Friday First - Build Up One Another

Last week we began a very important study on how to handle disagreement inside the local congregation… which often arises due to conflict between those who understand their liberty in Christ and those who do not or feel restricted to exercise their liberty. In Romans 14, Paul is dealing with the life that exists within the fellowship of the saints and the conflict that arises between the weak and the strong. We discussed that conflict is a natural result when you have any plurality of humans functioning together.

When Paul mentions a “weak” Christian, he is describing the Christian who hasn’t reached the sufficient maturity to fully understand the freedom God has provided through Christ. He is also describing the person who feels restricted. This may be due to the carrying over of some traditions/habits or things from former life that bother their conscience. This is the person who may tend to bind where God has not bound … and judge those who do not share in his convictions.

When Paul mentions a “strong” Christian, in this context, He is describing the brother/sister who has reached a point of maturity where they understand the liberty they have in Christ. These know and are comfortable with being free from external rituals & ceremonies, and the regulations and sanctions of the Old Testament.  They are comfortable in enjoying all the good things God has provided. This is the person who may tend to look down on those who do not embrace the freedoms he is so comfortable with.

In Sunday’s lesson, we’ll look at the last 11 verses of Romans 14. And I want to stress here that the emphasis is that the strong must be willing to limit their liberty for the sake of the weak.

We must not:

• Cause our brother to stumble.
• Cause our brother to be hurt.
• Destroy our brother
• Destroy our influence
• Tear down God’s work
• Flaunt our freedom

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says "Nothing is unclean in itself?"
2. What is the problem with violating your conscience?
3. What does it mean to "destroy" a brother?
4. How is the exercise of liberty fundamental to evangelism?
5. Why should we keep the exercising of our liberty between ourself and God?

OPENING / WELCOME
Kody Pritt

SONG LEADER
Roy Pyle

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Randy Mullins

LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Dave Pennington
 
SCRIPTURE READING
Dylan Schofield
Romans 14.13-23

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING PRAYER
Billy Robbins

CLOSING COMMENTS
Dan Spargo

WELCOME CENTER
Pat Reeder / Judy Hickey

USHERS
Justin Spargo / Jason Schofield

CLOSING THE BUILDING
Greg Morrison