This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Romans series with a second teaching on how to love those with different opinions from ourselves. The Enemy aims to divide the Body of Christ though personal opinions and judgement, but the Lord wants us to walk well with one another in love.

Matthew 18:3–6 (ESV)
3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

“In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in everything, love.” Augustine of Hippo

” Truth alone must determine our alignments. Truth comes before unity. Unity without truth is hazardous.” Spurgeon

Interfacing with Secondary Issues

  1. Embrace- things in culture that aren’t sinful to adopt (i.e. Apple watches and phones).
  2. Extinguish- things in culture that are sin to adopt (i.e. witchcraft).
  3. Exchange- things in culture that may be unhelpful to some but are fine for others to adopt (i.e. celebrating Halloween or Easter).

1. Refrain from Judgment

Romans 14:13 (ESV)
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Types of Judgment
• Positive Judgment: Discernment and Correction
• Negative Judgment: Condemnation and Hypocritical Criticism

1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)
9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Romans 14:14 (ESV)
14 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.

1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)
5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

2. Refrain for the Sake of the Weak

Romans 14:15–16 (ESV)
15 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. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.

1 Corinthians 8:8–13 (ESV)
8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

3. Refrain for Mutual Upbuilding

Romans 14:17–19 (ESV)
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. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:20–23 (ESV)
20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 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.

Disagreeing Agreeably
1. Be honest, not misleading.
2. Be gracious, not judgmental.
3. Engage, don’t abandon.
4. Be humble, not pushy.
5. Be open-minded, not cynical.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Romans 14 guide your perspective on cultural and personal differences within the body of Christ?
  2. The world tells us not to judge while also failing to define right or wrong. How did Pastor Chris’ description of positive and negative judgement challenge you or encourage you?
  3. Are there ways you may need to abstain from something for the sake of others? This could include topics of conversation, lifestyle choices, ect. How does your heart initially respond to abstaining from something for the sake of others?
  4. Did any of the “Disagreeing Agreeably” suggestions seem helpful to you or challenging to you?

Application Questions:

  1. Pastor Chris mentioned it’s loving to care about how our behavior affects others. This week, evaluate if some of your actions may be causing others to stumble. Spend some time in repentance and receive God’s grace.
  2. What are some practical ways moving forward to live in a way that does not cause others to stumble?

Join us for an in-person service at City Central Church in Tacoma, WA
Sundays at 9am + 11am