Romans 14

Pepsi Challenge

We are going to look at Romans 14 this morning. This chapter talks about amoral practices – those things which are not sinful in themselves, like one food or another. There are a couple of different examples in the passage, so let’s read through it.

Romans 14

Background – Some of the people Paul is saying have “Weaker faith” are Jewish believers who believe that they still needed to follow the Mosaic laws related to food and Holy days. The passage is directed to believers, not unbelievers.

This chapter is not really addressing food, holy days, or any amoral behavior, but is teaching us that we should not judge one another.

Paul gives 2 major arguments against one believer judging one another. What are they?

V10-12 We will all be judged by God

and 13 Don’t put an obstacle or stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Can you think of any examples of things that we as believers have the liberty to do but that might be a stumbling block for another believer?

Drinking Alcohol

Spanking children

Eating at a restaurant on Sunday

Working on Sunday

Repeat 17 and 19

V17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹ So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

The problem arises over how we interpret what is immoral vs what is amoral.

How can you handle disagreements over amoral things?

Does this mean that if someone professes to be a believer, we should never challenge them on their behavior or choices?