Offences Will Come!!!
We're offended at work.
We're offended by family.
But there's something about being offended at Church, that offence seems to blind side us. David said in,
Psalms 55:12-14
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Psalms 41:9
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
All offences hurt, regardless of the source. Jesus said in,
St Matthew 18:6-7
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Jesus said, ...."it must needs be that offences come;".... Offences will come your way. But know, with every offence there is opportunity given to you, to forgive, and for God to be glorified in your offence.
Don't let hurt rob you of that great opportunity to forgive. Don't let hurt rob you of showing the love of God in the midst of turmoil.
Romans 12:17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Offences will come!!! Prepare your heart!!! Take the offence to the throne of grace, He is a present help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
St Mark 11:25-26
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Please remember the parable Jesus gave us in,
St Matthew 13:24-30
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Every Church that you will attend will have tares and wheat. What did Jesus say about this situation? Did He say, if you're offended by tares or wheat you should leave the Church? No!!! He said, ....Let both grow together until the harvest:".... Harvest, being the day of judgment. Jesus knows the power of forgiveness, and how God is glorified in the midst of turmoil. Don't run from Church to Church trying to avoid offences. Jesus said, ....for it must needs be that offences come;.... If offences come your way, prepare your heart!! Ready your heart to stand, and not be moved!!
Colossians 3:23-25
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
We're offended by family.
But there's something about being offended at Church, that offence seems to blind side us. David said in,
Psalms 55:12-14
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Psalms 41:9
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
All offences hurt, regardless of the source. Jesus said in,
St Matthew 18:6-7
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Jesus said, ...."it must needs be that offences come;".... Offences will come your way. But know, with every offence there is opportunity given to you, to forgive, and for God to be glorified in your offence.
Don't let hurt rob you of that great opportunity to forgive. Don't let hurt rob you of showing the love of God in the midst of turmoil.
Romans 12:17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Offences will come!!! Prepare your heart!!! Take the offence to the throne of grace, He is a present help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
St Mark 11:25-26
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Please remember the parable Jesus gave us in,
St Matthew 13:24-30
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Every Church that you will attend will have tares and wheat. What did Jesus say about this situation? Did He say, if you're offended by tares or wheat you should leave the Church? No!!! He said, ....Let both grow together until the harvest:".... Harvest, being the day of judgment. Jesus knows the power of forgiveness, and how God is glorified in the midst of turmoil. Don't run from Church to Church trying to avoid offences. Jesus said, ....for it must needs be that offences come;.... If offences come your way, prepare your heart!! Ready your heart to stand, and not be moved!!
Colossians 3:23-25
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Psalms 55:12-14Psalms 41:9St Matthew 18:6-7Romans 12:17-21Hebrews 4:16St Mark 11:25-26St Matthew 13:24-30Colossians 3:23-25