WEBVTT 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:06.559 Hey, I'm Pastor Steve Hole. 00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:11.039 I want to empower you today to walk in your true identity as a worshiper and warrior. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.400 Embrace the power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit. 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:17.920 Today, be encouraged with a word from my guest speaker. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:21.280 Welcome to the Born for War podcast. 00:00:26.160 --> 00:00:36.719 So last time I was up here on a Sunday morning, I probably made a lot of you nervous by telling you that I had never done this before, that I had never spoken on a Sunday morning. 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:42.960 Well, this morning is not my first time speaking on a Sunday morning. 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:44.719 It's my second time. 00:00:45.119 --> 00:00:46.560 So, yeah. 00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:48.719 So you don't have to be nervous. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:49.840 I shouldn't be nervous. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:54.159 I'm a seasoned veteran, so we can all rest easy. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:57.600 But no, in all seriousness, I'm very excited for this opportunity. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:00.159 Thankful to Pastor Steve for letting me do this again. 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:10.799 And I'm especially excited this morning because we're just going to continue our study in Romans and pick up, right, where Pastor Steve left off last week in Romans 13 with Romans 14. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:15.920 So if you have your Bible this morning, will you open it to Romans chapter 14? 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:20.239 If you don't have a Bible, there should be one in a seat in front of you. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:24.480 Or you could probably find one on your phone, or you could probably look over your neighbor's shoulder. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:27.200 So either way, you can follow along with me in Romans 14. 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:32.719 While you are finding that chapter, I'm going to open us up in prayer. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:35.920 So, God, thank you for your word. 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:38.560 Thank you for the truth that is in it. 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:49.599 So, God, I just ask right now as we open up the word of God together, would you speak to each person in this room in a unique and powerful way, in a relevant way? 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:51.840 Will you minister to us as we read your word? 00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:52.959 We love you. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:54.400 In Jesus' name. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:55.359 Amen. 00:01:56.159 --> 00:02:05.120 So this chapter of Romans, chapter 14, is really a continuation of Romans 13 that Pastor Steve preached on last week. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:07.120 And he ended with talking about love. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:09.039 And that's really what this message is about. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:13.680 It's a message about love and unity within the body of Christ. 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:24.400 And it's also a message about passing judgment in our personal convictions and what we should do as believers with those personal convictions that we have in our hearts. 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:31.199 And uh, but before we get into the text, I want to do a brief refresher on the context of Romans. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:39.120 And so, Paul, the Apostle Paul, is writing the letter of Roman, uh, this letter to the Roman church, and it's a long letter, right? 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:44.960 It's always, we view these as books with chapters, but if you think of it in the context of like this was a letter, that's a long letter. 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:47.680 I've never written a letter remotely close to that, right? 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:52.080 So it's a long letter, and it's so long because he hadn't visited the Roman church. 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:58.000 So he's got a lot to say in the book of Romans because he's never been in front of them like I'm in front of you, talking to them. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:02:59.439 He he's only ever written them. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:02.479 So he he's trying to put it all in this letter. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:15.039 And the Roman church was diverse, it was made up of Jewish believers and Gentile believers, and unfortunately, that was causing some issues within the church, causing some conflict, and unfortunately causing division. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:20.159 Well, good thing for us today, we don't we don't deal with conflict or division within the church today, right? 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:23.280 That's not something we just kidding, we do, right? 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:39.599 We do, as a body of Christ, deal with division and conflict, and there's a lot of things that divide us as believers today, and I'll name a few of them, but it's a long list and I won't hit them all, but things like just how we worship can cause division, right? 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:40.479 Little things, right? 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:41.039 The lighting. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:41.919 Should the lights be up? 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:43.039 Should the lights be down? 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:45.759 How loud should it be while we're worshiping? 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:49.680 I personally like it very loud, so I can't hear myself singing. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:52.879 I don't sing well, but I like to sing during worship, I just don't want to hear it. 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:54.560 So if it's loud enough, that's great. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:56.479 Um, new songs, old songs, right? 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.520 Should we sing only hymns? 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:58.719 Should we sing only contemporary? 00:03:58.960 --> 00:03:59.759 Should we sing a mix? 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:07.439 There's a lot of opinions about things that we do as believers, including worship, and and some of those things do divide churches. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:08.639 Uh or what about this one? 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:10.560 What version of the Bible should we read? 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:10.800 Right? 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:18.000 NIV, ESV, New King James, there's a lot of opinions, even in this room, about what version of the Bible we should be reading. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:20.800 What about how pastors should dress when they preach? 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:30.639 I grew up in a church where you were only on the stage if you were wearing a suit and tie, whether you were the worship person or the announcement person or the preacher, you were wearing a suit and tie. