The weak & the strong (4 things) vs. 1-6

• 1^st – Rules vs. Relationship… vs. 1
  • The ‘weak’ – the believer who has more rules – more convictions in their walk…
    • You cannot drink / you cannot smoke / you cannot gamble / don’t go to parties…
    • None of these things being strictly forbidden in the Bible…
    • But from example we can see none leads the person who indulges in them to a good end
    • So the ‘weak’ form rules to try to keep themselves out of trouble – be righteous…
    • Building a fence to keep them safe from the temptations and evils of the world…
    • This seems to be a good idea – and most people (and churches) take this approach…
    • But here is the danger – it can only control your actions – not change your heart…
    • * Colossians 2:21-23 – “Don’t handle, don’t eat, don’t touch.  Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them.  These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts & desires.”
    • In the end these believers think their rules make them strong in the Lord…
      • When in reality their rules make them ‘weak’ – taking their eyes off of Jesus… 
      • Because they trust in their rules – rather than looking to and depending on the Lord!
    • It also makes them ‘weak’ as witnesses to a lost and dying world…
      • The church is most well known today for what they do not do…
      • Don’t drink / don’t smoke / don’t go to parties / don’t have tattoos…
      • And when the world looks at the church – and sees all of these rules…
      • Most of which the very people who make the rules – do not even keep…
      • The world walks away from Jesus – saying who would want that!
      • God does not tell us we are to be know by our rules – but by our love – John 13:35
  • The ‘strong’ – the believer who has more freedom in Jesus – fewer ‘rules’…
    • Not that they can do anything they want – not that they have a freedom to sin…
    • They recognize that true freedom comes from walking with Jesus – knowing Jesus…
    • And through the relationship with Jesus – God changes the heart – free not to sin!
    • When you got married – you likely changed a lot of your life ‘habits’…
    • Not because there was a rule you had to – but for the love of your wife you wanted to!
    • It’s not the rules that make the difference – it is the relationship that changes the heart…
    • It is not that we cannot drink / smoke / gamble / go to parties / ect.
    • It is that God changes our hearts to we no longer want to!
    • I can drink / smoke / gamble all I want to – I have incredible freedom in Jesus!
    • But as I walk with Jesus – He changes my heart – so I don’t want to do anything…
    • That would separate me from Him – distract me from serving my Lord!

• 2^nd – The command to the strong… vs. 2-4
  • The strong should bear the ‘weakness’ of their brothers – not pleasing themselves…
    • The temptation for the ‘strong’ believer is to point out the flawed rules of the ‘weak’…
    • But instead they are told to put up with the ‘rules’ – consider the ‘weak’ believer…
    • So that they might be able to show them a better way – relationship with Jesus!
    • If we go around telling everyone how ridiculous all their ‘self-righteous’ rules are…
    • How they set standards they are not even able to keep themselves…
    • At best we will get ignored – more likely we will end up in a fight…
    • Respect the convictions of others – do you best not to offend their rules…
    • Then they will be open to what you have to say – be willing to watch your lives…
    • So you can show them a better way – a relationship with Jesus that changes the heart!
  • The example of Jesus… vs. 3-4
    • Jesus was the ‘strongest’ of all – yet He put up with the rules/convictions of others…
    • Even though Jesus was insulted for the things He did – Psalms 69:9
    • We see the example in God’s Word – Matthew 17:24-27 – Jesus came to Capernaum…
      • Peter was asked, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” – Exodus 30:13
      • The temple tax was a ‘voluntary tithe’ meant to pay for the upkeep of the Temple…
      • Every Jewish man over the age of 20 was expected to pay ½ Shekel (10 days wage)…
      • It was collected in the month of March – and Jesus and Peter were ‘overdue’…
    • Peter immediately answered, ‘Yes’ – then thought to go and check with Jesus…
      • Jesus anticipating Peter’s question instead asks him…
      • Who do the Kings of the earth tax – their sons or strangers…
      • The point being that Kings don’t tax their own sons – they are tax free
      • We are not strangers in the Kingdom of God – we are sons…
      • Therefore we are not required to give any tax or tithe – II Corinthians 9:7
    • Never the less – to avoid causing a scandal – they paid…
      • Jesus sent Peter fishing – the 1^st fish he caught had a shekel – enough for them both
      • Jesus & Peter weren’t required by God to pay – but others expected it from them
      • But Jesus did not want to stumble others – He was willing to follow their ‘rules’…
      • Because He did not make major issues – out of little things…
      • It opened the door for them to get to know Jesus – for Him to change their heart!
      • Most of the time as believers we argue – debate/separate – over trivial things…
      • It is not the big doctrinal issues that separate us – salvation by faith in Jesus / ect.
      • It is what clothes we can wear to church / should we sing hymns or praise music…
      • We major in the minor points – and miss the things that we already have in common!
      • Therefore we should ‘put up’ with our little differences – and focus on Jesus!

