determine what is right and wrong for them.
- The challenge with convictions is that they can change. as we develop and mature.
- Typical convictions include …
- the day one should worship, as one person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike.
- what one should eat and drink and be exposed to
- We must submit our convictions to conform within the parameters of God’s Commands. Otherwise your conviction is a rebellious sin. (Deut. 1:3, 5:1, 6:1,2, Ezekiel 20:11, 21 Romans 10:5.)
- Leviticus 18:5 — Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 1:3 — In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites everything that the LORD had commanded him concerning them.
- Treasury of Scripture — Now therefore listen, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers gives you.
- Deuteronomy 5:1 — And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
- Deuteronomy 6:1,2 — Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
- Ezekiel 20:11,21 — And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them…
- Romans 10:5 — For Moses described the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
(8) Jude 1:3-4 We must Contend for the faith
We must contend (struggle upon, appropriately, with skill and commitment in opposing whatever is not of God’s persuasion) for the faith or get compromised (accept lower standards by weakening a principle resulting in danger by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behavior, making the function, administration and operation vulnerable and less effective) (Exodus 18:20, Deut. 4:2 & 40, 5:33, 8:1, 30:16, 19 & 20, Lev. 18:5, Psalm 105:45)
Jude 1:3-4 = If We Don’t Contend for the faith we get compromised (See Next Slide on Commands, Convictions
Jude 1:3-4 3Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary (needful, unavoidable) to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Exodus 18:20 — Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do.
- Deuteronomy 4:2 – Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
- Deuteronomy 4:40 — Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you for all time.”
- Deuteronomy 5:33 — You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land you will possess.
- Deuteronomy 8:1 — You must carefully follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and multiply, and enter and possess the land the LORD swore to your fathers.
- Deuteronomy 30:16 — For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
- Deuteronomy 30:19 — I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. So choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,
- Deuteronomy 30:20 — and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
- Leviticus 18:5 — Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
- Psalm 105:45 — that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Hallelujah!
(9) The Basis for “Faithful, Friendly, Flexible Fellowship”
While we can associate with anyone at work, at play, and when engaging in hobbies, events etc… we only can have intimate fellowship with those who are of precious like-minded faith. [bctt tweet=”Essential Biblical Truths and Commands are immutable absolutes, irrefutable doctrines of Biblical certainty that provide necessities & essentials for all believers, about which there can be no compromise. These include …” username=”LibertyCF3″]
Faithful means it must
Essential Biblical Truths and Commands are immutable absolutes, irrefutable doctrines of Biblical certainty that provide necessities & essentials for all believers, about which there can be no compromise. These include …
- Doctrinal issues that pertain to salvation, discipleship and holiness (10 Commandments, Sermon on The Mount,)
- Doctrinal issues that are evidence of salvation, such as living out the provisions of the sermon on the Mount, which is built off the commands the God gives us throughout the totality of Scripture. Not worshipping idols.
convictions should be formed from Biblical Evidence but about which there is lacking Biblical Certainty
choices should be informed by conscience. Choices include style preferences that suit our personality.
Personal Confidences, Preferences, Persuasions & Opinions
- When you give your opinion on something, you offer a conclusion or a judgment that, although it may be open to question, seems true or probable to you at the time (Apple Dictionary)
- while a persuasion (in this sense) is a strong belief that is unshakable because you want to believe that it’s true rather than because there is evidence proving it so (she was of the persuasion that he was innocent). (Apple Dictionary)
- A view is an opinion that is affected by your personal feelings or biases (Apple Dictionary)
- A sentiment is a more or less settled opinion that may still be colored by emotion. (Apple Dictionary)
- A belief differs from an opinion or a view in that it is not necessarily the creation of the person who holds it; the emphasis here is on the mental acceptance of an idea, a proposition, or a doctrine and on the assurance of its truth (religious beliefs). (Apple Dictionary)
(10) Contending Is Not Contentiousness
We Either Contend for or Get Compromised regarding The Essentials of True Christian Faith
Rom 14:5b Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
This insinuates we should not be trying to force people to agree with our convictions and choices.
Rom 14:1 1…But not to quarrel nor pass judgment over “opinions. (self-based reasoning which can be confused and prejudiced.)
2 Timothy 2:14 – NLT Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting (quarreling/wrangling/stive) over WORDS (to be disputatious on trifles — strive about words). Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
2 Timothy 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
5One person esteems (considers, regards, makes what for them is an intelligent comparison and contrast based on God’s word) one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike.
(11) ROMANS 14: 5 Contend over Essentials not Expressions
Contend over essentials not expressions
- Faithfulness Severs Us from sin in the camp
- 1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT) —Fight the good fight (contest, a struggle in the soul) for the true faith. hold tightly (to take or seize, sometimes with beneficent and sometimes with hostile intent) to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.
- 1 Timothy 1:18 NLT — Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles (a campaign, expedition, military service of Christian warfare).
- 1 Tim 1: 18-20 18This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
(12) Let’s give grace to those truly in the faith to let them serve god their way
- Let’s give grace to those truly in the faith to let them serve god their way
- 7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live (experience God’s gift of life and thriving) to the Lord, and if we die, we die (separation with divine closure to bring what naturally follows.) to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’
- 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be lord (ruling authority and owner with full dominion and lordship over this jurisdiction) both of the dead and of the living.
(13) Geese Get It Right! 
Like geese we too can coordinate effectively by ..:
By working together each goose flies 71% farther! So the effect of the coordination is plus 1.71 x the number of geese in the flock.
The lead goose is the “windbreaker.” When fatigued he/she drops to the rear where the lift of the other birds makes flying much easier.
The geese honk to encourage each other, especially the wind breaker.
If one is injured, two drop down with it, to protect and nurture it. Once able to fly they work together to catch up with the flock.
- fulfilling our roles while remaining in formation
- accomplishing more by working together than any of us can do alone
- uplifting those around you
- enjoying the team’s support
- working hard together
- enjoying the camaraderie and protection of the group
The 3-D Leader: pages 244-245
(14) These 4-R’s Help Teams Transition to Triumph
Realize what your convictions & style choices are
Respond appropriately to other’s convictions & choices
Respect their views and how they process information, and what influences their choices.
Reconcile when we fail to meet all of each other’s expectations.
(15) Let’s Pray that God ReAwakens, ReInvigorates & ReEstablish Us in Our Calls In Christ!
Let’s Pray:
God may grant us the grace to faithfully
fulfill Your plan for us to participate in faithful, friendly, flexible fellowship
Luke 10: 27 27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Matt 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Mark 12:30 30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [email-download-link namefield=”YES” id=”362″]
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