Freedom Through Forgiveness: Overcoming the Trap of Offense
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered in the presence of the Lord, recognizing that the altar is open for anyone in need of God's miraculous touch. We witnessed the power of prayer and the faith of believers as we prayed for healing and freedom. We celebrated the joy of the Lord, acknowledging that He is our strength and worthy of all our praise. We also took time to honor our graduates, praying for their future endeavors and asking God to bless and protect them as they move forward in their lives.
We then delved into the Word of God, focusing on the theme of being "trapped in offense." We explored Psalm 119:161-165 and Luke 17:1-4, understanding that offenses are inevitable but our response to them is crucial. We learned that harboring offense can lead to bitterness, isolation, and spiritual numbness. Jesus teaches us to forgive, even when it seems impossible, and to love those who hurt us. This is not just a suggestion but a command that leads to freedom and healing.
We examined the story of Joseph, who despite being betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned, chose not to be offended. His story teaches us that what others mean for evil, God can use for good. Joseph's ability to forgive and see God's hand in his suffering allowed him to fulfill his divine purpose and save many lives.
We concluded with a powerful call to lay down our offenses and seek reconciliation. We prayed for release from the spirit of offense, understanding that it is a tool the enemy uses to break the back of the church. By choosing to forgive and love, we align ourselves with God's will and experience true freedom.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is not just a suggestion but a command from Jesus. It is essential for our spiritual health and freedom. Holding onto offense leads to bitterness and spiritual numbness, but forgiveness brings healing and restoration. Jesus teaches us to forgive repeatedly, even when it seems impossible, because it aligns us with God's will and brings peace. [29:25]
2. Recognizing Offense as a Trap: Offense is a trap set by the enemy to isolate and destroy us. It causes us to internalize everything and seek agreement partners who share our grievances. Recognizing offense as a trap helps us to avoid falling into it and to seek reconciliation instead. This awareness is crucial for maintaining spiritual health and unity within the church. [33:54]
3. The Example of Joseph: Joseph's story teaches us that what others mean for evil, God can use for good. Despite being betrayed, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph chose not to be offended. His ability to forgive and see God's hand in his suffering allowed him to fulfill his divine purpose. This story encourages us to trust God's plan, even in the midst of hurt and betrayal. [02:09:05]
4. The Importance of Reconciliation: Reconciliation is a vital part of our Christian walk. Jesus teaches us to go to those who have offended us and seek peace. This act of humility and love breaks the power of offense and restores relationships. It is a reflection of God's love and a testimony to the world of His grace and mercy. [01:29:19]
5. Living Free from Offense: Living free from offense requires a conscious decision to love and forgive, even when it is difficult. It means choosing to see others through the lens of God's grace and mercy. This lifestyle of forgiveness and love brings great peace and aligns us with God's will, allowing us to experience true freedom and joy. [02:25:16]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:25] - Opening Prayer and Healing
[29:55] - Rejoicing in the Lord
[31:28] - Receiving God's Blessing
[32:14] - Prayer for Healing
[33:54] - Freedom in Jesus' Name
[36:39] - Joy of the Lord
[47:32] - Celebrating Graduates
[55:46] - Prayer for Graduates
[01:00:21] - Blessing the Graduates
[01:02:31] - Offering Time
[01:20:32] - Introduction to the Sermon
[01:25:31] - Understanding Offense
[01:27:39] - The Trap of Offense
[01:29:19] - The Call to Reconciliation
[01:33:00] - The Disciples' Request for Increased Faith
[01:34:55] - Categories of Offense
[01:36:46] - The Enemy's Trap
[01:38:40] - The Cycle of Offense
[01:40:33] - The Spread of Offense
[01:42:12] - The Role of Gossip
[01:44:13] - Deception and Offense
[01:45:40] - Signs of the Times
[01:47:23] - False Prophets and Offense
[01:48:46] - The Spirit of Offense
[01:50:01] - Deconstructing Faith
[01:51:05] - Healing from Offense
[01:52:13] - The Story of Joseph
[01:56:14] - Joseph's Journey
[02:02:11] - Joseph's Rise to Power
[02:09:05] - Joseph's Forgiveness
[02:10:10] - God's Greater Purpose
[02:11:55] - Responding to Offense
[02:16:02] - Loving Your Enemies
[02:17:38] - Six Things God Hates
[02:22:21] - Breaking the Spirit of Offense
[02:23:26] - Call to Lay Down Offense
[02:25:16] - Prayer for Release
[02:26:04] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 119:161-165: "Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
