09.22 Sermon Notes
September 17, 2024

Romans 14: Grace in the Gray

Romans outlines the power of the Gospel to change us and influence how we relate to God, others in the church , and the world. Through salvation, we owe a debt of love to others.

Mark 12:30-31 “30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Paul dealt with divisions between Jews with deep religious traditions and Gentiles who were new to the faith. Similarly, today’s church faces “gray areas” that can cause division.

Modern Gray Areas:
Examples include the timing of decorating for holidays, schooling choices, political affiliations, food and drink preferences, worship styles, etc. These are not moral absolutes but personal convictions.

What do we do when the Bible does not have a clear command?

We must pursue a Gospel motivated love for Jesus that is anchored on the essentials, not the non-essentials.

Essentials vs. Non-Essentials:

  • Essentials: Clear biblical commands (e.g., Galatians 5:19-21).
  • Non-Essentials: Areas where Scripture does not give explicit instructions, allowing liberty.
  • “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.” - Augustine of Hippo

Understanding “Weak” and “Strong” in Faith:

  • Weak in Faith: Those who feel they must abstain from certain activities to be closer to God. They might see their personal convictions as universal commands.
  • Strong in Faith: Those who understand grace and freedom in Christ regarding non-essential areas. They are called to welcome those who are “weak” in faith.

Our Posture Matters More Than Our Position:

  • Our approach to differing convictions should be marked by humility, love, and a desire for unity rather than judgment and division.
  • Romans 14:3-4 “…for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”
  • “The kingdom of God has never been a cancel culture. It’s always been an invitation.” - Mike Donehey
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1 “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
  • Ephesians 2:14-16 “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

We have to SEE THE PERSON not just their position on a topic. If we believe every person bears the image of God, we have to refrain from demonizing any person who holds an opposing position.

Grace in the Gray, Striving for Unity:

  • It’s not just about “agreeing to disagree” but lovingly disagreeing and striving to understand others’ convictions.
  • Let’s worry more about building bridges than burning them down.
  • “Our desire to be heard must not overpower our need to hear what others are saying. Our desire to be understood must not overshadow our need to understand others.” - Mike Donehey
  • Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”
  • Galatians 3:28 “…you are all one in Christ Jesus”
  • Our unity speaks the Gospel message; “The kingdom of God is manifested in the fellowship of believers” - French L. Arrington


Practical Takeaways:
1. Stop Picking Fights Over Non-Essentials: Don’t let secondary issues divide the church. Focus on what gives life and drives the church forward.
2. Submit Convictions to the Lord: Develop your personal convictions through prayer but remain teachable and open-minded.
3. Worship Above All: Exalt Jesus above personal preferences. Reflect on the motivations behind convictions.
4. Relinquish Others to the Lord: Trust that fellow believers’ hearts are devoted to God. Pray for them rather than judge.

BUT…

  • Christian liberty must be be balanced with Christian LOVE (Romans 14:14-21)
  • If your conviction causes a brother or sister in Christ to stumble, do not be a stumbling block
  • Philippians 2:4 “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
  • Romans 14:17-18 “17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.


Reflection Questions:
1. In what areas have you allowed non-essential beliefs or preferences to create division between yourself and other believers, and how can you extend grace in these areas?
2. How do you typically respond when you encounter someone with a different conviction or opinion within the church? Do you approach them with love and a desire to understand, or with judgment and criticism?
3. Do you tend to be more focused on being ‘right’ in your convictions, or on showing Christ’s love to others? How can you better prioritize love and unity over personal preferences?