1. Welcome to the Adult Two Couples Class Immanuel Baptist Church

2. Question of the Day If you could choose to go anywhere in the world for three days, where would it be?

3. Announcements –January thru March fellowship  February 11 th hosted by the Gartons  April 22 nd hosted by the Floyds  You too can be a host –Benevolence fund –Outreach cards

4. Prayer Requests

5. Question of the Day If you could choose to go anywhere in the world for three days, where would it be?

6. Context Written by Paul to the church at Rome Written by Paul to the church at Rome Composed of Jewish & Greek Christians Composed of Jewish & Greek Christians It is the longest letter of the Apostle It is the longest letter of the Apostle Probably written around 56 A.D. Probably written around 56 A.D. Jews in the church were causing problems Jews in the church were causing problems

7. Context Apparently, there were issues in the church regarding status and “spiritual seniority”. In other words, some who had been Christians for a long time and had grown in their faith were beginning to look down on those who were newer to the faith. The more mature Christians apparently had a judgmental “get over it” attitude toward their less mature brethren. In the church at Rome, this issue surfaced as those from a strict Jewish background were worshipping with those from a pagan Gentile background.

8. Overview Accept Each Other Accept Each Other Live & Let Live in the Lord Live & Let Live in the Lord Be Satisfied with Letting God Judge Be Satisfied with Letting God Judge Examine Yourself Examine Yourself

9. Key Truth We must accept fellow believers in love and refrain from personal criticisms of each other as we strive to serve God.

10. Romans 14 : 1 – 4 John 8:36 Romans 8:2 Accept Each Other

11. Have an attitude of acceptance toward each other Have an attitude of acceptance toward each other –Paul sums up the whole chapter in this one verse –Acceptance & love-basis of relationships among believers –Disputable matters will arise out of what it means to be free in Christ  John 8:36 – If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.  Romans 8:2 - Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. –What does it mean to be free in Christ?  I can do anything, as long as it is in obedience to Christ

12. Accept Each Other Don’t get hung up on their hang ups Don’t get hung up on their hang ups –There were differing views on what foods were acceptable –What are some narrow convictions that Christians have? –Avoid condemning those who are caught up in such things –Sometimes discipling may be required on indisputable matters of faith  Sins clearly delineated in the Bible –The test for discerning when to intervene (disciple)  Does the issue reflect the character of Christ?  Can it encourage our becoming like Him?  Can it further His Kingdom on earth?

13. Accept Each Other It is not our place to judge other’s service It is not our place to judge other’s service –All Christians are servants of Christ –Each of our ministries will be different just as we are different –Don’t judge another believer’s method of service –If it has it’s ordained place of God it will stand on its own  If not, it won’t

14. Romans 14 : 5 - 9 Live and Let Live in the Lord

15. Observance of Holy days Observance of Holy days –There appeared to be a dispute over which day was to be observed as “church” day –The day was not important, but be convinced of why you worship –How and why we worship should be the result of understanding of scripture –Paul talked about his philosophy of dealing effectively with cultural differences  1 Corinthians 9:19-23

16. Live and Let Live in the Lord Live for the Lord first Live for the Lord first –There are no Lone Ranger Christians –We have been bought with a price and we don’t even own our own bodies –We cannot let our personal hang-ups influence our ministry to others who are different Our ability to surrender all will carry over into the heavenly kingdom Our ability to surrender all will carry over into the heavenly kingdom –We are the Lord’s possession even after death

17. Romans 14 : 10 - 12 Be Satisfied with Letting God Judge

18. Don’t be mean….

19. Be Satisfied with Letting God Judge The dangers of a judgmental attitude The dangers of a judgmental attitude –Leads to an attitude of contempt If we confess Jesus as Lord, we forfeit position as judge over another’s opinions If we confess Jesus as Lord, we forfeit position as judge over another’s opinions –An attitude of judgment in the flesh gives way to contempt every time Method for avoiding the trap of criticism Method for avoiding the trap of criticism –Don’t focus on what others are or aren’t doing in church –Do focus on what God has called you to do and do it –If someone is not serving the way God ordained, God will judge them in the end

20. Ask Yourself …. 1. Would I rather criticize someone than minister to them? (This includes your thoughts) 2. Do my criticisms diminish other believers, and hold back the church and the cause of Christ? 3. Do I believe that I always have a right to judge the value of other Christians’ service and opinions? 4. If I feel I am right on a debatable issue, do I tend to have an uncaring or inconsiderate attitude toward others’ feelings when they disagree with me?

21. Overview Accept Each Other Accept Each Other Live & Let Live in the Lord Live & Let Live in the Lord Be Satisfied with Letting God Judge Be Satisfied with Letting God Judge Examine Yourself Examine Yourself

22. Adult Two Couples Class