Weak & Strong
Series: MADE NEW
Speaker: Aidan Kemp
Date: 28th August 2022
Passage: Romans 14:1-23
00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 In 1923, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the major Christian denomination in Eastern Europe,
00:00:07 --> 00:00:08 decided to update its calendar.
00:00:09 --> 00:00:13 This decision caused a significant amount of distress among the church's members
00:00:13 --> 00:00:16 because it was felt that changing the date of Easter
00:00:16 --> 00:00:20 was breaking a millennia-old tradition for no good theological reason.
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 Consequently, the Eastern Orthodox Church split into two groups,
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 the new calendarists who accepted the new calendar
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 and the old calendarists who stuck to the old calculation of Easter.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 Each group branded the others as heretics
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 and refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of each other's leadership,
00:00:38 --> 00:00:39 seemingly breaking the church in two.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 To this day, the split remains very real for those in Eastern Europe,
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 although the divide has softened in recent years.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:51 Hey everyone, my name is Aidan and I'm a member of the congregation here at St Paul's.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 I want to start off with that fun little historical story
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 because interestingly, in the last week,
00:00:56 --> 00:01:00 the concept of a split or schism in the church is a very relevant one.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:05 As just this week, announcements of a new diocese of the Southern Cross
00:01:05 --> 00:01:09 created headlines like Australian-Anglican Church splits
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 in the Sydney Morning Herald and the ABC.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 This decision has come from disagreements between Christians around Australia
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 over the blessing of same-sex marriages.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:19 And if you've got questions about it,
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 I'd recommend having a chat to our senior minister, Steve,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 or watching the video he made this week,
00:01:24 --> 00:01:25 which should have been sent out if you're on the mailing list.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:31 But what a coincidence then that this of all weeks,
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 we're scheduled to look at Romans 14,
00:01:34 --> 00:01:38 a passage that wants to answer a surprisingly very relevant question.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 What do we do when Christians disagree?
00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 The Bible's answer to this question is probably not what you'd expect
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 given the quarrelsome and curmudgeonly history of the Christian church.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 But before we get to that answer, we need a bit of context.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 So let me pray before we get started.
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 Heavenly Father, as we come to look at Romans 14 today,
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 let our hearts be open, our minds be willing to change,
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 and our spirits be eager to hear the gospel.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:07 Amen.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:11 If this is your first time joining us here for our Roman series,
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 or if you need a bit of a reminder of where we've been,
00:02:13 --> 00:02:17 we're reading through Paul the Apostle's letter to the Roman church,
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 which isn't so much a letter as a deep dive into Christian thinking
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 on God, humanity, and the law.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:27 Now, Paul hadn't actually met the Roman church he was writing to,
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 but he knew of them through friends who had visited Rome.
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 And the news he was getting was a bit troubling.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 There was a divide beginning to form in the Roman church.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 Christians and Rome had split into two camps,
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 based on a disagreement not over marriage or money,
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 but over meat.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:46 If you look back at your Bibles with me,
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 Paul outlines this debate in verse 2 of chapter 14.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:52 I'll go to the other one.
00:02:54 --> 00:02:57 One person's faith allows them to eat anything,
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:05 Apparently, there were two groups of the Roman church at this time.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 Those who thought that it was wrong for Christians to eat meat,
00:03:09 --> 00:03:10 known as the weak,
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 and there were Christians that thought they should be able to eat
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 whatever they want, regardless of where it came from,
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 which Paul labels the strong.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 Now, this isn't a fight you'd find in many churches around Australia today,
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 but the pattern of this disagreement is something that has been replicated
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 in thousands, if not millions, of church throughout history.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:33 On one side, those with a firm belief that some particular practice is wrong,
00:03:34 --> 00:03:35 in this case eating meat,
00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 look down upon others as less committed followers of Christ.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 On the other hand, believers who think that the practice is fine to do,
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 i.e. are fine with eating meat,
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 show contempt towards their dissenting brothers and sisters,
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 viewing them as pedantic and needlessly judgmental.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:55 So from disagreement on a theological question,
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 real problems can start to occur,
00:03:58 --> 00:04:01 where otherwise healthy relationships are poisoned by bitterness,
00:04:01 --> 00:04:02 judgment and contempt.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 And it's into this context that Paul gives his answer
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 to the very relevant question.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 What do we do when Christians disagree?
