I wrote this sermon for Methods of Bible Exposition at Bob Jones University on April 19, 2002.
FCF – Christians are inclined to unnecessary conflicts over unclear issues.
Proposition – Because Christ is Lord, you must deal charitably with other Christians.
I. Because Christ is Lord, you must avoid foolish judgment of others (1–4).
A. You must accept those with lower standards than yours (1–3a).
1. Some people limit themselves from certain acceptable things.
2. Example: Some eat only vegetables.
B. You must not criticize those with higher standards than yours (3b-4).
1. Some people allow certain questionable things.
2. Example: Some eat all foods.
II. Because Christ is Lord, you must exercise wise judgment of yourself (5–9).
A. You must be convinced of your freedom (5).
1. It must be an individual decision.
2. It must be a certain decision.
B. You must be concerned for God’s glory (6–9).
1. You must give thanks for your freedom.
2. You must submit to God’s Lordship.
III. Because Christ is Lord, you must expect certain judgment by Christ (10–12).
A. All will give account to God (10–11).
B. Each individual will give account to God (12).
Scripture Introduction: Turn in your Bibles this evening to Romans 14. We will be considering verses 1–12. Here in this passage Paul deals with the difficult subject of differences in the body of Christ. There are certain things in the Bible that are clear, and there are other things that are not quite as clear. God has intentionally not told us explicitly what to do and not to do in certain areas. Some Christians have certain views on what is acceptable, while others Christians regard those same things as unacceptable. How are these two groups to get along where there are differences of opinion? This passage addresses a need that each of you face on a regular basis, for there are both people with stricter standards and people with looser standards than what you have. You must know how to deal with both of these groups in a God-honoring way. Look with me into this passage and pray that God will show you how you can more biblically relate with those who differ from you in the body of Christ. Follow along closely in your Bible as we read our passage together, Romans 14:1–12:
“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, ‘AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.’ So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Let’s all pray together now and ask for God’s help and blessing upon our time in His Word. Dear Father….
Sermon Introduction: Did you ever wonder why there was so much conflict and divisions in churches? The following story illustrates why. There was a man and his wife who were a youth worker’s many years ago in an ethnic community at a church that had Scandinavian roots. Being a rather forward-looking and creative young man, he decided he would show the youth group a missionary film. We’re talking simple, safe, black-and-white religious film. That film projector hadn’t been off an hour before a group of the leaders in the church called him in and asked him about what he had done. Apparently he had done something that he was not supposed to do. How do you think this situation was handled? In Christian love and maturity? Well, they asked, “Did you show the young people a film?” In all honesty he responded, “Well, yeah, I did.” “We don’t like that,” they replied. Without trying to be argumentative, the youth worker reasoned, “Well, I remember that at the last missionary conference, our church showed slides.” One of the church officers put his hand up signaling him to cease talking. Then, in these words, he emphatically explained the conflict: “If it’s still, fine. If it moves, sin!” You can show slides, but when they start moving, you’re getting into sin” (sermonillustrations.com). Sadly enough, this situation is not the exception, but the rule in many churches today. You see, these types of divisions and debates are all too common in the church because Christians are inclined to unnecessary conflicts over unclear issues. But this is not new today. These same types of problems existed in Paul’s day. And just as Paul gave the answer to the Christians in Rome hundreds of years ago, the same answer is still available for us today. The way for us to biblically respond to these differences is to realize the truth and obey the exhortations of this passage. Because Christ is Lord, you must deal charitably with other Christians.
I. Because Christ is Lord, you must avoid foolish judgment of others (1–4).
Illustration: This past summer, I was a part of a mission trip to Eastern Europe. While we were in Latvia, we had the opportunity to work with a national pastor and his wife. One week, we were able to go help out with a camp in southern Latvia. That week was quite a learning experience for us. There were many things that we were not quite used to: the food was a little different and the living facilities were less than we were accustomed to, among many other things. For their evening services, they had men come in who shared their salvation testimonies. Many of these men were converted in prison or from another lifestyle of sin. The most difficult difference that we faces was probably the music. Most of the songs were not ones that we were familiar with, nor were they styles that we were entirely comfortable with. Daily they played songs of a worship and praise style—music that was in the direction of what we would call CCM. We were faced with a very difficult decision—how would we respond to this? We could have made a big deal about it and asked them not to play their music. We could have refused to take part in the services. But wisdom lead us to consider the nature of the issue, the cultural differences, and the maturity of the people. We decided not to make an issue out of it, and not to look down upon them for a different standard in this area. In the same way, you must strive to deal in love and tolerance with those who differ with you in areas where Scripture is not explicit and clear (personal experience).
Application: God wants you to deal in Christian love with those who differ with you on non-essential issues. In order to do this, it is vitally important that you know the Scripture—what is clear and what is not. You must be able to determine where Scripture has left things ambiguous, where good people disagree. And you must decide that you will not look down on others with lower standards or accuse of legalism those with higher standards. Maybe at work you have a fellow employee who has some slightly different standards of dress and conduct. He will occasionally go to a theater with his family, or wear more casual clothing to the church where he goes. You are inclined to think of him as being inferior spiritually. But God has accepted him, and you must as well. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that your standards make you right with God. Maybe for you it is some other family here in the church. You regard them as being legalistic for their standards. Maybe it is the other way around. Your standards are higher than most, and you become judgmental of others—here in our assembly, in an assembly across town, or a family member. God says that this must not go on. You must recognize that God accepts his children, even if they differ with you on matters of preference. You must accept them. Ask God for the grace to not look down on or judge others.
Transition: Not only must you be kind in your dealing with a brother who differs, but you must also make sure that you are personally right before God in what you allow and let others be as well.
