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Romans 14:13-23 · Providence Baptist Church - Sermons

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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
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!
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For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
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Much is communicated in these 11 verses, and the language is not very simple.
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We most regularly aid our thinking with simple outlines.
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I like to give them to you in advance and give you some structure to know where we're going.
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Typically, two to four point outlines.
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Most regularly three.
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Things just seem to fall into that structure.
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But today, in a way that I hope won't complicate our consideration,
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we're going to follow the negative exhortations.
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That is the do-nots through the text in seven points.
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So if you are a note-taker and you want to get these in advance, they all start with do-not.
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So that might help you, save you a little bit of writing time.
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I'm going to give them to you very quickly, and then we'll jump right into the first point.
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So, number one, do not judge your brother.
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Number two, do not tempt your brother to sin.
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Number three, do not grieve your brother.
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Number four, do not destroy your brother.
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Number five, do not forfeit your witness.
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Number six, do not destroy the work of God.
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And number seven, do not flaunt or forfeit your liberty.
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So hopefully you can kind of pick this up and piece together where we're headed as we go through it.
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Now, I just want to say at the outset, before we go to point one,
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you will note that I said brother in most of those points.
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Do not judge your brother is point number one.
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And it is very reasonable to say, or sister, brother or sister.
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And to say that many, many, many times this morning.
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And I want you to know that often the language of just brother is picked up in the Scripture.
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And I don't think that they mean to exclude you ladies who are in Christ.
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I think that's what the authors are doing at all.
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But they're helping us to think about us being co-heirs with Christ
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and being recipients of all that is given to those who belong to him,
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which would have been men in the Bible, right?
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My oldest brothers received the great benefit of the family.
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And so, ladies, I think you want to find yourself as a brother.
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So I'm not excluding you as I address in that way this morning.
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And neither do I believe as Paul.
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So, firstly, do not judge your brother.
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And we see this in the first part of verse 13.
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Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.
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Verse 13 begins with this word, therefore.
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So we must first deal with it to understand what comes next.
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This transition word.
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Because of everything that I've said, this next thing I'm going to say.
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In the final half of chapter 14,
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Paul exhorts us to humbly serve one another
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as it concerns what he calls opinions in verse 1.
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I made the case to you that Paul is not speaking in this chapter of doctrines
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that are fundamental to the faith.
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Remember, we talked about theological triage.
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First, second, third, and fourth tier issues, right?
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What I do believe he's speaking about is
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those issues that we deem third tier theological issues.
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Not unimportant convictions, but they should be held in a particular way,
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which is what he's trying to help us to see here, right?
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We may disagree on some of the less important matters.
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How do we do that?
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How do we walk in unity together
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when we don't quite see eye to eye on everything?
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He employed two examples in the beginning of the chapter.
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One about food and the other, the observance of particular days.
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And he returns to that former example in the last half of the chapter.
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So he's talking largely in chapter 14 about food,
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and we think, particularly, food that's been offered to idols.
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So these exhortations are for Christians living in relationship to other Christians
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under the assumption that they're all laboring to live their lives
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in a manner that's pleasing to God.
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Last week, we noted four foundational reasons that Paul gives us
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for his call to Christian unity on these types of matters.
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I touched on them briefly last week.
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I'm going to touch on them really briefly this week as well to remind us of them.
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So in verses 3 and 8 of chapter 14,
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we see, if you've made a profession of faith in Christ,
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that we are gods.
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Verse 3 says that God has welcomed him,
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referring to this weaker brother.
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And then verse 8 says whether we live or whether we die,
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we are the Lord's.
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We belong to him.
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Secondly, our eternal position is secured by God.
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Verse 4 says,
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And he will be upheld, this weak faith Christian,
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for the Lord is able to make him stand.
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Thirdly, we saw that Paul's examples are heartfelt.
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And by that I mean, they're well-intentioned.
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The person who has these particular convictions is doing them
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because he wants to please God.
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Verse 6 says,
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The one who observes the day observes it in honor of the Lord.
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The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord,
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since he gives thanks to God,
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while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord
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and gives thanks to God.
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The intention is pure.
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I want to please God with my life.
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And fourth, God will judge our temporal works.
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Verse 10 says we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
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And verse 12, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
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And so there's things that will be sorted out in the end.
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So it follows all of this that Paul says,
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Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.
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We have to have our categories straight in our heads
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if we were going to get this not passing judgment correct.
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So we're going to take a little time at this point,
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which I think will help us progress more quickly as our text proceeds.
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So when you hear,
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Therefore, let us not pass judgment on another any longer,
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your mind may, mine does,
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rush off to a text like Matthew chapter 7 and verse 1.
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There Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount,
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Judge not that you be not judged.
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In the common Christian zeitgeist,
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the understanding of this verse and Romans 14, 1
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seems so clear and is handled with phrases like,
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you've likely heard somebody say something like,
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Well, who am I to judge?
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It is used as an instruction for retreat
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from meaningful engagement in the lives of others in the church.
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But what does Jesus go on to teach in Matthew chapter 7?
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He says, Judge not lest you be judged.
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For with the judgment you pronounce,
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you will be judged.
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And with the measure you use,
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it will be measured to you.
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And that should strike some fear in us.
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I'm just going to avoid it altogether then.
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But then he goes on in verse 3.
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Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye,
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but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
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Or how can you say to your brother,
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Let me take the speck out of your eye
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when there is a log in your own eye?
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You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,
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and then you will see clearly to take the speck
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out of your brother's eye.
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So in verse 5 of Matthew 7,
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Jesus tells us that we ought to remove the speck
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from our brother's eye
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after warning us how it is
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that we ought to remove the speck
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from our brother's eye.
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Jesus here in Matthew is a warning against judgmentalism.
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An arrogance that says,
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I have figured out all the intricacies
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of what faithful life looks like.
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And this ought not characterize the humble heart.
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I've got it all sorted, Jesus says.
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Oh, be careful.
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There is a log in your eye if you think in this way.
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Be sure that you are of humble heart,
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that you see your own sin as large,
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that you might see clearly to help others with theirs.
