WHO ARE WE ACCOUNTABLE TO? - A STUDY ON ROMANS 14 PART 7 OF 11

Rock Island State Park, Tennessee

Yesterday, I focused on Romans 14:4, and pointed out that other believers are accountable to God, not us, so we're not to act as their judge. Today, the focus is on Romans 14:7-12, and the fact that everybody is accountable to God. Verses 7-9 point out that we don't live for ourselves but to God, because we are God's. The next three verses remind us that we all will appear before God and give account of our lives (see also 1 Corinthians 3:9-17; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 1:17).

How often do we see ourselves as belonging to the Lord? We call Sundays the Lord's Day, but is the focus of the day the three hours in the morning when we assemble together to worship or on the three hours to six hours in the afternoon when the NFL takes over the TV? 

Even with church, do we REALLY see ourselves as the Lord's? Let's look at the music. Some people want a nice contemporary worship time, resembling the music they listen to at home. Others want a more traditional worship that they're more comfortable with. But are we more concerned with the accompaniment or with the words coming out of our mouth and especially if they reflect what's in our mind and heart?

Now, let's move to the sermon. Which of these two thoughts are more frequent while the Pastor is preaching:

1. I needed to hear that. God needs to work with me on that area so I'm pleasing Him more.
2. Is (fill in somebody else's name) here this morning? I hope so: he/she really needs to hear this message.

Too often we're focused on the shortcomings of others when we really need to instead turn our eyes inward and realize we are going to give account of ourselves before God. We're too worried about specks in others' eyes to see the planks in our own. 

Do you realize you are here solely for God's glory? Are you aware you will someday stand before Him?

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER/APOLOGIST - A LOOK AT JUSTIN MARTYR

Would you believe there was a time when you could identify a philosopher by how they dressed? Likewise, would you believe there was a Christian who chose to wear the outfit of a philosopher?

Justin Martyr became interested in philosophy as a young man in the early 100's. He sat under Stoicist, Aristotlean, and Pythagorean followers before focusing on Platonist teaching. He still wasn't satisfied until he encountered an older Christian.

As mentioned above, Justin chose the garb of the philosopher. This gave him opportunities. For example, it lead him into a friendly dialogue with Trypho the Jew, which Justin put in print... er, written form. 

Bryan Litfin, in his book Getting To Know The Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction, distinguished his ministry with Ignatius of Antioch. Ignatius' letters were those of a pastor, strengthening the Church. Justin's primary ministry was to those outside, and he presented the Gospel in a way that reached those of the Greco-Roman society.

Justin did not feel philosophy (or more technically true philosophy) was at odds with the Gospel. He also showed some early wrestling with the realization that the Father was God and Jesus, the Logos, was God, and the Father was not Jesus.

This early church leader did live up to his name. He knew of the consequences taking the name of Christ could have; in fact, the martyrdom of Christians drew him before he came to the faith.

Justin is known for the above Dialogue With Trypho. He also wrote his First Apology and Second Apology. In the former, he gives a picture of what a second century church service looked like.

How do we deal with different people of different backgrounds? Justin Martyr was an early example on contextualization, but while he changed his presentation of the truth, he didn't change the truth.

Let Us Stir Up Love And Good Works!

"And consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, but exhort one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NKJV)
We're probably familiar with verse 25, which starts with the word "not". We may not be as familiar with the preceding verse, which actually begins the sentence. And we may put the emphasis on the "don't forsake the assembling" instead of "exhort one another."

Likewise, we may look at our well organized church service as fulfilling that passage. But Hebrews is not a pastoral epistle. It is talking to the whole church. The leadership's job is to equip believers for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). We should be involved in this as well.

Let me move to the writers and musicians and artists. Are we focused on stirring up love and good works in our talents? 

One thing I miss in church services is special music, though I think special music could go deeper. Often, it is a singer singing a song everybody knows that some established singer or group has previously recorded. To me, it could be a 3-4 minute sermon with musical accompaniment. Also, it could be an opportunity to develop songwriters in the church.

We are in a time where there are limits on indoor meetings, and in California singing is banned because of COVID. But are we able to meet in small groups? Can we work together to meet urgent needs? 

What are ways we can stir up love and good works?