Jesus Is Lord
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master [a] that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess [b] to God.”
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Prayer: Father thank you for another Sunday that we get to spend time together to worship you and give you praise. Thank you for this time you have allowed us to read scripture together. We will exhort your words of life that will transform our hearts and minds for your glory amen!
As we continue down this Roman road of scripture, over the last few weeks we have landed on the practicality of what it looks like to be a Christian. Our actions, attitudes, responses, what and how we do things in society, how we treat our fellow neighbors are all important as they should reflect the gospel as we live our lives every day in a declining world. We see people giving up on life, struggling daily to survive, feeling empty, awkward, and alone. Lacking faith in God or having none. I am reminded of the scripture during the transition between Moses and Joshua when Moses said in Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
It is in this gospel exhortation in the text that Paul makes to the church where we have a combination of believers who have strong faith and weak faith. Breaking down the walls of hostility he makes this point early reminding the church specifically and simply saying this...
Point 1- God welcomes us all
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master [a] that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
As a mature Christian you can have an opinion but do not argue or pass judgement on someone who may be immature or new to our faith. Always make the main thing the main thing which is Jesus Christ our Lord. One person believes he may eat anything while the weak person as Paul states may eat vegetables. This was an argument of law interpretation in the church. Do not despise the one who abstains, the one who abstains do not pass judgement. Why? Because God welcomes us all...
As you understand this church how do you make personal application of this same argument today?
In the end we get a glimpse of this truth that judgement will come from God, “It is before his own master [a] that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
God welcomes us all and will make us stand.
Point 2- Do it in honor of the Lord
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord, and gives thanks to God.
Let us land on this point that whatever we do we do it in honor of the Lord. You can esteem one day better than the other so what! It is important that you are fully convinced... which breeds determination within yourself that honors and glorify God. Whether you observe the sabbath day or eat remember to posture your heart to give thanks to God! In all things give thanks and honor the Lord...
This produces a life we call a fruitful life, a thriving life, and a grateful life unto the Lord.
How do you honor the Lord daily in your life? From this point forward how will you honor God?
Reflecting on scripture Romans 12:1-2 ESV
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Paul tells the church this...
Point 3- We live and die unto the Lord
7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
I love these verses because the Apostle Paul calls out our selfishness. One of the first words babies use is MINE... Many of us struggle with what we call a selfish syndrome called: Mine-ism. Paul places a mirror in front of the church and states none of us lives to him or herself. We do not die to ourselves either. We belong to the Lord almighty... here is the gospel exhortation reminding the church that in the end Christ died and was resurrected from the dead to live again. Empowering Him to be Lord of all.
Can I encourage you that you belong to the Lord as Paul encouraged the church in Rome.
What do you understand about the sacrifice of Christ?
How does it impact your life today?
Will you make Jesus the Lord of your life? Why or why not?
I am not going to hold you... facts...
Point 4- We will all confess and bow
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess [b] to God.”
Paul echoes Isaiah 45:23 ESV
By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Everyone will give an account of his life to God at the judgement. Though justification is by faith alone, what we as Christians do will affect God’s evaluation of your service to Him and the rewards you will receive.
2 Cor.5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Respond to the gospel