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These verses are not instruction for retreat,
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for meaningful engagement in the lives of others in the church,
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but instruction for care and for categories.
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How are we to go about loving one another in the truth,
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pressing one another towards Christlikeness
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in the midst of disagreement?
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Otherwise, if we don't see it this way,
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what do we do with Paul's teaching
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in 1 Corinthians 5, verses 9-13?
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Is he contradicting himself or the Lord Jesus Christ?
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Of course not.
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There he says,
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I wrote to you in my letter
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not to associate with sexually immoral people.
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There was an egregious sin
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that he had heard was going on in the life of this church,
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and they were tolerating it.
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He then says,
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not at all meaning the sexually immoral in this world
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or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters,
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since then you would need to go out of the world.
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But now I am writing to you
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not to associate with anyone
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who bears the name of brother
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if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed
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or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler,
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not even to eat with such a one.
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So somebody's life that is characterized by sin,
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they say they're a Christ follower
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and their life gives no evidence of that.
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The fruit that they're producing
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is not the fruit of a redeemed tree,
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it's the fruit of a different kind, right?
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A desperately lost tree.
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And then he says, verse 12,
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for what have I to do with judging outsiders,
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those of the world?
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Is it not those inside the church
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whom you are to judge?
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God judges those outside.
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Purge the evil person from among you.
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So, we're not being instructed in Romans chapter 14
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to not help people see their sin.
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To point out, you're in error here.
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We want to faithfully follow Jesus
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and you're wrong.
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Let me help you see the wrong that exists in your life.
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One of the important things the church does together
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is this great work.
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I am so grateful to be fellowshiped,
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committed to a group of Christians
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that help me faithfully follow Jesus.
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I need your help to do this.
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Do not leave me alone in this effort.
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You are a grace given to me
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and I hope to one another and me to you.
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Jesus gives us instruction on in Matthew,
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Matthew chapter 18, verse 15 through 17,
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about how we're to go about this careful speck removal work.
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It's a four-step process.
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He starts in verse 15,
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if your brother sins against you,
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go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
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If he listens to you,
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you have gained your brother.
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You go to him, he sinned,
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and he hears you, he repents.
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Praise God.
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Step two, but if he does not listen,
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take one or two others along with you
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that every charge may be established
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by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
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You go with others.
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You say, brother,
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we all see this thing that's going on
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in your life that requires repentance.
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And it's assumed, right,
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if he listens to you,
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you have gained your brother.
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There's an opportunity for repentance
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at that second step.
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Thirdly, verse 17,
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if he refuses to listen to them,
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tell it to the church.
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And again, an opportunity.
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But if he does listen, right,
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you have gained your brother.
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And step four,
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and if he refuses to listen even to the church,
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let him be to you as a Gentile
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and a tax collector.
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That is to say,
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one who is not in the faith.
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So this is not the judgment
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that Paul is talking about here.
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It can't be.
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If it is,
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then the whole thing
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is just running in contradiction.
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Paul changed his mind at some point
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about all of this.
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And we know that this text
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is an inspired text.
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It has ultimately,
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as its author, God.
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And God cannot lie.
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And he cannot contradict himself.
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So we're to not pass judgment
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on one another any longer.
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And I believe,
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because of everything that I've said,
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he's talking about these
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third-tier types of issues.
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The Greek verb here translated,
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past judgment,
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can also be translated,
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determine.
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And it carries the idea of condemnation.
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In the second half of verse 13,
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the word translated decide,
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in the ESV,
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is the same Greek verb.
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So Paul is saying,
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right,
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on these third-tier
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convictional matters,
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let's not condemn one another.
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And he goes on,
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secondly,
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do not tempt your brother
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to sin.
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The last half of verse 13
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and verse 14,
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this is point two.
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He says,
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instead of that,
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let us not pass judgment,
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but rather,
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decide,
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determine,
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never to put a stumbling block
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or hindrance
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in the way
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of a brother.
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Instead of being judgmental,
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determine that you will not
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tempt the weaker
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brother.
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And this is where he picks back up
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the food example.
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Last week I said that there are
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two possibilities
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why an early Roman Christian
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may have abstained from
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eating of meat.
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In either case,
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it is most probable
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that they were Jewish.
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They may have been
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strictly vegetarian,
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either,
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one,
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to avoid eating meat
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that had been offered
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to an idol,
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or two,
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to avoid any meat
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that was considered unclean
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under Old Testament law.
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Although they probably
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were aware
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of those,
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but I don't,
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I'm not very good
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at identifying meat
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once it's been cut up.
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So,
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maybe you or they
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were better at it.
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So I want to say
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it's probably
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the former,
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perhaps maybe
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a little of the latter,
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because the concern
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was this unknowingly
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eating of meat
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that had been offered
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to an idol.
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And Paul calls
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these brothers
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the weaker brothers
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at the beginning
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of chapter 14.
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In today's text,
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in verse 14,
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he says,
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I know and am persuaded
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in the Lord Jesus
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that nothing is unclean
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in itself,
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but it is unclean
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for anyone who
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thinks it unclean.
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So he's being very clear
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on the doctrinal matter.
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It is okay
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to eat
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these meats,
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these meats
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that were considered
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unclean in the Old Testament,
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these meats
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that are offered
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to idols.
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Gentiles.
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This issue,
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however,
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was not a simple issue.
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Simple for us,
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not simple
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for them.
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In Acts chapter 15,
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a council is gathered
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in Jerusalem
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to determine
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whether or not
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Gentiles who converted
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to Christianity
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needed to be
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circumcised.
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This issue
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was at the core
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of much hubbub
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in the early church.
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The book of Galatians
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is written
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to address
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those who were teaching
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that somebody
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must be circumcised
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to be saved.
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A salvific question.
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And this council gathers
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and we get a record of it
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in Acts chapter 15
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and they determined
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that circumcision
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had no bearing
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on the salvation
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of one's soul
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and decided to circulate
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a letter
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stating so.
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But that letter
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did include
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some further instruction.
