This Sunday Pastor Adam continued the sermon series titled “Labels.” In last week’s message, we learned the importance of showing others what unconditional love looks like, even when we disagree. This Sunday, Pastor Adam spoke about the importance of peace and grace in the midst of differences.
We know that there will always be different views, but our goal is to be a church where different views and backgrounds can authentically walk together with God. In John 3:30 (KJV), scripture tells us that,” He must increase, but I must decrease.” Differences and labels that we place on others, can divide us. We need healing to remove those divisions, as well as God’s peace to bring us the healing that is needed.
When we have separation and divisions in our life, there is a lack of peace. Pastor Adam shared the Hebrew word “Shalom,” which means complete or whole. Shalom was a term originally used in Old Testament masonry. Picture a stone wall, with no gaps or cracks; that is shalom, complete and whole. Pastor Adam reminded us that life is complex; full of different pieces fitting together like stones in a wall, and when pieces are missing, shalom can break down. Shalom brings restoration; it’s taking what’s broken and restoring it to wholeness. Jesus came to offer peace; and we as followers are called to create peace. Here are some skills that we can focus on:
Focus on Grace over Conflict
Romans 14:1-3 (NIV) reads: Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2.One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3.The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
As we start reading verse 1, Paul uses the word “accept.” He does not say to “approve” of the ones whose faith is weak, but to accept. We need to learn to accept others and their differences. In verse 2, Paul is taking about Jewish customs of Sabbath and eating Kosher. On Sabbath, Jewish people did not work on the seventh day of the week; and eating Kosher limited meat that could be eaten, and how the food was prepared. These issues divided the Jewish and the Gentiles, and both sides felt that God was on their side. In verse 3, Paul reminds us that we must not judge those who are different. Regardless of differences, God accepts them. We must acknowledge that they are saved by grace, and it is our responsibility too, to treat them with grace.
2. Realize Jesus is their Lord, not me
Romans 14:4 (NIV) reads, “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.”
God is their master; you are not their master and He enables them to stand. We must understand and trust that God is working in their heart and in your heart.
Romans 14:10 (NIV) reads, “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
We are not to judge or to have contempt; judging is putting yourself above others.
Romans 14:12 (NIV) reads, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” We should judge ourselves, who we need to be and grow in Him. We need to hear from God personally, rather than playing God in other’s lives.
Assume Best Motives, not the Worst
Romans 14: 5-6 (NIV) reads, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
In verse 5, Paul reminds us that everyone has personal convictions to please and serve God. These are simply not personal preferences. Convictions come through a process of walking with God, through our own personal brokenness. It is important for others to go through that same process and develop their own convictions. God is working in their hearts and minds to shape them, just like he has shaped you. In verse 6, we assume that convictions are how they are striving to follow Jesus. We assume that they are striving for God’s purposes as well, even if their practices are different. Unfortunately, we often see this in times of tragedy; in those bad times, we are able to overlook differences and put those labels aside. We shouldn’t have to wait for a tragedy to put those labels aside. We can disagree and still love unconditionally.
Romans 14:7-8 (NIV) reads, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
It is important to remember to live for the Lord. Our belief and foundation in Jesus Christ should precede our political or cultural identity.
Romans 14:9 (NIV) reads, “For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”
Our focus should always remain on Jesus Christ. Pastor Adam reminded us that when our focus is Christ, it is hard to look down on others.
See People Over Issues
Sometimes people and society may want us to pick a side. If we focus on people, it leads us to love others, and that’s the side we need to be on.
Romans 14:13,15,17 (NIV) reads, 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.” 15“If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.” 17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”
In verse 13, we need to remember that we are made in God’s image; we are people, not issue or opinions. We should not let our stances drive people way from relationship. In verse 15, we need to ask ourselves, “Am I more eager to correct wrong people than to help hurting people?” Sometimes we need to do a heart check, to make sure that we are still showing unconditional love to people, despite issues or differences. In verse 17, we focus on righteousness, not self-righteousness. He assures us that we can only be made right by the work of Christ.
Be an Example of Shalom, Not Division
Romans 14:19 (NIV) reads - “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
We must think about how we can build others up and point others to Jesus. We need to choose relationship building, over argument winning. We need to grow together, no condemnation, but edification. Sometimes we need to use a filter; not everything needs to be said out loud or posted on social media. We need to remember to use the filter of the Holy Spirit. The ultimate goal is to find resolution and restoration.
