Comunicación y Gerencia

Refuse to be
Offended

Oil Station - Discipleship School

2008 Curriculum
 Our Purpose

Timothy 2:1-2 – You therefore,

my son, be strong in the grace
that is in Christ Jesus. And the
things which you have heard
from me in the presence of many
witnesses, these entrust to
faithful men, who will be able to
teach others also. (NASB)
 Your Part

•To take and apply these teachings

in your life.

•Review the scripture on your own.

Be a Berean, check it out yourself
•Apply the teaching
•Own the teaching
•Teach it to others.
 Main Text
(Luke 17:1-10) He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable
that stumbling blocks (offense) come, but woe to him
through whom they come! (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 would cause
one of these little ones to stumble. (3) "Be on your
guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he
repents, forgive him. (4) "And if he sins against you
seven times a day, and returns to you seven times,
saying, 'I repent,' forgive him." (5) The apostles said
to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" (6) And the Lord
said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would
say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted
in the sea'; and it would obey you. (7) "Which of you,
having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to
him when he has come in from the field, 'Come
immediately and sit down to eat'? (8) "But will he not
say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and
properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and
drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? (9) "He
does not thank the slave because he did the things
Introduction of Topic and Sub-topics

Text divides into 4 apparent

sections
2. There will be offenses and don’t offend. (1-
2)
3. Forgiving those who sin against you. (3-4)
4. Faith – What it can accomplish. (5-6)
5. Servants – what their expectations are (7-8)

What do these Topics have in

Common?
7. Seemingly four separate topics
8. Can be stitched together into one theme..
How to handle and our attitude toward
 Key Word
The word for “offenses” in vs. 1 and “offend” in vs. 2

3. Offenses
skandalon
skan'-dal-on
A “scandal”; probably from a derivative of G2578; a trap stick (bent sapling), that is, snare
(figuratively cause of displeasure or sin): - occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing
that offends, stumbling-block.

a) KJV, NKJV, YLT – Offense

b) NASB, EVS – Stumble
c) NIV = cause to sin

12. Offense
skandalizō
skan-dal-id'-zo
To “scandalize”; from G4625; to entrap, that is, trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or
entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure): - (make to) offend.

a) KJV, NKJV, YLT – Offend

b) NASB, EVS – Stumble
c) NIV = cause to sin

21. No issue with any of these. Same concepts apply.

22. An offense can be a stumbling block for some.
 Foundation for the message
The Bible states that relationships are the
most important part of the Christian life

(Matthew 22:37-40) And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' (38)
"This is the great and foremost commandment. (39)
"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
AS YOURSELF.' (40) "On these two commandments
depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

5. Love God is the primary

6. Love others is a close 2nd
7. Why did Jesus give the top two when only asked for one?
Because they are closely tied together. (see 1John
4:20-21)
 Foundation for the message
(continued)
(1John 4:20-21) If someone says, "I love God," and hates
his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love
his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom
he has not seen. (21) And this commandment we
have from Him, that the one who loves God should
love his brother also.

This is further confirmed in 1 John 5:1-2

1John 5:1-2 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is

born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the
child born of Him. (2) By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God and observe His
commandments.

If you love God, you will love his children. The two
cannot be taken apart. It stands to reason.
 Offenses

What do we find in common with all ruined

relationships?

What is at the heart of a ruined relationship?

An example: Good Relationship Gone Bad.

The relationship was good.

Now it’s bad.

Why don’t we say that the sin was what caused the
relationship to go bad?

Because the relationship only suffers if the one who was

wronged takes offense. If no offense is taken, the
relationship is still in good standing.
 Offenses (Continued)

Some seem to thrive on offense.

No forgiveness leads to bitterness of

heart.

This leads to bitterness and strife with all

relationships.

Heb 12:15 See to it that no one comes

short of the grace of God; that no root of
bitterness springing up causes trouble,
and by it many be defiled;

The Good News about offenses

 Offenses (Continued)

Jesus tells us "It is inevitable

that stumbling blocks (offense)
come,”

Where are they going to come from?