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So Acts chapter 15,
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this is verse 28,
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29,
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for it has seemed good,
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this is the letter
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they wrote,
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to the Holy Spirit
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and to us
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to lay on you
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no greater burden,
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talking about circumcision,
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than these requirements
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that you abstain
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from what has been
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sacrificed to idols
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and from blood
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and from what has been
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strangled
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and from sexual immorality.
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If you keep yourselves
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from these,
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you will do well.
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So a letter
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is circulated
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from the apostles
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who were in Jerusalem.
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Paul participated
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in this decision making
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and in the distribution
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of that letter.
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Perhaps a little more
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complicated
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because in our text today
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in verse 14,
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he says,
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there's nothing unclean.
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It's quite okay
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for me to eat
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meat
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offered to idols.
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And you don't see that
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in chapter 14
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specifically,
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do you?
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but you can find it
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in 1 Corinthians
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chapter 8.
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So if you will,
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turn with me
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to 1 Corinthians 8.
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We're going to read
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the entirety
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of the chapter
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because he lays
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this argument out.
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It's really
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the example
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that I think
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is embedded
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in Romans 14
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just walked
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all the way out.
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It's like logical
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reasoning to its end
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and I think
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really helpful
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for us
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this morning.
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1 Corinthians 8
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beginning in verse 1.
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Now,
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concerning food
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offered to idols.
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Okay,
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so there's the example
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very clearly
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right at the beginning.
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We know
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that all of us
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possess knowledge.
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This knowledge
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puffs up
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but love
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builds up.
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The knowledge
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he's referring to
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that it's okay
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to eat food
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offered to idols.
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If anyone imagines
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that he knows something,
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he does not yet know
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as he ought to know.
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But if anyone
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loves God,
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he is known by God.
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Therefore,
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as to the eating
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of food
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offered to idols,
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we know
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that an idol
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has no real existence
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and that there is
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no God
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but one.
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For although
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there may be
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so-called gods
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in heaven
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or on earth,
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as indeed
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there are many gods
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and many lords,
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yet for us
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there is one God,
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the Father,
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from whom
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are all things
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and for whom
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we exist
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and one Lord
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Jesus Christ
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through whom
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are all things
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and through whom
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we exist.
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He's basically saying
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food that's offered
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to idols
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doesn't mean anything
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because there are
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no other gods.
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Like,
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vain worship.
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Right?
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That's what he's
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saying there.
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However,
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not all possess
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this knowledge
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but some
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through former
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association
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with idols
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eat food
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as really offered
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to an idol
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and their conscience
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being weak
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is defiled.
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One who used
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to offer food
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to idols.
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Right?
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Food will not
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commend us
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to God.
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Verse 8,
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we are no worse
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off if we do
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not eat
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and no better
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off if we do.
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How are we
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justified?
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By faith alone.
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Right?
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Justified by faith
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alone,
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not by our
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works.
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But take care
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that this right
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of yours
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does not somehow
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become a stumbling
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block to the weak.
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For if anyone
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sees you
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who have
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knowledge
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eating in
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an idol's
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temple,
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will he not
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be encouraged
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if his conscience
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is weak
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to eat food
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offered to
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idols?
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And so by
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your knowledge
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this weak
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person is
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destroyed,
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the brother
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for whom
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Christ
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died.
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Thus,
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sinning against
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your brothers
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and wounding
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their conscience
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when it is weak,
21:30
you sin
21:31
against
21:32
Christ.
21:34
Therefore,
21:35
if food
21:35
makes my
21:36
brother stumble,
21:37
I will never
21:38
eat meat
21:39
lest I make
21:40
my brother
21:41
stumble.
21:44
So the whole
21:45
matter seems
21:46
to be one
21:46
that was
21:47
important
21:48
as a way
21:49
of separating
21:50
Christians
21:51
from idolaters,
21:53
but not as
21:53
an issue
21:54
of salvation.
21:56
Acts chapter
21:57
15,
21:57
we want to be
21:58
clear about
21:58
who we are.
21:59
We are not
22:00
idolaters.
22:01
However,
22:03
the practice
22:04
had grown
22:04
and wasn't
22:05
seen as
22:06
salvific
22:07
in any
22:07
way.
22:09
An example
22:10
with some
22:10
fair
22:11
parallel
22:12
in our
22:13
day,
22:13
especially
22:14
in the
22:14
southeast,
22:15
is that
22:16
of the
22:16
consumption
22:17
of alcohol.
22:19
The Bible
22:20
gives no
22:21
prohibitions
22:21
against alcohol
22:22
in moderation.
22:25
It does
22:26
issue warning
22:26
against the
22:27
use of
22:27
strong drink
22:28
and it
22:29
does
22:29
forbid
22:30
drunkenness.
22:32
You are
22:33
young people
22:34
meant to
22:34
obey the
22:34
laws of
22:35
our land,
22:35
drinking.
22:35
If you are
22:36
younger than
22:37
21,
22:37
it is not
22:38
even a
22:38
debate
22:38
for you.
22:40
It does
22:41
not
22:41
forbid
22:42
moderate
22:43
drinking.
22:45
However,
22:46
this activity
22:46
is wrought
22:47
with complications
22:48
when you add
22:49
the addictive
22:49
nature of
22:50
alcohol and
22:50
its great
22:51
abuse.
22:51
I think all
22:53
of us have
22:53
been affected
22:54
in one way
22:54
or another
22:55
by alcohol
22:56
abuse.
22:57
It has
22:57
probably
22:57
touched
22:57
all of
22:58
our
22:58
lives.
22:59
and the
23:00
cultural
23:01
assumptions
23:01
that come
23:02
along
23:03
with it
23:04
about
23:04
those
23:05
who
23:06
drink.
23:07
A great
23:09
old joke
23:09
asked,
23:11
do you
23:11
know the
23:11
difference
23:11
between a
23:12
Baptist
23:12
and a
23:12
Methodist?
23:13
Of course,
23:13
there are
23:13
a lot of
23:14
theological
23:14
differences,
23:16
but the
23:16
joke is
23:17
the Baptist
23:18
is the
23:18
one who
23:18
ducks
23:19
when you
23:19
walk in
23:20
the liquor
23:20
store.
