Disputable Matters Romans 14 - 15 I have had people argue with me about Politics Country Chocolate They want me to change my mind about disputable matters

Religious fads – Vegetarians Religious concern – Market meat The Setting Religious fads – Vegetarians Religious concern – Market meat Mixed company – Jewish food laws Is one day holier? What about what we drink?

Romans 14 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

This person may be early in their faith First, do not judge This person may be early in their faith Fragile in their faith There is no harm

5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

It is not our place to judge why people do what they do Second, do not judge It is not our place to judge why people do what they do We do not know the reasons God is the judge

14 …I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself 14 …I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

If your faith allows you more freedom, do not flaunt it Third, do not judge If your faith allows you more freedom, do not flaunt it Do not cause people distress Be kind and understanding

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Anyway, says the apostle, it is all about righteousness (Faith) Fourth, do not judge Anyway, says the apostle, it is all about righteousness (Faith) And remember The righteous will live by faith

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.

Keep your opinions to yourself Fifth, do not judge Keep your opinions to yourself Do what you believe – what your faith convicts you to do We do not all have to agree on everything Each one of us must own our relationship with God

Romans 15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus…

Remember Jesus was patient with you Sixth, do not judge Remember Jesus was patient with you In order to bring us together and make us one One church with Jews and Gentiles

15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Then Paul says to this mostly Jewish congregation in Rome Seventh, do not judge Then Paul says to this mostly Jewish congregation in Rome My calling is to the Gentiles Faith, grace, mercy and redemption Do not judge by old standards

Then, an illustration is used A practical application Did you know? The Gentiles are raising funds to help the saints in Jerusalem This is one way we care for each other

24 …I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

He ends these thoughts with a simple request Pray for me 30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Putting it all together It is not our calling to judge one another Judging assumes we actually know something We are called to welcome and love

Putting it all together A vibrant church has diversity of all kinds We are not robots We have opinions and tastes we can live in unity with diversity

Putting it all together Judging others takes energy and time It can consume us or make us feel superior We are called to do something useful We need to get our hands dirty

We notice differences and want to point them out But since we do not know the whole story We might want to keep our thoughts between us and God And use that time and energy to do something useful for the benefit of the church