Many ways we can be offered an opportunity to take

offense.

We however, are not obligated to take offense. In fact,

we will see that there’s alot a reasons not to take
offense.

•It’s not necessary

•It’s unwise
•We are called as Christians to not take offense
 Offenses (Continued)

Proverbs 19:11 A man's discretion makes

him slow to anger, And it is his glory to
overlook a transgression.

Discretion is also translated wisdom or

knowledge.

The word glory can also be translated as

honor.

A man’s wisdom makes him slow to anger.

It is honorable for him when he overlooks
a transgression.

This wise man, is slow to anger, and he is

willing to overlook a transgression.
 Offenses (Continued)

(Proverbs 16:32) He who is slow to anger

is better than the mighty, And he who
rules his spirit, than he who captures a
city.

This verse is an example of poetic

parallels.

The man who is slow to anger is better

than the mighty man.
This same man who rules his spirit, is
better than the mighty man who captures
a city.

So the man who is slow to anger, and rules

his spirit is that man who is mightier than
 Offenses (Continued)

We will do well to remember that being

slow to anger is one of the Divine
Attributes of God

(Exodus 34:6-7) Then the LORD passed by

in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD,
the LORD God, compassionate and
gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in
lovingkindness and truth; (7) who keeps
lovingkindness for thousands, who
forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;
yet He will by no means leave the guilty
unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers
on the children and on the grandchildren
to the third and fourth generations."
 Offenses (Continued)

The contrast with this wise man who

controls his Spirit to a man who does not
control his Spirit is also found in Proverbs

Pro 25:28 Like a city that is broken into and without

walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

What is a city that has no walls like?

The man who has no control over his spirit

is in this same situation.
 Offenses (Continued)

Ruling your spirit in the Old Testament is

referred to as self control in the New
Testament. It is one of the fruits of the
Spirit we should all have.
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23)
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no
law.

Conversely, not being slow to anger is

described as a deed of the flesh.
Gal 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident,
which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20)
idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of
anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, (21) envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I
forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those
who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of
God.
 Offenses (Continued)

What should we consider when an offense

has been offered to us?

Was it unintentional or intentional?

Unintentional? What should we do?

Intentional? What should we do?

There is no other choice.

 Offenses (Continued)

Unintentional

Very small minded of us to take

offense under any circumstances if
it was unintentional.

Even unbelievers would see this as

small minded.

If it’s unintentional – Don’t get

offended. Simple!!!
 Offenses (Continued)

Intentional Offense

What if the offense was intended?

Intended to harm to you in some

way.
Desired to hurt you, make you feel
badly, discredit you, the list goes on
and one.

They purposely determined to cause

you harm.
 Offenses (Continued)
Intentional Offense (continued)

Pro 25:28 Like a city that is broken into and without

walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

Are you going to let that person have

control of your spirit?

Are you going to allow this person to get

your goat?

Will Rogers said rightly – “I am at the

mercy of any man who can make me lose
my temper”
 Offenses (Continued)

Self Control is one of many characteristics

that will prevent us from being useless in
the knowledge of Jesus.
(2Peter 1:5-7) Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your
faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, (6)
and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance,
and in your perseverance, godliness, (7) and in your godliness, brotherly
kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

Verse 8 tells us the result of being diligent

about these things.
(2Peter 1:8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render
you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.

Being here tonight is a good indication that we

desire to be fruitful, not unfruitful.
 Offenses (Continued)
In either case, we should not be
offended, whether intentional or
unintentional

•Unintentional – because there is no

cause to, it would be small minded of us.

•Intentional – Because based on scripture

it would be very unwise of us, and would
cost us in our pursuit to be usable by
God.

Note: Not being offended is not the

same as being apathetic toward offense.
Apathy means a lack of caring. We as
 Offenses (Continued)
Our purpose for not being offended?