23:24
It is not
23:25
a simple
23:25
issue.
23:27
It is not a
23:28
simple issue.
23:28
What are
23:29
the Bible's
23:30
prohibitions?
23:31
We need to
23:31
be clear
23:32
about this.
23:33
It parallels
23:34
in a lot
23:34
of ways.
23:35
It is not
23:36
a thing we
23:36
should do
23:37
without careful
23:38
thought towards
23:39
others.
23:41
I am going
23:41
to make it
23:42
a simple
23:43
issue.
23:45
For all of
23:45
our years of
23:46
involvement with
23:46
the Georgia
23:47
Baptist
23:47
Convention,
23:48
there was a
23:48
period of
23:48
time where
23:49
I went to
23:50
annual meetings
23:51
and without
23:51
fail,
23:53
there would
23:53
be a motion
23:53
from the
23:54
floor to
23:55
make it
23:56
essentially
23:59
an unforgivable
24:00
sin that
24:00
any pastor
24:01
in the
24:02
Georgia
24:02
Baptist
24:02
Convention
24:03
drink
24:03
alcohol.
24:04
It would
24:05
get hotly
24:06
debated on
24:07
the floor.
24:08
It was
24:09
very silly
24:09
to be
24:10
frank because
24:11
one group
24:12
was just
24:13
going,
24:13
but the
24:14
prohibition is
24:14
not clear in
24:15
the text.
24:16
Make the
24:17
prohibition clear
24:17
and we are
24:17
with you,
24:18
but until
24:18
you can make
24:19
the prohibition
24:19
clear and
24:21
it becomes
24:21
a problem
24:22
in that
24:23
way.
24:24
But we're
24:26
being encouraged
24:27
here in
24:27
this text
24:28
to not
24:29
put a
24:30
stumbling
24:31
block or
24:31
hindrance
24:32
in the
24:33
way of
24:35
a brother.
24:36
Your
24:36
participation
24:37
in something
24:38
that you
24:38
are free
24:39
to participate
24:40
in,
24:41
that has
24:42
the potential
24:43
to harm
24:44
your brother
24:45
is no
24:45
longer
24:46
of any
24:47
value.
24:49
And Paul
24:49
takes it a
24:50
step further
24:51
in 1 Corinthians
24:51
8 and
24:52
calls it
24:53
sin.
24:54
You are
24:55
sinning
24:55
against
24:55
the one
24:56
who Christ
24:57
died for.
24:58
And he
24:58
says in
24:59
verse 11,
25:00
the brother
25:00
for whom,
25:01
excuse me,
25:01
verse 12,
25:02
you sin
25:03
against
25:04
Christ.
25:07
So we
25:08
have to be
25:08
considerate
25:09
about the
25:09
things that
25:10
we do,
25:10
the liberties
25:11
that we
25:11
practice,
25:12
the ways
25:13
in which
25:14
we disagree
25:15
on these
25:15
third-tier
25:16
issues.
25:17
It matters
25:18
greatly.
25:20
We'll see
25:20
why in
25:21
just a bit.
25:24
The next
25:24
exhortation,
25:25
negative
25:25
exhortation,
25:26
verse 15a,
25:28
the first part
25:29
of verse 15,
25:29
point number
25:30
three.
25:31
For if
25:32
your brother
25:32
is grieved
25:33
by what
25:34
you eat,
25:35
you are
25:35
no longer
25:36
walking
25:37
in love.
25:39
This word
25:39
grieved can
25:40
also be
25:41
translated
25:41
pained,
25:43
distressed,
25:44
!
25:44
or hurt.
25:47
I am
25:47
continually
25:48
astounded
25:48
by those
25:49
that consider
25:49
themselves
25:50
quote-unquote
25:52
strong.
25:53
They consider
25:53
themselves
25:54
strong in
25:55
faith,
25:56
who deal
25:57
with those
25:57
who are
25:58
weak in
25:58
faith in
25:59
unloving
25:59
ways.
26:01
This kind
26:02
of arrogance.
26:02
I've got
26:03
it figured
26:03
out.
26:04
How could
26:04
you not
26:05
see this?
26:07
If you
26:08
desire for
26:08
everyone who
26:09
claims to
26:10
follow Christ
26:10
to look
26:11
like you,
26:13
then you
26:13
are not
26:14
mature.
26:15
You are
26:15
not strong
26:16
in faith.
26:18
You are
26:18
rather
26:19
pharisaical.
26:21
people.
26:22
It's a
26:22
great
26:23
expression
26:23
of
26:24
immaturity
26:24
to walk
26:25
unlovingly
26:26
in these
26:27
types
26:27
of matters.
26:30
You probably
26:31
all know
26:31
someone who
26:32
does this.
26:33
He's got
26:33
a lot of
26:34
knowledge and
26:35
it is way
26:36
outpacing
26:37
their maturity.
26:39
It's really
26:40
damaging to
26:40
have knowledge
26:41
without
26:41
love.
26:44
Jesus issues
26:45
all of these
26:45
woes
26:46
in the book
26:48
of Matthew
26:48
22.
26:49
And this
26:50
one is
26:50
particularly
26:51
striking to
26:51
me.
26:52
Matthew
26:52
chapter 23
26:53
in verse 15.
26:54
He says,
26:54
Woe to
26:54
you,
26:55
scribes
26:56
and
26:56
Pharisees,
26:58
hypocrites.
26:59
So these
26:59
are the
27:00
religious
27:00
people of
27:01
his day.
27:02
For you
27:02
travel across
27:03
sea and
27:04
land to
27:04
make a
27:04
single
27:05
proselyte
27:06
or convert.
27:07
And when
27:08
he becomes
27:08
a proselyte,
27:10
you make
27:10
him twice
27:11
as much
27:11
a child
27:12
of hell
27:12
as
27:13
yourselves.
27:15
Now,
27:15
Jesus is
27:16
speaking to
27:16
unconverted
27:17
people who
27:18
further condemn
27:19
others.
27:20
But should
27:21
we be
27:21
characterized
27:22
in the
27:23
same way?
