Weak and strong must learn to get along

romans 14:14-23

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul warned us against having a judgmental attitude towards those with whom we disagree over nonessential matters in the church. Today, he continues to exhort us to show grace-filled sensitivity towards other Christians.    

SEEK LOVE (vv.13-15)

SEEK PEACE AND HARMONY (vv.16-19)

SEEK SELF RESTRAINT (vv.20-23)

APPLICATION

· Do not judge or despise each other.

· In all things make sure your conscience is clear. 

· Honor and give thanks to God in all your ways.

· Do not cause your brother or sister in Christ to stumble.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, as we practice our Christian liberty, let us be like-minded toward one another that we might glorify God with one mind and one mouth, and let us receive one another as Christ received us.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Matthew 9:35-38

Introduction

In our passage today, Jesus reminds us of the urgent need to continue to reach out to our neighbors and to send missionaries to the nations to spread the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself demonstrated a pattern of passionate commitment to this task. Jesus urges us to pray to God for laborers because the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

JESUS’ CONDUCT (v.35)  

JESUS’ COMPASSION (v.36)

• See Clearly

• Care Deeply

JESUS’ COMMAND (vv.37-38)

• Pray Earnestly

• Go Trustingly

APPLICATION

• See

• Care

• Pray

• Be ready 

CONCLUSION 

Beloved, the harvest is indeed plentiful. It is the workers that are few. Pray to the “Lord of the harvest” to raise more workers. Be willing and ready to obey as He speaks to you.  

Do not judge one another

Romans 14:1-12

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul reminded us that we need to be aware of what time it is, and to wake up, clean up, and put on Christ. Today, he addresses the issue of disagreements over nonessential matters in the church. He warns us against having a judgmental attitude towards those with whom we disagree.

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE YOU ARE FAMILY (vv.1-4)

· Receive the one who is weak in the faith.

· Do not judge your brother because you are not their master.

· The Lord is able to make them and you stand.

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LORD’S (vv.5-12)

· Judging your brother is inappropriate because God has accepted them.

· Christ died and rose to be the Lord, both theirs and yours.

· All of us will stand before God’s judgment seat to give account to God.

APPLICATION

· God has accepted you in Christ, therefore you should accept one another.

· God will be your judge, therefore do not judge one another.

· God will make you stand in the last day, therefore do not despise one another.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, our passage teaches us that we must always warmly receive each other as brothers and sisters in Christ despite matters of secondary personal convictions in which we differ. We must be careful to keep the main things the main things in the church, and remember that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God to give account.  

Put On The Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 13:11-14

Introduction

One feature of our modern society and the age we live in is that we are slaves of time. We all keep careful track of time, but we tend to forget that God is also keeping time. He is working up to a time when He will end this age in which we live, and move on to the age to come. Today, Paul reminds us that we need to be aware of this fact and to do certain things.

IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP (v.11)

IT IS TIME TO CLEAN UP (vv.12-13)

IT IS TIME TO SUIT UP (v.14)

APPLICATION

• Being and living.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, it is time to wake up, clean up, and suit up. The time to change and grow will soon be gone! The day of eternity will arrive - will you be ready! Put on the Lord Jesus, and walk properly as a child of the light.

“Love your neighbor as yourself”

(Romans 13:7-10)

 INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul commanded us to submit to the governing authorities, and reminded us of our civic duty in relationship to government. Today, he returns to the theme of love again, which he has not really left, and says that there is a debt that we will never cease to owe – to love each other.

LOVE IS AN UNPAID DEBT (v. 8a)

HOW DO WE PAY THIS DEBT OF LOVE? (vv. 8b-10)

a) Through imitating Jesus

b) Through active good will

APPLICATION

• Manage prudently the resources God has entrusted to you. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, let us not stop loving one another, but let us increase in our love for one another.

“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away… So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:8,13

“The Christian and Civil Authorities”

(Romans 13:1-7)

 INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul exhorted us to avoid retaliation, and to overcome evil with good. Today he shifts his attention to our civic duty in relationship to government.

THE RESPECT FOR RULERS (vv.1-2)

THE REASON FOR RULERS (vv.3-4)

THE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS RULERS (vv.5-7)

• Pay taxes

• Pay revenue

• Pay respect and honor

CONCLUSION

Beloved, the duties placed on you as a Christian toward the earthly governments are clear and simple...

• Be subject to governing authorities

• Pay what is due in taxes and respect

• Pray for all those in positions of authority

• Give thanks to God for the authorities

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

1 Timothy 2:1-4

“The transformed christian life” (3)

(Romans 12:17-21)

INTRODUCTION

Two Sundays ago, Paul began to discuss the practical outworking of the transformed life within the church. He started with what it means to have genuine love for one another. Last Sunday, he continued by teaching on how to practice love towards our enemies. Today, he exhorts us to avoid retaliation, and to overcome evil with good.

LIVE IN HONOR, NOT DISHONOR (vv. 17; 21)

LIVE IN HARMONY, NOT HOSTILITY (v.18-20)

APPLICATION

• Are you overcoming evil with good, or do you repay evil with evil? 

• Are you living in peace with all, as much as it depends on you? Is there a relationship you need to mend? 

CONCLUSION

Beloved, remember, learn from, and follow the example of our Lord, Jesus.

“He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”

1 Pet 2:23 NLT

“The transformed christian life” (2)

(Romans 12:14-16)

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul began to discuss the practical outworking of the transformed life within the church. He started with what it means to have genuine love for one another. Today, he continues this practical application by teaching on how to practice a kind of love for the church’s enemies that does not excuse or perpetuate injustice.

GENUINE LOVE IS GRACIOUS (v.14)  

GENUINE LOVE IS SENSITIVE (v.15)

GENUINE LOVE IS AGREEABLE (v.16)   

APPLICATION

• How well are you practicing these exhortations to love?

• Our passage calls us to repent where we have fallen short to practice these exhortations, and to a fresh renewal of commitment to do them as God’s people.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, it is God's good, acceptable and perfect will that Christians be a people whose love is marked by grace, empathy, and humility. 

“The transformed christian life” (1)

(Romans 12:9-13)

INTRODUCTION

After discussing the need for being transformed by the renewing of our minds (v.2), Paul turns to discuss its practical outworking within the church. This is where Christianity becomes real. He starts with what it means to have genuine love for one another.

GENUINE LOVE

• Genuine love is sincere.

• Genuine love is committed.

• Genuine love is putting others first.

• Genuine love is not slothful, but fervent.

• Genuine love is joyful.

• Genuine love is patient.

• Genuine love is constant in prayer.

• Genuine love is practical.

APPLICATION

• Are you practicing this kind of genuine love towards others in this faith family?

• Is your life as joyful and other-oriented as it should be?

CONCLUSION

Beloved, God through Jesus has shown us what genuine, sin-hating, self-giving, sacrificial, love looks like.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

“gifts of grace”

(Romnans 12:3-8)

INTRODUCTION

 Last Sunday, Paul appealed to us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Today, he tells us what the church will be like when each person humbly uses their God-given gifts for the greater good of the body of Christ.

HUMILITY (v. 3)

UNITY (vs. 4-5)

 DIVERSITY (vs. 6-8)

APPLICATION

· Take advantage of the opportunities our church offers to use your gifts.

· Try serving in at least one area where you can use your gifts.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, there is much work to do. Let us be diligent to do it, 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,  as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11