What Do We Do With Weaker Brethren?
Romans 14
Nov 3, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction (Romans 14:13)
A. Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
B. The purpose of Romans chapter 13 was to cause us as Christians to actually love and respect people. We have to work hard on this attitude!
1. That never means agree with everyone. And not even trust everyone.
2. But to obey the commandment to love your neighbour in the same way you love yourself.
3. Because God brings a lot of different people into “the mix” of a church – the body of Christ
4. When God mixes into a church many cultures, backgrounds, many nationalities, especially Gentile AND Jewish believers together… we need to know how to handle differences, and how to encourage growth and maturity, instead of arrogance and disrespect.
C. So, in chapter 14, Paul uses two examples of immature faith to show how to have respect towards each other.
1. We are not all at the same level of Bible Knowledge
2. And we are not all at the same level of maturity
3. And we each come to Christ with a lot of baggage usually
D. He has to teach the Christians in Corinth the same thing (1Cor 8). And in Ballincollig!
1. 1Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up [PRIDE], but charity edifieth.
2. 1Corinthians 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. [THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WE NEED TO LEARN]
3. 1Corinthians 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4. 1Corinthians 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols [THAT FREAKED SOME YOUNG CHRISTIANS OUT], we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5. 1Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6. 1Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7. 1Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. [BROKEN]
8. 1Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God [DOESN’T BRING US CLOSER]: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9. 1Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10. 1Corinthians 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; [AGAINST HIS CONSCIENCE]
11. 1Corinthians 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12. 1Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13. 1Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
II. Message
A. Weak Christians are Welcome (Romans 14:1-3)
1. Romans 14:1-3 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
2. Some Christians are weak in their faith – immature, unsure of so many things
a. i.e., Come into church late, don’t have a Bible, or only a newer version, not a KJV
b. Jesus’ own twelve apostles had many times their faith was weak, and their understanding was limited and confused. They often panicked, and said wrong things
c. Jesus did not dump them
d. But He taught them, helped them to grow their faith and confidence in Him
e. And we need to do that with weaker brethren too
3. Don’t despise a weaker brother.
a. Don’t judge him as sinning when he is doing some things differently than you are.
b. Be patient with him, and teach him, and leave him to God to judge.
c. Weak Christians are a good thing. Not that they STAY weak and immature, but there will always be baby Christians who just got saved, and we which are older in the Lord need to care about them and not cause them to stumble, but patiently teach them and help them grow
4. Remember we all started off weak, and immature as believers (Matthew 18:1-4)
a. Matthew 18:1-4 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
b. To get born again, we had to humble ourselves – start over – become as little children, just believing Jesus, to be saved from God’s judgment
c. And little children are going to say stupid things and do stupid things – they are going to have to grow up, and overcome their ignorance and instability
d. Don’t expect new baby Christians to be graduates from college from the start!
e. But until immature believers do grow and mature, those who ARE grown up need to treat them with respect
1) New Christians will not automatically just have all the right beliefs about life
2) They usually don’t know what Bible to have, how to pray, how to do much at all!
3) They will carry baggage into their new life
4) They will be ignorant of so many the truths of Scripture for the believer
5) They will even believe wrong things – they don’t know any better!
6) They only know Jesus died for them, and rose again, and saved them when they believed it! And that is enough
5. So, Accept baby Christians, even if they are not just like you
a. Do you accept a 2 week old baby as a human being?
b. Do you wait until he or she is 12 years old?
c. Do you expect them to be college graduates, or 6ft 3inches tall just out of the womb?
d. I hope not.
e. Well, when people believe the Gospel, with all their confusion about everything else, we need to accept them as brothers and sisters, even when they know almost nothing of the Bible
6. But not to doubtful arguments - “But not to doubtful disputations.” (Romans 14:1)
a. So, how are we to handle a brother who doesn’t believe quite like you believe and doesn’t think like you think? “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
1) You will always find people weak in the faith. And the idea is, when you deal with them, don’t get them into big arguments that can’t be settled.
2) Deal with them doctrinally, Biblically, but don’t get into stuff that you can’t prove.
3) Welcome him or her into church and have fellowship with them anyway.
4) If they are believing Jesus died for them, and rose again 3 days later for their justification, then they are FAMILY now, that you didn’t know you had!
b. Avoid Controversies that destroy people
c. Yes, Discuss, and respectfully Debate, but do NOT destroy weak believers out of pride!