27:23
Absolutely
27:24
not.
27:25
May it
27:25
never
27:26
be.
27:28
The
27:28
strong
27:29
in faith,
27:30
truly
27:30
strong
27:31
in faith,
27:32
hold
27:33
fast to
27:34
the gospel
27:35
of Jesus
27:35
Christ.
27:38
They know
27:39
that they
27:40
are saved
27:40
from the
27:41
wrath of
27:41
God
27:42
by grace
27:43
alone,
27:44
through faith
27:45
alone,
27:46
and the
27:46
peace to
27:47
us in
27:47
all of
27:48
the
27:48
preceding
27:49
chapters.
27:50
This is
27:50
how we
27:50
are made
27:51
right before
27:52
God.
27:54
And there
27:54
is a doctrinal
27:55
tightrope to
27:55
be walked in
27:56
the gospel,
27:57
and it
27:57
is this.
27:59
We have
27:59
been saved
28:00
by God's
28:00
kindness to
28:01
us in
28:02
Christ.
28:03
He
28:03
accomplished
28:04
the work.
28:06
But our
28:07
faith is not
28:07
a passive
28:08
faith, it
28:09
is an
28:09
active
28:10
faith.
28:11
That's the
28:12
tightrope
28:12
that we
28:13
walk as
28:14
faithful
28:15
Christians.
28:17
Every
28:17
other
28:17
world
28:18
religion
28:19
or system
28:20
sets up
28:21
rules to
28:21
attain the
28:22
next level,
28:23
whether that's
28:23
right relationship
28:24
with God
28:25
or some
28:25
kind of
28:26
enlightenment.
28:27
Christianity
28:27
is unique,
28:28
and it is
28:28
unique because
28:29
it is created
28:29
by our
28:30
Lord.
28:31
He
28:32
accomplishes
28:32
the work
28:33
on our
28:33
behalf.
28:34
You add
28:35
nothing to
28:36
the equation
28:37
of your
28:37
salvation.
28:39
By grace,
28:40
through faith,
28:41
in Christ,
28:42
it is because
28:43
God is
28:43
kind to
28:44
you that
28:46
you have a
28:46
right standing
28:47
with Him.
28:48
You cannot
28:49
earn it.
28:49
It is
28:50
impossible to
28:51
do.
28:53
But having
28:54
been changed
28:55
from one
28:57
kind to
28:57
another
28:58
kind,
28:59
good
29:00
trees
29:01
produce
29:02
good
29:03
fruit.
29:04
Our
29:04
faith is an
29:04
active faith
29:05
that shows
29:05
itself out
29:07
in the
29:07
world.
29:08
Praise God
29:09
that we can
29:09
see evidences
29:10
of His
29:11
Spirit at
29:12
work
29:12
within us.
29:14
This is a
29:15
tightrope
29:15
that we
29:16
must walk.
29:17
If we
29:18
fall off
29:18
one side
29:19
of the
29:19
tightrope,
29:20
we will
29:21
think that
29:21
we can
29:21
live however
29:22
we want
29:23
to.
29:24
I'm
29:25
saved by
29:25
grace
29:25
through
29:25
faith in
29:26
Christ.
29:26
He did
29:27
the work
29:27
so I
29:28
can go
29:28
do
29:28
whatever
29:29
I
29:29
want.
29:30
And this
29:30
is certainly
29:31
an error.
29:32
We have
29:32
fallen off.
29:34
It's
29:34
licentiousness.
29:36
If we
29:37
fall off
29:38
the other
29:38
side,
29:39
and this
29:39
is the
29:39
side our
29:40
text
29:40
speaks to
29:41
today,
29:42
then we
29:43
think we
29:43
are approved
29:44
because of
29:45
our
29:46
works.
29:48
And beloved,
29:49
this is
29:49
legalism,
29:50
and its
29:50
natural
29:51
conclusion is
29:52
to require
29:53
that others
29:54
conform to
29:55
us.
29:57
Because if
29:57
they don't,
29:59
then the
29:59
foundation we
30:00
built for
30:00
ourselves
30:01
begins to
30:02
erode.
30:04
If I
30:05
functionally
30:06
think that
30:06
my acceptance
30:07
before God
30:08
is because
30:08
of the
30:08
way I
30:09
figured out
30:10
these
30:10
types of
30:10
nuance
30:11
matters,
30:12
if that's
30:12
what I
30:13
stand on
30:13
and you
30:14
don't agree
30:15
with me,
30:16
then my
30:16
stance
30:17
becomes
30:17
shaky.
30:20
If
30:20
rather,
30:21
I stand
30:21
on the
30:22
solid rock
30:22
that cannot
30:23
be moved.
30:25
Perfect
30:26
life,
30:27
sacrificial
30:27
death of
30:29
the Lord
30:29
Jesus Christ.
30:30
The strong
30:30
in faith
30:31
walk right
30:31
down the
30:33
middle,
30:33
and we
30:34
need each
30:34
other's
30:34
help to
30:35
stay there
30:36
together.
30:38
Those who
30:38
are strong
30:39
in faith
30:39
are humble
30:40
because they
30:40
believe that
30:41
it is God
30:41
who accomplished
30:42
the work,
30:43
and then they
30:43
are turned
30:44
to each
30:44
other in
30:45
love,
30:45
seeking to
30:46
get others
30:46
on the
30:47
rope and
30:47
to keep
30:48
them in
30:49
that place.
30:52
Lots
30:53
of humility
30:54
required
30:55
for this.
30:57
I'll give you
30:58
a small
30:58
example from
30:58
our
30:58
congregation.
30:59
I am
31:00
not going
31:00
to use
31:00
names,
31:01
and I
31:02
am not
31:03
suggesting
31:03
that one
31:03
of these
31:04
brothers is
31:04
the weaker
31:05
brother and
31:05
one the
31:05
stronger
31:05
brother in
31:06
this given
31:07
scenario.
31:08
Just an
31:09
example of
31:10
the way two
31:11
men disagreed
31:12
and bore
31:13
with each
31:13
other in
31:14
love.