00:04:12 --> 00:04:12 Paul's answer?
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 Practice acceptance, not judgment.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 Have a look at verse 6 with me.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 for they give thanks to God.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:28 And whoever abstains does so to the Lord and give thanks to God.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:33 Rather than engaging in this feedback loop of negativity and animosity,
00:04:33 --> 00:04:36 Paul offers up a radical new way of relating to each other,
00:04:37 --> 00:04:41 a policy of acceptance that leaves judgment up to God.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 Now there's a lot of nuance in Paul's plan
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 for resolving a conflict in the Roman church,
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 but throughout verses 6 to 8,
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 Paul keeps repeating his core idea.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 Whatever you do, do it for the Lord.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:57 If you've been a Christian for a while,
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 this might not seem particularly surprising to you.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 A fundamental part of the Christian faith
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 is giving everything in your life over to Jesus.
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 But Paul reminds us here that
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 this doesn't just change how we relate to God,
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 it also changes how we relate to each other.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:16 Who are you to judge somebody else's servant?
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 To their own master's servants stand or fall,
00:05:20 --> 00:05:21 says Paul in verse 4.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 And again in verse 10.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 You then, why do you judge your brother or sister?
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 Why do you treat them with contempt?
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 For we will all stand before God's judgment.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 Paul is telling the Roman church,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 get out of God's chair.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 If everything I do as a Christian is for God,
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 then I am a servant of God,
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 and I have no right to do God's job for him,
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 especially in the case of judging humanity.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 Most importantly, if I see a fellow servant of God,
00:05:52 --> 00:05:55 I have no right to judge my brother or sister
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 on whether they're serving God correctly.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 Only the one they're serving can determine that.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:04 I have no right to judge my fellow servant
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 because judgment is the Lord's alone.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 All I can do in the meantime
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 is try and get along with my brother or sister
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 and try and work together to serve our Lord
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 in the best way we can.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:20 For example, let's meet Alison and Ben.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:24 Alison thinks that eating food in church
00:06:24 --> 00:06:25 is totally fine,
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 since God made food for us to enjoy
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 and the building in which we meet
00:06:29 --> 00:06:30 isn't particularly special.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 On the other hand,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 Ben thinks it's unbiblical to eat in church
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 because it's the building we dedicate
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 to worshipping God
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 and we should treat it with respect.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 That's a pretty significant divide
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 between Alison and Ben,
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 and if Alison ever brings a sandwich into church,
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 then one day there might be some real tension,
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 some conflict,
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 and potentially even arguments breaking out.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:55 But if both Alison and Ben
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 follow Paul's policy of acceptance over judgment,
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 Ben can accept that Alison is serving God
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 how she sees best,
00:07:03 --> 00:07:06 and Alison can accept that Ben is serving God
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 how he sees best.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:12 And both can trust that God will be the one to judge,
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 and so there's no need for an argument.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 Instead, we're able to accept one another's differing beliefs
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 without breaking community.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 But like lots of things,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 replacing judgment with acceptance
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 is much easier said than done.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 When someone turns up to church wearing something
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 or talking about something
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 or doing something we think is wrong,
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 how can we act biblically in that moment?
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 I think it's helpful to understand
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 some of the emotions that cause judgment.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 And in my admittedly limited experience,
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 a significant amount of Christian judgment
00:07:48 --> 00:07:51 seems to come from genuine worry.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 Now, I'm only 24 years old.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 I haven't experienced all of what life's got to offer.