2. Luke 17:1-4: "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 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. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 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."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 119:165, what is the result of loving God's law? How does this relate to being offended? ([01:25:31])
2. In Luke 17:1-4, what does Jesus say about the inevitability of offenses and the importance of forgiveness? ([01:27:39])
3. How did Joseph respond to the offenses and betrayals he experienced from his brothers and others? ([02:09:05])
4. What are some of the consequences of harboring offense as mentioned in the sermon? ([01:34:55])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the need to forgive repeatedly, even when it seems impossible? How does this align with the command to love our enemies? ([01:29:19])
2. How does recognizing offense as a trap help us avoid falling into it and seek reconciliation instead? ([01:36:46])
3. What can we learn from Joseph's ability to forgive and see God's hand in his suffering? How does this perspective help us in our own experiences of hurt and betrayal? ([02:09:05])
4. How does the spirit of offense affect the unity and spiritual health of the church? What steps can we take to break free from this spirit? ([01:42:12])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were deeply hurt or offended. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How might you handle a similar situation differently now, based on the teachings from this sermon? ([01:34:55])
2. Jesus commands us to forgive those who trespass against us, even if they do so repeatedly. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? What steps can you take this week to begin the process of forgiveness? ([01:29:19])
3. The sermon mentioned that offense can lead to bitterness and spiritual numbness. Are there any areas in your life where you feel spiritually numb? How can you address these areas and seek healing? ([01:27:39])
4. Joseph's story shows that what others mean for evil, God can use for good. Can you identify a difficult situation in your life where you can see God's hand at work? How does this change your perspective on that situation? ([02:09:05])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of reconciliation. Is there a relationship in your life that needs mending? What practical steps can you take to seek reconciliation and restore that relationship? ([01:29:19])
6. Living free from offense requires a conscious decision to love and forgive. What specific actions can you take this week to practice forgiveness and love towards someone who has hurt you? ([02:25:16])
7. The sermon highlighted the role of gossip in spreading offense. How can you guard against participating in or spreading gossip within your community? What can you do to promote unity and understanding instead? ([01:42:12])
Devotional
### Day 1: The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not just a suggestion but a command from Jesus. It is essential for our spiritual health and freedom. Holding onto offense leads to bitterness and spiritual numbness, but forgiveness brings healing and restoration. Jesus teaches us to forgive repeatedly, even when it seems impossible, because it aligns us with God's will and brings peace. [29:25]
Bible Passage:
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
### Day 2: Recognizing Offense as a Trap
Offense is a trap set by the enemy to isolate and destroy us. It causes us to internalize everything and seek agreement partners who share our grievances. Recognizing offense as a trap helps us to avoid falling into it and to seek reconciliation instead. This awareness is crucial for maintaining spiritual health and unity within the church. [33:54]
Bible Passage:
"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." (Proverbs 19:11, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a recent situation where you felt offended. How can you shift your perspective to see it as a trap and seek reconciliation instead?
### Day 3: The Example of Joseph
Joseph's story teaches us that what others mean for evil, God can use for good. Despite being betrayed, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph chose not to be offended. His ability to forgive and see God's hand in his suffering allowed him to fulfill his divine purpose. This story encourages us to trust God's plan, even in the midst of hurt and betrayal. [02:09:05]
Bible Passage:
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you felt betrayed or hurt. How can you trust that God has a greater purpose for your suffering?
### Day 4: The Importance of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a vital part of our Christian walk. Jesus teaches us to go to those who have offended us and seek peace. This act of humility and love breaks the power of offense and restores relationships. It is a reflection of God's love and a testimony to the world of His grace and mercy. [01:29:19]
Bible Passage:
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)
Reflection:
Is there someone you need to reconcile with today? What steps can you take to seek peace and restore that relationship?
