Good Shepherd Community Church

Believers are SAVED by faith, and believers LIVE by faith.

“…do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.” (Romans 14:15b)
“…do not…destroy the work of God.” (Romans 14:20)

The ‘weak’ are any Christians who tend to promote and regard non-essential cultural and ceremonial customs as being critical for Christian maturity and effectiveness. Thus they have taken an issue of taste, custom, or culture and elevated it to an abiding, trans-cultural mark of spiritual maturity.”

– Tim Keller

Modern-day disputable matters:
•Style and volume of music.
•Use of lights and fog machines.
•Worshipping on Saturday vs. Sunday.
•Displays of patriotism.
•Certain political issues.
•Drinking alcohol in moderation.
•Certain entertainment choices
•How often to celebrate Communion.
•Celebrating certain holidays.
•Sabbath observance.

A (14:13) ​Don’t be a stumbling block

B (14:14) ​Nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is.

C (14:15) ​Do not destroy another by grieving them by what you eat.

D (14:16-18) ​God’s kingdom is about righteousness, peace, and joy.

D′ (14:19) Pursue peace and mutual upbuilding.

C′ (14:20a) ​Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.

B′ (14:20b) All food is clean, but we can make someone stumble by what we eat.

A′ (14:21-23) ​Don’t cause someone to stumble and not live from faith. A (14:13) ​Don’t be a stumbling block

B (14:14) ​Nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is.

C (14:15) ​Do not destroy another by grieving them by what you eat.

D (14:16-18) ​God’s kingdom is about righteousness, peace, and joy.

D′ (14:19) Pursue peace and mutual upbuilding.

C′ (14:20a) ​Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.

B′ (14:20b) All food is clean, but we can make someone stumble by what we eat.

A′ (14:21-23) ​Don’t cause someone to stumble and not live from faith.

A – …never put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. (Romans 14:13b)

A’ – It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:21-23)

B – I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. (Romans 14:14)

B’ – Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. (Romans 14:20b)

“Conscience cannot make a wrong thing right, but it can make a right thing wrong.”

– Mark Dever

C – For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. (Romans 14:15)

C’ – Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. (Romans 14:20a)

D – So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. (Romans 14:16-18)

D’ – So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:19)

Big Idea:
Disagree from faith for faith by pursuing peace with God and others!

Next step takeaways:
With God as His Family:
• Memorize Romans 14:23. Meditate on what it means to live from faith for faith in all areas of your life. Ask God to help you live this way.
• Confess to God any areas where you have been the “weak” or “strong” in mishandling disputable matters. Receive His forgiveness and pursue peace.
With Others as His Servants:
• Attend the “First Step Welcome Lunch” on March 1 at 12:15pm.
• Attend the 3-week “Second Step Class” at 9am starting on March 8.
On Mission as His Missionaries:
• Give to the “Sanctity of Human Life” Offering.
• Attend the 6-week “Heritage of Hope Class” at 2:30pm starting on March 1.