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:38.079 And then towards the end of high school, my family switched to a church that was not that way, and everybody's wearing jeans, and I struggled with that for like a year. 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:39.360 It sounds silly, but I really did. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:40.959 I'm like, they're wearing jeans. 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:42.319 That's so inappropriate. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:44.639 Um, and I've come a long way on that. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:54.399 But still, even in my heart, sometimes like I spent way too much time last night trying to figure out what to wear today because I have that like background, and some of those things are hard to move past it, but they do cause division. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:04:57.519 Um, what about how church members should dress when they come to church? 00:04:57.600 --> 00:04:57.759 Right? 00:04:57.839 --> 00:04:58.480 Are hats okay? 00:04:58.560 --> 00:04:59.839 Are football jerseys okay? 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.160 Right? 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:02.480 Well, that one's easy if it's a Broncos jersey, yes. 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:03.680 Anything else, no. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:05.199 Um, just kidding, right? 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:08.240 But those things do cause division and rub people the wrong way. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:10.160 Um, and there's there's many more, right? 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:11.759 Should believers drink alcohol? 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:13.439 Should believers get tattoos? 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.279 Should believers celebrate Halloween? 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:17.519 Should believers listen to non-Christian music? 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:23.600 And I'm sure you could find articles written by pastors on both sides of these arguments, right? 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:30.399 And even in this room, you'll find opinions, different opinions and personal convictions on all of these issues, right? 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:33.439 It would, if we raised hands, it would probably divide this room. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:37.439 Um, and that's what this chapter is about, not about those specific issues. 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:42.879 It's not about Halloween, but it's about what do we do as believers when we have these personal convictions? 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:44.000 How do we respond? 00:05:44.160 --> 00:05:47.600 How do we treat each other within the body of Christ? 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:51.759 So that's the topic that Paul is addressing in Romans chapter 14. 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:55.600 So let's start in verse one and read this text together. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:00.160 It says, Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:04.639 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:12.240 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let him, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has received him. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:14.319 Who are you to judge another servant? 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:16.639 To his own master he stands or falls. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:20.959 Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.199 Paul was addressing conflict and division within the Roman church. 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:31.920 And what we gather from the text is that a lot of the division and conflict was actually centered around what people are eating. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:35.120 And this goes back to the context that I brought up at the beginning, right? 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:38.480 There's Jewish believers and Gentile believers within this Roman church. 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:46.000 And the Jewish believers are gonna be coming from a background of following the Old Testament law and adhering to a rather strict way of eating. 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:48.560 And the Gentile believers are not gonna have that background. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:54.240 And now here they are under the same roof, fellowshipping together, and where there's fellowship, there's often food, right? 00:06:54.319 --> 00:07:04.480 And so that could cause conflict and disagreements and how they're looking at each other and talking to each other, and it's probably gonna divide the room a bit, right? 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:14.959 And so Paul uses the words, if you read these first four verses, he uses the words strong and weak to describe these believers within the church. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:17.839 Strong in the faith, weak in the faith. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:21.040 And what he's describing really has to do with personal convictions. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:24.639 And that's what this the list I read at the beginning has to do with as well. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:25.120 Right? 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.680 A lot of these issues we feel strongly in our hearts. 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:31.680 Like, as a believer, I'm not gonna do this thing that other believers are doing. 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:33.040 Those are personal convictions. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:37.920 And so this chapter isn't really about whether it's okay to have those convictions or not. 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:40.959 Because Paul doesn't say stop having that conviction. 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:45.600 It's rather about how we handle our personal convictions within the body of Christ. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.519 And so, what does Paul mean when in verse 2? 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:52.079 If you look back at verse 2, he writes, He who is weak eats only vegetables. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.279 So, what does he mean by that? 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:55.439 Well, to some of you, you're like, that's a no-brainer. 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:58.399 Person's weak because they're only eating vegetables, right? 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.439 Where's the steak? 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:03.199 You know, gotta get some protein, count your grams of protein, right? 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:16.319 So, no, so what he's saying, and why somebody at this time would have only been eating vegetables is probably because in a pagan city like Rome, they would have been concerned about eating meat that was sacrificed to idols. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:24.959 And so when they're in the market looking at the meat, person who has a strong conviction about that would say, I don't want to chance it, I'm just not gonna eat any meat, and they would eat only vegetables. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:30.399 And so, what does Paul by what does Paul mean by describing that person as weak in the faith? 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:33.360 Or describing people who aren't that way as strong in the faith. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:44.399 So when he's describing someone as weak in the faith, Paul's describing someone who has convictions about a certain behavior and acts in an offended way when around that type of behavior. