Overcoming Offense: Embracing Love and Unity
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the topic of offense and how it affects our spiritual lives and relationships. We began by acknowledging the power and sovereignty of God, and then transitioned into the core message: "Put your sword away." This phrase is not about putting away the Word of God, but rather about putting away our judgmental attitudes and actions that harm others and ourselves.
We explored Proverbs 18:19, which highlights how an offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city. Offense creates barriers that prevent the love and teachings of God from penetrating our hearts. We discussed how easily people get offended in today's world, often over trivial matters, and how this attitude can seep into our spiritual lives, causing us to judge others harshly.
I shared personal anecdotes to illustrate how minor irritations can escalate into significant offenses, and how these offenses can lead to judgmental attitudes. We examined the story of Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant in John 18:1-11. Peter acted out of offense, believing he was defending Jesus, but Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Put your sword away." This story teaches us that our actions, even when well-intentioned, can hinder God's work.
We also looked at Romans 3:10-18, which reminds us that none of us are righteous on our own. Our righteousness comes from the Holy Spirit, not from our actions or judgments. We must be careful not to judge others based on appearances or our own standards, but rather to love and encourage one another.
In conclusion, we must put away our swords of judgment and offense. Instead, we should focus on loving and encouraging each other, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others. We are called to be united as a church, standing against the real enemy, Satan, and not against each other.
### Key Takeaways
1. Offense Creates Barriers: Proverbs 18:19 teaches that an offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city. When we allow offense to take root, it creates barriers that prevent the love and teachings of God from penetrating our hearts. We must guard against taking offense easily and strive to keep our hearts open to God's word and love. [27:31]
2. Judgment Hinders God's Work: The story of Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant (John 18:1-11) illustrates how our actions, even when well-intentioned, can hinder God's work. Jesus rebuked Peter, telling him to put his sword away. This teaches us that we should not act out of offense or judgment, but rather trust in God's plan and timing. [48:16]
3. Righteousness Comes from the Holy Spirit: Romans 3:10-18 reminds us that none of us are righteous on our own. Our righteousness comes from the Holy Spirit, not from our actions or judgments. We must be careful not to judge others based on appearances or our own standards, but rather to love and encourage one another. [57:05]
4. Love Over Judgment: Jesus' command to Peter to put away his sword (John 18:11) emphasizes the importance of love over judgment. We are called to love and encourage one another, not to judge or condemn. By putting away our swords of judgment, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others. [49:04]
5. Unity Against the Real Enemy: We must remember that our real enemy is Satan, not each other. As a church, we need to be united in love and purpose, standing against the attacks of the enemy. By focusing on love and encouragement, we can build a strong, united church that reflects the love of Christ. [55:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:55] - Introduction to Offense
[26:56] - Put Your Sword Away
[27:31] - Proverbs 18:19 Explained
[29:13] - Personal Anecdotes on Offense
[32:25] - What Irritates and Annoys Us
[34:03] - Offense in Everyday Life
[36:11] - Offense in the Church
[38:39] - The Sword of Judgment
[40:18] - Why Are Christians Offended?
[42:29] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[43:24] - John 18:1-11: Peter's Offense
[45:14] - Jesus' Prayer and Protection
[47:31] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[48:16] - Peter's Misguided Zeal
[49:04] - Jesus' Rebuke to Peter
[55:14] - Unity Against the Real Enemy
[57:05] - Romans 3:10-18: Our True Nature
[01:02:04] - Put Away Your Sword
[01:09:30] - What to Do When Offended
[01:16:57] - Final Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 18:19 (KJV): "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle."
2. John 18:1-11 (NIV): The story of Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant and Jesus' command to put away the sword.
3. Romans 3:10-18 (NIV): "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 18:19, what is the comparison made about an offended brother? How does this relate to the barriers offense creates? [27:31]
2. In John 18:1-11, what was Peter's reaction when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, and what was Jesus' response to Peter's action? [48:16]
3. What does Romans 3:10-18 say about the nature of humanity and our righteousness? How does this passage emphasize the need for the Holy Spirit? [57:05]
4. What personal anecdotes did the pastor share to illustrate how minor irritations can escalate into significant offenses? [29:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does offense create such strong barriers in relationships, according to Proverbs 18:19? How can these barriers affect our spiritual lives? [27:31]
2. How does Jesus' command to Peter to put away his sword in John 18:11 reflect on our own tendencies to act out of offense or judgment? [49:04]
3. Romans 3:10-18 describes the unrighteous nature of humanity. How does this passage challenge our perceptions of self-righteousness and judgment towards others? [57:05]
4. The pastor mentioned that Christians often get offended over trivial matters. How does this tendency hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in the church? [36:11]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were offended by something trivial. How did it affect your relationship with the person involved? What steps can you take to prevent such offenses in the future? [29:13]
2. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword to avoid hindering God's work. Are there any "swords" of judgment or offense you need to put away in your life? How can you start doing that this week? [49:04]
3. Romans 3:10-18 reminds us that our righteousness comes from the Holy Spirit. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit rather than your own judgments in your daily interactions? [57:05]
4. The pastor shared that Christians sometimes feel they have the moral high ground. How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes are guided by love and humility rather than self-righteousness? [40:18]
5. Think of a person in your church or community who you have judged or been offended by. What practical steps can you take to build a bridge of love and encouragement with them this week? [36:11]
6. How can you contribute to the unity of the church by focusing on love and encouragement rather than judgment and offense? What specific actions can you take to foster this unity? [55:14]
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of worship and prayer in overcoming offense. How can you incorporate more worship and prayer into your life to help you deal with offenses and judgments? [13:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Offense Creates Barriers
Description: Proverbs 18:19 teaches that an offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city. When we allow offense to take root, it creates barriers that prevent the love and teachings of God from penetrating our hearts. In today's world, people often get offended over trivial matters, and this attitude can seep into our spiritual lives, causing us to judge others harshly. We must guard against taking offense easily and strive to keep our hearts open to God's word and love. By doing so, we can foster healthier relationships and a more profound connection with God. [27:31]
Proverbs 18:19 (ESV): "A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt offended. How can you let go of that offense and open your heart to God's love and teachings today?
