← ArchiveWhen in RomansWhen in Romans – Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! (Romans 14:1-12)DateOctober 13, 2024SpeakerAaron MeeksTextRomans 14:1–12Passages in this sermonRomans 141:48Judges 12:35Matthew 714:59Colossians 121:44Romans 1223:34Romans 524:22TranscriptMachine transcribed. Click any line to jump there.0:00We'll be right back. We'll be right back.0:30And so I have the pleasure of bringing the word to you today.1:00So let's pray before we begin. Father, we do thank you for you are kind and good. And Father, we know we can run to you in our times of need and our times of joy and our times of needing peace. And even in times of peace, Lord. But Lord, today, as we dive into your word, allow our hearts and minds to be open to your word and receiving what you have for us.1:21And if today, if anyone's under the sound of my voice, Lord, today, that they don't know who you are and they've not committed their life to you fully, that today would be the day. I pray this in the precious holy name of Jesus. Amen. So let's go ahead and dive right into Romans 14. If you have our Bibles, please open up to Romans 14, verse 1.1:50Romans 14, verse 1. Welcome anyone who is weak in faith. But don't argue about disputed matters. One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not judge one who does.2:15Because God has accepted them. Who are you to judge another household servant? Before his own Lord, he stands or falls. And he will stand because the Lord is able to make him stand. One person judges one day to be more important than the other. Someone else judges the day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced of his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord.2:44Whoever eats, eats for the Lord. Since he gives thanks to God, and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord. That he does not eat. And he gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this, that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.3:12But you, why do you judge your brother or sister, or you? Why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.3:38So, last week, we discussed the scriptures that spoke to everyone. Let everyone submit. And this week, our scriptures tell us and speaks to anyone. I think we've all been in places in our faith where we've been not anyone, where we've been weak in faith. Whether it be daily struggles that we go through every single day, or life just starts coming at us like darts.4:05Or we can put on a brave face for the world, but deep down, we're struggling. We're weak in our faith. And that's okay. In Romans 14, Paul reminds us that we're not alone. We're all weak in faith at some point in our lives. And multiple points in our lives as well.4:34It's part of us being human. It's who we are. But here's the thing. Our weaknesses aren't something to hide or to be ashamed of. They invite us to let God's grace meet us right where we are. Let's take a moment to drop down our mask. Be honest with ourselves. And lean into the truth that even in our weakest moments, God is strong in us for us all. The church in Rome, in this particular instance, in the Romans where we are, had two main groups.5:04Christian or Messianic Jews, Gentiles who had come to faith in Jesus. And those considered weak in the faith tended to be their faith was based on the works, rather than using their faith as a foundation for evaluating their actions. The weak in faith put more value in what they can control and do. Early in Romans, in chapter 10, as we discussed, some of the church had a zeal for God, but without the knowledge.5:30We call this self-righteousness. Even after conversion, they began to argue, dispute, and despise one another because of their differences. And one group decided it was better to follow the old law regarding food. And the other did not see it as an important issue. And this was a lot bigger than just choosing what buffet to eat after church. Okay? This was more about the dietary restrictions as a matter of conscience for them.6:00And they had a potential of breaking the body of Christ over this. There are many areas where scripture doesn't give a clear step-by-step guide or a clear-cut answer. We're left to wrestle with our convictions. Navigating the matters of conscience with wisdom and grace. Yet, there are places in the Bible that it's so clear what it says.6:27Like the commands not to murder. Remain faithful in marriage. Honor your parents. To live integrity and not stealing. God's word guides us on these principles without uncertainty. Where scripture is clear, we must be clear and faithful. But here's where things get a little complicated. Even where scripture is clear on specific theological issues, people of faith still disagree. Over practical, like eating, we see in our scripture today.6:55It's disheartening to see how debates over doctrine, worship styles, culture practices, or social issues can fracture the body of Christ. And instead of standing as unified family, the church sometimes appears to be a group of people arguing over who's right. Despite our joint call to love one another, this was just a problem for the early church guys. It's a problem today. It's a problem today.7:25And it still persists on a consistent rate. When we let minor issues become significant division points, we must ask ourselves, what message are we sending in the world? Do our arguments reflect the love of Christ? Do they display the unity that Jesus prayed for amongst his followers? Do our words and actions in these moments bring glory to God? The answer is often a very painful no.7:53We've all heard the saying, at least