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"The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking..."

Text: Romans 14:17

FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THINGS

Paul had to deal with the problem of focusing on the wrong things! What were some of the wrong things? In summary Paul mentioned “eating and drinking”. Let us ponder what Paul meant.

1. Eating and drinking

a) This phrase was used to describe the controversy about “dietary laws”.

b) There were some who were insistent about pressing home their view- that certain types of food were not to be eaten.

c) There were others who were equally adamant about their views- that all types of food could be consumed.

2. The problems that arose

a) The threat of division of the church was real.

b) The threat of stumbling weaker brethren was also very real.

c) The danger of strained relationships within the church community could not be ignored.

A STRONG REMINDER

Paul had to remind his readers what the Kingdom of God was not!

1. The kingdom of God that Christ espoused was not a revival of the Mosaic law-system.

2. The kingdom of God was not focused on “eating and drinking”.

3. The physical aspects that some were emphasizing did not constitute the kingdom of God.

4. To emphasize the physical aspects, such as dietary laws (as in the Old Testament) would not be a correct understanding of the kingdom of God.

5. To allow controversy to arise from intensive emphasis about “eating and drinking” would not be consistent with the true understanding of the kingdom of God.

6. To focus on “eating and drinking” as a major concern would not do justice to Christ’s teaching about the Kingdom of God.