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:54.159 So he's using the word weak because that person's allowing that conviction to control them and dictate their actions and attitudes toward other believers. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:57.279 So it seems a little strange because they have strong convictions, right? 00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:58.320 Strong convictions. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:08:59.759 So why is he using the word weak? 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:05.360 Well, weak because that conviction is kind of controlling them and controlling how they view other people. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:10.399 And that was the problem that Paul's bringing up with the Roman Church. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:16.960 So just like there are things today that divide believers, we still deal with this issue today, the Roman Church was dealing with it as well. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:25.200 And perhaps it might seem a little silly to divide over what we eat, but if you think about it, that would have caused a big problem. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.279 Like I said, because fellowship happens around food, right? 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:28.879 I know this as a youth pastor. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:35.200 If I want kids to come to something, all I have to do is feed them, and it doesn't even have to be good food either. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:38.639 Um and in fact, a huge part of my job is snacks. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:41.120 But uh but this is true for all of us, right? 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:47.519 If you're gonna go out to eat with people, like if you're gonna hang out with people, you're probably gonna go out to eat, or you're gonna invite people to your home and have dinner. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:52.000 And if there's division over the food, then fellowship probably wasn't taking place. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:54.799 And Paul wanted fellowship for the Roman church. 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:57.200 And the same is true for us today. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:01.440 We're probably not gonna hang out with people that we know we disagree with. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:03.840 Most of us, not true of all of us, right? 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:09.679 Some of you that probably like to argue, but for the most part, we avoid conflict, right? 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:13.279 If I asked originally, most of you would say, I don't want to engage in conflict. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:14.799 But fellowship's important. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:22.639 Acts 2.42 says, and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship in the breaking of bread and in prayers. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.240 Fellowship's important. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:28.559 Be in a community group, be in unity with other believers. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:32.399 That's how we strengthen each other, encourage each other, hold each other accountable. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:36.000 And if there's conflict or division, then it that doesn't take place. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:39.759 So we know we've we've addressed in this chapter so far that there is conflict. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:45.519 We know what the conflict was about, had a lot to do with personal convictions, and we all have different convictions as believers, and that's okay. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.759 So let's keep reading in verse five. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:50.240 Following with me, we'll pick it back up in verse five. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:54.639 One person esteems one day above another, another esteems every day alike. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:56.960 Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:59.679 He who observes the day observes it to the Lord. 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:03.600 And he who does not observe the day to the Lord, he does not observe it. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:06.799 He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:10.399 And he who does not eat to the Lord, he does not eat and gives God thanks. 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:14.240 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:20.480 The body of Christ is filled with people who have different gifts, convictions, and roles. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:22.080 And that's good. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.600 That's a good thing. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:25.200 That diversity is good. 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:32.159 God can use each person in a different and unique way because of their convictions and gifts. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:34.000 So we're a body of Christ. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:35.600 That's why fellowship's important. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.600 So we all add to the table. 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:45.039 If we're all isolated or hanging out with the exact same people who think the exact same way we do, then it's not a diverse body of Christ. 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:46.480 That can be used in powerful ways. 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:52.559 So the important part of this message, again, is not the conviction itself, it's what do we do with the conviction that's on our heart. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:58.720 So I'm gonna give you four things that we should do with our personal convictions as believers. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:02.080 Four things we should do or not do with our convictions. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:04.320 So number one is simple. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.120 It's pray. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.159 Number one is pray. 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:08.720 Seek the Lord about your convictions. 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:09.759 Seek the Lord about them. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:13.840 If there's a conviction on your heart, find out where it came from. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:14.399 Right? 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.759 Maybe it came from the Lord. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:18.960 Maybe it came from an impurity within our own heart, right? 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:27.120 Seeking our own gain or our own selfish ambition or self-righteous or something like that, but it's possible it came from the Lord and seems like a good thing. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:28.879 But get to the bottom of it, right? 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:32.159 You can pray Psalm 139, 23 through 24. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:34.080 Search me, O God, and know my heart. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:40.080 Try me and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me to the way everlasting. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:43.759 I will say that's a that's a scary verse to pray. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:45.440 If you've never prayed that before, right? 