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Introduction: A.
SOMETIMES, WITHOUT REALIZING IT, WE CAN BE VERY
INSENSITIVE: 1.
Homeschooled
parent:
I can’t believe any Christian parent would allow their children
to go to public schools. 2.
Public-schooled
parent:
those homeschooled children are socially backward. 3.
Republican
to Democrat:
how can you call yourself a Christian? 4.
Person
against small families: Don’t you know God said to “be fruitful and multiply?” 5.
Person
against “large” families: Don’t you know what causes that? They have birth-control, you know. B.
HUMOROUS OR DAMAGING? 1.
There
are times when light humor is understood and enjoyed by all. a.
Often, these very same statements are thrown out with
thoughtlessness, sarcasm, or insensitivity. b.
As important, statements like these typically reveal our
personal convictions. 2.
These convictions – along with how
we reveal them – are the focus of this sermon. Discussion: I.
WE ALL HAVE KNOWLEDGE A.
The
purpose of knowledge
is to bring us to and build us up in the faith. Eph.
4:11-16 B.
How
we share these beliefs
are just as important as the beliefs themselves. 1
Cor. 8:1-13 1.
School
choices:
public/private vs. home-school, etc. 2.
Family
size:
“stewardship” (sm) vs. “be fruitful” (lrg). 3.
Holiday
participation:
just a celebration vs. not condoning religious error/paganism. 4.
Denominational
bake sales:
stewardship vs. not condoning sin. II.
KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP / LOVE EDIFIES A.
Can we still have “unity of the faith” if we
come to different applications regarding various matters? B.
Case in Point: Meats offered to idols. 1
Cor. 8 1.
All agree that idolatry is sinful. 2.
Yet one applied that belief to “eat no meat.” 3.
Another applied that belief to “eat meat.” C.
Our
modern convictions: 1.
All want what is best for our children’s walk with the
Lord (no sin in our choice) 2.
All want to be “good stewards” but come to different
convictions about birth control and faith.
Love Is The How (1
Cor. 13:4-7) III.
PRACTICALLY A.
Be
mindful of others. Rom.
14:1-3; 1Cor. 8:7-9; 10:24 B.
Do
not judge the servant of God: he stands before God, not you. Rom.
14:4 C.
Use
your words to build up, not destroy. Eph.
4:29 D.
Whatever
you do, do in service to the Lord. 1
Cor. 10:23, 31; Rom. 14:5-8 Conclusion: A. Clearly, we all have knowledge: but how we use that knowledge toward others is of vital importance. B. Consider the conscience of one another as they stand before God’s judgment seat, not yours.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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