Sermon Summary — Romans 14 (vv. 13–23): Don’t Be a Stumbling Block

The message centers on Romans 14 and shifts from earlier discussion about the “weaker brother” to a very practical challenge for every believer: stop being judgmental toward other Christians and start judging yourself—especially how your choices affect others. The pastor explains that a church must not become a “club” that only welcomes people who match the same personalities, backgrounds, or maturity levels. God’s people will differ, and those differences are not automatically a threat—unless believers use them as reasons to criticize, exclude, or elevate themselves. He reminds the church that everyone—young or mature, member or leader—stands on equal ground as servants of God, and even pastors and staff still need encouragement and ministry from others. This sets the foundation: the goal is not to “win” against other Christians, but to help one another grow.

From there, he emphasizes Paul’s instruction that every believer must know what they believe (“fully persuaded in his own mind”). A stronger believer should know Scripture well enough to help others, and a weaker believer should not remain in ignorance—because in spiritual life, ignorance is not harmless; it is dangerous, and Satan uses it. But knowledge must be handled carefully. The pastor draws a clear line between simply “doing ministry” (filling a role outwardly) and truly “serving God” (doing it with a surrendered, right heart). Motives matter, because outward obedience without the right spirit can still become harmful to the body of Christ.

When he arrives at verse 13—“Let us not therefore judge one another anymore”—he explains that Paul does not abolish discernment. There is a kind of judging that is necessary: spiritual discernment that recognizes right and wrong. What Paul condemns is the critical, nitpicking, prideful spirit that looks at someone’s clothing, personality, expressions in worship, or secondary practices and turns those into weapons. The pastor highlights that Romans 14 reminds Christians of accountability to God: “every knee shall bow… every tongue shall confess to God.” He notes that this verse is often applied only to unbelievers, but in context Paul is warning Christians that they will also stand before the Lord. Because of that, believers have no business taking God’s place as master over another servant—especially when their harshness could damage someone’s walk.

The core command is then stated plainly: judge this instead—do not put a stumbling block in a brother’s way. A stumbling block is an obstacle placed in someone’s path that makes them trip or fall. The pastor says Paul is moving from beliefs to behavior: what you believe will show up in how you behave, and if a person claims strong beliefs but never lives them, they likely do not believe as deeply as they claim. Yet even when someone is “right,” it is possible to use that rightness in a way that hurts others. The pastor illustrates this with the image of the Bible as a sword. A sword is not meant to be swung wildly like a club; it is meant to be used carefully and precisely. He tells a story of a man who stopped attending church for years because of a harsh, shaming interaction involving his daughter—an example of how careless “Bible-thumping” can become a stumbling block that drives people away rather than helping them.

Paul’s next point (verse 14) is that knowing something is lawful does not automatically make it helpful. The pastor stresses that knowledge alone does not govern behavior. He uses an illustration from addiction: trying to stop by sheer willpower alone often fails; real change requires replacement—putting something else in the place of what is being removed. The principle is applied spiritually: simply knowing “this is allowed” or “this is forbidden” is not enough. Christians must consider spiritual weight, conscience, and the condition of others, not just personal permission.

He then explains verse 15: if a brother is grieved by your “meat,” you are no longer walking charitably. The key distinction here is between convictions and preferences. Convictions are matters of clear biblical principle that must not be compromised; preferences are personal conclusions or traditions that may not be universally binding. The pastor admits he has preferences (such as what media he will or won’t watch), but warns against preaching preferences as though they were God’s unbreakable commands. He gives an example from Independent Baptist culture about going to movie theaters: while there were real historical concerns (worldly philosophy, wrong motives, temptation), circumstances have changed in some ways, and many Christians now consume plenty of questionable content at home anyway. His point is not to push everyone toward the same conclusion, but to warn both sides: if you hold a strict conviction, keep it faithfully—yet don’t look down on others; and if you feel freedom, don’t flaunt it in a way that wounds someone else’s conscience.

That leads into verse 16: “Let not then your good be evil spoken of.” The pastor summarizes it as: guard your actions.He tells a story of a pastor who knowingly ordered alcohol in a setting where it would create tension and could harm others—especially someone struggling with alcoholism. Even if a person believes something is permissible, they must still consider the effect of their choices on weaker believers and on the testimony of leadership. The pastor is careful to clarify: this is not living by people-pleasing or obsessing over appearances; it is taking Christian responsibility seriously. He quotes a principle about liberty: for every ounce of freedom, there must be an ounce of responsibility. Christian liberty is real, but it is never meant to be reckless.

In verse 17, Paul brings the conversation back to what truly matters: the kingdom of God is not “meat and drink,” not a constant battle over minor preferences. The pastor says kingdom living is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. He warns that believers who constantly stir conflict, thrive on contention, or insist on getting their way are not walking in the Spirit (since peace is a fruit of the Spirit). A church that prioritizes peace allows people to grow, and growth produces joy. He thanks God for the spirit of unity in Victory Baptist Church, describing how a willingness to follow godly leadership and avoid needless fighting creates an atmosphere where visitors feel welcomed and strengthened.

Finally, he highlights Paul’s application: follow the things that make for peace and edify others. Some issues are not worth turning into pulpit battles because they do not build up the church; they only fracture it. Maturity is shown not by how loudly someone proves they are right, but by how carefully they protect others, especially younger believers. The chapter closes with a sobering warning: if someone acts against conscience—doing something while doubting—it becomes sin (“whatsoever is not of faith is sin”). The pastor explains that when a stronger believer pressures a weaker believer to violate conscience, that stronger believer is not helping; they are pushing someone toward sin. The takeaway is direct: be careful with your freedom, careful with your knowledge, and careful with your words. Learn to “self-edit”—not everything you think (even if true) needs to be said. The goal is God’s approval first, and then the respect of people that follows a consistent, peaceable, faithful life.

Tags: Christian Living, Church Community, Judgment, Maturity, Christian Attitude, Love

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