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PRINCIPLES FOR THE STRONG CHRISTIAN RELATING TO THE WEAK CHRISTIAN On earth we will always have strong & weak Don’t elevate theological non-essentials Don’t marginalize theological fundamentals Don’t let your behavior cause the weak to sin Be progressively more preoccupied with exalting and honoring Christ and less preoccupied with exalting and honoring yourself

CHRISTIANITY ESSENTIALS The Trinity: One God in three Persons God created & sustains the universe All humans are sinners and will be judged All humans die once and then face judgment The Incarnation of Jesus Christ The sinless life of Jesus Christ The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ The resurrection of Jesus Christ Christians confess, repent and trust in Jesus Christ Eternal life in either heaven or hell

15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Man’s chief end (main goal/purpose) is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Romans 15:3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 2 Peter 1:19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

Romans 15:9 As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

"O Lord, command what you will and give what you command" St. Augustine Many of the blessings of God are conditional upon our response of faith, and God Himself ultimately enables that response of faith and obedience.

PRINCIPLES FOR THE STRONG CHRISTIAN RELATING TO THE WEAK CHRISTIAN On earth we will always have strong & weak Don’t elevate theological non-essentials Don’t marginalize theological fundamentals Don’t let your behavior cause the weak to sin Be progressively more preoccupied with exalting and honoring Christ and less preoccupied with exalting and honoring yourself

APPLICATIONS Be sure you are a Christian and not a church attender What behavior of yours might lead other Christians to sin? Will you sacrifice for the weak? Are you “cliquish” or do all Christians feel welcomed by you?