Sound Doctrine

Guest (Male): Having the mind of Christ, it's so very helpful in our interactions with others, as Pastor Jeff explains.

Jeff Johnson: Sacrifice is listening and then responding with the right attitude, with his love. Think about all the problems that would be resolved if we had the mind of Christ. We would answer a screaming situation in a very calm and humble way, and we'd give a direction how that person can be helped in that situation, how they can pray for that person, how they can be a blessing to that person. That's what the Lord's trying to do with us this morning: change us.

Guest (Male): This is Sound Doctrine with Pastor Jeff Johnson, presented each day by Calvary Chapel Downey. Today, we'll be completing Romans chapter 14, where the Apostle Paul has been showing us how we're to resolve relationship conflicts in the church.

In other words, how to take care of in-house family problems. None of us really want to stumble others, and this passage not only helps us avoid that, but shows us how to be a stepping stone instead. A big part of it involves being sensitive and considerate. Let's join Pastor Jeff for this important message.

Jeff Johnson: We're to take up our cross and follow Him. We are to suffer self. You're going to be stepped on. It's okay. Allow it to happen. Be a stepping stone, and you will see unbelievable changes take place.

Then he goes on: "Who did no sin." Jesus, there was neither guile found in His mouth. He was sinless. Who, when He was reviled, He didn't revile again. And when He suffered, He threatened not. He didn't threaten everybody. But he committed Himself to Him that judges righteously. He gave Himself to God. I love this. Another place in Philippians, it says, "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus." The mind of Christ.

What is that mind? It's sacrificial. What is that mind? It's a stepping stone. That's what it is. It's an attitude. He committed himself to God, notice. I love that part because when He committed Himself to God, He hung there, and He said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing." You see what happens to the attitude? All of a sudden, when you're in that sacrificial mode, you're forgiving those that are stepping on you. You're loving them. You're praying for them. That's amazing. That's God. And that's what God wants to do with every single one of us as we become His stepping stone.

Practically, how does this happen? Well, a lot of times, we don't find out who we're stumbling. I think there's different things that we can do. We can go to our prayer meeting, and we can start confessing that, "Okay, okay, I confess. The other night, I sneaked out and I went to the movies and I went and saw Titanic." "You what? We told you that's not good. It's nudity. You shouldn't go, and you did it." And then the other day, "I was at a wedding, and I danced with somebody." "You what?" And they freak on you.

I don't think these are ways to find out if you're stumbling somebody, but that could be a way. But it's not the best way. I don't think this is what God wants us to be doing. But He wants us to be open. He wants us to be honest and sensitive. And I think the bottom line is He wants us to be a better listener. What do you mean? I'm not talking about eavesdropping, but to really listen.

Did you know that listening is a lost art, especially in this society at this time? We don't want to listen. We want to put our two cents in, but we definitely don't want to listen. Listening is something that... but you know what? There's the old adage, "Hey, wait a minute. God gave you one mouth and two ears, right?" So that means you listen twice as much as you speak. But we didn't get that message. We don't know what that means.

We're still talking too fast and too quick. And the reason we do it is because somebody's coming at you and you're not listening to what they're really saying. And then you start to think in your mind, "How am I going to come back to this?" And you're trying to figure out the next statement you're going to give. So reality, you're not really listening to what they're saying. So you don't know what they're talking about when you come back at them. Can you imagine the chaos that brings?

And we don't need competition. May the most stubborn transmitter win. Everybody wants to transmit, but no one wants to receive. And receiving is the lost art. Receiving is really listening to someone and what they're saying. How do you do that? You look them in the eye, number one.

Have you ever talked to anybody that didn't look at you? You're talking to them and you're really laying something heavy on them, and they're going, "Yeah, what else? Yeah, well..." and you're going, "You're not listening to me." Why do they think that? Because you're not contacting your eyes. You're not really hearing what they're saying. And that hurts. That's sad. But that's how we go sometimes. That's what we do.