most of us have, keep the main things the main things and the plain things the plain. Right? It's a call to focus on what truly matters and not let our differences distract our mission. Our responsibility, especially to those weaker in the faith, is not to judge or look down on them. It's to lift them up. We're called to come alongside of them, offering encouragement and grace, helping them grow in their journey with Jesus.8:21Let's commit to being a church that sets aside our preferences for the sake of love, unity, and the glory of God. Let's be known not for our divisions, but for how we live out the gospel and the way that makes Jesus visible to our world. So, my son, he's 22 months old. He's reached the irrational toddler stage, where he throws a fit when it's the wrong color bowl.8:47But before this, you know, he was cute and wonderful. He was a little baby, and he began to learn how to walk. Right? So, as he's learning to walk, what happens? He falls a lot. Oftentimes, he's a walking bruise. I was afraid to send him off to daycare sometimes. I was like, he looks like he just got thrown across the room or something.9:13But, in truth, he was falling. Me and my wife both were, you know, like all of us parents in the room, encouraging, guiding. Holding his hands. Seeing that he needed help to learn how to walk. Because he didn't have the strength to walk in his legs or the confidence. But isn't that how the church should be? For people who are weak in the faith, who don't know exactly how to do this?9:39Because I didn't judge my son in his struggles. I didn't say, you need to learn how to walk just coming out. Right? No. That's not what we do. We offer encouragement. It should be the same for those in the church. In our walk of faith, we must remember that we're all in different stages. Some of us are just learning to take the first steps in trusting God. While others are a little further along, but still need support from time to time.10:09We all do. Like I said before, we've all been in seasons where we're weak in faith. For those who are still growing in their walk with Christ, it's essential we come alongside of them in the same way, same patience as we would a child learning to walk. Let's not be quick to criticize or expect instant maturity. Instead, let's offer encouragement for growth.10:37In these moments, we need to focus on what truly matters. Loving each other well and keeping the main things, the main things. And showing grace as we all continue to stumble and learn. Just as the toddler finds his footing, one step at a time, we're all in this together. Learning to walk with Jesus more steadily each day. So, I have an activity for us as we move forward in just a second.11:04But I want to focus on the key idea of the scripture. Those who are weak in faith tend to cling to the works as a measure of their strength. But God is more interested in the heart behind those works. Our faith should lead us to good deeds, but it doesn't depend on them. Because no matter how much good we do, it can never erase our sins.11:29So, we're going to reread Romans 14, 1 through 12. And this is where you get involved. Okay, are y'all ready? Is everybody woken up and listening? Okay. Romans 14, 1 through 12. Any time that you hear the word judge, judgment, or anything of the sort, raise your hand. Can y'all do that? Okay. You ready?12:04Welcome anyone weak in faith. But don't argue about disputed matters. One person believes he may eat anything, while one is weak, eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on the one who does not eat. And one who does not eat must not judge. Okay, we're all listening. One who does. Because God has accepted them. Who are you to judge? Another's household servant before his own Lord.12:32He stands and falls. And he will stand because the Lord is able to make him stand. One person judges. One day to be more important than the other day. Someone else judges. Every day to be the same. Let each one of us be fully convinced of his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord. Since he gives thanks to God. And whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it.12:59And he gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord. And if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this, that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your brother and sister? Or why do you despise your brother and sister?13:28For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account to himself, to God. So when we're reading Scripture, it is really important for us to pay attention to the things that it repeats. And what Scripture is guiding us to really focus on. So, first off, let me thank you for participating in our exercise.13:58We notice judgment appears six times in 12 verses. That tells us something that is truly important in God's Word, and he wants us to pay attention to. So let's take a moment to break down what judgment means in this context. Often, when we hear the word judgment, we think, oh no. It brings up negative thoughts in our minds. And many people outside the faith would even label Christianity as a judgmental religion.14:23At its core, judgment is about forming an opinion or a conclusion about someone or something. It's our way of evaluating behavior, choices based on our own standards, belief, or values. But the problem comes is when we make these judgments without grace or compassion. One of the most quoted verses, when people feel judged in our world, they'll pull it out immediately, right?14:50Do not judge so that you won't be judged. It's in Matthew 7. It's a reminder that our perspective is