7. But… at the same time, be on guard for false teachers, influencers who only want people to follow THEM and not the Lord Jesus – don’t care about people, only praise
a. They are not the same as new believers
b. They are set on destroying a church, not growing in a church!
c. They sneak into churches, and are on youtube doing much destruction
d. Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
e. 2Corinthians 11:3,4 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent [SATAN] beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh [ANOTHER PREACHER / SPIRITUAL TEACHER] preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. [THAT WAS PAUL’S CONSTANT WORRY]
f. Jude 1:3,4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
B. We Don’t Judge Immaturity (Romans 14:3,4)
1. Romans 14:3,4 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
2. We are supposed to judge sinful behaviour
3. But things that are just differences of beliefs don’t need to be constantly pointed out
a. Head coverings
b. Maybe someone won’t work on Saturdays
c. Won’t eat Pork, or shellfish
d. Or they celebrate special days as holy days and wonder why we don’t
e. Some believe in miracle workers and healers and speaking in tongues
f. Don’t despise people who don’t know any better
g. And they shouldn’t despise those who are more mature and confident in their faith
4. Despising is judging – concluding that a weaker brother is not worthy of your respect
a. If someone is doing or believing something that you don’t do or believe, or not doing what you DO believe…
b. Don’t automatically decide they are wrong, and sinning
5. We do it all the time – without even knowing it
a. Someone believing it is a sin to work on Sundays will look at someone else who misses church because of their job as sinning
b. If they claim to follow Jesus, but don’t care about assembling together with other believers and worshipping God and hearing the word of God preached, well, then they are sinning
c. But, if they just got a job, and are being told that they have to work on Sundays, and you conclude they are sinning, then YOU my friend are the wrong one
d. Prayerfully, in time, their employer will allow them to be off on Sundays
e. Now, believe me, MOST people who miss church, are not missing it for good reasons
f. But they will answer to God, NOT to us!
6. Who are you to judge someone who belongs to God? Harsh Question!
a. Judge SINS, yes! If someone is drinking, into porn, using bad language, thieving, lying – they are WRONG
b. But judging a person’s IMMATURITY? That is a No, No!
C. Two Examples of Confusion and Immaturity (Romans 14:2,5-9)
1. Paul is NOT writing about confusion about justification and forgiveness by God
a. Repenting and believing the Gospel is an absolute truth that must be believed
b. No one is saved unless they trust Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection
2. Don’t Judge FOODS people eat or don’t eat
3. And, Don’t Judge Someone’s Confusion About Holy Days
a. Romans 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
b. Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
c. The believing Jews had a hard time with the New Covenant – all the ceremonies of the Old Testament Law were finished now, and that was hard to accept
1) No need for priests
2) No need for the Temple
3) No need to keep the Sabbath anymore
4) No dietary laws and restrictions
5) This was hard to just accept!
d. The believing Gentiles had the same kind of problems when they started following Jesus
1) All Their religious duties were worthless
2) Their holy days and superstitions are null and void now that they were born again
3) There is only ONE God now, not a load of them – and that was new to them
4. Don’t Judge FOODS people eat or don’t eat
a. There are diets people need to follow
1) Staying away from fatty, fried foods
2) And, Cutting out all the sugar
b. But eating something, or NOT eating something does not make you sin
1) Mark 7:18-23 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
2) That was very hard for the Jews to hear and accept because they had been taught all their lives that some foods were sinful to eat and defiled, ruined your soul!
c. "For one believeth that he may eat all things."
1) It's a wonderful thing to be blessed with a good stomach, and with a hearty, un-picky appetite
2) It is NOT wrong to be able to eat anything!
3) Yet many immature Christians sit in wrong judgment of people who each anything
d. "Another, who is weak, eateth herbs."
1) Here is the skinny vegetarian Christian who constantly worries about cancer, and headaches, etc and won’t eat meat.
2) Well, that’s okay!
3) I encourage you to do more study – meat is good for you too!
4) But those of us who eat meat, must not despise people who only each salads
5. Don’t Judge Someone’s Confusion About Holy Days
a. Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
b. Some Christians HAVE to have special days before they get excited about God
1) They think Sundays are the only day to worship God…
2) Grew up especially thinking Christmas, Easter, or special days are days about God
c. That’s babyish! But, that’s how they may be right now
d. You and I have to get along with them.
e. I have to be careful – I could end up damning the conscience of someone!
6. So…
a. Staying away from bacon and sausages, and shellfish, and eating loads of vegetables is VERY healthy and good for you
b. But it doesn’t make you more spiritual or closer to God!
c. Some people think eating meats is more spiritual than being vegetarian or vegan
d. Some people believe assembling as a church on Saturdays, and keeping Christmas, Easter as holy days is more spiritual
e. Some Christians believing making sure every male is circumcised is more spiritual
f. None of that is wrong to do – and keeping the Old Testament dietary laws is a much more healthy way to eat
g. But to judge someone who eats sausages as sinning…
h. Or judging someone who doesn’t eat bacon as sinning…
i. Is wrong!
j. Don’t either of you (the stronger in faith, or the weaker in faith) despise either of yourselves!
k. It is a very easy habit to get into, setting yourself up higher than others.
l. There is a time to judge people’s actions as sinful, but differences have to be allowed for because of different levels of maturity in a church
D. What should be happening in a Bible believing Church? (Romans 14:5-12)
1. Everybody STUDYING for themselves – think for yourself
a. Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
b. Don’t be ignorant of what this Book says!
c. Study your Bible – it teaches about a lot of thinghs we do today
d. You might find out you are wrong
e. Some people may be afraid to study it out in case they ARE wrong!
f. But you will be better for it when you study it out from God’s perspective!
