Giving Grace

Theme: Grace based relationships

Scriptures: Romans 14:1-23

Notes and questions:

B1 The issue is

• To judge or not to judge
• On what basis do we judge?

B2 Outline

• Different opinions Romans 14:1-6
• The Lord’s opinion is what is important Romans 14:7-13
• How to handle different opinions Romans 14:14-23

B3 Judging

• Matthew 7:2, For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
• There are two ways of judging something.
• God’s way
• Other
• The other I/we usually use is myself, my standards and opinions.
• Other methods (not necessarily totally wrong) are doctrine, philosophy, experience, supernatural experience, science, authority (the gov’t or an expert), etc.
• I will be judged with the same standard I used to wrongly judge others.
• We are weak in that we do not usually know the full circumstances.
• Our hearts are easily deceived. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
• There are narcissists and others who are good at deceiving. Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
• The only sure, 100% true way is the Bible properly interpreted.
• Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
• God’s judgment is true. John 8:6 “And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
• Ezekiel 18:8 If he has not exacted usury nor taken any increase, but has withdrawn his hand from iniquity and executed true judgment between man and man;

B4 What is the difference between an opinion and conviction?

B5 What is the basis for God’s law? What is the basis for any other law?

B6 Why would God’s law be superior, better, than any other?

• God’s law is based on His total character as in truth, love, goodness, mercy, grace, holiness, justice, and many more.
• Part is based on God’s holiness.
• In Hebrew the word holy, holiness, etc. is קדש, qôdesh, ko'-desh
• It means to be clean (ceremonially), separate, and set apart.
• It means a being with no flaws in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds, thus separate from anything less than perfection.
• The Greek word is ἅγιος hagios. It means sacred, pure, blameless, and consecrated.
• The Greek word has the idea of perfection in doing what God requires, so a perfection in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
• God is the absolute perfect in holiness.
• Part is based on justice.
• The Hebrew word is צְדָקָה tsᵉdâqâh, tsed-aw-kaw
• It includes: no bias, equal decisions without favoring one over another, based on a standard, doing what is right, conformity to God’s law.
• The Greek has a number of different words from decisions, judgment, righteousness, etc.

B7 Romans 14:1-4,

• Specifically, the issue is one who eats anything, or at least most things, versus one who eats only vegetables.
• This can be applied in many different ways and issues.
• It seems that the one person would not accept the other as a good Christian.
• What other examples can you think of?
• What does the term weak in faith mean?
• Some feel that it applies to the Jew who is saved but still believes that they must adhere to the Old Testament dietary laws.
• Some feel that it applies to newly converted Christians. The change from unsaved to saved makes their conscience too tender. They want to honor God as much as any Christian.
• It does not refer to saving faith. These people are saved.
• 1 Corinthians 8:7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (NASB)
• Concerning Abraham: Romans 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God
• How do we grow in faith?
• Think of food:
• 1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food: for until now you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able. KJ2000
• Hebrews 5:12-13 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. KJ2000
• 1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. KJ2000
• Think of training:
• Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are trained by it. KJ2000
• Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. KJ2000
• Think of godly preaching/teaching:
• 1Corinthians 2:6 But we speak wisdom among them that are mature: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nothing. KJ2000
• Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto maturity; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. KJ2000
• Think of prayer:
• Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. KJ2000
• Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. KJ2000
• Think of asking for wisdom:
• James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and reproaches not; and it shall be given him. KJ2000
• 1 Kings 3:7-9 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people? KJ2000
• 1 Kings 3:10-12 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies; but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice Behold, I have done according to your words: lo, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like unto you. KJ2000
• Why do some become impatient with new Christians?
• How can we avoid this?

B8 Romans 14:5-9,

• If someone feels that they must worship on Saturday, is that OK? (Yes, as long as they understand worshipping on Sunday is not the mark of the beast or proof that someone is NOT a Christian.
• Should we correct faulty beliefs as this?
• Should we get angry at one who has this belief?

B9 Romans 14:10-13,

• What should we remember about judging others? (We have to give an account to God).
• Is there any place for judging others?
• Can the church judge others?
• Is there a place for church discipline?

B10 Romans 14:14-23

• What is the danger to the new believer if we judge them harshly by our standards?
• According to Romans 14:17, what is the greater priority?
• According to Romans 14:19, what should we be attempting to do for each other?
• What does Romans 14:23 teach us about sin?

B11 Next week

• Love guides all.
• Theme: The Law of Love
• Scriptures: 1 John 4:7-1 John 5:5

The weight off your shoulders

Theme: Freedom from guilt

Objectives:

Know: Forgiveness flows from God’s character and leads to joy and peace.

Think: Rest in the assurance that the Lord has forgiven me, taking away my sin and shame.

Do: Let go of guilt and shame, realizing I am forgiven by God’s grace.