31:15
It was
31:16
about the
31:16
issue of
31:17
concealed
31:17
carry.
31:19
I have
31:20
an opinion
31:20
about that.
31:22
You can
31:22
ask me or
31:23
give me a
31:23
hug and
31:23
find out
31:24
how I
31:24
feel about
31:25
it.
31:29
But the
31:29
one brother
31:30
didn't
31:31
find it
31:31
appropriate
31:32
and the
31:32
other said,
31:33
oh, it
31:33
is.
31:34
And they
31:35
talked
31:36
together.
31:36
They opened
31:37
the word
31:37
together.
31:38
They were
31:38
thinking
31:39
together and
31:40
trying to
31:40
think biblically
31:40
and they
31:41
didn't agree.
31:41
But the
31:42
one who
31:43
agreed with
31:44
concealed
31:45
carry simply
31:46
said to the
31:46
other, I
31:47
think you'll
31:47
change your
31:48
mind when
31:48
you have
31:49
children.
31:51
And he
31:51
was patient.
31:52
He waited.
31:53
And you
31:54
know what?
31:54
One day the
31:55
other brother
31:56
had children
31:56
and fairly
31:58
promptly began
32:00
to carry.
32:02
How good
32:03
that was.
32:04
They didn't
32:04
get mad at
32:05
each other
32:06
and go to
32:07
fists over
32:08
the issue.
32:10
They thought
32:10
biblically
32:11
together.
32:12
They saw
32:12
each other's
32:12
point.
32:13
And the
32:13
one just
32:14
said, I
32:14
think you
32:15
may change
32:15
your mind
32:16
someday.
32:18
Please don't
32:18
hear me
32:19
setting that
32:19
up as the
32:19
great objective
32:20
of strong
32:21
faith at
32:21
all.
32:22
It's just
32:23
an example
32:23
of how
32:23
we're to
32:24
bear with
32:25
one
32:26
another.
32:28
Paul wrote
32:28
back in
32:28
Romans chapter
32:29
12 in
32:30
verse 10,
32:32
love one
32:32
another with
32:33
brotherly
32:34
affection.
32:36
Outdo one
32:36
another in
32:37
showing honor,
32:40
granting to
32:41
the other,
32:42
trying to
32:43
understand,
32:44
giving them
32:45
respect.
32:46
This is what's
32:47
going to mark
32:48
the mature
32:49
Christian,
32:50
the one who
32:51
does not want
32:52
to grieve,
32:54
to damage
32:55
their brother.
32:59
Fourth,
33:00
and these
33:00
things really
33:00
are tying
33:01
together.
33:01
They're very
33:02
similar.
33:03
There maybe
33:03
could have
33:04
been a one
33:05
total overall
33:05
exhortation
33:06
here.
33:07
Fourthly,
33:08
do not
33:08
destroy your
33:09
brother.
33:09
The last
33:10
half of
33:10
verse 15,
33:12
there Paul
33:12
says,
33:13
by what you
33:13
eat,
33:14
do not
33:15
destroy the
33:15
one for
33:16
whom Christ
33:16
died.
33:17
Don't grieve
33:18
your brother
33:18
and do not
33:19
destroy your
33:21
brother.
33:22
The word
33:22
rendered
33:22
destroyed can
33:24
be a bit
33:25
misleading.
33:27
The Greek
33:28
scholar W.E.
33:29
Vine explains
33:31
this verb
33:31
this way.
33:33
The idea
33:33
is not
33:33
extinction,
33:35
but ruin.
33:38
Loss,
33:38
not of
33:39
being,
33:40
but of
33:41
well-being.
33:42
It's the
33:43
Greek word
33:44
and what it
33:44
means.
33:45
Paul is
33:46
not talking
33:47
about the
33:47
brother's
33:48
damnation.
33:49
After all,
33:50
he is one
33:51
for whom
33:52
Christ has
33:52
died.
33:53
He's making
33:53
that very
33:53
clear in
33:54
the text.
33:56
Paul is
33:56
not running
33:57
in contradiction
33:57
to his
33:58
own
33:58
theology.
34:00
If Christ
34:00
has saved
34:01
you,
34:01
then you
34:01
are indeed
34:02
saved.
34:04
Paul's
34:04
concern is
34:05
that your
34:05
practiced
34:06
freedom,
34:07
done
34:07
irresponsibly,
34:09
will damage
34:10
the conscience
34:10
of this
34:12
weaker
34:12
brother,
34:12
will affect
34:13
his
34:14
well-being.
34:17
We don't
34:17
want him
34:17
tied up
34:18
with this
34:18
stuff.
34:19
We want
34:19
him
34:19
staying
34:19
on that
34:20
tight
34:20
rope,
34:21
believing
34:21
that he
34:22
is
34:22
saved
34:22
by the
34:23
grace
34:23
of
34:23
God
34:24
in
34:25
Christ,
34:25
that
34:25
Christ
34:26
did
34:26
die
34:27
for
34:27
him.
34:30
So do
34:30
not
34:30
destroy
34:31
your
34:31
brother.
34:32
Fifthly,
34:33
do not
34:33
forfeit
34:34
your
34:35
witness.
34:36
We see
34:37
this in
34:37
verses 16
34:38
through
34:38
19.
34:40
Paul
34:40
there
34:40
says,
34:41
so do
34:41
not let
34:41
what you
34:41
regard
34:42
as good
34:42
be spoken
34:43
of
34:43
as evil.
34:46
If we
34:47
separate this
34:48
verse from
34:48
its context,
34:49
this may
34:49
seem like a
34:50
command to
34:50
defend your
34:51
stances,
34:52
to stand
34:53
your ground.
34:55
I, to
34:57
my shame,
34:57
read it this
34:58
way many
34:58
times.
35:00
It's like I
35:01
ignored the
35:01
rest of
35:02
chapter 14.