Simply stated – Love

We are to obey what Jesus commanded on the Sermon

on the Mount.

Matthew 5:43-44 "You have heard that it was said,

'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your
enemy.' (44) "But I say to you, love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you,

We are even to love our enemies.

It is love for us to not take offense.

Love your enemies. It is this Love that calls us to not

take offense. Love requires us to not take offense, if
we take offense; we fall short of Jesus’ call to love.
 Offenses (Continued)
What is Love?

(1Corinthians 13:4-7) Love is patient, love is kind and

is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
(5) does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its
own, is not provoked, does not take into account a
wrong suffered, (6) does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; (7) bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things.
Direct connections between love’s definition and our
teaching on offenses
Patient (long Suffering) - slow to anger, willingness to
accept hurt.
Is not provoked - slow to anger, willingness to accept
hurt.
Does not take into account a wrong – willingness to
accept hurt, forgiving
bears all things – willingness to accept hurt, forgiving,
Endures all things – continually being forgiving,
 Offenses (Continued)

Loving your brother gives no cause

to stumble or offense

(1John 2:10-11) The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and
there is no cause for stumbling in him. (11) But the one who hates his
brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know
where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

As we abide and walk in the light, we see

where we are going and can see the
things that can make us stumble or be
offended. When we are in the dark, we
don’t see that which causes us to
stumble or offend or be offended. So
loving our brother is abiding in the Light,
and we know the Light is capitalized
because the Light is Jesus. Love your
 Offenses (Continued)
Now, back to Luke
What does Jesus say about offenses in Luke 17:1-4
(Luke 17:1-4) He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable
that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through
whom they come! (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 would cause one of
these little ones to stumble. (3) "Be on your guard! If
your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents,
forgive him. (4) "And if he sins against you seven
times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I
repent,' forgive him."

The first two verses are about offense, the second two
verses are about forgiveness.

Although they seem like two separate topics, they are

not. They are about relationships and love.
 Offenses (Continued)

Jesus tells us in verse one that offenses will

come.
Someone will sin against you.
Someone will either intentionally or unintentionally
cause you harm.
You will be offered an occasion to be offended.
But you don’t have to take offense as we have noted
before.
Make sure you are not that one offering the occasion.
If you do, you get a millstone necklace and get
tossed into the sea.
Note: This isn’t to say you wont rightly offend
someone. The Gospel is an offense to some. This is
 Forgiveness

Luke 17:3 "Be on your guard! If your brother

sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Rebuke him! This seems a little harsh, but is
that what is meant by it? Rebuke can also be
translated as admonish. Either way we know
Jesus doesn’t condone harshness toward a
brother. Paul taught us how to bring a brother
back into fellowship.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in
any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such
a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking
to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
 Forgiveness(Continued)

What is our motivation for restoring

(rebuking) a brother?
Love
We want him to be restored. We want him to repent.
Because we love him.
We desire him to repent because Jesus has already told us
the outcome of causing offense and not repenting. If he
does not repent, he wins the millstone award and a short
walk on a short pier. And if he refuses to repent, the
process of removing him from fellowship is to begin
We are to be motivated by love for our brothers well
being.
Oh, and by the way, if he repents, forgive and keep on
forgiving.
 Forgiveness(Continued)
We also know we are to forgive even if rebuke or
repentance isn’t sought.
Jesus gives us this example in Mark
Mar 11:25-26 "Whenever you stand praying,
forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so
that your Father who is in heaven will also
forgive you your transgressions. (26) ["But if
you do not forgive, neither will your Father who
is in heaven forgive your transgressions."]
There is no call for repentance in this situation.
One time we are told to rebuke, the other there
is no mention of it. What’s the difference?
 Forgiveness(Continued)
What is the difference?

Relationship

Mark 11 is concerned about the condition of our heart. Jesus is telling us

to make sure our heart is right before approaching our Father in prayer.

