11 True happiness among kingdom people 1

True Happiness Among Kingdom People - Part 1Series: Where is my Happiness as a Christian?Romans 4:13-1813Therefore let us stop passing judgmenton one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.14I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.15If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.16Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.Romans 4:13-1817For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,but of righteousness, peaceand joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.Introduction Some people are driven Some people are contemplative Some moody Some people are socialI. Life in the Kingdom of God is not about food and drink.13Therefore let us stop passing judgmenton one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.14I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.15If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.16Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.Listening to one side of phoneMany early churches had significant number of Jews. Rome was an exception. AD49, edict of Claudius, expulsion of Jews from RomeAD54, death of Claudius, return of Jews to RomeAD57, writing of Romans, 3 years after death of ClaudiusGentile dominated community, probably also Gentile leadershipGentiles and some Jews. The weak = some JewsDiet issueProbably related to the Agape (love feast), not likely about diet at homeLike the issue in Acts 15. About who can eat at table fellowship.The Jews, for reasons unknown to us, adopted a Daniel dietThe issueStumbling block (proskomma). Figurative: a stone placed on a path causing someone to strip. Generally: doing something that causes another person to sin. Those who feel guilty about eating meat but do so anyway, thus injuring their conscience. Obstacle (skandalon). Obstacle is ok. I prefer the figurative use of it for a trap.NOT about offending legalists. Legalists in power impose their legalism. These were believers who are legalistic but are in a weak position and need to treated with gentleness.The bottom-line There is no unclean animalThe double bottom-line 15If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.Pauls suggestion: for the sake of the weaker brother, we will not serve meat at the Agape meal.II. Life in the Kingdom of God is about a community of righteousness17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,but of (1)righteousness, (2)peaceand (3)joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.Righteous by faithMatthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.Righteous by actionMatt 6:1ff. Acts of righteousness are praying, fasting, and giving to the poor.Matt 25 37Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give Yousomethingto drink?38And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?Rev. 19 7Let us rejoice and be glad andgive the glory to Him, forthe marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.8It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, brightandclean; for the fine linen is therighteous acts of the saintsJames 2 18Show me your faith without deeds,and I will show you my faith by my deeds.19You believe that there is one God.Good! Even the demons believe thatand shudder.20You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?22You see that his faith and his actions were working together,and his faith was made complete by what he did.23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,and he was called Gods friend.24You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.III. Life in the Kingdom of God is about a community of peace17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,but of (1)righteousness, (2)peaceand (3)joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.Peace with God Peace within the community Peace with the society at largeIV. Life in the Kingdom of God is about a community of joy in the Holy Spirit17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,but of (1)righteousness, (2)peaceand (3)joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.The Holy Spirit is the giver of joyTestimony of younger days. Not sanguineous!Ephesians 515Thereforebe careful how youwalk, notas unwise men but as wise,16making the most of your time, becausethe days are evil.17So then do not be foolish, butunderstand what the will of the Lord is. 18Anddo not get drunk with wine,for that isdissipation, but befilled with the Spirit, 19speaking toone another in psalms andhymns and spiritualsongs,singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ toGod, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in thefear of Christ.Urgency to Joy in the Holy Spirit15Thereforebe careful how youwalk, notas unwise men but as wise,16making the most of your time, becausethe days are evil.17So then do not be foolish, butunderstand what the will of the Lord is.Time is short be happy!

Time is short, the days are evil (physical evil), so make use of every opportunity.Know the Lords will. Dont be foolish How?Concerning spiritual things. Dont be in the wrong ministry. Dont be prideful to think you can change entrenched cultureDont be with false teaching / false teachers, even if they seem to minister to you in some way.We can choose among the right ministries, dont waste your time in the wrong ministries.Especially for older people. Dont have much time left. Testimony, only about 10 good years. Warning from a fellow minister.What is Joy in the Holy Spirit?It is compared to drunkenness. It is like being drunk it shows in all we doJoy comes when we speak to one another in songJoy comes when we make melody in our heartJoy comes through giving thanks for all thingsJoy comes when we are subject to one anotherE.g. Romans 14. Giving way to each otherIndividual Christians can be selfish when in communityWhen it comes to our needsV. Life in the Kingdom of God is about pleasing God and receiving human approval17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,but of righteousness, peaceand joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is (1)pleasing to God and (2)receives human approval.This wayDouble bottom-line of spiritual reality and sensitivity for the weaker brotherE.g. the use of alcoholic wineIn righteousnessIn peaceIn joyThe resultPleasing to God (our vertical)Human approval (our horizontal)Conclusion