2. Do Everything You Do to the Honour of the Lord Jesus Christ
a. Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
b. Honour the Lord Jesus on your special days
c. Honour the Lord Jesus every day
d. Just honour the Lord Jesus
3. Give thanks for everything you are doing – never gripe about anything!
4. Remind Yourself that We Belong to God
a. Romans 14:7-9 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
b. Spend your time getting closer and closer to Him in heart and actions!
c. Jesus died for absolutely all kinds of sinners, who have all kinds of confusion, and are at all levels of spirituality, so have some grace with all of them!
d. Be patient with them
5. Leave Some things to the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12)
a. Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
b. That ought to terrify you!
c. Because, ALL believers will stand before Jesus as OUR Judge
1) It is the Judgment Seat of Christ – not of Caesar – everyone feared being brought before emperor Nero
2) We Christians will one day stand before the LORD Jesus Christ
3) Only believers will be there
4) All of us will have to answer to Jesus / God – note the deity issue settled forever!
5) We Will give account – answer HIS examination questions about how WE lived
6) To answer to Him means that you will first have to explain your actions as a Christian, especially towards other Christians
7) Then, you will lose or gain rewards based upon those actions
8) Rewards include:
a) Crowns – the highest rewards
b) Positions of authority in the Millennium (Luke 19:17)
c) Commendations – high praise by the Lord Jesus Himself
d) Treasures – things that will be special in heaven (Mt 6:20)
d. This will take place during the time of the Tribulation, and will occur before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and our return to this world at the Second Coming of Jesus
6. So don’t sit as judge and jury over weak believers – not your job!
7. Protect weaker Christians, and help them grow in their faith
E. Edify the Body of Believers (Romans 14:13-21)
1. Edify means build up, mature, strengthen
2. Don’t cause weak brethren to stumble and fall away (Romans 14:13-16)
a. Romans 14:13,14 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
b. Mature Bible students KNOW about meats, and idols, and holy days etc
1) They don’t matter now
2) Because nothing is unclean of itself
3) It is NOT sinful and wrong to eat pork or shellfish, or foods offered to idols
c. Baby Christians who don’t know better are grieved when mature believers live free from all the old religious rules. Like, No meat on Fridays for a Catholic
d. So, Don’t destroy a new Christian with your maturity. Don’t let your maturity be wrongly misunderstood and rejected
e. Romans 14:15,16 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
f. You and I can freak new Christians out with our knowledge of the KJV, of the Rapture, of our liberty in Christ – so, be careful – don’t go to fast with people!
3. The Kingdom of God is NOT what you eat and drink, or what you don’t eat or drink
a. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
b. It is Christ’s righteousness in us
c. It is the peace with God that we already have
d. It is the JOY of the Holy Ghost in all of us
4. So, accept weaker brethren, because GOD does! (Romans 14:18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
5. Train and mentor immature believers (Romans 14:19)
a. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
b. If you are Mature – teach them patiently. Listen to them, their questions, fears
c. If you are Weak, confused – allow yourself to be wrong, and grow – don’t become arrogant yourself – always be teachable
6. Don’t destroy people who have a sensitive conscience (Romans 14:20,21)
a. Romans 14:20,21 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
b. Arrogance amongst mature believers can hurt / destroy an entire church
c. For a fleeting meal, do not destroy the eternal work of God in people’s lives!
d. Your rightness can destroy – can be used by the devil to actually devour a believer
e. Personal denial is the key – not personal rights
f. It is something I am still learning!
7. This has nothing to do with compromising clear Bible Doctrine – only with getting along, and respecting people, especially other believers, even when they are different!
a. God is not saying throw away doctrine
b. The BEST thing is for people to debate and refine doctrine, and prove truth, amongst those who can handle it
c. The issue is how far are you going to go with something, believing it is just YOU and God who are right, and the rest of the world is wrong!?
F. Final Summary (Romans 14:22,23)
1. Romans 14:22,23 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
2. Believe God fully, yourself - Do what you find in Scripture
a. Faith is doing things according to what you find in Scripture
b. It doesn’t mean you are always right, but that you are trying to live by faith!
3. Allow some things to be done that you are unsure about
a. Allow yourself to do things that are not forbidden in the Bible, even though you may have been brought up to think it was wrong
1) Eating meat on Fridays, etc
2) Submitting to your husband, and honouring him when it makes you angry
3) Listening to your wife, and admitting she is right, when she is
4) Loving people that hurt you, and bless them
b. Allow others to do things that you might not allow yourself to do
1) Like read from an NIV, or cross themselves when they pray
2) Chalk it up to immaturity, and give them time to grow!
4. Just live in obedience to God – that is living by faith!
5. Lastly, Get rid of doubt – that is the focus!
a. Get busy studying out what you are confused about, or where you have doubts, and become fully persuaded about what is right and wrong
b. Because until you know that you know about things, you will always struggle with doubts, and fears, and will not grow
c. You will think you have lost your salvation
d. Oh the list goes on and on
e. Are you Saved? Not sure yet? You can be sure today!
f. Are you confused? Join the crowd! It’s okay! We are here to learn!