GRAVE TO GOSPEL
GRAVE TO GOSPEL narrates the continuous story of Christ from Genesis to Revelation. Every action we take is driven by this life-giving message, reminding us that faith in Christ goes beyond mere knowledge, rituals, numbers, or programs. Expanding upon this foundational principle involves sharing and deepening our experience of Christ’s love through the Gospel, making each new endeavor a powerful echo of the Good News. Without the gospel, ministry loses its pulse; with it, every heartbeat carries the life of Christ into the world.
Let's move His gospel forward with every beat, because Christianity is not about Christians, it’s about Christ.
GRAVE TO GOSPEL
Open Your Bibles to Romans 14 13-23
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Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Romans 14:13-23
In our last episode, we established that every believer stands or falls before their own Master. This week on Open Your Bibles, we continue our journey through Romans 14, moving from the principle of liberty to the practice of love.
As we dive into verses 13–23, consider "What is Christian Liberty?" In this episode we will encounter one of the most challenging applications of the Christian life: the voluntary limitation of our Christian freedom for the sake of a weaker brother’s conscience.
In this Episode we discuss:
- Christian Liberty and Love (Agape): Why Paul insists that "if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love." Our Christian thinking is shaped by Scripture, but by personal opinion.
- Secondary Issues of Faith: Understanding "things indifferent." How do we distinguish between the non-negotiables of the Gospel and the matters of private opinion?
- The Nature of the Kingdom: A deep dive into verse 17: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." We talk about refocusing our zeal away from external ceremonies and toward the internal work of the Spirit.
- Keep the Main thing, the Main thing: All Christian Liberty is subordinate to the Glory of God. Exploring the sobering weight of verse 23. We discuss how a wounded conscience is a serious matter and why forcing someone to act against their conviction—even a "wrong" one—is a spiritual danger.
As those who have been justified by grace through faith alone, we are free to lay down our "rights" for the sake of the body. We are called to "pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding," recognizing that the work of God in a soul is far more precious than our right to a certain food or drink.
Grace and Peace.