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 I, you know,
00:07:58 --> 00:08:01 don't have many deep insights into the human condition.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 But even from this vantage point,
00:08:04 --> 00:08:07 I can see that judgment doesn't often spring
00:08:07 --> 00:08:10 from mean-spirited or malicious churchgoers.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 In fact, in many circumstances,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 experiences of judgment within the Christian community
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 come from one believer
00:08:16 --> 00:08:19 being genuinely worried about the faith of another,
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 based on external assumptions about their life.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 We have a sense that if someone isn't serving God
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 as best they could,
00:08:26 --> 00:08:29 they have a deeply held belief that we know to be wrong,
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 potentially their faith is at risk.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 And they need to be made aware of their mistake
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 as soon as possible.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 Because we genuinely care about them
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 as our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 But if that's you,
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 if you are someone who feels called
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 to take that sort of action,
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 the challenge in this passage
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 is actually to entrust that job to God.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 Let the Lord take care of judging their faith,
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 because ultimately,
00:08:54 --> 00:08:57 He is the one who maintains and sustains it.
00:08:57 --> 00:09:00 Don't stop caring about your church family,
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 and by no means,
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 don't stop checking in on how they're going with Jesus.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 But we need to stop worrying about the strength
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 of each other's faith based on what we do and don't do.
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 Judging from assumptions and guesswork
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 rather than genuine conversation.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 And start learning instead to accept one another,
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 even if the way you live for Jesus
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 is different to the way I do.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 I think Paul sums it up best in verse 19.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 Rather than worry about judgment,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:30 make every effort to do what leads to peace
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 and mutual edification.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 So then,
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 in this new happy community of acceptance,
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 does this mean we should just accept
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 all practices of our fellow believers,
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 regardless of what it is?
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 Well,
00:09:45 --> 00:09:45 no.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:49 Paul's policy of acceptance in Romans 14,
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 its specific policy meant for a specific set of issues,
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 which calls us to make a careful distinction
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 between gospel issues and disputable issues.
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 Let's have a look at verse 1.
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 Accept the one whose faith is weak
00:10:02 --> 00:10:05 without quarreling over disputable matters.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:06 Ah,
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 so there's the qualification.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 Disputable matters.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:15 Paul's policy is specifically for disputable matters.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 I think that'd be a really good phrase
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 to keep in the front of your head
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 because it's going to be a really important one.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 What is a disputable matter?
00:10:25 --> 00:10:25 Well,
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 let's start with the Bible itself.
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 Rather than disputable matters,
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 your translation might have opinions
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 or doubtful issues
00:10:31 --> 00:10:31 or,
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 in the King James Version,
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 doubtful disputations.
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 These are different attempts to translate
00:10:37 --> 00:10:37 the Greek word
00:10:37 --> 00:10:39 dialogismoi.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 Now,
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 full disclosure,
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 I don't know biblical Greek,
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 but after doing some research,
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 a common consensus among theologians
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 like John Stott,
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 Kent Hughes,
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 and Tim Keller
00:10:48 --> 00:10:51 is that the word refers to matters of practice
00:10:51 --> 00:10:54 about which God has not specifically spoken.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 Keller explicitly translated it
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 as meaning matters of conscience,
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 which he and the other theologians
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 take to mean as an action
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 which God has neither clearly forbidden
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 nor clearly commanded.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 So the policy of acceptance
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 above disagreement
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 applies to practice
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 about which the Bible
00:11:12 --> 00:11:12 is unclear
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 and ambiguous.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 So,
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 lots of things.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 The Bible only has so many words
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 after all
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 and was written a long time
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 before social media ethics
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 became a popular topic.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 But it can sometimes still be difficult
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 and controversial
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 to figure out
00:11:28 --> 00:11:28 whether something,
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 whether a topic of debate
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 is disputable,
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 is a disputable issue
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 that you can agree
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 to disagree over
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 or something
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 that is non-disputable,
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 something that needs
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 to be resolved
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 before continuing
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 in community together.
