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Rom 244 - Unity in Diversity Part Two - Rom 14:13-23
 
We are STILLLLL flying out of the Launch Pad of Rom 12:1-2
I think I've said it every msg since our Rom 12:1-2 msgs
Because Everything we’ve taught since those "Be Transformed" msg's have been based on Rom 12:1-2
 
Which calls to: 1) Present EVERY Part of our Lives as An Offering to God 2) Be Transformed by the renewing of our minds
 
We’ve had 5 msgs so far based on Rom 12:1-2
Including last wks msg - “Unity in Diversity – Part 1” where we looked at the 1st half of Rom 14
 
& remember from last week - the context of Rom Ch 14 is the non-essentials of the Christian life
 
& specifically – how we are to treat one another in the non-essential areas
 
In Pt 1 of this msg - last week - we tried to make this adaptation of that old church saying - very clear
 
In Essentials - UNITY In Non-essentials - DIVERSITY In All things - LOVE
 
& then we made it clear that in these msgs we are ONLY talking about the Non-Essentials
 
Because it's almost always in the non-essentials where most church conflict happens
 
& so in the Non-essentials - Paul taught us 3 Critical truths that are mandatory
if we are to maintain unity in diversity
 
#1) We must genuinely accept other believers w/o disputing over the non-essentials#2) Two Christians can disagree on non-essential issues & still both be right w/ God#3) The foundation for our Unity must be the Lordship of Jesus Christ
& to put this all in perspective Paul closed last wk - w/ the picture of the BEMA SEAT
Where every Christian will answer for our own actions only – & no one else’s
Now - starting in v.13 Paul changes his teaching focus slightly
The 1st half of Ch 14 - dealt w/ the TRUTH of unity in diversity The 2nd half of Ch 14 - deals w/ how to APPLY these truths
In other words - How does it look when we are Living in - Unity IN Diversity
Let’s Pray
 
Paul starts this section w/ a summary statement
Rom 14:13 - ESV13 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.
Man - The Holy Spirit starts out strong in this section
When this Vs starts - "THEREFORE' - it means;
Because of the truths in the 1st half of Ch 14 We Must Not Judge one another any longer
But rather – let this be your Commitment; to NEVER put a stumbling block, or hindrance, in the way of a brother (or sister)
Now - Paul's choice of words here are very revealing
The word for stumbling block means “something carelessly left about, over which someone stumbles”
He could have used a different word - for “OBSTACLE” which means something purposely placed in a person's way
But he used “stumbling block” - Because most often we do this type of damage CARELESSLY - don’t we?
 
Now - in the next two vs’s - Paul explains what he means by putting a "Stumbling Block" (hindrance) in your brothers way
Rom 14:14 - ESV14 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.
Look carefully at the 1st half of this Vs. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself
We know - from last week - Paul is using food as an example of a non-essential
& we know that what we do or don’t eat certainly is not what defiles us - right ?
In Mark 7:15 Jesus said - NLT15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”
But now – let’s RE-read the 2nd half of Rom 14:14 but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean
So even though a non-essential (like food) is not spiritually clean or unclean - in & of itself
HOWEVER - If a person believes that it is unclean then to that person - it is unclean
Which MUST dictate OUR actions regarding that non-essential when we are with that person
Watch - in V.15 – Paul is going to make this very clear
That OTHER believers feelings toward a Non-Essential DICTATES how WE should act regarding that issue
Let's read - Just the FIRST HALF of Rom 14:15
Rom 14:15 (A) - ESV15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. . .
Even tho the food in & of itself is neither GOOD nor BAD
IF your brother is grieved by YOU eating it then you are no longer walking in love
That Non-Essential item may actually be a "Neutral" matter
But suddenly - You exercising your Liberty to eat it has caused you to sin against your fellow believer
One of my favorite sayings to my kids growing up was the same truth Paul is teaching here
So - here’s the "Dave Version" of this truth“If a person feels offended by you then you’ve offended them!”“If a person feels hurt by you – then you’ve hurt them!”
 
