Messages with Meaning


Sermons delivered at Sanlando Springs by Pastor Jack Parrott

Living With Relatives

Romans 14:1-15.7
February 10, 2008
I. Introduction

  1. "They're back!" Boomerang kids
  2. Gentiles and Jews had different customs about what to eat and when to worship. That was no problem as long as they didn't 'live in the same house' (belong to the same church). But when they moved in together things got a little crazy. They started calling each other names; started questioning one another's spiritual commitment; and the whole thing threatened the peace and harmony of the church. What did the Apostle Paul instruct them to do?

II. Let others answer to God for their own actions (vv1-12)
  1. We're each one accountable to God. You answer to God (your master), not to me [1 Cor. 6:19; James 4:12].
  2. Before I attempt to control you I need to control myself. (Luke 6:41)
  3. This does not mean 'live and let live'. (see 1 Cor 5:12-13)
III. Limit your actions out of concern for others (vv13-21)

  1. Stop doing things that cause others to stumble. Don't over-reach--attempt to do more than we (or they) are capable of doing at the present. Paul: "it is wrong for anyone to make others fall by what [they do]..." (v20)

    2. "Don't under-reach by continuing to follow the principles of your former life; we are being called to 'come up higher' by Christ [see Matthew 16:23].
  2. The witness of our faith is not how high we score on a spiritual scorecard of orthodoxy; Paul says its "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (17).
IV. Love and accept one another. (15:1-7)
  1. Submit to one another - "please his neighbor for his good" (even Christ did not please himself) see 1 Cor. 1:10 and Philip 2
  2. Strengthen one another - "build him up" see Romans 14:19
  3. Paul asks: (vv10, 12) Why do you pass judgment on your brother? We shall all stand before the judgment seat of God ...[and]...each of us shall give an account of himself to God.


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