Sermon Outline of the Week

Each week I'm going to post a sermon outline for any preacher who wishes to use it. I feel like Adrian Rogers--If you can take my sermon and improve it have had it.

Protecting the Community

Romans 14:1-15:6

How do we protect the fellowship of the church?

1. You must reject a judgmental spirit [14:1-12]

What protects us from a judgmental spirit?

• God accepts all His children [v. 3]
• Jesus is Lord of all [vv. 7-9]
• We will all stand in judgment [vv. 11-12]

2. You must focus on higher priorities [vv. 13-23]

What are those higher priorities?

• Love [vv. 15, 19-23]--Love willingly forgoes all liberties that cause another to stumble.
• The church's reputation [v. 16]--Don't allow disputes to cause the world to slander the church.
• The non-negotiables [v. 17]--Righteousness standing before God, peace with God, and the hopeful joy of the indwelling Spirit. Also note Paul's emphasis upon Jesus' death, resurrection, lordship, and His coming again [vv. 9-10]. Ethics and theology are always bound together.

3. Follow Christ's example [15:1-6]--His selfless life informs and empowers ours. The closer you get to Him, the more you reject a selfish lifestyle.

The fellowship of the church must be protected for the health of the faith community and the eternity of the lost community!

I wonder if this kind of message is needed in the church today? I think so, given the fact that the vast majority of our church disputes are over things like Paul deals with here in Romans. Note that he believes there is room for disagreement over custom and ceremony but not in theology or moral issues.