Disciples and Disagreements Rom. 14:1; 15:7

Strong and Weak Rom. 14:1-15:7 In some areas all are weak (1 Jn. 1:8) Christ died for the weak (Rom. 5:6); can we cry for them? What do you think of Noah, Abraham, David, Peter, Barnabas? (Gal. 2:11-13)

What is Strong and Weak? Not “matters of indifference” – to whom? (Maybe to God – but not to men!) Not things clearly immoral (1 Cor. 6:9,10) Not necessarily strong because you have the strictest rules (Rom. 14) Not congregational – worship or work (May disagree and not divide.)

Receive those God Receives The strong not to despise the weak; the weak not judge the strong (14:1-4) “Therefore, one must resist the temptation to exercise judgment in relation to God’s servant in his standing with God. This is the point at which some brethren are. They have difficulty distinguishing between ‘receiving a person,’…and in not accepting a point of view which he holds, which one believes is incorrect” (Hamilton, p. 749). We have unity & diversity!

Christ is Lord The strong and weak – have same heart (14:5-9). My conscience is not everyone’s guide. Different from Gal. 4:10,11 – false teachers binding the Law (Gal. 1:6,7; 3:1-5) Different from factious – could be true of strong or weak (Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10,11)

Christ is the Judge Neither should show contempt for the other – You are not the judge (14:10-13) Each will give account for himself – but not put stumbling block in the way (14:13; 1 Cor. 8:8-11; 10:27-31)

Disciples Edify One Another Grieve – means willfully does what he believes to be wrong (14:14-23) Kingdom is not meat and drink – don’t major on minors (Mt. 23:23,24). Romans could have bogged down with meats and days (hobby-horse)

Seek Peace Fight the devil – not one another, 14:19-21 We cannot borrow another’s convictions, 14:22,23 Do not please self – consider example of Christ, 15:1-7

Conclusion Bear with the scruples of the weak…edify one another – be like-minded toward one another – glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God (Rom. 15:1-7)