35:03
It was like,
35:03
yeah, people
35:04
shouldn't say
35:05
what's good
35:05
is bad,
35:06
but if you
35:07
place it in
35:07
its context,
35:09
as all good
35:10
Bible exegesis
35:10
does,
35:12
we can see
35:12
that Paul is
35:13
simply saying,
35:14
if something
35:15
good that
35:16
you can do
35:17
is regarded
35:18
by somebody
35:18
else as
35:19
evil,
35:20
then do
35:21
not do
35:21
that thing.
35:23
Just don't
35:24
do it.
35:26
Practice your
35:27
Christian liberty
35:28
by recognizing
35:29
that you are
35:30
not justified
35:31
by what you
35:32
don't do
35:32
or by what
35:33
you do
35:34
do,
35:35
but by the
35:36
sacrificial
35:37
love of
35:38
Christ.
35:39
You can
35:40
decide not
35:40
to do
35:41
something in
35:41
order to
35:41
serve somebody
35:42
else and
35:42
still be
35:43
practicing
35:44
your Christian
35:44
liberty.
35:45
Your Christian
35:46
liberty exists
35:47
because you're
35:48
not enslaved
35:49
to the law
35:49
any longer.
35:50
You've been
35:51
set free
35:51
from its
35:52
condemnation
35:52
in Christ.
35:55
You can
35:55
give something
35:56
up for the
35:57
sake of
35:58
another.
36:00
This is the
36:01
kind of love
36:01
that we're
36:02
called to.
36:03
Should it be
36:04
shocking to
36:04
us that the
36:06
one we're
36:06
meant to
36:07
emulate,
36:07
our Lord and
36:08
Savior Jesus
36:08
Christ,
36:09
came,
36:10
condescended to
36:11
become a
36:12
man,
36:12
gave up
36:13
his position
36:13
in heaven,
36:15
humbled himself
36:16
to be a
36:16
babe,
36:17
born amongst
36:18
animals in
36:19
a manger,
36:20
suffered on
36:21
our behalf
36:22
both a
36:23
life and
36:24
a death,
36:25
and that he
36:26
doesn't call
36:26
us to serve
36:27
one another
36:27
sacrificially?
36:29
Of course we're
36:30
meant to give
36:31
of ourselves
36:31
for the sake
36:32
of other
36:33
people.
36:34
This
36:35
exhortation in
36:36
verse 16
36:36
is not
36:37
stand your
36:37
ground and
36:38
get your
36:38
way.
36:40
It's give
36:41
up your
36:41
way for
36:43
the love
36:43
of others.
36:45
And Paul
36:46
goes on,
36:46
for the
36:46
kingdom of
36:46
God is
36:47
not a
36:47
matter of
36:48
eating and
36:49
drinking.
36:50
That's not
36:50
what the
36:51
kingdom of
36:51
God is
36:51
made of,
36:52
eating and
36:52
drinking,
36:53
but of
36:54
righteousness
36:54
and peace
36:56
and joy
36:58
in the
36:59
Holy Spirit.
37:01
Those who
37:01
are righteous
37:02
have their
37:03
righteousness
37:03
because of
37:05
Christ.
37:06
He's just
37:06
saying,
37:07
it's those
37:07
people who
37:07
recognize that
37:08
they are
37:08
righteous,
37:09
they are in
37:09
right standing
37:10
before God
37:10
because of
37:11
what Christ
37:11
has accomplished
37:12
on their
37:13
behalf.
37:14
We are to
37:14
be a people
37:15
who are at
37:15
peace with
37:16
one another
37:16
because we
37:17
have peace
37:17
with God.
37:20
Foundational,
37:20
most important
37:21
things are
37:21
settled already.
37:23
Why do we
37:24
spend our
37:24
time arguing
37:24
about things
37:25
that are of
37:26
lesser
37:26
importance?
37:28
And this
37:28
brings joy.
37:31
All of
37:32
this given
37:33
to us by
37:33
grace in
37:35
the Spirit,
37:35
we are
37:35
supposed to
37:36
be a
37:36
people who
37:37
are distinct
37:37
from the
37:38
world around
37:39
us.
37:40
I am so
37:42
saddened by
37:44
the Christians
37:44
who bicker
37:45
online,
37:46
people they
37:47
don't even
37:47
know.
37:49
Just stop.
37:52
Whoever thus
37:53
serves Christ,
37:54
verse 18 says,
37:55
in this way,
37:57
giving up things
37:58
for the sake
37:58
of others,
38:00
sacrificial love,
38:01
humble service,
38:02
is acceptable to
38:03
God,
38:03
and approved
38:05
by men.
38:07
This idea of
38:07
not forfeiting
38:08
your witness
38:08
comes from,
38:10
right?
38:10
That we
38:11
would be a
38:11
people distinct
38:12
in this way.
38:14
So then let
38:14
us pursue
38:15
what makes
38:16
for peace
38:16
and for
38:18
mutual
38:18
upbuilding.
38:21
That's the
38:21
fifth exhortation.
38:23
Six,
38:23
we're going to
38:24
come quickly
38:25
to a landing.
38:27
Do not
38:27
destroy the
38:28
work of
38:29
God.
38:30
Verse 20
38:31
and 21.
38:33
Again,
38:34
this word
38:35
is the same
38:36
word that we
38:36
mentioned earlier.
38:38
It could be
38:38
a bit misleading.
38:39
It's talking
38:40
about hurting.
38:41
Not that you
38:42
actually can
38:43
stop the
38:43
work of
38:44
God.
38:44
God is
38:44
God,
38:45
and he
38:45
wouldn't
38:45
be God
38:45
if we
38:46
could stop
38:46
his purposes.
38:48
But bringing
38:48
some damage
38:49
to this good
38:50
that he's
38:50
doing,
38:51
bringing together
38:51
the church
38:52
as this
38:52
distinct
38:53
people,
38:54
unified,
38:55
and walking
38:55
together in
38:56
love.
38:57
Do not,
38:58
for the sake
38:58
of food,
39:00
destroy the
39:01
work of
39:02
God.
39:03
Everything
39:03
is indeed
39:04
clean.
39:06
Paul,
39:07
again,
39:07
he's defending
39:08
the position.
