Do not Blame

1. Date: 3/17/23

2. Sermon Title: Do not Blame

3. Context: Romans 14:1-10

(Romans 14:1) Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.

(Romans 14:2) One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.

(Romans 14:3) The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.

(Romans 14:4) Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

(Romans 14:5) One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

(Romans 14:6) He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

(Romans 14:7) For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

(Romans 14:8) for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

(Romans 14:9) For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

(Romans 14:10) But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

4. Preaching Note 

1) Strength VS Weakness

Since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, many people began to believe in Him. As a result, groups were formed and particularly, there were tensions between Jewish Christians who were knowledgeable about the Old Testament and Gentile Christians. Seeing such discord, Paul is urging Christians today through the Bible to care for and embrace those with weaker faith, as their thoughts and actions may differ depending on their beliefs. The church community should not ignore them or slander them from behind. This is because God is with those with weaker faith too.

Q.1 What is your strong beliefs?

2) Servant

Paul then clarifies our relationship with God. Even though we have different beliefs, we are all the same in front of God. And as the owner who manages and rules over his servants, God's word leads us to perform our roles with our respective beliefs. In our positions, we praise God on the days we each find important, and sometimes fast and pray. Although it may seem simple to others, those who cherish this work give thanks to God.

Even though we are different, we come together to serve God as our master. As servants, we live for the Lord and die for the Lord. While my voice is being used to deliver this message, the words being heard are not my own but those of God's will. Therefore, we are brothers and sisters serving God with one heart. We cannot criticize those who serve with one heart just because their faith may be weaker.           

Q.2 As a Christian, what do you want to serve God for?

3) Judgment

Furthermore, in verse 10, Paul emphasizes that we will all stand before God's judgment seat. At the judgment seat, God judges those with evil hearts, not those with weak faith. Since judgment is related to salvation, it is only God's right to do so. Therefore, we must believe in what God will do and not slander or judge one another. As children of God, we are not impure in ourselves, but if we criticize and judge others, we violate God's authority and become impure.

Q.3 Judgment Day, what do you want to say to God?