### Day 5: Living Free from Offense
Living free from offense requires a conscious decision to love and forgive, even when it is difficult. It means choosing to see others through the lens of God's grace and mercy. This lifestyle of forgiveness and love brings great peace and aligns us with God's will, allowing us to experience true freedom and joy. [02:25:16]
Bible Passage:
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider an area in your life where you are holding onto offense. How can you choose to see the person through God's grace and begin the process of forgiveness today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "How many of you know that God is a miracle worker? How many of you know God will do what we ask Him to do? Come on, I need some prayer warriors in here. I need some saints in here today that got faith. Somebody that knows what God is able to do. Come on, I need somebody to rejoice in the Lord your God today. I need somebody to rejoice in the Lord your God today. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Come on, somebody say Jesus is a healer. Come on, say He's a miracle worker." [29:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Well, it's a good day and a great day to be alive in Jesus. Amen? Come on, come on. It's a great day to be alive in Jesus. And we're excited about what God is doing. He's doing some great things in our midst." [47:32](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Somebody say, I'm expecting increase. Because I am honoring God with my possessions and the firstfruits of my increase. Now, let's look at this next one in Corinthians. Check this out. This is powerful. But this I say, if you sow sparingly, you reap sparingly. But if you sow bountifully, somebody say that means a lot. That means big. And everybody's big is different. Come on, it's all relative. It's upon you. So, he said, this I say, if you sow sparingly, you're going to reap sparingly. And if you sow bountifully, you're going to reap sparingly. You get to reap bountifully." [01:06:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Somebody say I have been blessed. To be a blessing. Y'all do understand that God never changes his idea. He told Abraham, he said, I want to bless you so that you can be a blessing. Now here he is through Paul teaching us the same thing. I want you to have more than enough. I want you to have all sufficiency in all things that you can be a blessing in every good work." [01:09:06](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Somebody say increase. Increase. Somebody say increase. Increase. Come on, say it like you calling it over your house. Increase. Yeah, that's what I thought. See, now say it like you speaking to your checkbook. Increase. Yeah, come on. The fruits of your righteousness. want God to increase the fruits of my righteousness in every area of my life. Not just in my love to my wife, but my ability to be able to provide for my wife." [01:10:20](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I want to talk to you today about being trapped in a fence. Trapped in a fence. And some of you might like me. And some of you might not like me when I get through. But I promise you, if you listen to what I say, we'll all get healed. it's the Word of God. And Psalm 119 has a very, very powerful statement. Very powerful statement about a fence. Chapter 119, verse 161. Starts like this. This segment starts, princes have persecuted me without a cause. In other words, there's people over me who have hurt me. And they did it for no reason at all that I know of. They just hurt me. But my heart, my heart, check where his heart is. David said, my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I'm not paying attention to what they did. I'm paying attention to your word." [01:20:32](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Offenses also cause us to grow numb in the presence of God. Because we're judging everything. We're judging everything around us. Are y'all hearing me? But find it interesting. I find it very interesting that when Jesus talked about offenses and about the ones that were offended, he said that it was important that offenses, you understand offenses will come, but woe to him through whom they come. And then he says it would be better that they have a millstone tied around their neck than to offend one of these little ones." [01:27:39](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What if God is saying to you, what if God is saying to us, offenses are going to come and offenses are either going to be good for you or they're going to be bad for you. It depends on your response to the offense. Stay on your feet. Stay on your feet. Everybody stay up. Just say, sorry, sure. Everybody stay on your feet. Watch this. What if God is saying offenses are going to come? if God is saying to you, yeah, I'm going to move you down there. I'm going to put you in that church. I got something I need you to do. As soon as you get here. Somebody walks past you and doesn't speak. I can't go to that church. There's too many cliques. Them people are mean-spirited. I ain't going to. Who all is mean-spirited? Well, you know that one lady? That one lady?" [02:12:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them. rich young ruler. Jesus. Pastor. Tell me. What's the greatest of all the laws? Well, the greatest of all the laws, the first one is that you love the Lord your God with mind and soul and strength. And the second is just like it. And that is that you love your neighbor as yourself. Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them. What's the law, Jesus? That you love God and you love his people. And if you love that law, great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them." [02:13:55](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What if, what if you thought your hurt and your pain was because of her or because of him or because of them or because of your mom and them or because of somebody that you had had an issue with? But what if it was actually God? What if it was actually God trying to work something out in you saying, no, I've got a greater purpose for you. And if I don't let you go through this hurt and confusion right now, you're going to miss it. You're going to miss everything that I'm aligning you for because if you get comfortable where you are, you never will get over to Egypt. You never will get over in Pharaoh's house. If you get comfortable where you are, I never will be able to send you. What if God is saying to you, what if God is saying to us, offenses are going to come and offenses are either going to be good for you or they're going to be bad for you. It depends on your response to the offense." [02:11:55](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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