limited, but our judgments often fall short of God's perfect understanding. The truth is judgment is something we all try to dodge in this life because it makes us feel uncomfortable. No one likes to feel like they're under a microscope. Yet, the reality is that one day, everyone will face judgment.15:17Not from people, but from the perfect judge, our Father in heaven. In the book of Romans, Paul speaks about judgment in a way that challenges us to take a different approach. He encourages us not to judge others, especially over minor issues or things that aren't clearly defined in Scripture.15:43But let's be honest, we haven't lived up to this in the church. Too often, we've allowed these minor differences to become points of division rather than opportunities to show love and grace of Christ. Now, it's time for us to shift our focus from criticizing one another to truly supporting and loving each other as God intended. All right, well, we're going to go back to Matthew 7 for a minute.16:13Matthew 7, verse 1. I'm going to read that verse again, but in full context. Do not judge that you won't be judged, for you will be judged by the same standard which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use. Why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, but you overlook the wood beam in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, let me take out that splinter out of your eye, and look, there's a beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite. First, take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother's eye.16:42Jesus isn't telling us to avoid judging others. He's calling us to a deeper kind of clarity. In verse 5, the true goal here is not to remove the beam out of your own eye, but to see clearly so you can genuinely help our fellow believers on their journey of becoming more like Christ. It's not about pointing fingers at each other's faults, but having a vision that allows us to lovingly guide and support one another.17:11If we approach others with a spirit of judgment, but lack the heart of compassion and understanding, we fail to fulfill our calling as Christ's followers. There's a big difference between righteous discernment, which builds up and restores, and harsh judgment, which only serves to tear down and divide.17:31When we judge without love, we become ineffective in helping others grow in their faith. All right, let's think about this. I'm going to send you to the grocery store, okay? I want you to buy a watermelon. If I ask you to pick out a ripe watermelon, some of you may know what to look for to find the sweetest, greatest watermelon ever on the face of the earth, but some of you wouldn't know.18:02Our judgments are different. But if you had the idea to pick out a watermelon and you sent me to the store, we would have two different viewpoints. You know, I know to look for the yellow spot and the dark-colored rinds and all those wonderful things, but you may not.18:28I might choose one that looks good on the outside, but it's pretty sour, or it may be even rotten. The same goes for how we handle minor issues in the church. We often argue over things that really don't matter. Each of us is using our own standards to judge what's right or wrong. But the real question is, do we have the same heart behind our actions as our Father in heaven?18:56Do we approach these differences with the same spirit of love, patience, and grace that Jesus shows to us? As believers, our goals should be to clear and unified, to live and die for Christ, to bring glory to God in all that we do. Let's commit to putting aside our judgments and focusing instead on loving each other well, supporting one another, and growing together in our faith.19:19When our hearts are aligned with God's, our actions will naturally reflect his love and his grace to the world around us. Now that we've seen how judgment can tear apart, let's shift our focus to what can bring us together. The heart behind our liberty in Christ. We're called to live a way that reflects the grace and freedom we have in Jesus.19:46Using that liberty not to divide, but to build each other up in love. Judging others based on minor, non-essential issues can be so damaging. Paul warns us against this in Romans, just as Jesus did in Matthew. Judgment that lacks love, compassion, and understanding is not only unhelpful, it can be sinful. When we all have, are the hands of judgment without the heart of Christ, we risk becoming callous and causing more harm than good.20:16Everything we should do should be done for the glory of God. When we judge without heart or understanding, it's like missing the mark entirely. Instead of lifting others up, we end up tearing each other down. Our goal should be here to help others grow in faith, to encourage one another, to expend the same grace that God has given us to us so generously.20:42So let me ask you this. What are you living for today? What occupies your thoughts, your time, your energy? Are you chasing after success, comfort, and recognition? Are you truly pursuing God's glory and his kingdom?21:10When we focus our lives on temporary things, we end up exhausted, constantly striving, but never truly fulfilled. But when we center our lives on Jesus, it changes everything. We find purpose in what goes beyond this world. A purpose that is solid and unshakable.21:40We belong to the Lord. We were created by him and for him, as it says in Colossians 1. Our lives have one ultimate goal, to bring honor and glory to God. And one day, we will each stand before him to give an account for how we lived, and what we lived for, and what we died for. We will not live for