The Weak and the Strong
Pastor Tan Thai · Apr 1, 2023
This sermon addresses three practical questions Vietnamese believers often ask about eating food offered to idols, giving tithes, and working on Sundays. However, the deeper issue is the attitude, understanding, and relationships between believers with different perspectives—the strong in faith and the weak in faith.
The sermon begins with three common questions Vietnamese believers ask: whether they should eat food offered to idols after becoming Christian; whether they must give a tenth in offerings or can give less; and whether it is sinful to work on Sunday. These questions are addressed in 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14, where Paul answers about eating food offered to idols and observing certain days. The pastor points out that these issues are not merely about external actions but about understanding, knowledge, and how different believers perceive the same issues.
The real issue lies in the difference of understanding and faith. Jewish believers, taught from childhood that there is only one God, understand clearly that idols are nothing. In contrast, Gentile believers grew up in environments worshiping many gods, so when they became Christian, they still fear eating food offered to idols because their conscience is troubled. This difference creates different understandings, leading to pride in those with more knowledge and judgment in those with weak faith. Scripture warns that "knowledge puffs up" but "love builds up."
The solution according to Scripture is not to distinguish indiscriminately between broad-minded and narrow-minded thinking, but to recognize that some matters are essential and others are not. On essential matters there must be unity; on non-essential matters there must be freedom; in everything there must be love. The strong must bear the weaknesses of the weak, not look down on them. Paul teaches that if food causes his brother to stumble, he will never eat meat again. This is not weakness but love as Christ loved us.
The lesson for the Church is to accept and love younger believers, creating an environment for their growth. Older believers with understanding and experience should love and accept the younger generation. If the Church is only a place of criticism, condemnation, and accusation, then no one will be saved. The Church of Christ cannot abandon anyone because Christ did not abandon us when we were sinners. Second, the conduct, behavior, and attitude of believers must manifest grace. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, not arguments or knowledge. Christ had a gentle and humble heart; His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Therefore, believers must clothe themselves with compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgive one another as Christ forgave us.