II. Because Christ is Lord, you must exercise wise judgment of yourself (5–9).
Illustration: In recent years I have been invited to play in a three-on-three basketball tournament that comes to our town each summer. I played in it years ago with some friends and had a fun time. The tournament is a two-day event, and costs about $20 per player. It is a big event in our town; hundreds of teams sign up to play in many different divisions divided up by age and skill level. I enjoy basketball very much and would love to have played, but the primary problem is that the tournament is held on Saturday and Sunday. My own personal persuasion is that this is not how I should be spending my Sundays. But how should I respond? I could tell them they were wrong for playing and probably get into a sinful argument, or I could go ahead and play in order to avoid making them feel badly. Responding to this type of situation can be very difficult. So I had to kindly decline, because I could not act against what my conscience would allow, yet without pointing a finger at those who may have differed with me on their conviction in this area. As difficult as this may be, we all need to seek God’s grace to find the right balance in responding to similar types of situations. He can help you in the most difficult circumstances to respond biblically (personal experience).
Application: God wants you to respond with personal conviction in what you think the Word allows and disallows. Vitally important though is that you distinguish between the clear teaching of Scripture and the application from principles of Scripture. How will you respond when you are put in a compromising situation where you are asks to do something that you have a personal conviction against. There are two extremes that you must avoid: doing it to avoid offending the brother even if your conscience does not allow for it, and refusing to do it with a judgmental attitude. God requires charity in all such situations. Maybe this week you will be faced with such a choice. Another Christian brother from your workplace asks you to join him for lunch. He wants to take you to eat in a restaurant that clearly has a bar-like atmosphere. You were saved from this type of lifestyle and have strong convictions against even going into such a place. How will you respond? God requires that you not sin against your conscience, but he also requires that you not condemn others who have a different position on the matter. You must seek God’s grace to respond with the right balance. Maybe you will be invited to go to a fitness center that has coed workout areas, maybe you will be invited to go to a contemporary Christian music concert, or maybe you will be asked to go spend the weekend at the lake with another family where you will be missing church. Whatever the situation, you need the wisdom and grace of God to know how to respond in a right way in order to please God.
Transition: This kindness in your dealing with a brother who differs, and personal accountability finds its ultimate motivation in the future account that each will give to God.
III. Because Christ is Lord, you must expect certain judgment by Christ (10–12).
Illustration: I heard an interesting story one time that illustrates this point. When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t know she was in line for the throne of England. No one ever told her. They wanted to wait until they thought she was ready to handle such an important matter. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future, were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She was not responsible, and she just didn’t take her studies seriously. Finally, her teachers decided to tell her that one day she would become the queen of England. How do you think that she ended up responding to this information? Imagine that you were told this. What would be your response? Well, upon hearing this news, Victoria quietly said, “Then I will be good.” The realization that she had inherited this high calling gave her a sense of responsibility that profoundly affected her conduct from then on. In the same way, the believer should be greatly influenced by the fact that one day he must stand before God and give an account to Him for the actions and attitudes of his life while here on earth (sermonillustrastions.com).
Application: As Queen Victoria came to realize that a sense of ones accountability requires a certain response by the way she lived, so you must grasp the truth that one day you will personally and individually give account to God for your life. You will not give account for anyone else, and no one else will give account for you. As you deal with issues of conviction, standards, or preferences, realize that you are to do so with a view toward God and giving account to Him for your motives and your beliefs concerning your Christian freedom. This week, you will most likely have some contact with other believers here in our assembly. Maybe their views will differ with yours on dress standards. You may be inclined to be judgmental or critical of them when you pass them in the grocery store. But, as long as no clear issue of modesty is being broken, God wants you to deal with them in love. He wants you to not look down on them for a lower or higher standard. Maybe it will be a conflict about what they allow their children to do, what they watch on TV, what should or shouldn’t be done on Sunday. Whatever the non-essential issues that may come up this week, you must realize your individual accountability before God. And you must remind yourself that everyone else will individually give account of himself to God. Ask God for grace to focus on your own accountability and leave others to God where the differences are not issues of clear biblical teaching.
Conclusion: So as we have seen, God desires that you deal charitably with each other in areas of differing convictions, accepting those with higher or lower standards, having your own convictions before the Lord with a desire to please him, and keeping in mind the future judgment seat of Christ where everyone will individually give an account to God. Many of you are familiar with the great men of the past, John Wesley and George Whitefield. These men were very influential in England for the cause of the gospel. They preached and worked together and saw the Lord move in some very powerful ways. But in spite of their closeness in their early days, there were some major differences in theological beliefs. Whitefield struggled intensely with these differences, trying to determine the seriousness of the nature of their disagreements. Both were genuine, godly Christian men, but they differed on the issues relating to God’s role in salvation as it relates to man’s. Both men had strong convictions in these areas. There was much interchange between them to seek to persuade the other to the biblical position. But how do you think these men responded to their difference, as big as they were? In our day we can only imagine an angry conflict and intense division that would not honor God. But these men responded to each other in such a spirit of love and Christlikeness, even though they held their positions so strongly. Though in ministry they had to go different directions, they remained close personal friends—so close that John preached George’s funeral sermon. In the same way that these two men were able to remain close personal friends in spite of their doctrinal differences, you must seek to deal in a Christlike way with those who differ with you. Commit yourself today, first of all, to determine the nature of your disagreements with others, and then to respond in a loving Christ-honoring way in light of the fact that Christ is the Lord of His people. Seek God’s grace to show charity to those you may differ with you in areas of preference and personal standards. This is what God requires of you today. Will you obey Him?
WBC – Dunn
Lenski
BECNT – Schreiner
EBC
NICNT – Moo
PNTC – Fee