Scriptures; Psalm 103:1-14

Notes and questions:

B1 Our passage

A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

1. Who forgives all your iniquities;
2. who heals all your diseases;
3. Who redeems your life from destruction;
4. who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6. The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all that are oppressed.
7. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy.
9. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever.
10. He has not dealt with us according to our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13. Like as a father pities his children, so the LORD pities them that fear him.
14. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psalms 103:1-14

B2 Bless

• The Hebrew word is barak and means to kneel as in humbly acknowledging someone’s superiority used of the inferior to the superior (Genesis 1:22 and Psalm 29:11). When it is used with the superior being, it is a gift, boon, etc. to that person, family, or nation (Genesis 24:48 and Job 42:12) .
• Genesis 1:22: And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
• Psalm 29:11: The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
• Genesis 24:48: And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.
• Job 42:12: So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
• International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (ISBE) states
• “The context furnishes the key to its meaning, which is the bestowal of good, and in this particular place the pleasure and power of increase in kind [referring to Genesis 1:22--ed].”
• “In Genesis 24:48, for example, Abraham's servant says, "I bowed my head, and worshipped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham," where the word evidently means to worship God, to exalt and praise Him.”

B2 Soul

• In its basic sense the Hebrew word, nephesh, means breath.
• Citing ISBE again, it is mentioned
• “Soul, like spirit, has various shades of meaning in the Old Testament, which may be summarized as follows: "Soul," "living being," "life," "self," "person," "desire," "appetite," "emotion" and "passion."
• “By an easy transition the word comes to stand for the individual, personal life, the person, with two distinct shades of meaning which might best be indicated by the Latin anima and animus. As anima, "soul," the life inherent in the body, the animating principle in the blood is denoted (compare Deuteronomy 12:23,24, ‘Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the soul; and thou shalt not eat the soul with the flesh'). As animus, "mind," the center of our mental activities and passivities is indicated. Thus we read of ‘a hungry soul' (Psalm 107:9), ‘a weary soul' (Jeremiah 31:25), ‘a loathing soul' (Leviticus 26:11), ‘a thirsty soul' (Psalm 42:2), ‘a grieved soul' (Job 30:25), ‘a loving soul' (Song of Solomon 1:7), and many kindred expressions.”

B3 How has God blessed us? How have we blessed God?

B4 Note that God’s name is a holy name, that is, it represents a perfect being in light, love, goodness, justice, etc.

B5 Benefits

• The Hebrew word is gĕmuwl.
• It means any action or deed that is good or, on the other hand, bad.
• Examples:
• Punish them for what they have done,for the evil they have committed. Punish them for all their deeds; give them what they deserve! Psalm 28:4.
• When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back. Proverbs 19:17.

B6 Matthew Henry writes in his commentary on this passage: “It is the soul that is to be employed in blessing God, and all that is within us. We make nothing of our religious performances if we do not make heart-work of them, if that which is within us, nay, if all that is within us, be not engaged in them. The work requires the inward man, the whole man, and all little enough.”

B7 Where does good come from?

B8 Psalm 103:3,

• What are the two benefits listed in this verse?
• Who is the one who heals and forgives?
• Were these things seen in the ministry of the Lord Jesus?
• What do these benefits mean to you?

B9 Psalm 103:4,

• What contrast is with these two benefits?
• What kinds of destruction might the Psalmist refer to?
• Why would lovingkindness and tender mercies be described as a crown?
• What word might refer to the cost of these blessings? (redeemed)

B10 Psalm 103:5,

• What are the good things?
• How can our strength be renewed as an eagles?”

B11 Psalm 103:6,

• Who are the oppressed?
• What does God do for them?
• How does this happen?
• When does it happen?

B12 Psalm 103:7,

• What good thing is seen in this passage?
• Why would those things be good?
• How do those things bless people?
• How can we pass it on?

B13 Psalm 103:8,

• How can we be thankful for these things?
• Can we do these things to others?
• How has God’s blessing of being slow to anger helped you?

B14 Psalm 103:9,

• Does this apply to ALL people?
• Does it apply to people after they have died?
• Cross references:
• Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
• Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

B15 Psalm 103:10,

• Do we deserve God’s blessings? Why?
• What reward do we deserve?
• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Revelation 21:8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

B16 Psalm 103:11-12,

• How much mercy does God have?
• Do we worry about our sins being so evil that God could not possibly forgive us? Are we correct thinking this?
• Why do we sometimes remember our sins? Are they forgiven? What can we do when the memory of our past sins plague us?

B17 Psalm 103:13,

• How can parents apply this verse to child raising?
• Can we take pity too far? Are there situations when there should be no pitying?
• Why would God want to pity us?

B18 Psalm 103:14,

• What good thing about God’s memory that helps us?
• Would this verse be an excuse for sin?
• Why is remembering what we are helpful?
• Since we are flesh, dust of the field, where is the role of pride?
• A quote from the Bible Illustrator, Old Testament on this passage: God's individual care:--The historian tells us that the great Duke of Wellington, who was known as the Iron Duke, before one of his earliest campaigns had a soldier with his full marching equipment accurately weighed. Knowing what one soldier of average strength had to carry, he could judge how far his army might be called to march without breaking down. Our Heavenly Father does not deal in averages. With infinite wisdom and love He cares individually for us. (L. A. Banks, D.D.)