Romans Chapter 14 

LIVING WITH THE FELLOW CITIZENS

OF GOD'S KINGDOM

Introduction

        This is a chapter on Kingdom living.

            Key verse (v17)

            "Servants" (v 4)

            "Lord"     (vv 9,11)

            "Judge"    (vv 10,12)

        "Fellow citizens" (Eph 2:19)

1. Receive the weak without reservation [v 1]

        "weak" - faith + knowledge (v 2)

        - Conscience (1 Cor 8:4,7)

        a) Eating habits (v 6b; 1 Tim 4:1-5)

        b) Observance of days (5,6a; Col 2:13-17)

             Sabbath day - Lord's day - etc.

        Such external things are not the basis of fellowship.

        The basis is whether GOD has accepted us or not (v 3b)

        The rule: (Rom 15:7)

        Hold on to the LORD (vv 6-8); (Col 2:18-19).

        The fellowship is IN Christ, not around a doctrine!

2. Don't put a stumbling block before others [v 13]

        a) Don't eat wantonly before the weak (vv 15,21,22)

        b) Avoid doing things of personal profit if it violates traditional orders.

            "approved by men" (v 18)

            e.g.) Mt 12:1,2 - They could have avoided it.

                                       Whatever Jesus did on the Sabbath was for the good of others.

        [Shopping or playing on Sundays?]

3. Help others to grow [vv 19; 15:1-2]

        a) Don't judge the faults of others as resulting from wickedness but weakness

            14:10; 15:1; 5:6; 6:19; Mt 26:41

        b) Teach others lovingly [patiently] to grow in faith (v 23)

            Eph 4:15

        c) Share the joy of the Spirit with others through worship and praise

            (vv17,18)