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 To give us a bit of a hand
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 with this,
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 I borrowed some guidelines
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 written by a London preacher,
00:11:47 --> 00:11:47 Dick Lucas,
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 who outlines three principles
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 for identifying
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 a disputable issue.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 Number one,
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 the principles of the matter
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 apply to behaviour
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 or to practice,
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 but not to doctrine.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 Lucas' justification for this
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 is that Paul has just spent
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 11 chapters
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 outlining clear teaching
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 on the proper Christian beliefs
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 and worldview.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 He's not suddenly
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 in Romans 14
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 inviting Christians
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 to challenge
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 what he's written.
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 Paul is addressing disagreements
00:12:16 --> 00:12:16 over the way
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 people should practically
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 respond to this message.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 Number two,
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 for a matter to be disputable,
00:12:23 --> 00:12:23 there must be no
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 clear, relevant commands.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 The Bible is God's
00:12:28 --> 00:12:28 absolute,
00:12:29 --> 00:12:29 final,
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 authoritative word
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 on the behaviour
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 that is pleasing
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 and acceptable to him.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 The instructions in it
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 aren't optional extras
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 we get to choose
00:12:39 --> 00:12:39 if we want to follow
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 when we become a Christian.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 Within the clear boundaries
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 God has set,
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 we're free to debate
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 which is the better way
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 to live for God
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 and accept when
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 our fellow sister
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 or brother disagrees.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 But if God has already
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 made his stance clear
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 on an issue,
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 who are we
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 to contradict
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 what he said,
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 even if we feel
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 uncomfortable
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 or angry
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 at his word?
00:13:00 --> 00:13:02 Yet if there isn't
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 a biblical command
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 about a certain practice,
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 then that matter
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 might just be disputable.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 And finally,
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 number three,
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 all...
00:13:09 --> 00:13:12 Waiting for it,
00:13:12 --> 00:13:12 there you go.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 All issues are disputable
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 except gospel issues.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 What Lucas means by this
00:13:17 --> 00:13:17 is that Christians
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 have the true
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 and real freedom
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 to have different opinions
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 without suffering
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 exclusion or judgment.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 Except if those opinions
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 modify the gospel.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 If the gospel,
00:13:29 --> 00:13:29 i.e.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 faith in Jesus'
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 death and resurrection
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 becomes not enough
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 to achieve salvation,
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 if something additional
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 is required to be saved
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 and enter God's kingdom,
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 whether some practice,
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 behaviour or belief,
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 then that matter
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 is not disputable.
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 To be a Christian
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 is to be a believer
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 in the gospel.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:47 And as Paul says
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 in Galatians 1 verse 9,
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 if anyone is preaching
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 to you a gospel
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 other than what you've accepted,
00:13:52 --> 00:13:54 let them be under God's curse.
00:13:54 --> 00:13:57 So enough theory.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 Let's have a go at this.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 Let's have a go
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 at figuring out
00:14:01 --> 00:14:01 whether an issue
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 is disputable or not.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 Can we agree
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 to disagree on it
00:14:05 --> 00:14:05 or does it need
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 to be resolved
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 for continuing
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 in community?
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 Now I'm not looking
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 to figure out whether...
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 I'm not looking
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 to figure out
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 what is right
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 and wrong on this issue.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 That's important.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 But it's also important
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 to know what type
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 of issue this is.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 So imagine Ben
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 from earlier
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 has turned up to church
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 and said,
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 all Christians
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 must wear shoes
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 while in church.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 No bare feet allowed.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 Anyone who comes
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 into church
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 needs to put on shoes
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 before coming
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 to worship God.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:35 I want you to turn
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 to the person next to you
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 and have a chat
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 about whether
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 wearing shoes in church
00:14:39 --> 00:14:41 is a disputable issue.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 If you're at home,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 turn to the people
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 next to you
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 or have a good think
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 on this topic.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 And I want you to try
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 and justify your position
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 either using the guidelines
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 that will be on the screen
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 or other thoughts
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 you might have.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 Since it's a bit
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 of a bigger topic,
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 I'll give you
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 three, four minutes
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 to have a chat about it
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 and then we'll come back.