So listening's a lot to do with being a stepping stone. There are different communications. There's the verbal and there's the non-verbal. Many times, others who love you hate your habits and attitude, and they'll give you subtle hints. My wife is no longer giving me subtle hints. It's direct. And I have a hard time listening. I have to admit. And "Huh? What?" She goes, "You're not listening to me," and I go, "Oh, man." So we're going through this time in our marriage that we're learning all over again how to communicate and communicate well. Because if you don't, you've got real problems if there's no communication. So we're learning. I'm learning.

Again, to listen. Not treating others like a post, but to just really listen and to take it in and not try to come back with a good comeback. A good listener and looker needs an attitude of empathy. Needs an attitude of understanding. In other words, you're willing just to take it and to listen and not react immediately and not to but, "Yeah, but you..." No, you just take it in and you really muse it over. You really listen.

You have an interest to hear. And if you have an interest to hear, you will listen. And this is what a stepping stone is all about. Listening to those that are going off because of a certain situation, whatever it might be. And to edify that person. Once you've listened, to build that person up in their situation. Now, this is hard to do. This is going to take some work on our part, some sacrifice on our part.

Here's some Proverbs. Mark these Proverbs down. Proverbs is wisdom. So the first Proverb is Proverbs 18 verse 13. Listen to this: "He that answers a matter before he hears it." Ever done that? "I wasn't going to say that." "You weren't?" "Oh, I thought you were." "That's not even what I was talking about." "No, it's not even what I was talking about." You're going, "What?"

He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is foolish and a shame unto him. It's just foolishness and it's shameful, and you're not going to get anywhere. And you think you've got all the answers. No, you don't. You've got to listen. And as you listen, take it in.

Here's another one: Proverbs 1 verse 5. A wise man will hear and will increase learning. See, the more we hear and really hear, we're going to learn more about the person, about the situation, or whatever. A man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. So a man that listens is a man with understanding, and he's receiving the wise counsel to be able to edify and to give someone else, to help them on their way. God help us.

Over in 1 John 3:18. 1 John 3:18, he says, "My little children, let us not love in word neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth." So we're talking about listening. That's the deed. That's the in truth. There is the love. Love is action, isn't it? It's not just, "I'm sorry, honey." "Yeah, I've heard that before." How about some action? And that's what speaks loud is change, is action. And love can bring that. Love can bring that. God's love.

We need Christ's attitude towards others. And that's over in right there where you're at in Romans chapter 15 and verse 5. We'll get to it next week. But he says in Romans 15:5, "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus." May God give you the mind of Christ as you treat one another. There's the attitude. There's the spirit. There's the nature of it. It's His love in us to others. The mind of Christ. Willing to be a stepping stone.

Do you know how powerful it is to be a sacrifice? Jesus, it says this concerning Jesus in Philippians chapter 2 verse 8: "And being found in a fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." He came from heaven and hung on a cross for us. And the next verse: "Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name."

So for His sacrifice, God highly exalted Christ. You see what happens? When we sacrifice, that God will exalt. And when He exalts that, He uses it. It's a powerful, powerful move of God. It's His love. You see, this love knows and sees the victory is ahead. His love, it motivates us. And it motivates others to do good and to give.

I love what he says in Hebrews, in Hebrews chapter 13 verse 16. He says concerning communication: "But to do good and to communicate, forget not." In other words, you guys need to work on communication. "For with such sacrifices," notice communication is sacrifice, "God is well pleased."

You see, again, sacrifice is listening and then responding with the right attitude, with His love. Do you think about all the problems that would be resolved if we had the mind of Christ? We would answer a screaming situation in a very calm and humble way, and we'd give a direction how that person can be helped in that situation, how they can pray for that person, how they can be a blessing to that person. That's what the Lord's trying to do with us this morning: change us.

This Christian attitude is not a legal obligation. It's not a mechanical duty. Paul says this: it's His love that constrains me. Because He loves me so much and I've received His love, it constrains me to do what I do and to live like I live. Because He first loved me, we become stepping stones to His glory. We allow others to step on us literally. We follow His example. And because we follow His example, what happens? Souls are won, W-O-N. Look at look at us. We got saved because of His sacrifice. That's the power of God.