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:47.600 Search me, O God, and know my heart. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:50.159 Like, tell me what is impure in my heart. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:52.960 So if you're gonna do that, buckle your seatbelt. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:55.360 But I encourage you to so if there's a conviction, right? 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:57.519 Find out where that conviction is coming from. 00:12:57.679 --> 00:12:59.360 Ask the Lord, like, is this of you? 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:00.879 And it is, if it is, great. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:02.159 Do it wholeheartedly. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:05.039 But find out where that conviction is coming from. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.000 Get to the bottom of it. 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:09.200 Ask the Lord, seek him about the conviction and the motives behind it. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.279 So that's number one, pray. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:16.480 Seek the Lord about the convictions that he's placed that are on your heart. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.519 Number two, do everything for God. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:24.320 We should be living our lives in a way that glorifies God, not us. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:34.720 And if we're acting on our convictions solely so that we can brag about ourselves and how holy and righteous and awesome we are, then we're missing the point. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.320 We're doing something wrong. 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:39.919 And that's really what it reminds me of of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:45.360 So that's kind of the whole heart behind that, those whole three chapters in Matthew, right? 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:54.000 In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus brings up giving, praying, and fasting, which are three awesome things that we as believers should be engaging with. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:55.519 Giving, praying, and fasting. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:59.120 But he warns them about, he warns the people he's speaking to about that, right? 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.799 Warns his disciples about those three things. 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:03.120 He says, Don't be like the Pharisees. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:08.639 Because when they were praying, giving, and fasting, they were doing it to make a spectacle, right? 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:10.240 When they were giving, they're like, hey, look at me. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.200 I'm giving money. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:14.720 When they were praying, they were praying loudly in the streets to be heard by men. 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:18.159 When they were fasting, they were making it super obvious that they weren't eating, right? 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:22.240 And so Jesus' sermon on the mount is what's going on in your heart, right? 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:24.320 Yeah, they're following the law perfectly, right? 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:28.399 They're not committing adultery, but there's lust in their heart, right? 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:31.120 They're not murdering, but there's anger in their heart. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:35.200 And so Jesus is pointing out, like, hey, what's going on in your heart? 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.960 And the same is true for us, right? 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:39.200 So if we have these convictions, like, what's the motive? 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.399 Why are we doing what we're doing? 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:45.600 Are we doing it to bring God glory, or are we doing it to bring ourselves glory? 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:46.240 Right? 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:51.039 If it's a personal conviction from the Lord, then thank him for it and do it wholeheartedly. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.879 But for his glory, not our own. 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:59.679 Colossians 3 23 says, and whatever you do, do it heartedly as to the Lord, not for men. 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:01.679 So why are we doing it for God? 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:07.919 Because Scripture tells us that if you're a follower of Christ, you're no longer living for yourself. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.919 Let's look at verse 8. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:15.360 Verse 8 says, For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:19.039 Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:22.559 If we are a follower of Christ, we're no longer living for ourselves. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:25.120 And as believers, we're living for the Lord. 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:28.639 So let's do everything for Him and for His glory, not our own. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:38.080 Pastor Steve just this week was talking to our staff team, and he was just encouraging us not to be chasing success or wrapping our identity around success. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:41.519 No, we should be striving for excellence as believers, absolutely. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:46.000 We should be striving for excellence, we should be trying to do the best in whatever it is we're doing. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:48.240 But don't be seeking credit. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:53.360 So there's a difference in striving to be successful and seeking credit, right? 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:59.039 We should be doing our best in where the Lord leads us and giving it 100%, but then giving God the credit, right? 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:03.200 Not seeking credit ourselves, not seeking a platform for ourselves, giving God the credit. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:03.919 Why? 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.679 Because he deserves it. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:09.279 Christ died for us so that we can live for him. 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:12.559 Christ died for us so that we can live for him. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.639 Let's keep reading, look at verse 9. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:21.759 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.759 Christ died so that we can live for him. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:30.639 What I love about the book of Romans and what I love about the Apostle Paul was his passion and fire for the gospel. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:36.399 He does not miss any moment to work the gospel into anything that he's writing about. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:36.879 Right? 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:41.039 This is a passage about passing judgment within the Christian church, but there's the gospel right there. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.000 He just said it, right? 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.360 For Christ died and rose again. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:47.759 And so he never hesitated to mention the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:50.879 And it goes back to the beginning of Romans, Romans 1.16. