| I. The First Issue |
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VERSES 14:13-15 |
| A. The Initial Exhortation: |
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| 1. The Negative: |
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, |
(13a) |
| 2. The Positive: |
but rather determine this–not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. |
(13b) |
| B. The Relevant Principles: |
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| 1. First: |
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| a. The Certainty: |
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus |
(14a) |
| b. The Issue: |
that nothing is unclean in itself |
(14b) |
| 2. Second: |
but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. |
(14c) |
| 3. Third: |
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| a. If: |
For if because of food your brother is hurt, |
(15a) |
| b. Then: |
you are no longer walking according to love. |
(15b) |
| C. The Concluding Exhortation: |
Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. |
(15c) |
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| II. The Second Issue |
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VERSES 14:16-20 |
| A. The Initial Exhortation: |
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; |
(16) |
| B. The Relevant Principles: |
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| 1. First: |
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| a. The Negative: |
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, |
(17a) |
| b. The Positive: |
but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. |
(17b) |
| 2. Second: |
For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. |
(18) |
| 3. Third: |
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| a. The Action: |
So then we pursue |
(19a) |
| b. The Objects: |
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| (1) First: |
the things which make for peace |
(19b) |
| (2) Second: |
and the building up of one another. |
(19c) |
| C. The Concluding Exhortation: |
Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. |
(20a) |
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| III. The Conclusion |
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VERSES 14:20-23 |
| A. The Principles Restated: |
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| 1. First: |
All things indeed are clean |
(20b) |
| 2. Second: |
but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. |
(20c) |
| B. The Applications Made |
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| 1. First: |
It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. |
(21) |
| 2. Second: |
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| a. The Action: |
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. |
(22a) |
| b. The Attitude: |
Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. |
(22b) |
| 3. Third: |
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| a. Conclusion: |
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, |
(23a) |
| b. Minor Premise: |
because his eating is not from faith; |
(23b) |
| c. Major Premise: |
and whatever is not from faith is sin. |
(23c) |