Over in 1 Peter chapter 3, where we were talking about this attitude that Christ had when He committed Himself to the Lord there on the cross, in 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 1, he says, "Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obeys not the word, they also without the word be won," W-O-N, "by the conversation of the wives." You wives, you want to win your man to the Lord? Then allow Jesus to come in and be Lord of your life and Lord of your heart and take over your life.

Then you'll be a witness to your husband and you will win your husband. You can stand on this verse. And husbands, go ahead and put yourself right here. Because in the same manner, husbands, you can win your wives just by having Jesus Lord of your heart, Lord of your life, and you're committing yourself daily to Him. You're going to win your wife. That's His promise. That's a word to some of you out there that are really struggling in your marriage. And this is a very powerful statement, isn't it? He just tells you, your manner of living, your manner of life: is Jesus Lord of your life? Make Him Lord and then the home's going to be different.

And then look at verse 22 of Romans 14. He goes on to say, "Hast thou faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in the thing which he allows." Whatever you believe about these things, Paul is saying, have your liberty, you stronger ones, have your liberty before God only. In other words, keep it to yourself. Shut your mouth for a bit. You have one mouth, two ears. Start listening better.

And as you listen better, you'll not abuse or misuse your liberty in the Lord. You'll be very careful. Because he says, look at how spiritually prosperous and happy this man is whose heart doesn't condemn him. What are you talking about? Well, he knows he's right with the Lord and he's seeking to stay right with the Lord, and he's a blessed man.

He's not abusing his liberty. His liberty has set him free from all bondage and, I might add, from stumbling others. You see, your liberty can be a blessing to others, you being the stronger one in encouraging your younger brother or sister. Now, remember, these are all talking about non-essential things, the gray areas of life. These are the things that we need some liberty in.

Now, finally, verse 23: "And he that doubteth is damned if he eats, because he eats not of faith. For whatsoever is not of faith is what? It's sin." Now he's talking about the weaker brother. You see, it's wrong to try to force your conviction on others. He that doubteth is damned. If he eats, I'll tell you this, Satan and his own conscience will condemn him, and there be total guilt feelings.

Because he had a conviction of this thing, and now you've made him and forced him or talked him into it to do something that he's troubled with. He was raised this way. And now you've really bummed him out because you caused him to stumble. And to him, it's sin.

Over in James, James says it in a real directive way in James 4 verse 17: "Therefore to him that knows to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." You see, you know that this is to do good and you don't do it, it's sin. So for to him, it's sin. In other words, cards, movies, drinking, dancing, he says, "I was raised in the church, I was raised this way. These things are wrong, these things will hurt me spiritually. I don't do them."

And then you're sitting there going, "Nah, it's okay, it's okay, man. Come on, man." And all of a sudden, they're just totally backslidden because of it, because to them, it's sin. Do you follow me? That this is what happens, and we don't see it a lot because it's not talked about a lot in the church especially.

But we need to hear this, because you can affect somebody else's life, especially a younger Christian. And after Harvest, we're going to have a whole bunch of younger Christians over here. So you guys mature enough to handle it, or are you going to just bum them out? Now, we need to get ready. Lord, make us ready. Make us good, strong brothers and sisters to take our brothers and sisters under our wing and just edify them and bless them, come into this unity that you've given to us.

So the strong need to be very careful with their liberty. And if you're going to do it, do it behind closed doors. But wait a minute, even then you can get busted. What are you talking about? Well, my daughter, I told you this story before, went to her favorite rock singer. And he was the big shot, and he said, "Come over and babysit my kids." And she was all, "Yeah!"

So she gets out there with the kids, has a great time, and they've been gone for a while. She goes in the refrigerator, opens the refrigerator door... just full of booze. And it crushed her. That's her favorite guy. Wasn't the favorite anymore. So you know that little commercial, "What's in your wallet?" Now it's "What's in your refrigerator?" I'm serious, man. You could stumble a brother or sister. Think about it.