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:53.039 He says, For I'm not ashamed of the gospel. 00:16:53.120 --> 00:17:00.080 And that kind of became the theme verse of our youth group last year, and what we kind of uh built our retreat around and stuff like that. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:02.240 And I love that verse, and it's so true of Paul. 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:05.920 And this is kind of a side note, but but what if we did the same thing? 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:13.279 What if we were eager to always working the gospel into our conversations with believers and non-believers? 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:20.480 What if we were eager to always talk about the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ? 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:23.519 And if you don't know the gospel, there it is, right? 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:27.359 Jesus died for you, He loves you, He cares about you, He wants a relationship with you. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:30.640 And all you have to do is put your hope and faith and trust in Him. 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:32.799 And we would love to do that with you after the service today. 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:35.599 We'll have a ministry team up here, and we'd love to pray with you. 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:41.200 But let's be eager to talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.640 And so that's number two. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.519 What are we doing? 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:48.640 Everything we should do, we should be doing it for God, for his glory, not our own. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:54.319 Number three, don't use your convictions to pass judgment on others. 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:57.680 So let's keep reading, we'll pick it back up in verse 10. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:01.440 But why do you judge your brother, or why do you show contempt for your brother? 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:09.839 For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, for it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:13.039 So then each of us shall give account to himself to God. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:20.720 Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or cause to fall in our brother's way. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.319 This is wonderful. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.440 This is good news. 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:26.720 It's good news because it means I don't have to be the judge. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:27.920 Isn't that great? 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.880 You don't have to be the judge. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.680 Pressure's off. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.880 That's not your job. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.920 Isn't that great? 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.960 That's God's job. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.960 And who better to do it than him? 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:40.319 All powerful, all-knowing, wonderful, loving creator, God. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.000 He's the judge, not us. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:44.960 It's not our job to judge our neighbor. 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:47.119 And what a good thing that is, right? 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:49.200 So don't worry about your neighbor. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.160 Don't judge. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.759 And that judgment can go both ways. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:57.039 When Paul's talking about those that are weak in the faith and those that are strong in the faith, judgment can be passed both ways. 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:59.200 We're not picking on either group, right? 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:04.880 Those that have a strong personal conviction to not do a certain behavior as a believer, right? 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:08.960 They could pass judgment on those that are engaging in that behavior by saying, look at them. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.839 They're being sinful. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:11.599 Or they shouldn't be doing that as a Christian. 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:26.000 And the other way around, the person that doesn't, you know, thinks it's fine to engage in that personal behavior as a conviction, as Paul described as strong in faith, they could pass judgment on those that are weak in the faith as not engaging that behavior by saying, They think they're holier than me. 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:27.359 That's why they're not doing that, right? 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.559 And so it can go both ways. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:32.799 But if you look back at verse 3, Paul says, God has received them. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.880 God has received them. 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:36.480 So why haven't we? 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:43.920 Why do we allow division and conflict to divide us as a body of Christ if God has received and accepted all of us? 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:45.359 We're not better than God. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:49.119 Pastor Steve, I love when he says, don't look left or right, look up. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.680 Don't look left or right, look up. 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.160 Right? 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.359 Where is our focus? 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:57.759 And don't let these things and issues divide us as believers. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:00.880 Now I want to pause right here and make something clear. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:05.599 There are issues, there are issues that should divide us. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:11.440 There are issues that we should not slide on or overlook or not pass judgment. 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:24.559 And that's not what Paul's talking about here, and I know that's not what Paul's talking about here because if you read the book of Acts, he spent a lot of time in his ministry boldly standing up for the gospel and not compromising on certain issues. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:26.880 Spent a lot of time doing that, right? 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:31.839 And was subject to a lot of terrible things for taking that stand. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:38.480 So I'm not painting this picture of like, let's accept everybody that believes in God and not worry about their actual beliefs. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:40.240 Like that's that's not what Paul did, right? 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:45.119 And so in chapter 14 of Romans, he's talking about the little things, the small things. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:49.839 Let's not spend our time missing the big picture and arguing about the small things. 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:57.279 And there are things that we as believers should stand our ground on and should not compromise on and should be bold about. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:21:08.400 And if there's this particular issue that, or conviction that you're not sure on, I would just encourage you to pray for discernment about how important that thing really is and seek wise counsel about it. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:10.160 But what we're talking about today is everything else. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:14.079 Everything I mentioned, beginning of the sermon, the small things that divide the church. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:16.240 And one more point on judging. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:22.079 I would just say don't underestimate the power of your mind when it comes to being quick to judge. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:26.160 And so a quick story, it might be a little silly, but I'm gonna try it anyways. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:29.519 Um I'm a wrestler, wrestling was was my sport. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:31.519 Um, love wrestling, it's the best sport. 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:35.119 If you'd like to argue about that after, we can, but I'm right. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:38.160 Um just kidding, I'll accept you no matter what. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:45.440 Um I love wrestling, but I just think it's a great sport, and I love any sports because they teach um they teach mental toughness, right? 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.400 Which is a great life skill. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:56.240 So I always encourage sports, and especially wrestling because you're like out there, you send a kid out on the map by himself in a funny looking outfit, and they have to do their best, and it's it's you learn things, right? 00:21:56.319 --> 00:22:01.279 So, anyways, when I was in middle school, I was wrestling in middle school, I did not have Have good mental toughness. 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:11.119 And so what I would do is I would find my opponent right before the match, I would look them over, and in that split second, I would decide whether I was gonna win or lose that match in my mind. 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:13.119 Solely based on looks, right? 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:20.880 If they had cooler wrestling shoes than me, if they had like a meaner face than I did, if they were like the strongest seventh grader I've ever seen, right? 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:24.240 So I would I would use that moment, snap decision and judgment. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:27.519 And here's the bad thing about that, I was usually right. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:32.799 Not because I could have actually won a little, I don't know, but in my mind I had already decided that. 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:38.079 And when I coached later, I used that and I said, don't walk onto the mat thinking you're gonna lose because you will, right? 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:45.839 Our minds are powerful, and so if we're too quick to judge somebody, it's gonna be really hard to undo that down the road. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.680 Especially within the body of Christ. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:49.359 Like we shouldn't be quick to judge. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:55.279 And it's easy, and we've all had those circumstances where like we think we got somebody figured out in the first 30 seconds of meeting them, right? 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.559 Based on something that they say. 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:58.079 We don't actually know that person. 00:22:58.160 --> 00:23:07.759 But then if you have that snap decision, you're probably gonna find yourself like if you think that you disagree or you think you don't like them, you're probably gonna avoid them without really, really truly knowing them. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:13.839 So I'll just caution, like, let's be, let's not be quick to judge ultimately because it's not our job. 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.480 Right? 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:19.359 So let's be slow to judge, let's be accepting, let's love people within the body of Christ. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:23.759 So that's number three of don't let your convictions pass judgment. 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:27.119 Number four, be wise with your convictions. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:29.599 Let's pick back up again in verse 14. 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:38.319 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus there is nothing unclean of itself, but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:42.319 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:46.079 Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:49.519 Therefore, do not let your good be spoken of as evil. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:51.440 Walking in love. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:53.359 Back in verse 15. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.799 Have that underlined. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:56.000 I would encourage you to underline that. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.960 Walking in love. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:01.519 1 John 4 19 says, We love because he first loved us. 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:04.480 We love him because he first loved us. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:07.839 What if that is what the church was known for? 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:12.319 Walking in love rather than known for passing judgment. 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:16.240 How great would that be if we're known for walking in love instead of passing judgment? 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:21.839 And what's Paul's saying in this section of the chapter, and he says it later on too, is be aware of your surroundings. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:26.160 Be aware of who you're interacting with within the body of Christ. 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:29.119 And be aware of how your actions could be perceived. 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:32.880 Use wisdom, use good judgment, use prudence. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:35.279 And by doing that, guess what? 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.559 You're showing people love. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.200 Right? 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:43.519 If there's something in your heart you have a conviction, like, I don't think this behavior is wrong as a believer, and it doesn't prohibit my walk with Christ. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:48.079 But maybe, maybe that thing would cause your brother to stumble. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:50.559 Well, don't do that thing when you're around your brother. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:53.440 And by doing that, you're showing him love. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.200 You're showing him love. 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:57.279 So be aware of your surroundings. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:59.839 Use good judgment and how you act. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:03.440 Make sure we're not tripping up a brother or causing them to stumble. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:05.440 Make sure we're showing them love. 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:11.119