Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• A continuation from last week
• Looking at an area of doubtful/debateful things
• Grey areas
• Issues that can divide Christians
• Secondary issues of Christian practice
• Speaking of the strong and weak Christian
• Not central matters of doctrine - examples
• By comparison - fairly minor issues
• Examples
• Not just to do with preference - areas where the Bible does not give all the details
• Guiding principles - e.g. Modesty in dressing
• Not to be debating about the debatable things but to concentrate on the central things
• Paul is burdened by unity
• 14:19 – Let us pursue peace and edify each other
• 15:5 – Let us be like minded like Jesus Christ
• 15:6 – To have one mind
• In issues of difference we must accept our brothers position
• Example of marriage
• Last week looking at v1-12 – Three ways to act:
• Receive
• Guard your own attitude
• Be fully convinced
• Three reason why:
• Christ has received Him
• He is doing it for the Lord
• Christ is our brothers judge
• This week: 14:13 - 15:1
• Previously speaking of the weak:
• Paul is a Jewish Christian
• Paul is a strong Christian
• Majoring upon the strong
• Overview:
• What is a stumbling block?
• Why should we not do this?
• How ought we to act?

What is a stumbling block?

• When you become another's conscience
• When you make another follow your practice instead of relying on the word of God
• You may bring spiritual ruin to him
• You are offending him
• You are doing something innocent before God but knowing it is bringing offense into his life
• It is not for a minority to hold the church to ransom
• Example from Brazil
• Example of Timothy and Titus
• Example of alcohol, eating a meal out on Sunday
• Paul is convinced by the Lord that there is nothing unclean
• However, if anyone considers anything unclean, it is unclean
• Do not force your views on them

Why should we not do this?

• 14:15b, 14:20b, 14:23
• Three negative reasons:
• 14:15b – It might lead a brother to spiritual ruin
• If a believer begins to violate his conscience he is on a slippery slope
• He should not follow other Christians
• Personal example
• 14:20 – We do not want to destroy the church of God
• We must allow others freedom to hold their position under the Lord
• We do not want to harden people to disagreement and separation
• Sometimes it would be wiser to be silent
• We do not want to destroy the church of God
• 14:16 – we may be maligned and our position might be though of as evil
• Three positive reasons:
• 14:17 – The Kingdom of God is far greater than any secondary issues
• It is not about external matters 
• Example of Baptism
• This pleases God
• 15:2
• Love builds up

How ought we to act?

• 14:21 - Make a resolution and decision not to do anything spiritually offensive or cause a brother to stumble
• Examples
• Consider the other person
• Follow the word of God
• Refrain from anything that gives the appearance of evil
• Not to flaunt our position
• Give people time - stand in your own faith (14:22)
• Be selfless

Closing Remarks