ROMANS LESSON FOURTEEN

MAINTAINING FELLOWSHIP WHEN BRETHREN DIFFER OVER MATTERS INDIFFERENT WITH GOD (Romans 14:1-15:7).  In this chapter we deal with the problem of eating or not eating meat.  In I Corinthians 8 and 10: Paul warns about eating meats sacrificed to idols.  In chapter 14 of Romans, it seems that it refers also to eating meat that the OT law declared unclean.

MAINTAINING FELLOWSHIP WHEN BRETHREN DIFFER OVER MATTERS INDIFFERENT WITH GOD (Romans 14:1-15:7). A. Receive those weak in the faith – weak not to judge those strong in the faith (v.1-6). Weakness in faith consisted in doubts of our liberties: eating meat. This weakness is not talking about the truths in Christ.

We are talking about matters of liberties We are right with God as long as our liberties do not interfere with our/others faith or obedience. We cannot force our liberties upon others. 1. Matters of eating meats or eating only herbs. (v. 1-4)

 “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” (I Tim. 4:1-5)

 “This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.” (Titus 1:13- 16)  This is drawing lines of fellowship on the basis of their selfish liberties.

 Peter was once guilty of this and Paul confronted him (Galatians 2:11-14)  “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.”  “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called A brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.” (I Cor. 5:11)  In essence Peter had withdrawn fellowship with them.

In our Liberty as Christians:  There are things we MUST do.  There are things we MUST NOT do.  There are things that we are at LIBERTY to do.  Paul said “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” (I Cor. 6:12)  “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify” (I Cor. 10:23)

Liberty vs Matters of faith Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To worship twice on Sunday  Matters of Faith  To Worship on the Sabbath.

Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To support individually colleges that are run by brethren. Or any other human institution.  Matters of Faith  To support colleges that are run by brethren with the Lords money. Or any other human institution.

Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To work with a preacher who graduates from said college.  Matters of Faith  To rely on the colleges to produce preachers or to only consider those who have graduated from these colleges.

Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To dress up on Halloween and trick-or-treat.  Faith  To uphold the Wiccan religion

Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To get together on X-mas and exchange gifts (taking the religion out of x-mas)  Faith  To have a religious celebration of x- mas, complete with saints and statues, carols and the whole nine yards.

Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To dress with tie and coat.  Faith  To force someone to dress in tie or coat, and if he does not then we consider him sinful (The Bible only teaches to bring the best to the Lord).

Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To say “it is better for women to wear dresses rather than pants. (decent, not skin tight or revealing).  Faith  To say that if a woman wears any kind of pants, she is going to hell.

Liberty vs Matters of faith  Liberty  To say that it is good to read magazine articles written by brethren.  Faith  To draw lines of fellowship depending on what magazine you read or support.

MAINTAINING FELLOWSHIP WHEN BRETHREN DIFFER OVER MATTERS INDIFFERENT WITH GOD (Romans 14:1-15:7). 2. Matters of observing certain days or not observing days. (v.5) 3. One must be fully convinced in own mind with practice. (v.6)

B. Each man is subject to and will be judged by the Lord (v.7-12). C. Those strong in the faith regarding meats must not put a stumbling block in front of brother’s way (v.13-23). 1. Meats unclean to the one who still considers them unclean. (v.13-14) 2. Refrain from eating meats or drinking wine if the practice causes a brother to stumble. (v )

The Main Idea: Love One Another  All of the problems discussed in this lesson have occurred for lack of loving one another. (current or in ancient times)  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (Jn. 13:34)

Love is well known by it’s actions  “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.” (I Cor. 13:4)

Love Compels us to:  Be kindly affectionate to one another (devoted to one another) Rom. 12:10.  Care for one another (I Cor. 12:25-27).  Exhort and stimulate one another (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24).  Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-3; James 5:9).  Confide in one another to be healed from sin (James 5:16)  Tolerate one another (Eph. 4:2, 31-32; Col. 3:13).  Serve one another (Gal. 5:13-14).

This idea is within the context of the book of Romans.  “Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:9-18)

D. Christ’s example in unselfishly helping the weak (15:1-7). 1. Christ pleased others by looking to their interests, not his own. 2. Brethren to receive one another as Christ received them.