& our kids learned that real well ESPECIALLY when they were the ones HURT"Dad, remember if I FEEL hurt, then David hurt me!"
Rom 14:15 (A) - ESV15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. . .
EVEN THO - What you eat is actually a NON-ESSENTIAL issue
As we learn to WALK in the Agape love of Christ,
Then in the area of the Non-Essentials it's how we effect the other person that matters
Because God is calling us to NEVER put a Stumbling Block, or Hindrance, in the way of another believer - AMEN ?
So the question is NOT do I have the Liberty to do this certain thing
The question is – am I offending my brother by doing this
& if I am – then V.15 says I am no longer walking in love
The absolute key to handling the non-essential issues is walking in the love of Christ toward others
 
God’s agape love is the filter that we must pour each of our actions through
Like a water filter that only allows pure water to flow thru it Our agape LOVE FILTER should only allow what is EDIFYING (or building up) to flow thru it
If we will COMMIT to do that then we will not DAMAGE or even Spiritually DESTROY the one for whom Christ died
Does that sound a bit - over-dramatic - - ??
Well - let's just read the 2nd half of v.15
Rom 14:15b - ESV. . . By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
This word DESTROY is a Dramatic Word isn’t it ?
It means LIT - ‘the loss of spiritual well-being’ or to be “spiritually destitute”
You wouldn’t want to make another believer SPIRITUALLY DESTITUTE - would you ?
We’ve got to resolve before God
to never destroy another believer’s ‘spiritual well being’ or damage them spiritually
by exercising our liberty in some non-essential area
In all that we do we must be bound to one another - by our LOVE which brings - Perfect Harmony !
Col 3:14 says - ESV14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Our LOVE is to BIND us together in UNITY - AMEN?
& as a final HAMMER on this point Vs.16 really drives it home
Rom 14:16 - ESV16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
Paul says look - Don’t let your FAITH (what you regard as good) be spoken of AS EVIL
Meaning - if you're "Strong in Faith" & have Liberty in the Non-Essentials
But your actions IF the Non-Essentials are causing another believer to STUMBLE
Then what you regard as GOOD (your strong faith) is going to be spoken of - as EVIL - - See it ?
 
SO - Let's REVIEW
# 1) - We are not to carelessly put a Stumbling Block in another believer's path - causing them to stumble# 2) - We are not to Destroy someone's Spiritual Well-Being by our actions in the Non-Essentials& now # 3) We are to live Focused on the eternal things of the Kingdom of God
Rom 14:17 - ESV17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The Christian life is really not about the non-essential things it’s about the essential things of the Kingdom of God
We’re prone to think that the Kingdom of God is about a list of Do's & Don'ts
Which is what the Pharisees believed & they made MAJOR deals - out of MINOR things
& all of the things - they made MAJOR were external & temporal things
But the Kingdom of God is not mainly about the External & Temporal things
The Kingdom of God is mainly about the Internal & Eternal things
 
As Paul says in v.17;For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [Externals & Temporals],but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [Internals & Eternals]
Let's look at these 3 Internals & Eternals
The 1st INTERNAL of the Kingdom of God that Paul lists is Righteousness
God’s righteousness is what radically transforms our lives
We receive God’s righteousness thru FAITH in Jesus Christ
& then - as we allow God’s righteousness to RULE in our lives,It produces in us A desire to Know Jesus better & better A desire to Live for the things of God A desire to Be Transformed into the image of Christ
Jesus said in the Beatitudes in Mat 5:66 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Keeping Score" in the Non-Essentials will NEVER Satisfy us
But a Genuine Hunger & Thirst for the Righteousness of God THAT really will satisfy us
Psa 42:1-2 says - NLT  
Psa 42:1-2 says - NLT1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?
THAT is what we need to be worried about
& as that Hunger & Thirst for Righteousness becomes a real part of our lives
THEN - His PEACE also becomes a real part of our lives
Again – Rom 14:17 says;17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace . . .
This is the Supernatural Peace that comes from Jesus Christ alone
In John 14:27 - Jesus said - ESV27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
This is the Peace that comes from the Holy Spirit Living & Ruling in your life
Phil 4:7 says - ESV7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I promise you - If you will Hunger & Thirst for the Righteousness of God
Then the Peace of God will become part of our life
& then - You will have the Joy of God - in the Holy Spirit
One more time - Rom 14:17 - ESV17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
in Jn 15:11 Jesus said (speaking of Abiding in Him) - ESV11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The natural outcome of Living IN the Righteousness of God - & Living IN the Peace of God, Is being filled WITH the Joy of God - in the Holy Spirit
We have got to stop focusing on the Temporal & Non-EssentialWe have got to focus on the Eternal & Essential things
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
 
