Overcoming Offenses

Luk 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

Skandalon – trap used to catch animals, offenses are traps of satan. Impediment holding one back, stumblingblock. Strike or hit against

Luk 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke (warn against, show disapproval in a harsh and passionate manner) him; and if he repent, (to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins) forgive (refrain from punishment) him.

Luk 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

The Apostles respond to forgiving those who trespass 7 x’s in a day…

Luk 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

1 The construction of offense

A We can catagorize every offended person into one of two categories:

1 Those who have been treated unjustly

2 Those who believe they have been treated unjustly

a The second category may 1) have inaccurate information or 2) their information is correct but their conclusion is inaccurate.

There are times when we needed to be offended because we were wrong, and maybe a friend told us that we needed to stop something

B Usually, it is those who are (or who were once) closest to us that offend the most severely.

1 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. 13 But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend; 14 We who had sweet fellowship together walked in the house of God in the throng. Psalms 55:12-14 (NASB)

a The bloodiest wars (civil), the most viscous court cases (divorce)

b Your greatest offense will be from those who you are close to.

aa The closer the relationship, the more severe the offense.

bb Only those you care about can hurt you (you’ve given more of yourself to them).

cc People you worship with, guy preaching the message, someone you grew up with

b Pride keeps you from dealing with the truth (you never change when you think everything is fine, keeps you from repenting, set free).

c Pride causes you to see yourself as a victim (I’ve been wronged so I’m going to withhold forgiveness-I’m justified).

2 Just because we’ve been wronged, mistreated, we do not have permission to hold on to our offense (the two wrongs don’t make a right).

3 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Tim 2:24-26 (NASB)

a In this trap, you’re held to do the will of Satan.

b Can be unaware of their condition (come to their senses)

c Keep spewing out hurt, anger, outrage, jealousy, envy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred.

aa These are the fruit of offense.

bb You can’t reach your potential/fulfill your calling when you are living with offense. Why?

cc The fruit of offense are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit.

A Refined gold is soft & pliable, free from corrosion & other substances.

1 Other metals (nickle, copper, iron) are added to gold to make it hard (alloy).

a The more foreign substances are added, the harder the gold becomes.

b But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Heb 3:13 (NASB) The more sin in our heart, the harder it becomes (removes tenderness/sensitivity to God’s voice).

2 The first step in refining gold is to grind it into a powder, mix it with a substance called flux, & melt it in a furnace.

a The metal liquefies, the impurities (dross) are drawn out by the flux & floats to the top where it is scooped out. The gold remains at the bottom, purer metal.

b Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 (NASB)

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NASB)