00:14:59 --> 00:14:59 So have a chat.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 All right.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 Let's come back.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 For the record,
00:15:07 --> 00:15:09 I think wearing shoes
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 in church is a disputable issue
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 and something we can agree
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 to disagree on
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 because it's about practice.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 Because one,
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 it's about practice.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:20 Two, as far as I know,
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 there's nothing specific
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 in the Bible
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 to the covering of feet
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 in church
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 and it doesn't add
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 or take away
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 from the gospel message.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 But I think your instincts
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 on that question
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 may have highlighted something
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 about where you lie
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 on something I'm calling
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 the disputable scale.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 On one end of the spectrum
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 is the tendency to mark
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 everything as disputable,
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 often associated
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 with more liberal theology.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 This is where every issue,
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 no matter how big,
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 small or central
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 to the gospel,
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 can be smoothened over
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 by some magic church policy,
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 even if it means compromising
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 on the central message
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 of the gospel.
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 While on the other end
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 is fundamentalism,
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 where nothing is disputable
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 and those who don't follow
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 the exact same practices
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 and behaviours of you
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 aren't real Christians.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 Now it's unlikely
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 you're exactly at
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 either end of these spectrums,
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 but all of us
00:16:08 --> 00:16:08 are somewhere
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 on this scale,
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 whether you're more likely
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 to prioritise tolerance
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 over truth
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 or conventions
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 over accuracy.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 Now I'm a conflict avoider,
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 so my instinct is to say
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 we can agree to disagree
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 and avoid a hard conversation.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 But if you're someone
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 who really cares
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 about traditions,
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 your instinct might be to say
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 that the way
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 we've always done things
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 is the best
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 and maybe the only way
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 to do things here.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 Either way,
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 whatever side
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 of the scale you're on,
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 we all need to focus
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 on the truth
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 that can only come
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 from the Bible.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 Making sure
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 that our claims
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 of whether things
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 are disputable or not
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 are solely based
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 on its truth,
00:16:46 --> 00:16:48 not on our own feelings
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 or what we know
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 as normal.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 So before claiming
00:16:50 --> 00:16:52 something is a gospel issue,
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 take a moment
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 to think about
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 whether the problem
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 is disputable or not.
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 Because if it isn't,
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 then wise,
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 careful,
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 and considerate action
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 needs to be taken.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 And if it is disputable,
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 then we need to follow
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 Paul's policy
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 of acceptance
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 over judgment.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 So given that we've
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 talked through the differences
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 between disputable
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 and non-disputable issues,
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 what are some disputable issues
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 that we here
00:17:17 --> 00:17:17 at Chatswood
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 are likely to face?
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 What are some
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 disputable issues
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 that are relevant
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 to us in this building?
00:17:23 --> 00:17:25 Well, as much as it's been
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 an important topic
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 in the last week,
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 Paul's policy
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 of acceptance
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 over judgment
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 is always going
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 to be significant
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 for St. Paul's
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 because as Steve said
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 at the beginning
00:17:33 --> 00:17:33 of the year,
00:17:34 --> 00:17:34 we are striving
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 to be a supernatural
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 community.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 One where our community
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 isn't just made up
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 of people who are
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 similar to each other,
00:17:41 --> 00:17:43 but a multicultural one.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 One that is both
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 diverse and unified
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 at the same time.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 But that's a challenging
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 aim.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 Because with many
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 different cultures
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 coming together,
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 there are going to be
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 some big differences
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 about what we view
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 as acceptable
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 and unacceptable
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 behaviours.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 What type of clothes
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 is it okay to wear?
