Message Notes

Senior Sunday School 13 APRIL 2025

Text: Romans 14

Subject: “Do not destroy the work of God” Romans 14:20

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 

21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 

22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 

23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Romans 14:19-23

IMPORTANT PURSUITS OF LIFE

1. Many things are pursued in life

a) Career

b) Health

c) Wealth

d) Wisdom

2. Much effort is poured into these pursuits

a) Time

b) Energy

c) Expense

d) The goals may not always be good and edifying

WORTHY PURSUITS TO CONSIDER

1. Things that promote peace

2. Things that bring about edification

3. These should be our main concerns

a) They are healthy

b) They are wholesome

c) They result in significant blessings

THE OPPOSITE OF EDIFICATION

1. The work of God

a) It needs to be edified

b) It needs to be built up strongly

2. The work of God can be “destroyed”

a) This word is the opposite of “edification”

b) It is destructive

c) Such actions should cease immediately

3. How the work of God can be badly affected

a) Because of “food” views and practices

b) Those who are strong may disregard the conscience of a weak believer

c) His choice of action may adversely affect a weaker believer

i) He may stumble

ii) He may be offended

iii) He becomes weaker

THE APPLICATION OF FAITH

1. A person may declare he has a good and strong faith

2. Well and good for the individual

a) He may rejoice in his strong faith

b) Let him keep that faith before God

c) May he continue to be blessed (“happy”)

3. The danger afoot

a) He may end up being judged (and condemned)

b) By the things that he approves of

4. Not everyone has a strong faith

a) Some struggle with doubts

b) He feels judged and condemned when he is plagued by doubts

c) What cannot be appreciated by faith would become sin to the weaker believer

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To be aware of those who are weaker in faith

2. To be sensitive to them

3. To seek to edify the weaker brethren than to please self