Romans 14: Matters of Liberty and Indifference - 6/21/09am

I Peter 2:15-16 -Not using liberty as a cloak for maliciousness
Galatians 5:13-14 -Do not use liberty as an occasion to the flesh

I Corinthians 8 -Eating meat sacrificed to idols
I Corinthians 10:23-24 -Not all things that are lawful are edifying, seeking the good of others first
I Corinthians 10:25-30 -Eating of meat sacrificed to idols
I Corinthians 10:31-33 -Be able to give glory to God in all things that you do

Part I
Romans 14:1 -Doubtful/disputable matters
Romans 14:2 -Matter at hand is eating of meat
We are not looking at matters about which the Lord has spoken (ie. Fornication is wrong, end of story). They are things that are left to the individual conscience.

Fellowship: sharing in common, contributing to an outcome. Partners. Partakers in something. It is the state of commonality.

Romans 14:3-4 -Judging another’s servant
The idea of judging another’s servant (in this case a servant of Christ’s) is not to say we cannot give warning or help, but rather that we cannot give instruction.

Romans 14:5-6 -Further disputable things, done unto the Lord
Things must be done unto the Lord. If something cannot give glory to God, it’s just plain wrong. If we can give glory to God either way, that it is permissible.

Romans 14:7-9 -Dead to self, live for Christ our Lord
Romans 14:10-12 -All face judgment: we’re all in it together
We need to maintain the proper attitude: we’re here to look out for each other and we need to be working together. If we’re trying to show our own superiority and bring others to our side on unimportant matters, we’re not truly working together.

Romans 14:13 -Therefore, don’t judge unrighteously, don’t be a stumbling block


Part II
Romans 14:14-15 -Self sacrifice: putting others and the cause of Christ first

Romans 14:16-18 -Serving and giving glory to God in all things

Romans 14:19-21 -Pursue peace and edification, not destroying God’s work
Offend: to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall.
-To entice to sin
-A spiritual hindrance

Romans 14:22-23 -Not acting against faith