Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Romans
Romans 14 Introduction Part 2
Sermon Title: 'Who really is the weaker and stronger brother'? Sermon Text: Introduction to Rom. 14 pt.2
II. Who Really is the 'weaker' and 'stronger' brother?
ILL: In the 1924 Olympics Eric Liddell refused to run a qualifying race on Sunday, even though failure to do so would eliminate him from competition. He believed that to run on Sunday violated the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy. Was he right or wrong in his decision?
Some Christians told him he was honoring God by his decision while others thought him a legalist and immature in his faith and told him he should run. the question could be asked, was Eric Liddell a 'weaker' or 'stronger' brother?
Trans: That is the question we will examine today. Who is the weaker and stronger brother in Rom. 14?
Use Overhead 2
APP: So what do we do when there are differences of opinion among God's people in a local church over issues of indifference, issues not strictly prohibited nor strictly prescribed? I have found two general answers.
1. Understand the nature of the weaker brother.
-Is he/she a judgmental weaker brother who is not interested in maturing in
their faith and knowledge. Who is not tempted to sin by what you do or don't
do, who just doesn't like what you are doing it?
If this is the case, then I believe you are not obligated to withhold
the exercise of your liberty because they are being hypocritical, and
pharisaic.
(Mt. 15:11-12,14)
It is not what enters in to the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man. Then the disciples came and said to Him, (Jesus) Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement? Jesus said Let them alone they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.
-Is he/she a legitimate or endangered weaker brother who honestly believes what you are doing is a sin. And who will be tempted to do that which is sin to them because they see or know you are doing it.
If this is the case, then you don't do it. Paul said we are to do nothing to cause our brother to stumble. We are not to allow our liberty to be a stumbling block to our brother / sister.
2. Educate the weaker brother in love.
-1 Cor. 8, 9, Rom. 14, 15 and Gal. 5 all speak to this issue. Some have
knowledge of their liberty and some do not. Since we are free for the Truth
of God's Word, those who have the knowledge of their liberty in Christ are
responsible to teach those who do not have knowledge of their liberty in
Christ.
However, knowledge is not of primary concern. Love is. 1 Cor. 8:1 says knowledge puffs up or makes arrogant. He is saying that we can talk to someone in a prideful and arrogant way, with the right knowledge and do more harm than good.
Paul continue and says love edifies or builds another up in their faith. It is love that is of greatest importance. Your love, as demonstrated by withholding your liberty to do or not do something that will offend a legitimate weaker brother, will do more than just telling him the truth about the issue. It will show them that they are more important to you than any liberty you may have. It will show them the love of God in action.
Conclusion:
How far do we go in applying this? If we fully apply this doesn't it mean
that we will be controlled by the narrowest, judgmental Christian in the
church? Won't it be possible for people with disordered personalities to
dominate the church?
ILL: Kent Huges gives this illustration. A self-conscious pious Christian grimly said to him that Scripture nowhere records that Jesus smiled of laughed and he wanted him to know that godly people like himself followed suit.
Now the absurdity of this argument from silence is seen if you make a list of other things that Scripture never records Jesus doing? We are not called to uncritical, indiscriminate limitations of our freedom.Voluntary limiting of our freedom is not meant to subject us to the prejudices of weaker, judgmental Christians who are persistent in sub-biblical legalism.
Many people in the church believe that they were saved by grace but then feel like their life of devotion and holiness has to be marked by some adherence to rules for 'right' behavior. And for many these man made rules become the litmus test for true, mature Christianity.
Understand we don't want to walk into unnecessary temptation but sometimes these rules for proper behavior which may not be biblically based, become a form of works righteousness.
Understand we want to learn self control but self control can't be learned when it is replaced by a set of rigid prohibitions.
Without meaning to these Christians are actually undermining the Gospel of Grace.
If we can enjoy an activity, or a product that's within the guidelines of Scripture we are to do so as an expression of thankfulness to God who gave it. As long as our liberty doesn't cause anyone to stumble.
Love takes precedence over liberty..always.
Issue Evaluation Conclusion Possible Danger
1. Judgmental MOVIES It is wrong for
Everyone who Critical of other
Weaker
everyone participates
is Christians who
Brother
guilty of sin don't agree.
2. Endangered MOVIES Possibly wrong It
is not wrong Participation
Weaker for
him for
every w/o full freedom
Brother
Christian of conscience
3. Inconsiderate MOVIES -Believes it is
Believes that the -Can believe
Stronger not sin for
him same thing can
the Mature
Brother but may
choose be sin for
one Stronger brother
not
to Believer and
not would be 'more
participate sin for the
other. spiritual' if he
-Believes it
is
would only limit
not sin for
him
his liberty.
and decides
to
-Causes the
do it no
matter
Endangered
what
weaker brother
to stumble
-Abuses his liberty
4. Mature MOVIES Believes he
has It is okay
for -Succumbing to
Stronger freedom
to him but
may the judgmental
Brother
participate be sin
for weaker brother
others
True Weaker Brother: I don't have that freedom but I realize it's okay for you.
True Stronger Brother: I have that freedom, but because of our relationship, I choose not to participate.
True Stumbling Block: Watching or knowing someone else is doing
something you feel is a sin and then choosing to do it
yourself.
Untrue Stumbling Block: Watching or knowing someone else is doing
something you believe is a sin but you don't do it
yourself, you just don't like them
doing it.