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 What does respecting
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 your parents look like?
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 What does hospitality mean?
00:18:04 --> 00:18:06 What does church look like?
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 What type of songs
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 do we sing?
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 What do we expect
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 of our leaders?
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 How do we do communion?
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 What language
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 do we read the Bible in?
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 With people coming
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 to St. Paul's
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 from the multitude
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 of cultures around Chatswood,
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 it seems inevitable
00:18:18 --> 00:18:20 that we'll face conflict
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 over the right way
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 to live as a Christian.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 Indeed, I'm sure
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 there have already
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 been many disagreements
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 over church practice
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 in the years
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 that St. Paul's
00:18:28 --> 00:18:28 has been going.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 So how are we
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 still here together
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 as a church
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 despite these arguments
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 and how can we
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 make sure
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 that St. Paul's
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 remains both diverse
00:18:37 --> 00:18:39 and unified?
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 Well, Paul's
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 answer is simple.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:45 Don't be a stumbling block
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 for God's good work.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 Have a look at
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 verse 20 with me.
00:18:48 --> 00:18:51 Do not destroy
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 the work of God
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 for the sake of food.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 All food is clean,
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 but it is wrong
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 for a person
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 to eat anything
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 that causes
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 someone else
00:18:59 --> 00:18:59 to stumble.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 Remember the two groups
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 I mentioned earlier?
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 Those that thought
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 eating meat was sinful
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 and those that thought
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 it was fine?
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 Well, Paul's clearly
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 in the second group
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 believing that Jesus
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 has made all things clean.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 But he goes on
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 to say here
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 that even though
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 he knows he is right,
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 membership in the
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 kingdom of God
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 is not first and foremost
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 about being proven correct.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 No, the priority
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 for those living for God
00:19:25 --> 00:19:27 is caring for others.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 See, we've already
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 talked about the general
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 case of what to do
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 if two Christians
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 disagree,
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 but we're talking about
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 the specific case
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 where you know
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 what's right
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 and you see someone
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 doing something
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 you disagree with.
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 Realistically,
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 if you view
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 a fellow believer
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 doing something
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 you know is wrong,
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 your instinct won't be
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 oh, they're just doing
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 things differently to me.
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 Your instinct will be
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 that's wrong.
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 Now, Australian society
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 is very clear
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 on what to do
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 in a situation like this.
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 It only takes one look
00:19:57 --> 00:19:57 at Twitter or Facebook
00:19:57 --> 00:19:59 to see that if I am right,
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 it's my responsibility
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 to prove myself right.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 Get the other person
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 to acknowledge
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 their own wrongness
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 and then if they refuse
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 to change their mind
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 immediately,
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 I should ridicule them
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 for being wrong
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 or at least say something
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 along the lines
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 of typical liberal snowflake
00:20:12 --> 00:20:14 or typical right-wing nutjob.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 The Bible's answer
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 on the other hand
00:20:17 --> 00:20:19 is radically different.
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 Think of the needs
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 of the other person first.
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 Do what's best
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 for the faith
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 of your brother or sister
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 even if it means
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 limiting your own liberty
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 or accepting actions
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 you don't agree with.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 Don't jeopardise
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 their faith
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 or their connection
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 to God's church.
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 What if by doing
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 something you know
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 to be right
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 which they view
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 as wrong,
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 they become confused
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 about what God wants
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 and thus cause
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 to sin in other areas?
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 Or what if by calling
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 them out on a practice
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 you know to be wrong
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 but they believe
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 is right,
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 you tempt them
00:20:49 --> 00:20:51 to unnecessary bitterness
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 and malice?
