Stand Together!

The Gospel – Week 7
June 28, 2020

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Key Scriptures

Ephesians 6:10-20
Ephesians 4:4-6
Mark 3:25
Romans 14:1-12 (NLT)

Key Points

• Putting on the armor is for the express purpose of protecting the believer from the evil day.
• Believers are called to stand firm and withstand.
• Our battle is not against each other (but it sure seems that way when watching the news or reading social media).
• We need to stand together… a house divided cannot stand.
• When we put up the shield of faith, there is more protection when linked together.
• Pray in the Spirit in unity for proclamation of the Gospel.
• We are called to humility. Pride will keep us apart.
• We are called to build each other up in the faith.
• One Body, One Spirit, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God, One Father.
• We should be eager to maintain what has been given: One Body.
• Are you one with the one another’s in our body?
• God judges who stands or falls.
• Accept the non-essentials in those around you.
• Honor God in all you do.
• Don’t look down on another believer as if they are less-than.
• Live in such a way as to not trip up your brother or sister.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you struggled to stay focused during this season? Explain.
2. Do you have some non-essential beliefs that differ from other believers? Explain.
3. Discuss ways to stay on mission during this season.

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

Romans 14:1-12 (NLT)