39:09
It can be
39:09
eaten,
39:11
but it
39:12
is wrong
39:13
for anyone
39:13
to make
39:14
another stumble
39:15
by what he
39:16
eats.
39:17
It is good
39:19
not to eat
39:19
meat,
39:20
or drink
39:20
wine,
39:21
or do
39:21
anything
39:22
that causes
39:23
your brother
39:24
to stumble.
39:25
And he
39:26
goes so far
39:26
as to say
39:27
in 1 Corinthians
39:28
8 that he
39:29
would abstain
39:29
from all
39:30
meat for
39:31
the sake
39:31
of a
39:32
brother.
39:34
Do not
39:34
destroy the
39:35
work of
39:35
God.
39:36
And
39:36
seventh and
39:36
lastly,
39:37
do not
39:38
flaunt or
39:39
forfeit
39:40
your
39:41
liberty.
39:42
I mentioned
39:42
already this
39:43
idea of
39:43
Christian
39:44
liberty,
39:44
we've been
39:44
set free
39:45
from the
39:45
law,
39:46
the type
39:47
of
39:48
condemnation
39:49
that came
39:50
to us,
39:50
the knowledge
39:51
of sin
39:51
that comes
39:51
to us,
39:52
we've been
39:52
set free
39:52
from that.
39:53
And yet
39:53
there are
39:53
things we're
39:54
meant to do,
39:55
ways that
39:55
we're meant
39:56
to obey,
39:56
the Lord,
39:57
and there's
39:57
a lot of
39:58
gray in
39:58
between.
39:59
And we're
39:59
all trying
39:59
to navigate
40:00
it,
40:00
and as
40:00
we've
40:01
talked
40:01
through
40:01
this idea
40:02
of theological
40:02
triage,
40:03
these are
40:04
those categories
40:04
I'm calling
40:05
tertiary,
40:06
third tier,
40:08
those things
40:08
that we're
40:08
not so
40:09
sure about.
40:11
I so
40:11
want the
40:12
black and
40:12
white text,
40:13
right?
40:14
Just bring
40:14
another law
40:15
down the
40:15
mountain
40:15
to me.
40:17
God draws
40:17
us into
40:18
relationship
40:18
with him,
40:19
we pray
40:19
for wisdom,
40:20
help us
40:20
to discern
40:21
how we
40:21
walk in
40:22
a world
40:23
that is
40:23
difficult
40:24
to navigate.
40:25
And so we
40:26
have this
40:27
Christian liberty,
40:29
Peter Paul says,
40:29
the faith that
40:30
you have,
40:32
keep between
40:33
yourself and
40:35
God.
40:36
Blessed is the
40:37
one who has
40:37
no reason to
40:38
pass judgment
40:39
on himself for
40:40
what he
40:40
approves.
40:42
It's a happy
40:42
position to be
40:43
in, to be
40:44
settled on
40:44
those things
40:45
that you
40:46
believe God
40:47
would allow
40:47
you to do.
40:49
but whoever
40:49
has doubts
40:51
is condemned
40:52
if he eats
40:53
because the
40:54
eating is
40:54
not from
40:56
faith.
40:58
Not
40:59
confident
41:00
that your
41:01
position is
41:01
settled before
41:02
God because
41:03
of the work
41:03
of Christ
41:04
on your
41:05
behalf.
41:06
Thinking
41:06
you're doing
41:07
a thing
41:07
to find
41:09
approval
41:09
before God,
41:10
whatever
41:10
does not
41:11
proceed
41:11
from
41:12
faith
41:12
is
41:13
sin.
41:16
So the
41:16
subtle
41:16
reality of
41:17
who we
41:17
are in
41:18
Christ,
41:19
if we
41:19
have
41:19
believed
41:20
in
41:20
Christ,
41:20
put
41:20
saving
41:21
faith
41:22
in
41:22
Christ,
41:23
the work
41:23
that emanates
41:24
from that
41:25
empowered
41:26
by the
41:26
Spirit
41:27
in our
41:27
lives
41:28
is not
41:28
sin,
41:29
but anything
41:29
that does
41:30
not
41:30
proceed
41:30
from that
41:31
settled
41:31
position
41:32
is.
41:36
And so
41:36
it's a
41:37
serious
41:37
matter
41:38
to think
41:38
about
41:39
how we're
41:39
to walk
41:41
together
41:41
as
41:43
Christians.
41:44
I am
41:45
grateful
41:45
for a
41:46
church
41:46
that by
41:47
and large
41:48
does
41:48
this
41:48
very
41:49
well.
41:51
I am
41:52
discouraged
41:52
by much
41:53
of what
41:54
I see
41:54
out beyond
41:55
our doors,
41:57
but encouraged
41:57
by much
41:58
of what
41:58
I see
41:59
in here.
42:01
I hope
42:01
that as we
42:02
think about
42:02
a text
42:03
like this,
42:04
and perhaps
42:05
there's some
42:05
conviction
42:05
brought in
42:06
the process
42:06
of it,
42:07
but mostly
42:07
I hope
42:08
that you
42:09
find yourself
42:09
walking
42:10
in this
42:10
way,
42:11
willing to
42:11
give up
42:12
those
42:12
liberties
42:12
for the
42:13
sake of
42:13
others,
42:13
that you
42:14
are
42:14
encouraged
42:16
by it,
42:17
that you
42:17
see God's
42:18
good plan
42:19
in it,
42:19
that you're
42:20
reminded of
42:20
his kindness
42:21
to you
42:21
in the
42:22
gospel of
42:23
Jesus Christ,
42:23
that you
42:24
fold it up
42:25
and put it
42:26
in your
42:26
back pocket
42:26
because you
42:27
are going
42:27
to disagree
42:28
with somebody
42:28
at some
42:29
time.
42:30
How do
42:31
we do
42:31
that well
42:33
in a way
42:34
that's good
42:34
for us,
42:35
in a way
42:35
that gives
42:36
honor
42:37
to our
42:38
God?
42:39
We
42:39
certainly
42:39
need his
42:40
help to
42:40
do so,
42:41
and so let's
42:42
pray together
42:42
that he'll
42:43
help us.
42:43
Thank you.