Romans 14:2-4

 

Romans 14:2-4

For God is Able to Make Him Stand

 

Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

 

1. The Great Division – vs. 2
1. There are those that feel free to exercise their Christian liberty in a particular area

                                                              i.      Paul often condemned those that wanted to put others in subjection to their own strict, personal rules

1.      Galatians 2:11-16 

2. There are those that are weaker in the faith and feel the need to practice special discipline in a particular area. Those disciplines can be called convictions or standards.

                                                              i.      Paul often showed deference to those that followed the Levitical laws and would often personally participate with them in their practices.

1.      Acts 21:21-26 

2. The Consequences of the Great Division – vs. 3
1. One brother may be convinced that certain foods are harmful, and another believes they are fine. The important thing is that we treat each other equally and with respect.

                                                              i.      The person with the lower (or less strict) standard should not despise the one with the higher (or stricter) standard.

1.      1 Corinthians 8:8-13 

                                                            ii.      The person with the higher (or stricter) standard should not judge the one with the lower (or less strict) standard.

1.      Colossians 2:16-18 

2. Whether you are the believer with the stricter standards or the believer with the less strict standards you are embraced by God.

                                                              i.      Romans 8:31-34 

3. The Resolution to the Great Division – vs. 4
1. The answer to this great problem in the church is to look every man on his own things and not worry about solving your brother’s problems. Paul gives us three things to remember to help us when this kind of conflict arises.

                                                              i.      You are not your brother’s judge

1.      James 4:11-12 

                                                            ii.      The success of your brother’s walk in Christ is not dependent on you

1.      1 Peter 1:5 

                                                          iii.      God is the one who leads and guides your brother

1.      Jude 1:24-25 

Romans 14:1

 

Romans 14:1

Embrace those that are Weak in the Faith with Love

 Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

1. There are Those that are Weak in the Faith
1. Everyone has the same Holy Spirit

                                                              i.      1 John 2:20 

2. Not everyone is mature in the following areas – there is levels of maturity in the faith

                                                              i.      Trained talent

1.      Ephesians 4:11-12 

                                                            ii.      Temperament

                                                          iii.      Discipline

1.      1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

                                                          iv.      Experience in the Body of Christ

1.      Galatians 3:1-3 

                                                            v.      Teaching we have received

1.      1 Corinthians 3:1-3 

2. We are to Embrace the Struggling
1. The instruction here is not to simply tolerate, but to embrace, with our hearts, those that might not be as mature as us

                                                              i.      Matthew 18:1-6 

3. Learn the Difference Between Dialogue and Debate
1. Dialogue is only for believers. When dealing with those that are teaching heresy a stronger stance is necessary.

                                                              i.      2 John 1:9-11 

2. Debate

                                                              i.      Seeks victory at any cost

                                                            ii.      Starts with the assumption you are completely right

                                                          iii.      Seeks to humiliate the opponent

                                                          iv.      Is not interested in truth

                                                            v.      Has no desire to learn

3. Dialogue

                                                              i.      Seeks the betterment of all involved

                                                            ii.      Seeks to elevate others

                                                          iii.      Starts with the assumption there maybe something you need to learn

                                                          iv.      Seeks to grow in the truth

4. All dialogue should have this as its end goal

                                                              i.      Ephesians 4:15-16

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Romans 13:13-14

 

Romans 13:13-14

Put on the Lord Jesus

 

Rom 13:13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 

        1.      Christians are to be a People of Integrity

a.       There is to be an openness to the life of the Christian. There should not be a need to hide or conceal things.

                                                              i.      1 John 1:5-10 

b.      A Christian that longs to live a life of integrity should not participate in the following activities:

                                                              i.      Going to wild parties (rioting)

1.      There are plenty of events that you know better than to be at – avoid such activities!

a.       1 Peter 4:1-5 

                                                            ii.      Drinking excessively (drunkenness)

1.      Ephesians 5:18 

                                                          iii.      Engaging in sexual relationships outside of marriage (chambering)

1.      Hebrews 13:4 

                                                          iv.      Engaging in deviate sexual activities (wantonness)

1.      1 Corinthians 6:9-11 

                                                            v.      Getting into violent fights (strife)

1.      Galatians 5:14-15 

                                                          vi.      Jealously regarding others success with bitterness (envying)

1.      James 4:1-4 

        2.      Christians are to put on the Lord Jesus

a.       Learn to know Christ

                                                              i.      Jesus said if you love Him you will obey Him. There is not a halfway, gray zone in Christianity, you are either all in or all out.

1.      John 14:15 

                                                            ii.      In order to obey and love Christ you must get to know Him

1.      Matthew 11:28-30 

                                                          iii.      As we know Christ, we will learn to love His appearing

1.      2 Timothy 4:8 

                                                          iv.      Those that look forward to His appearing, long to live for Him

1.      Colossians 3:1-9 

b.      Do not feed the flesh

                                                              i.      We will starve the flesh when we do not commit the sin of presumption

1.      Hebrews 10:29-31 

 

Romans 13:11-14 "The Urgency of the Hour" - The Men's Bible Study with S...

Romans 13:11-12

 

Romans 13:11-12

Now it is High Time to Awake!

 

Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

1.      A Christian’s Duty is to Understand These 6 Things:

a.       Know the times in which he lives

                                                              i.      There was a beginning of time

1.      Genesis 1:1 

                                                            ii.      There will be an end of time

1.      2 Peter 3:12-13 

                                                          iii.      Christ is the alpha and omega the beginning and the end

1.      All of time is divided in to three parts and all those parts have to do with Christ

a.       There was a time before He came

                                                                                                                                      i.      John 1:1-3 

b.      There was a time when He came to earth

                                                                                                                                      i.      Galatians 4:4 

c.       There will be a time when He will come again

                                                                                                                                      i.      Revelation 22:12-13 

b.      Awake out of sleep

                                                              i.      This is not the time to quit and give up. It is the time to begin a revival. Revival is a choice that begins in your heart.

1.      Titus 2:11-15 

c.       Believe that Christ’s return is drawing close

                                                              i.      We are currently living in the last days. Christ return is imminent!

1.      2 Timothy 3:1-5   

2.      1 John 2:18 

d.      Know that time is running out

                                                              i.      Now is the time for repentance. Our time on earth is very limited!

1.      Mark 1:14-15 

e.       Cast off the works of Darkness

                                                              i.      We are to be the children of light translated in the Kingdom of Light by the blood of the Lamb.

1.      Colossians 1:10-14 

f.        Put on the Armor of Light

                                                              i.      You are armed with a tremendous power that the rulers of the earth fear. The church is a dangerous force to be reckoned with. Do not be like the many who have no idea how to use the powerful spiritual weapons you have been equipped with.

1.      1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 

                                                            ii.      Christ intends to use His Church to crush the head of Satan

1.      Romans 16:20