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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (28-5-1978 Strandtown Baptist Church)
Long passage to deal with, but
belongs in one piece. It concerns differences of opinion and interpretation
about details of Christian conduct. Some said that a certain thing was alright,
while others denied it. Some, because of their Jewish background, thought it was
wrong to eat certain foods. Some, because of their Gentile background (of
Corinth), thought it was wrong to eat food offered to heathen gods. Some kept
certain foods as holy. Another issue was the Lord’s Day – 7th day
or 1st day, or both. Weak despised and criticized the strong as too
broad minded, too lax, easy-going, letting side down. Strong had ridiculed
others because narrow minded, rigid, legalistic and strict.
Now situation is still with us.
Preliminary point – not dealing with matters which are at heart of faith, for
example, the way of Salvation – as at Galatia - or setting aside 10
Commandments. Here we are dealing with secondary matters. Matters of
interpretation where Scripture can be interpreted in two ways, or where
Scripture does not speak clearly, “grey” areas.
These areas can cause great deal
of suspicion, fear and gossip and criticism and bad feeling. Need to allow that
our upbringing, culture, background, reactions all play a part. Not always
realize this and can confuse our cultural background with essence of Gospel.
Cultural differences seen in the Highlands of Scotland, the blinds are drawn,
the piano locked and organ locked because it is the Sabbath. Similarly,
Continental Christians drink wine in moderation, which shocks American
Christians, but the way American Christian women make up their faces shocks
Continental Christians.
Once heard an American preacher
denounce the evils of mixed bathing - with three cigars in top pocket. The way
Good Friday is disregarded in some places comes as a shock to those who have
been brought up to go to church on Good Friday. Heard of some people who feel it
is OK to take a Sunday afternoon drive in the car along country lanes, but feel
that the Sabbath is profaned if they drive home via the front at Portstewart!
Some maintain it is alright to go for a walk on Sunday, but not for a swim. Been
to a Brethren Assembly in Europe where 1st hymn announced by man with
Sunday newspaper sticking out of his pocket. Heard of pastors who visit their
flock with bottle of wine, and in time for football match on TV. Some
missionaries refuse to shop in the only market because it is on a Sunday – and
then do not have anything decent to eat for the rest of the week. Pacifism and
politics is another issue. When we say “that is worldly”, we are merely
expressing our own culture and values shaped within our culture. It is worldly
to wear ties and drive cars in some Christian countries.
Need to be firm and unflinching about primary and essential matters. Need to be tolerant about secondary matters, and not allow any one to make them essentials. Unity in things essential, liberty in non-essentials, charity in everything.
Person who eats must not despise person who thinks it is
wrong to eat, as old fashioned, behind the times, too narrow, cranks or
stick-in-the-muds. Person not eating must not criticize those who do for being
too loose, letting side down. Conviction, not convention, is our rule. Know
where we stand. Think matter through. Do not be swayed by what others do and say
or think. But allow for fact that what may be right for us may not be right for
other man. The strong are not to grieve the weak. Weak are not to judge the
strong. Mutual respect. Not encourage arguments and quarrels about differences,
but accept them. And respect one another. Do not irritate, or ridicule or be
contemptuous. Recognize, respect, sympathize, see other man’s point of view.
Never laugh at something someone else holds dear.
We are God’s servants, not
servants of one another. Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He
might be Lord (Romans 14:9). We are answerable to Him. To go before God’s
judgement seat. Make sure conduct is to the Lord as you see it (Romans
14:6-8). May I do this? Yes, if I can do it to the Lord and ask His blessing.
Judge everything in light of Scripture and also
Christ’s Lordship. When we judge we are usurping position which belongs to God
alone. No right to make our practice on secondary things the universal standard
for all other people. Follow own convictions, but allow others to have theirs,
without regarding them as sinners and outcasts.
Paul ends by emphasizing to all parties importance of consecration to Lord. He is strong who is not bound by rules of weak – utterly dedicated to Lord. Both the strong and the weak are to be concerned with things that really matter – love Lord, diligent in his service, anxious to obey the Word, love Bibles, forgiving to others, in touch by prayer, filled with Holy Spirit. These are the things which will matter when we are before Him. Therefore these are the things which ought to matter now.
Make sure not to put stumbling block in way of weak. In
non-essential matters – e.g. things which are not clean or unclean, the extras
of life. If a man feels something is wrong, respect him. It may be unimportant
to you, but very important to him because of his background. Do not go out of
way to shock. Do not flaunt way of life to tantalize and deliberately to
irritate. Be careful lest he follows your example and hurts his conscience,
persuaded to do what he feels is wrong. This is to ruin him for whom Christ
died (Romans 14:15). So precious to Lord – and ruined spiritually by our
carelessness. Self-denial is better. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink
(these are not essential) but righteous and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost
(these are essentials) (Romans 14:17). Never violate another’s conscience by
insisting on liberty. No right needlessly to distress others. Principle of love
to be our guiding light. Respect another’s genuine feelings.
Think of how our conduct is
going to affect others. Think of the effect of our example. Freedom and love to
go hand in hand. For sake of others and spiritual growth – deny self. We are
our brother’s keeper. Consider how Christ lived. He pleased not Himself. So we
should limit our selves for the sake of others. We have the right to our
opinion, but not to lead others astray. Do not bring reproach on the name of
Christ because of lack of consideration.
“I followed you” – remark
by young man to city councillor at a civic function. Luther said “A Christian
man is most free lord of all, subject to none… A Christian man is a most
dutiful servant of all, subject to none.” Rather than destroy God’s work in
another, we are to be concerned with things which make for peace and build
others up in the faith. Peace and edification are to be our concerns. Not to
destroy peace and harmony in Church because cannot have way in matters which are
so trifling and unimportant. Peace of Church and harmony are to be highly
prized.
For example, a woman might
choose not to wear a hat in church because of her interpretation of 1
Corinthians Ch. 11, believing that her wedding ring is the sign of her
submission to the man. But because this might cause offence within the church,
and for the sake of peace, she might decide to wear a hat. She makes it clear
she does not accept the usual interpretation, but she does accept the other
principle, of peace within the Church. Equally, it is right to say that the
other person making a fuss over the situation should keep quiet for the sake of
peace within the Church.
So in relations between pulpit and pew. Where issues are personal to the preacher, they are his affair. But when the congregation are involved, when they want to have their wishes observed (e.g. saying of the Lord’s Prayer, observation of Good Friday), there should be no resentment on the part of the preacher. Indeed he should be grateful for pulpit freedom which is not obtained everywhere.
He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Whoever does anything against his conscience is condemned by conscience. If not able to do something or say something in faith, it is a sin. Make sure we act in good conscience. Do not silence conscience because we are in the minority, or because of pressure or fear of being different. Conscience may prove to be wrong later, but never act in violation of conscience. Simple rules “If it’s doubtful, it’s dirty” “If in doubt, don’t”. These rules especially helpful for young Christians. If cannot ask God to bless, or do it to His glory, if any hesitation, don’t.
Not dealing with the essence of the Gospel – Salvation
or Commandments. But dealing with secondary matters, the extras, luxuries,
matters which are not principle. Things that we need not do if we do not want,
e.g. pleasures and pastimes. Not good or bad in themselves, but may be to some
people. Respect. Do not criticize. God is judge. Think position through. Act and
speak unto the Lord and for His inspection.
Strong not to outrage or cause the weak to stumble. Definite influence on others by us. Do not insist on rights if injury to brother will follow. Understand other’s practical difficulties. Peace and up-building are our main aims. Act always in faith. Never violate the conscience.
