Christian doctrine is the foundation of Christian unity. Does that mean that members in our congregation have to agree on absolutely everything? Greg urges us to consider doctrine according to Mohler's helpful "theological triage" in which there are first-level issues (what all Christians must believe), second-level issues (matters that divide gospel-believing churches such as who is a church member and how does leadership work), and third-level issues (matters of conscience). Most of these third-level issues are practical issues, and on these issues many Christians disagree. Every church should work through these matters of conscience according to Paul's counsel in Romans 14:1-15:7. He teaches that unified Christians welcome each other, while divisive Christians shun and ignore each other. Greg recommends the excellent book by A. Naselli and J. D. Crowley, Conscience: How to Clear It, Calibrate It, and Love Those who Disagree. Then Greg follows chapter 5 of that book in recommending ten principles that show us how to love those who differ with us in debatable matters. Christians should never quarrel over opinions (14:1), be fully convinced about the rightness of their own actions (14:5), assume the best about those who differ (14:6-10), be ready to give an account for their actions (14:10-12), honor the consciences of weaker Christians (14:13-15), understand what truly matters in the kingdom of God (14:17), "calibrate their consciences" according to Scripture (14:14), never flaunt their freedoms (14:22a), enjoy a clear conscience (14:22b), and never violate their consciences (14:23). Greg concludes focus ingon Christ who lovingly gave up his rights for the weak.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
After serving for three summers as a pastoral intern, Tri-County called Greg to serve as assistant pastor in 2014. Greg was born in Massachusetts and from age six has lived in the greater Syracuse area. Although he grew up in a Christian home, it wasn’t until he was in junior...