Day 2: Judgment Hinders God's Work
Description: The story of Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant (John 18:1-11) illustrates how our actions, even when well-intentioned, can hinder God's work. Peter acted out of offense, believing he was defending Jesus, but Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Put your sword away." This teaches us that we should not act out of offense or judgment, but rather trust in God's plan and timing. Our judgmental attitudes can prevent us from seeing God's bigger picture and can cause harm to others. We must learn to trust in God's sovereignty and refrain from taking matters into our own hands. [48:16]
John 18:10-11 (ESV): "Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you acted out of judgment or offense. How can you trust in God's plan and timing instead of taking matters into your own hands?
Day 3: Righteousness Comes from the Holy Spirit
Description: Romans 3:10-18 reminds us that none of us are righteous on our own. Our righteousness comes from the Holy Spirit, not from our actions or judgments. We must be careful not to judge others based on appearances or our own standards, but rather to love and encourage one another. Recognizing that our righteousness is a gift from God helps us to remain humble and compassionate towards others. It is essential to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and attitudes, ensuring that we reflect God's love and grace in our interactions. [57:05]
Romans 3:10-12 (ESV): "As it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.'"
Reflection: Consider someone you have judged based on appearances or your own standards. How can you show them love and encouragement today, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide you?
Day 4: Love Over Judgment
Description: Jesus' command to Peter to put away his sword (John 18:11) emphasizes the importance of love over judgment. We are called to love and encourage one another, not to judge or condemn. By putting away our swords of judgment, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and the lives of others. This act of love and encouragement can break down barriers and foster unity within the church. It is through love that we can truly reflect the character of Christ and make a positive impact on those around us. [49:04]
1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: Think of a person you have been quick to judge. How can you show them love and encouragement today, following Jesus' example?
Day 5: Unity Against the Real Enemy
Description: We must remember that our real enemy is Satan, not each other. As a church, we need to be united in love and purpose, standing against the attacks of the enemy. By focusing on love and encouragement, we can build a strong, united church that reflects the love of Christ. Unity within the church is crucial for effectively standing against the enemy's schemes and advancing God's kingdom. When we put aside our differences and work together in love, we become a powerful force for good in the world. [55:14]
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church today? What specific actions can you take to stand against the real enemy, Satan, and promote love and encouragement within your church community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When God is moving, he's moving. You can't contain those kind of things. So, man, that was awesome. And I hope that you guys came prepared to hear from the Lord today. You guys come prepared? We're going to be friends at the end of this, right?" [26:56] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We live in a time when everyone gets offended very easily. Right? Like if you say him when speaking to me, I'm going to get offended because you don't know my gender, right? You don't know. Right? That's not true. That's not true, guys. For those of you who don't know me well, that's not true at all. Okay? This is just an example. You can call me him. Please call me him. He, him." [30:24] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. You know, Jesus knows what's going on in the lives of people. Did you know Jesus didn't need you to bring it to his attention? And guys, I got to say, I come from a place, I'm very strong on this. I grew up in a church that was just very, very, very, very about being in the people's business." [51:19] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus is all powerful. Jesus knows. And he's not only going to defend himself. He's going to protect us. And as pastors, they call us under-shepherds. Jesus is the shepherd. Don't get it twisted. We're not shepherds. Jesus is the shepherd. We're under-shepherds. I mean, we're under his leadership. And we lead the church as Jesus leads." [55:14] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have a real enemy out there. And the church needs to be united if we're going to fight and stand against the attacks of Satan. Amen." [01:18:29] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we are offended, the Bible says we become hard. Our hearts are hard to get to. We have bars around us like a castle. Because when we're offended, there's like this wall that we put up. That doesn't allow others, the love of God, the teachings of God to penetrate into our hearts." [27:31] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you're ever going to go to somebody to complain about someone else because you don't think they're doing what's right, ask yourself this question. Am I offended or is God offended? That's a real question to ask. And I always ask myself, am I offended or is God offended? Because we speak up for God a lot of times when we're not supposed to." [39:35] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We believe we have the moral high ground. Right? We believe, hey, I'm walking the walk. I'm doing the things that God says. He says, I am holy. They're not. Let me call them out and what they're doing wrong. Now, is there a time to call out a brother or sister? Yes, there is. And we've talked about that in the past. That comes with an open door, an open invitation to you from them to speak into their life." [40:18] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus commanded Peter, Put your sword away. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? In other words, I have a destiny, Peter. I have prophecy that needs to be fulfilled. I've got things that need to be done. And it's not your way, Peter. It's my way. So get out of the way. Let me do what's important because you're hindering God's work." [49:04] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We as Christians need to put away our sword. We're not here to poke holes in people. And cut their ears off. We're here to love one another. To encourage one another. To embrace one another. Maybe instead of talking bad about someone. I want you to come up and invite them to go out. And have some lunch. Get to know them." [01:02:04] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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