In Luke 17 Jesus is concerned about forgiveness and about restoring the

relationship via the rebuke.

What about those who are not our brothers? Non believers?

We are to forgive our enemies also. Jesus and Steven are our examples.

Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know
what they are doing."

Act 7:60 "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!"

 Faith

Luk3 17:5-6 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" (6) And the
Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry
tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you.

Faith can be defined several ways. Boil them all down and what you get is…

A very high opinion of God.

Hebrews 11:11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even
beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful
who had promised.
Faith in God, is having a high opinion of Him. He is faithful to do all that he
has promised.
To not have faith in God is to have a low opinion of God.
As Christian, we have to believe God to be truthful and that he will keep his
promises to us. We have deemed Him worthy and therefore have a very high
opinion of Him.
 Servants

Luke 17:7-10 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or

tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in
from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'?
(8) "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for
me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me
while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and
drink'? (9) "He does not thank the slave because he did
the things which were commanded, does he? (10) "So
you too, when you do all the things which are
commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have
done only that which we ought to have done.'"
Not a teaching about how to treat your servants.

Slaves or servants have not been treated very well in

history.
Rome
US
 Servants (continued)

Passage is about what a slave is supposed to do.

His attitude toward his master and what expectations he
should have.
Slave does his job and doesn’t expect special recognition
for doing what is expected of him.
This is a teaching on what our attitude should be toward
doing what we have been commanded to do by our
master. Love God, Love our brothers.
When we have done all we have been commanded to do,
we say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that
which we ought to have done.'“
We are not to look for reward for simply doing what is
expected.

After all, as Christians, we know what we really deserve.

Hell
 Not taking Offense
What do we deserve?

Three ways to be treated.

You were treated just the way you deserved.

You were treated in a way that was worse than
we deserve.
You were treated in a way that is better than
you deserve.

The only time offense is taken, is when we are

treated in a way less than we deserve.

What do we deserve?
 Not taking Offense (cont)
Example:
Joseph
Sold into slavery by his brothers
Lied about by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into
prison
Broken promise by fellow cell mate.
How did he respond to his brothers?
Genesis 50:20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it
for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many
people alive.
This was God’s work.

God’s sovereignty was at work. It is always at work.

Someone easily offended has too high an opinion of

himself, and not a high enough opinion of God
 Not taking Offense (cont)
How can we take offense believing that God is
Sovereign?

No one can touch us unless permitted by God.

(Job)

If we truly believe in God’s sovereignty, we

cannot take offense.

This requires a high opinion of God, and a low

opinion of ourselves.
When is it ok to take offense?
There are times when we should take offense.
Jesus was offended by the money changers in the
temple.
Why?
Not because they were doing anything to him.
They were offending God by desecrating the temple.
What’s the difference?
Jesus was standing up for someone else who was being
wronged.
Another time of Jesus being offended and angry
occurred.
Mar 3:4-5 And He *said to them, "Is it lawful to do good
or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?"
But they kept silent. (5) After looking around at them
with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said
to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched
it out, and his hand was restored.
When is it ok to take offense?
When they were hurting Jesus, he did not take offense.
When they were hurting others, he took offense.

Paul forgave his brothers who deserted him.

2Ti 4:16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me;
may it not be counted against them.
But not Alexander the coppersmith.
2Ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will
repay him according to his deeds.
Alexander was hurting the cause of Christ. He was against Paul’s
teachings.
Paul's words are “Lord repay him…”
When is it ok to take offense?
Paul's words are “Lord repay him…”

Paul didn't say, I’m going to get him. He said Lord get
him.

Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the
wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL
REPAY," says the Lord.
 Closing

If we as Christians would refuse to be offended,

we would revolutionize the church.

Marriages would be revolutionized.

Parent/child relationships would be

revolutionized.

All relationships in the Church would be

revolutionized.

And the world would know us as Christians,

By our love
 Welcome to the most
exciting journey you
will ever take!

Take up your cross and let’s follow!