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 This isn't to say
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 that we should abstain
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 from upsetting anyone
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 in our church
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 lest the church
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 become whim
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 to the subject
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 of grumpy Christians,
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 but Paul is specifically
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 talking here
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 about issues
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 that will cause
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 the other person
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 to doubt
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 their relationship
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 to Jesus.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 Here's some quick examples.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 If you believe
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 that all forms
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 of music
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 are fine for church
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 but your Christian brother
00:21:13 --> 00:21:16 is only able
00:21:16 --> 00:21:18 to use one style
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 of worship
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 to praise God,
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 you should do
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 what is best
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 for your brother
00:21:21 --> 00:21:23 and limit your liberty
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 for the sake
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 of their communion
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 with God.
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 On the other hand,
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 if you think
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 it's inappropriate
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 for Christians
00:21:28 --> 00:21:30 to wear immodest clothes,
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 worrying about
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 the faith
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 of your Christian sister
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 who wears things
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 you deem indecent,
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 worry,
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 like help
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 their situation?
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 Or will doing it
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 behind their back
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 cause them
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 to feel judged,
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 guilty,
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 wrong for this congregation
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 and maybe wrong
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 for Jesus?
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 When it comes
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 to disputable issues,
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 put the faith
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 of your fellow believer
00:21:49 --> 00:21:51 first over any need
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 to prove yourself right.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 Accept them first
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 as your faithful
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 Christian sibling
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 and don't cause them
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 to stumble in that faith
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 because as Paul says
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 in verse 21,
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 it is better not
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 to eat meat
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 or drink wine
00:22:03 --> 00:22:05 or do anything else
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 that will cause
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 your brother or sister
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 to fall.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 So how do we take steps
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 towards this new
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 supernatural community
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 of acceptance?
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 Well, I think there's
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 two clear takeaways.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 Firstly,
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 think very hard
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 before claiming something
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 is a non-disputable
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 gospel issue.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 Often when we see
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 someone doing something
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 outside of what we know
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 to be normal,
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 it can feel like
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 a massive issue
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 because they're
00:22:30 --> 00:22:32 disrespecting the church.
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 But before reacting
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 on instinct
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 and lashing out
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 in judgment or worry,
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 think back to those
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 guidelines for if
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 something is disputable
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 or not.
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 And if it is a
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 disputable matter,
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 then now is the time
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 to practice acceptance,
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 especially if you
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 disagree with them.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 Remember what Paul
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 writes to the Roman
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 church.
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 Who are you to judge
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 someone else's servant?
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 Secondly,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 remember that a church
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 of many cultures
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 is not going to be
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 a comfortable place.
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 To borrow another
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 Steve phrase,
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 we need to embrace
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 shared discomfort.
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 Paul encouraged
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 the Christians in Rome
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 to put away
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 their own wants
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 and desires,
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 put away the things
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 that make you feel
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 normal and comfortable.
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 If it means someone
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 else will be able
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 to continue in
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 fellowship with God
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 and with his church.
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 Holding unity
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 and diversity together
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 means doing church
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 differently to how
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 you've always done it
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 and doing it
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 with Christians
00:23:26 --> 00:23:28 who do not live
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 the same way
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 you do.
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 It means making
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 changes to suit
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 those in the minority
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 because otherwise
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 it isn't truly
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 a shared discomfort.
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 And most importantly,
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 it means having
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 an accepting attitude
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 towards difference.
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 For some Pauls
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 to grow
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 in a multicultural
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 suburb,
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 it needs you
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 to commit
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 to acceptance.
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 Regardless
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 of what Christian
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 walks through
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 those doors,
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 regardless of
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 how they live,
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 regardless of
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 what they think,
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 regardless of
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 the disputable issues
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 where you disagree,
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 you personally
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 need to commit
00:24:03 --> 00:24:05 to wholeheartedly
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 loving and accepting
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 them as your
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 fellow believer.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 This is a big
00:24:10 --> 00:24:12 and challenging task,
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 but it's the one
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 Jesus fulfilled
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 when he loved us.
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 And I pray
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 it's the one
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 we'll be able
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 to commit to.