Romans 14:22a (NIV) reads, “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
Sometimes we need to ask ourself, who am I judging? Do you view others with contempt? Let God do the work; we must use His wisdom and discernment. Pastor Adam reminded us that we should be an example to all around us because the Holy Spirit is within us.
Let us bring shalom everywhere we go. Demonstrate the love of God in all that we do.
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Monday: Shalom and Preparing for the week
Think about shalom, which means completeness and wholeness. Our lives are complex just like a stone wall. Sometimes we have gaps in our lives, broken pieces, and jagged, sharp edges, but with shalom we are complete and whole. Shalom brings restoration, and takes what’s broken and restores it to wholeness. The Prophet Isaiah was a coming ruler of shalom and Jesus came to offer peace. Jesus made peace on the cross; and as followers of Christ, we are called to create peace.
Reflection/ Action:
Pray about the completeness the God gives you. What broken pieces has He mended, what gaps has He filled, and what jagged edges has He smoothed out for you? As he continues to bring wholeness, spend time in prayer and talk to God about how you can decrease, as He increases in your life.
Tuesday - Focus on Grace over Conflict
We begin to focus again on Romans chapter 14. Be mindful of the words that Paul wrote in this passage. He focuses on giving grace when divisions arise. In addition to grace, Paul reminds us that we must not judge those who are different. God accepts us all, and it is our responsibility to accept others as God has accepted them.
Reflection/ Action:
Read Romans 14:1-3 (NIV) – “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.”
Have you recently offered grace to someone who has different views from you? As we prepare for the holiday season, pray about someone in your life who needs to be given grace. If conflicts exist between others, pray about how you can offer grace and pray that God resolves these conflicts as your show unconditional love in your grace.
Wednesday - Realize Jesus is their Lord, not me
God reigns over all; He is our master. We are not other’s master. We must trust that God is working in their heart, as well as your heart. Since we are no one’s master, we are not above others, therefore, we cannot judge others. We only need to judge ourselves, who we need to be and how we can grow in Him.
Reflection/Action:
Read Romans 14: 4,10,12 (NIV)
Romans 14 - 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.”
10 “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” 12 “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
Remind yourself that we will each have to give an account of ourselves to God; as we will one day stand before God’s judgement seat. Today, spend time in prayer with God; take a few minutes just listening to Him. Ask God to reveal to you how you have led others to Him. Ask Him who you need to be for Him, and how you can grow in Him.
Thursday - Assume Best Motives, not the Worst
We must be careful assuming that others should have your same convictions. Convictions are not just personal preferences; they are brought upon us through personal life experiences, through our walk with God, and through our own brokenness. God has shaped us, as he is shaping others around us, as we strive to follow Jesus.
Disagreements will continue throughout our lives, but we must remember to love unconditionally. We must remember that our belief and foundation in Jesus should precede our political or cultural identity.
Reflection/ Action:
Read Romans 14: 5-9 (NIV)
Romans 14 – 5“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”
Pray and talk to God about your convictions; what experiences have made you who you are today? Pray about where God has led you throughout your life. Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal to you what unites you to others around you. If you are experiencing division among others, pray for God to lead you to unification.
Friday - See People Over Issues
Sometimes people and society want us to pick a side. Personally, for me, it’s hard to pick sides, and usually it’s an uncomfortable situation. If we focus on people, it leads us to loving others, and that’s the side we need to be on. We need to do a heart check, to make sure that we are still showing unconditional love to people, despite issues or differences.
Reflection/ Action:
Read Romans 14:13,15,17 (NIV) - 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.” 15“If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.” 17“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”
Spend time in prayer. Talk to God about having to pick sides with people in your life or about passing judgement on others. Talk to God and ask him if you are showing unconditional love to others, despite differences. Ask God to allow you to focus on people and loving those around you. Pray for continuous peace and joy in these uncomfortable situations.
Saturday – Be an example of Shalom, not Division
Remember that shalom brings restoration, and takes what’s broken and restores it to wholeness. We need to make every effort to do what leads to peace. We should be an example to all around us because the Holy Spirit is within us. We need to be the peace makers.
Pastor Adam spoke about perfect unity in John 17:23 (NLT) which reads, “I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
Reflection/ Action:
Read Romans 14:19 and 22a (NIV)
19“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” 22a “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
Talk to God and ask him how you can be a peace maker. Do you feel that you are in perfect unity with God? Ask yourself if others around you can see God’s love in you? Pray for restoration and resolution in situations where shalom is lacking.