Pastor Chris asks what happens when every disagreement becomes a deal breaker. Paul's answer in Romans 14 is to accept the person, even when we don't agree.
Pastor Chris starts with the either-or icebreaker game and asks what happens when it turns into a deal breaker. In Romans 14, Paul tells us to accept the one whose faith is weak without quarreling over disputable matters. Pastor Chris says unity doesn't depend on agreeing with a person, but on accepting them. He sorts disputable matters into opinion, preference, and interpretation of Scripture, and says we can disagree without dividing.
Then he walks through Romans 14:13-18. We're free to hold convictions and live by them before God. But we must not judge the person who disagrees, and we must decide ahead of time not to put stumbling blocks or potholes in anyone's way. Pastor Chris points to Isaiah's call to clear the road for God's people, and to Luke 13, where Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath while the synagogue leader objected.
His closing challenge: prefer the person over the issue, keep what's between you and God between you and God, and decide that differences won't be deal breakers. He ends by asking listeners whether they've trusted Jesus.
Chapters
- 00:00 Icebreakers or Deal Breakers?
- 05:15 Accept the Person Without Quarreling
- 06:27 Three Kinds of Disputable Matters
- 09:21 Stop Judging the Person
- 15:07 No Stumbling Blocks or Potholes
- 23:15 Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
- 28:45 What the Kingdom Is Really About
- 31:10 Clearing the Path for Others
Scripture
- Romans 14:1
- Romans 14:13-18
- Isaiah 57:14
- Isaiah 62:10
- Luke 13:10-17
Series: The separation of church & hate
Speaker: Pastor Chris
Next steps
Skycrest Community Church · 125 N Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL 33765
Sundays: Group Bible Studies 9:00 AM · Worship 10:30 AM
Wednesdays: Pastor's Bible Study 6:30 PM
Plan your visit, watch live, or give: https://skycrestfamily.org
Questions or prayer requests: info@skycrestfamily.org · (727) 791-7107