AND . . . IF we will; Focus on Living in the Righteousness of God Focus on Living in the Peace of God Focus on Living in the Joy of God
Then watch what happens
Rom 14:18 - ESV18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
If we will truly seek after the Essential & Eternal things of God
THEN - Our lives will be "Acceptable to God" & "Approved by those around us"
Now that's a GOOD way to live - isn’t it ?
Just like Mat 6:33 says - ESV33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
So 1st – Paul told us - not to put a stumbling block in the way of another believer
2nd - We're must not Spiritually DAMAGE another believer by our actions in the Non-Essential areas
3rd – We are to live focused on the eternal things of the Kingdom of God
Now 4th – We are to pursue the things that bring peace & edification
Rom 14:1919 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding [edification].
Think about it . . .What are you focused on when you're dealing w/ other believers?
Are you focused on being right ? Are you focused on making your point getting your opinion across
We naturally focus on these things – Don't we ?
But - as usual, God's ways are Exactly OPPOSITE of Our ways
God says - lay ALL THAT aside & focus on what will make peace instead
We naturally focus on what BUILDS US UP God says focus on what BUILDS THEM UP
& really - The Transformation Moment occurs in our lives
The moment we truly ACCEPT & BELIEVE that God's ways are Truly Better than Our ways
Guys - God TRULY KNOWS how we should live
& He says;  
& He says; “Don’t worry about being right" "Worry about seeking peace instead”
& He’s says; “Don’t worry about yourself " "Worry about seeking what’s best for the other person"
& I promise you there’s one thing absolutely constant w/ God
That is - When God tells us what is best for us
If we will obey Him Our lives will grow by leaps & bounds – for the good
& if we disobey Him - We will continue to reap the consequences of doing things our own way !
Now – in vs’s 20-21 Paul RESTATES his whole point again !
Rom 14:20-21 - ESV20 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.21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
These Vs's are SO CLEAR, aren't they ?
If we are doing anything that is stumbling, or offending, or hurting another believer
We have got to REPENT of that - quick fast & in a hurry
We need to ask God to forgive us & then ask that brother or sister to forgive us
& if we will obey God in this – I promise, we will grow In God’s Righteousness In God's Peace - & In God's Joy
Don’t destroy the work of God over some Non-Essential !Don’t make your brother stumble over some Non-Essential !
 
In closing, Paul counsels to two types of believers regarding these non-essential issues
He goes back to the "Strong in Faith" & the "Weak in Faith" that we saw last msg
In v.22 he addresses the believer who is “Strong in faith"
Rom 14:22 - ESV22 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.
Paul's certainly NOT suggesting we keep our faith in God to ourselves
He’s saying  
He’s saying - if you are Strong in Faith in these non-essential issues
Keep it between Yourself & God - & be blessed
Why? – Because your Commitment - is to not be divisive on these matters - but to bring peace & edification instead
Then in v.23 he addresses the one he calls “Weak in Faith"
Rom 14:23 - ESV23 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.
The NLT translates v.23 this way;23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
Remember – the context here is the non-essentials in the Christian life
Paul's saying - if you believe a non-essential issue is wrong & you do it anywayThen to you that action is a sin
Even tho for someone else that same action may not be a sin
Guys - we have got to take these non-essential matters before God
& we have got to be thoroughly convinced before God of what we should do
& then we have got to do that out of faith as a commitment between you & God
& THEN - whatever your commitment is on that Non-Essential matter
We MUST NOT Look Down on - or Judge - another believer who doesn’t hold the same conviction as we do on those NON-ESSENTIAL issues
 
FOUR big lessons today1) Do not be a Stumbling Block to those around us2) Do not Spiritually Damage another believer by your actions3) Live focused on the Eternal Things of the Kingdom of God4) Pursue Peace & Edification of the brethren
This is what UNITY in DIVERSITY - Looks like
Let’s Pray