Sermon By:

Pastor Bob Paquet

UNITY IN THE CHURCH - Part 2

Romans 14:13-23 (Part 2 of 2)

Liberty is Not License

If you really like today’s sermon, you need to come back, because you probably won’t like next week’s. If you get upset today, I think I can be your
friend again next week. This is a two part message and you need to hear both parts to get a balanced view.

Last Week

T.R. Glover said, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might - but remember that someone thinks differently.”

When we come to the cross we find it has a great leveling effect - we are all in desperate need of the grace of God.

SOME THINGS ARE RIGHT

SOME THINGS ARE WRONG

SOME THINGS DON’T MATTER
(They are between the believer and God)

SOME ARE STRONG IN THE FAITH

ALL WHO PROFESS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR ARE...

ACCEPTED BY THE LORD

BELONG TO THE LORD

WILL BE JUDGED BY THE LORD

Romans 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
 has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

What God desires is not uniformity of opinion but unity of relationship.

Our Task?

To learn to live in peace with one another without compromising our own basic convictions

Augustine said, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things love.”

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephes. 2:10)

A “weak” believer can be spiritually strong

When he leaves judgment of the “strong” believer to the Lord

When he chooses his standards rationally rather than borrowing them from his culture

When he refuses to violate his conscience, yet allows it to be educated by the Word of God

A “strong” believer can be spiritually weak

When he looks down on the “weak” believer

When he borrows his standards from his culture

When his “rights” become his highest priority

When he lacks discernment in the use of his freedom

When he tries to force the “weak” believer’s conscience

Some characteristics of a spiritually “strong” strong believer
He accepts the “weak” believer and treats him with respect
He gets his personal standards and convictions from the Word of God
His highest priority is the profit and edification of the Church
He is willing to limit his freedom whenever necessary
When a Biblical principle is at stake in his lifestyle choice
Rom 13:14; 1 Pet 2:11; Phil 4:8
When he cannot conscientiously thank God for his choice and glorify God in it
1 Cor 10:30-31

When his choice has a strong possibility of becoming habit forming
1 Cor 6:12)

When his choice may be physically harmful and thus limit his service to the Lord or to his family
1 Cor 6: 19-20

When his choice is obnoxious to others and hinders his testimony
1 Cor 10:23-24

When the authority he is under restricts his choice
Eph 6:1

When his choice has a strong likelihood of causing a “weak” believer to stumble
Rom 14: 13-23; 1 Cor 8:11; 1 Cor 8:7

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves
Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” (Rom 14:17)

If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

He died to free you from yourself and from the slavery of sin and his gift of salvation has set you free to serve others. Return to TOP