Weak in the Faith, Part 1
A Sermon on Romans 14:1
Originally preached Oct. 6, 1967
Scripture
1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Sermon Description
Some find it hard to know how to regard the differences in spiritual maturity that exists among Christians. Are these differences always good? Are they bad? In this sermon on Romans 14:1 titled “Weak in the Faith (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides some biblical answers to these questions. He starts by asking a foundational question: what does it mean to be weak in faith? The believers Paul was talking about and writing to were true Christians that were falling into legalism. He reminds that all believers are the same as it relates to justification and regeneration and the basic need for being saved from sins. However, some are stronger than others. What causes this? Dr. Lloyd-Jones posits that natural personality often lends itself to different strengths and weaknesses in different people. Additionally, the diligence and application of people as Christians also play a large part in the strength or weakness of someone’s faith. He also suggests that the length of time one has been a Christian will affect this. Thankfully the Christian is given the power to grow by the grace of God so if one’s faith is weak, they should not be anxious but continue to seek the Lord and it will grow.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon begins by introducing the passage from Romans 14:1-15:4 which deals with matters of indifference in the Christian life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that this passage addresses issues that often divide Christians and cause trouble in the church.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones then provides an analysis and outline of the passage by dividing it into five subsections: Romans 14:1-12, Romans 14:13-16, Romans 14:17-20a, Romans 14:20b-23, Romans 15:1-4.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses the meaning of "weak in faith" from Romans 14:1. He notes that it refers to those who are Christians but struggle in applying their faith to particular matters. Though they understand the core of the faith, they revert to legalistic thinking in certain situations.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses how Christians can be classified as "weak" or "strong" in faith. He notes that not all Christians are equal or identical. Becoming a Christian is not magical or automatic. Though all Christians are saved the same way, differences emerge in growth and maturity.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses several factors that can determine whether someone is "weak" or "strong" in faith: natural ability, temperament, diligence, length of time as a Christian, teaching received, and background.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses how Jews and Gentiles in the early church may have been "weak" in different areas due to their different backgrounds. He also notes how views on issues like Sabbath observance, smoking, and drinking have varied among Christians over time.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by expressing gratitude for God's provision in Scripture and praying that God would keep Christians humble, discerning, and faithful to God's Word.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 14: Dealing with Matters of Indifference
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "weak in the faith" in Romans 14?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "weak in the faith" does not mean "weak in faith." He explains: "Being weak in faith means that you haven't power in your faith. You believe things, but you are not so ready to trust yourself to them." However, the phrase in Romans 14 refers to being "weak in the faith," which means "weak with respect to the faith" - someone who is weak "in his understanding of the teaching concerning the christian salvation in its outworking." These are people who understand salvation but struggle with applying faith principles consistently to daily life issues.
What are the "matters of indifference" that Paul addresses in Romans 14?
Lloyd-Jones explains that "matters of indifference" are those issues that are not essential to salvation. In Romans 14, these specifically include "the question of food and drink and the question of the observation of particular days in connection with the life of the Christian." These are secondary matters where Christians might legitimately hold different viewpoints, unlike the essential doctrines of salvation that all Christians must agree upon.
How does Lloyd-Jones structure his analysis of Romans 14?
Lloyd-Jones divides the section (Romans 14:1-15:4) into five subsections: 1. Romans 14:1-12: Statement of the case and the governing principle 2. Romans 14:13-16: Reminder that we are brothers and must consider our discussions in that light 3. Romans 14:17-20a: Reminder about the nature of God's kingdom 4. Romans 14:20b-23: Summary of the argument and conscience 5. Romans 15:1-4: Final appeal to the right spirit and our relationship to Christ
What are the main dangers Lloyd-Jones identifies regarding these matters?
Lloyd-Jones identifies two extreme dangers Christians can fall into: 1. "A kind of morbid scrupulosity" - being in constant fear about what's permissible, always wondering what we should or shouldn't do, and criticizing others with rigid rules 2. "Antinomianism" - the opposite extreme where people dismiss all moral concerns, saying "it doesn't matter what you do now that you're a Christian"
What factors cause some Christians to be "weak" and others "strong" according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones suggests several factors that create differences among Christians: 1. Natural ability - while not affecting salvation, it affects growth afterward 2. Temperament - your fundamental personality characteristics continue after conversion 3. Diligence and application - how much effort we put into studying Scripture and growing 4. Length of time in the Christian life - maturity comes with experience 5. The teaching received - some haven't had access to good instruction 6. Background and culture - national, ancestral and cultural factors shape our understanding
How does Lloyd-Jones address the fallacy that all Christians should be identical?
Lloyd-Jones firmly rejects the notion that all Christians should be identical. He states, "All Christians are not equal, and all Christians are not identical." He criticizes those who view Christianity as "something magical" that happens automatically and makes everyone equal. Lloyd-Jones explains that while regeneration and justification are entirely God's work (where we are equal), growth and development afterward involve our participation, creating differences. He points to Scripture's distinctions between "babes," "young men," and "elders" to support this teaching.
How should we deal with differences among Christians on secondary matters?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that we must remember "who we are" when discussing differences - we are brothers and sisters in Christ. He warns against discussing these matters "theoretically" or "in the abstract." We must also remember "the nature of the church" and not let minor issues divide us. Finally, while respecting each other as brothers, we must also respect that "each one of us is an individual, and we are responsible to our own conscience." The key is maintaining unity while allowing for diversity on non-essential matters.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.