Offended, Alienated, Confused [January 8, 2012]
Eldon Boldt

Sermon Notes

OFFENSE IS AN ASSAULT ON FELLOWSHIP:

Koinonia or fellowship is translated: as

• ‘community’ (Phil 2:1 Msg)
• ‘participation’ (1Cor 10:16 NIV)
• ‘contribution’ (Rom 15:26)
• ‘generosity’ (2Cor 9:13 GW).

Philippians 4:15b (CEV),-“partner by giving”

Hebrews 13:16 (CEV)-“share your possessions”

2 Corinthians 8:4 (CEV)-“joy of giving their money”

1 Timothy 6:18 (CEV)-“be generous and share”

I. THE PROBLEM

Luke 17:1 (NKJV) 1 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NKJV) 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Two Categories of Offended:

• Those treated unjustly
• Those who believe they have been treated unjustly
  • Often conclusions are drawn frominaccurate information
  • Or information is accurate but the conclusion is distorted

Revelation 3:18 (NKJV) 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

The Truth About Life is:

• God refines us through afflictions, trials and tribulations.
• Stop blaming other people so that you can see yourself.

II. THE PROCESS

Matthew 24:10-13 (NKJV) 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

1. Offense
2. Betrayal
3. Hatred

1 John 3:15 (NKJV) 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

III. PRESCRIPTION.

1. LET JESUS SETTLE THE SCORE

Romans 12:17+19 (TLB) 17 Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through. 19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. Don't take the law into your own hands.

1 Corinthians 6:7 (NKJV) 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

• I’ve been forgiven by God
• Resentment makes me miserable
• I need forgiveness in the future.

Matthew 5:7 (TLB) 7 Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

2. LET JESUS SOOTH MY WOUNDS

Psalm 23:5 You anoint my head with oil;

Psalms 147:3 (TLB) 3 He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds.

3. LET JESUS SATISFY MY NEEDS

Psalm 23:5 my cup overflows

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love covers a multitude of sins.”