• 3^rd – The result – living in harmony… vs. 5-6
  • May the God of patience and encouragement help you – so we can be of ‘one mind’…
  • Homothumadon – a compound of two words meaning to ‘running’ and ‘in unison’…
  • Musical image – just as the instruments of a concert under the direction of a conductor…
    • In a great orchestra there are many instruments – all with different sounds – purposes…
    • If one of those instruments gets ‘out of tune’ – or does not follow the conductor…
    • The whole concert goes wrong – it causes problems for the whole group…
    • In the same way when there is dissention within the church – arguing over convictions
    • It can break up the unity of the church – ruin the harmony within the church…
    • We need patience – to be able to overlook the little differences we may have…
    • To be able to encourage – each other to instead keep our eyes on Jesus
  • So the Lord can blend us together into the wonderful work He desires…
    • Not that we all need to be in ‘one’ church – one denomination…
    • One mind does not mean that they were all alike – we are a VERY diverse group…
    • By the overlooking little differences we can all get along – most of the time…
    • As we listen to the directing of our Conductor Jesus – brings harmony to the church

• 4^th – The God of the strong and the weak… vs. 7-13
  • Jesus does not care if we are strong or weak – He is the God of both Jew and Gentile…
    • Jesus came as a servant to the Jews with all their rules – the ‘weak’…
      • The Jews had a LOT of rules – beyond the 613 Laws of God….
      • They also had the Talmud – that explained the Law with additional ‘rules’…
      • They also had the Mishnah – that explained the Talmud with additional ‘rules’…
      • Yet Jesus did not come to undo their convictions or rules – He came and served them!
      • Fulfilling the promise God had given to the Jews – because salvation is of the Jews
    • Jesus came so the gentiles who had no rules – might give glory to God – the ‘strong’…
      • Paul had a tremendous working knowledge of the Word of God…
        • He was able to quote from the Psalms / Law / and the Prophets…
        • It is important to have a good knowledge of God’s Word so you can if asked…
        • I Peter 3:15 – “…about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”
      • To emphasize God has always intended for the gentiles to be saved – Paul quotes…
        • Psalm 18:49 – “I will praise you among the Gentiles…”
        • Deuteronomy 32:43 – “Rejoice, O you Gentiles, along with His people the Jews.”
        • Psalm 117:1 – “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, praise Him…”
        • Isaiah 11:10 – “[Jesus] will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles.  They will place their trust in Him.”
        • The gentiles had almost no rules – and yet Jesus also accepted them!
  • Therefore we should be accepting of each other’s differences – just as Jesus accepted us…
    • Romans 15 mentions God over 43x – God -13x / Jesus -16x / Christ -12x / Holy Spirit -2x
      • The point being the most important thing for us to do it to focus on the Lord!
      • The hope we have in Jesus – hope that brings us happiness and peace!
    • As for our little differences…
      • I Corinthians 9:19-22 – “To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
      • Do not putting up barriers – the walls that divide the Church…
      • Do not focus on the insignificant differences we may have from each other….
      • But be all things to all men so we might live together in unity in Jesus Christ!