Offenses Are Coming and Normal

Life On Offense – Offenses Are Coming and Normal

• We have an all-out full-court blitz

• If you are alive you will be blitzed, you will come under attack whether you did anything wrong or not

• When all hell is coming at you, it can be a clue that you are about to score, if you see it right. If you panic now during the blitz, you will miss your opportunities.

1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV)

9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

• I want to ask you all a question, who in here has not been hurt by word or deed, by someone who said they love you.

• So, if the one who says they love you, have hurt you, what do you expect from the world

• We have to stop living as victims

#1 Offenses Will Come

Luke 17:1-2 (NKJV)

Jesus Warns of Offenses

1 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come,

A. This is not an if, but a when

What is offense?

In the Bible, "offense" refers to anything that causes someone to stumble, sin, or turn away from God. It encompasses both the act of causing someone to stumble and the resulting negative consequences. Offense can lead to bitterness, hatred, and even eternal consequences if not addressed properly.

Process of Offense

A. Something happens

B. I perceive or feel wronged

C. As a result I take offense

D. I become offended

E. Offense is unresolved

F. This leads to anger, resentment, and bitterness and the plotting of revenge

Four ways the seed of offense is sown

A. What others said to us

B. What others did not say to us

C. What others did to us

D. What others did not do for us

Why are people offended

A. Unresolved issues

B. Unhealed situations

C. Unwholesome thinking

D. Rejection

Luke 17:1 (NKJV)

1 but woe to him through whom they do come!

A. Be careful offending people, the Bible says who

Luke 17:2 (NKJV)

2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

• This verse highlights the importance of avoiding causing offense to others and avoiding being easily offended ourselves.

Proverbs 18:19 (AMP)

A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city, And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

#2 We Fall Short

• Let's not stay in victim mode, like we have never hurt anybody

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (AMP)

21 Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you, 22 for you also know that you too have cursed others many times.

• Look at your neighbor behind you and say, i know you been talking behind my back

Romans 3:23 (AMP)

23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 53:6 (AMP)

6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, each one, to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] To fall on Him [instead of us].

#3 We Are Responsible for Our Response – Take No Offense

Proverbs 19:11 (AMP)

11 Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment]

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 (NLT)

32 Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

How to Deal with Offense – Confront | Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV)

Dealing with a Sinning Brother

15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

How to Deal with Offense – Crucify | Galatians 2:20 (NLT) | Galatians 5:19-26 (NLT) | Psalms 119:165 (NLT)

Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:19-26 (NLT)

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Psalms 119:165 (NLT)

165 Those who love the Lord, shall not be offended

We Must Master These Things – #1 Confession | 1 John 1:9 (AMP)

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

We Must Master These Things – #2 Forgiveness | Matthew 6:15 (AMP)

But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

Main Points:

1. Offenses will come
2. We all fall short
3. Your response is Your responsibility
4. Confront and Crucify
5. We must master confession and forgiveness

Discussion Questions

1. The message says, "When all hell is coming at you, it can be a clue that you are about to score." How does reframing attacks and offenses as signs of breakthrough change your perspective on current challenges?
2. Jesus said, "It is impossible that no offenses should come." Why is it important to accept that offenses are inevitable rather than being surprised or devastated when they happen?
3. Review the "Process of Offense" outlined in the notes (something happens → I perceive wronging → I take offense → I become offended → unresolved → leads to bitterness). At what point in this process can we intervene to prevent lasting damage?
4. The notes list four ways offense is sown: what others said, didn't say, did, or didn't do. Which of these four causes you to struggle with offense most often? Why?
5. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 reminds us that we've also cursed others many times. How does acknowledging our own capacity to offend help us respond with more grace when we're offended?
6. Proverbs 19:11 says it's our "honor and glory to overlook a transgression." What's the difference between overlooking an offense and enabling harmful behavior? How do we discern when to overlook versus when to confront?
7. Matthew 18:15-17 gives clear steps for confronting someone who has sinned against us. Why do we often skip step one (going directly to the person) and go straight to talking with others about the issue?
8. The teaching emphasizes "Confront and Crucify" as two ways to deal with offense. When should we confront, and when should we crucify (die to) our response? Can you give examples of each?
9. Galatians 5 contrasts the works of the flesh (hostility, quarreling, jealousy, anger) with the fruit of the Spirit. How does living by the Spirit practically help us avoid taking and giving offense?
10. Matthew 6:15 warns that if we don't forgive others, our Father won't forgive our trespasses. Why is unforgiveness so serious that it blocks our relationship with God? What steps can you take to release someone you've been holding unforgiveness toward?

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