ourselves. God has given us a gift beyond measure.22:08His grace and the hope of eternal life. If we spend this gift on things that truly don't matter in this life, that don't have lasting value, we've wasted it. Let's commit to using our lives for what truly matters. Loving God, serving others, and living in a way that brings glory to the name of Christ. John Piper says this in his book, Don't Waste Your Life. You don't have to know many things to your life to make a lasting difference in this world.22:38But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and to be willing to live and die for them. The people who make a durable difference in this world are not those who have mastered many things, but have been mastered by one great thing. And that one great thing is Jesus. The central theme of the heart of Jesus is to be captured beautifully in this passage.23:05Paul reminds us that because Jesus died, we can live. Give me liberty or give me death, the world cries. Jesus died so that you may have life. That's what the gospel declares to us. Let's remember that as believers, we're called to live out the gospel of Christ in every area of our life. This is not a casual commitment. It's a life-transforming call to be living sacrifices, as we covered in Romans 12.23:34Our whole existence should be anchored in glorifying Jesus, reflecting his love and grace in all that we do. The heart of living a life for Jesus is rooted in gratitude. We praise him not just because he's worthy, but because of what he did for us that we could not do for ourselves. Once, we stood condemned in our sin,24:03deserving only wrath and judgment. But through his incredible mercy, God offered us forgiveness and redemption through his Son, Jesus Christ. That truth should change everything about how we live. Paul reminds us in Romans 5 that while one man's sin brought judgment and condemnation to the world, the obedience of Jesus brought grace and justification. If by one man's trespasses, death reigned through that one man,24:32how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and gift of righteousness reign in the life of one man, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' obedience, we were once sinners, but have been made righteous. This is the power of the gospel. It transforms us from the inside out because Jesus gave everything for us.24:58We're called to give everything to him. We don't live for our own glory or comfort. We live and die for the one who gave the gift of his righteousness in exchange for our sins. Our lives should be a reflection of that incredible grace. A continual offering of praise, worship, and obedience to a Savior who redeemed us.25:23May our lives be a clear testimony that we live for the glory of Christ and that our greatest desire is to make him known and exalted in all that we do. As we come to an end in our journey in Romans 14, we are reminded that one day, the holy and righteous God will judge what we have lived and died for.25:52When that day comes, let it be said that we live for the right things, things that glorify Jesus and that truly matter in the light of eternity. This is the heart of our liberty in Christ, the freedom to live for him and not for ourselves. So what do we do with this passage of scripture today? What does this mean for us?26:20For those of you that are part of God's family and have been born again by faith in Jesus, let us remember who the judge is. God alone is our perfect and righteous judge. Instead of spending our days judging one another over minor differences, let us be known for our love, for loving one another and sharing the truth of the gospel with a world that desperately needs to hear it. Let's strive to be unified in our faith,26:49keeping the main things the main things. Let us live and die for the gospel and its advancement, not our personal preferences, debates over things that are unclear in God's word. Our liberty in Christ is a beautiful gift, not a weapon to divide us. We exist to worship and glorify God, and when we argue over insignificant matters, we risk hiding the love and grace of Jesus from a world that is watching us.27:18And for those of you in this room today that are not a part of God's family, the scripture holds a very serious warning. Christ died to reconcile his sinful humanity to God, to bring us into his family. Whether you decide to declare Jesus as Lord or not, as our scripture tells us today, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord.27:47We will all stand before him and give an account for our lives, of what we did and with the truth and the choices that we've made. If you've not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ today, there's no amount of good that you can do in this world that's going to outweigh your sin. Only Jesus can rescue you from your sin and the judgment that we deserve.28:15Will today be the day for you that you fully commit your life to Christ? Our freedom in Christ is not just a gift to be admired. It's an invitation to be accepted. A call to live life transformed by his grace. So as I close out today, if you need prayer, if you need to have a discussion,28:46one of our pastors will be down front at the end of this time and also once we leave. So please feel free to come and see us. Don't leave here today without settling in your heart who you will live and die for. Let's live for Jesus' glory and make our lives a reflection of grace in this world. Let's pray.← Previous in When in RomansWhen in Romans – Church and State (Romans 13:1-7)Next in When in Romans →When in Romans – “When Love Becomes Law” (Romans 14:13-23)More sermons on Romans →