The Holy Spirit is going to deal with each of us. To the weaker, faith comes by hearing and that of the word of God, right? So if his faith is going to get stronger and he's going to have more liberty in his life, it's going to come through studying the scriptures and getting into them and letting it get into him and to liberate him or her. And that's a beautiful thing, and that's awesome. But that takes time.

If the brother is not there and yet you stumble him, it's a big hurt. He'll be hurt and he'll feel that God can't use him anymore. To that point, I've seen it happen. So we need to start to really cultivate this discriminating conscience in others, to direct them to God's word, to correct them and to ease their conscience. In other words, we need to start getting our brothers and sisters dependent on the word of God.

When they come up to you with these this gray area and this question, you say, "Well, what does God say? Let's look and see what God says. Well, if he doesn't say anything, then hey, it's on us to just deal with it, right?" There's some issues that God doesn't say anything specifically. But I think we all need to go back to the word. This is our foundation.

Don't listen to what "Well, this guy said this," or "My pastor says that." Don't do that. This is what we set everything on. This is what we believe. This is why we do what we do. Gosh, this makes me just want to get into it more, and for it to get into me more. Because I want to be right. I don't want to be left. I don't want to miss it. I don't want to hurt anybody.

So the word, that's what he's saying: just let it go and get into the word. Paul says all is clean. To me, everything is clean. But the weaker brother, to him, it's wrong. The bottom line is obedience is better than sacrifice here. In other words, we need to obey what the word says and to be sensitive and to be considerate.

And God deals with, I think, each one of us, I know He does, individually. Let's each seek to serve Him with the faith that He's given to each of us. And let's do our best with what we know, what we have. But again, let's be sensitive. We're all very different. We're at different levels of maturity. And the important thing is that we understand unity in doctrine, liberty in non-essentials, and love covers everything. Just have love be around it all.

Guest (Male): That's Pastor Jeff Johnson with Sound Doctrine from the book of Romans chapter 14. We've discovered today some ways we can help to draw others closer to Christ by being a stepping stone. Pastor Jeff will be back with a final word of encouragement in just a minute.

Romans is one of the greatest books in the Bible. And if you'd like to hear the study again, go to sounddoctrinreadio.org or listen through the Sound Doctrine podcast app. You can also hear Sound Doctrine on oneplace.com or wherever you enjoy your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

By the way, you can donate to this radio outreach right there at sounddoctrinreadio.org. Thank you in advance for whatever God leads you to do. Now, with these concluding thoughts as we wrap up Romans chapter 14, here once again is Pastor Jeff.

Jeff Johnson: So in conclusion, there's three ways in this chapter, chapter 14, to live our lives. Number one, for those of you who can remember back, in light of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That's how we need to live our lives. Is He Lord of your life?

And that's what Paul seeks to answer in the first part of chapter 14. You're accountable to Him and Him alone. Whose servant are you, that others would judge you and this and that? No, who do you serve? Then serve Him. Be accountable to Him. Remember what I said with Webster, who wrote the dictionary? The most heaviest thing he ever thought of was my accountability to God. I'm accountable to Him. And that's the bottom line.

Number two: in light of the judgment seat of Christ. In other words, prepare to meet your God. Are you ready if Jesus was to come today? Are you going to go when He comes? In other words, we're going to have to give an account to God what we've done. Only one life soon be passed, only what's done for Christ is going to last. So what are you doing?

And then number three, what we talked about this morning, is in light of the cross and what He hung on: that sacrificial love of Christ. Have you received His love and forgiveness for your life so you can love and forgive others? Have you received it for you? Because when you receive it for you, then you can give it to others. When you've received His love, when you've received His forgiveness, you're going to give His love. You're going to give His forgiveness to others. It's so powerful, life-changing to become a stepping stone.

Guest (Male): And thanks again for joining us today for Sound Doctrine. May God richly bless you as you live on for Him and look for ways to be a stepping stone. This program is listener-supported and brought to you by Calvary Chapel Downey.