INTRODUCTION
“The strong should carry the weak.”
The past couple of weeks we’ve been studying what Paul says to those who are strong in their faith about what is proper to eat and drink, and what days if any need special observance.
So far he’s told us that we should not judge or condemn others who have some hang-ups about what is good to do. He’s gone on to show us that our focus should not be on insisting on our rights, but on building others up who don’t share our freedoms.
The illustration I used last week was about eating donuts in a Sunday School class. The real issue, though, was bigger than that. It had to do with whether we’d be selfish and ignore the concerns of others, and whether we’d try to do what would maintain good relationships or just keep doing what we wanted.
Today, Paul will conclude with his last direction about situations like this. He’ll speak directly to those who think themselves strong. We’ll get to see how he thinks we who consider ourselves strong or mature should act toward those who might be considered weak or less mature..
Responsibilities of Mature Christians:
I. Don’t do what but what , 1-4
A. Use your strength to the weak, 1a
Obligation – lit: . Same as in Romans 13:8.
The fact you are strong (mature) puts you under to patently and lovingly bear with the weak.
Bear with – patiently endure something or
Matthew uses the word in the parable of the workers in the vineyard of the complaint of the workers who’d worked all day and were paid the same as those who worked only and hour “You have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.”
Failings – the conscientious scruples caused by a weak faith
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
B. Do what others up not what you, 1b-2
The natural – what pleases .
The unnatural (therefore Spirit-led and empowered) – what pleases .
Build up – good not just tolerance
Romans 14:19
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
C. Follow example in this, 3
He did not
He allowed what belonged to us to fall on him
Quotation from Psalm 69:9
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
D. Let the teach you and , 4
Here is one value of scripture (Old Testament) for Christians. We can learn from it things that will produce endurance and hope.
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
II. Seek among all believers, 5-6
Unity among believers was a big concern of Jesus:
John 17:20–21 (ESV)
Unity among believers was a big deal to Paul.
Should unity among believers be a big deal to us, especially those of us who are strong (mature)?
A. Paul’s prayer: live in with all other believers, 5
‘Harmony’ – NASB – ‘be of the same mind’ – perhaps better than ESV.
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
B. Paul’s goal: , 6
‘together’ – literally: with one mind (NIV, CSB)
Have the same mind with other believers – so you can praise God with one mind.
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
III. each other, 7-12
A. Do with each other what has done with you, 7
The plain direction:
How did he welcome us?
By
As we
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
The persistent challenge:
Self
Self-
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
B. Remember: Christ came for all of us, , 8-12
Jesus was a servant of the to bring good news to the Gentiles as God promised
The goal was that might praise God for his mercy
(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
IV. The reward: experience a life filled with , , and , 13
There’s no joy in or in judging others.
There’s no joy when you constantly feel you have to to your less mature fellow Christians.
There’s no joy when you feel other Christians you.
There’s no peace when Christian brothers and sisters .
There’s no peace when we look on the behavior and attitudes of other Christians.
There’s no peace when we wonder if other Christians with open arms.
There’s no hope when we God’s Spirit, the giver of hope.
All Christians have a right to enjoy joy, peace, and hope.
Those of us who are strong need to be sure we are never causing another Christian to lose out on the joy, peace, and hope they should experience.
CONCLUSION
If the Christian church in the capitol and largest city of the empire could not live in harmony, the mission of the gospel .
If people said “Look at those Christians how they fight and divide and look down on each other” rather than saying “Look at those Christians how they love one another” the gospel would never have gotten far.
What is the church’s reputation today?
What is this church’s reputation?
Are you among the strong in the church, the mature? If so, you are under obligation to:
the weakness of the weak
Not go about
Try to bring about among all believers.
Have you accepted these responsibilities?
The reputation of the church depends upon the actions of the strong.