Overcoming Offense: Trusting God's Sovereignty and Forgiveness

Summary

Living under the commanded blessing of God requires us to confront and overcome the offenses that life inevitably brings our way. Today, we explored the theme of offense with authority, drawing lessons from the life of King Saul. Saul's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of fearing man more than God. Despite being anointed as Israel's first king, Saul's crippling fear of man led to his downfall. His inability to obey God's commands and his obsession with maintaining his image before people resulted in his rejection by God. Saul's life teaches us that when the fear of God disappears, people get hurt, and leaders lose their way.

David, on the other hand, exemplifies a heart after God. Even when given the opportunity to harm Saul, David chose restraint, demonstrating his trust in God's sovereignty. This story challenges us to consider how we handle those who have hurt us. Our response to pain and offense reveals our belief in God's sovereignty. David's refusal to harm Saul, despite the encouragement of his men, shows a deep trust in God's justice and timing.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of community and the dangers of isolation. Saul's bitterness and fear led him to isolate himself, ultimately resulting in his tragic end. In contrast, David's life was marked by relationships and community, which supported him through his trials. We are reminded that the church is a place where broken people come together to worship a holy God, and in doing so, we find healing and restoration.

Finally, we are encouraged to look to Jesus as our ultimate example of forgiveness and grace. Jesus, who was silent before his accusers and forgave those who crucified him, shows us the way to handle offense. By focusing on the cross, we can find the strength to forgive and move forward, trusting that God is writing a new story in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Fear of God vs. Fear of Man: Saul's downfall was rooted in his fear of man, which led him to disobey God. When we prioritize people's opinions over God's commands, we risk losing our way and causing harm to others. A healthy fear of God keeps us grounded and obedient. [44:17]

- The Power of Restraint: David's decision not to harm Saul, despite having the opportunity, demonstrates a profound trust in God's sovereignty. Our response to those who hurt us reveals our belief in God's justice. Choosing restraint and forgiveness over revenge aligns us with God's heart. [49:27]

- Community vs. Isolation: Saul's isolation and bitterness led to his tragic end, while David's life was marked by supportive relationships. The church is a place for healing and restoration, where we can find community and support in our journey of faith. [01:04:11]

- The Example of Jesus: Jesus' response to his accusers and his willingness to forgive those who crucified him is our ultimate model for handling offense. By focusing on the cross, we find the strength to forgive and trust in God's plan for our lives. [54:23]

- Generational Impact: Our response to pain and offense can have a lasting impact on future generations. By choosing forgiveness and healing, we can break cycles of bitterness and create a legacy of faith and trust in God. [01:08:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [37:32] - The Middle School Story
- [38:48] - Pain from Authority Figures
- [41:16] - Categories of Pain
- [42:21] - Moving Forward from Pain
- [44:17] - Saul's Fear of Man
- [46:36] - The Importance of Fearing God
- [48:30] - David's Rise and Saul's Fear
- [49:27] - David's Restraint in the Cave
- [53:09] - Becoming a Person After God's Heart
- [54:23] - Looking to Jesus
- [56:10] - David's Trust in God's Sovereignty
- [57:10] - The Consequences of Living in the Flesh
- [58:48] - Learning from Saul
- [59:43] - Becoming Saul in Speech and Outlook
- [01:06:20] - Saul's Tragic End and Generational Impact
- [01:13:28] - Invitation to Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23
- 1 Samuel 24:1-7
- Luke 23:34

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific command did God give Saul in 1 Samuel 15, and how did Saul respond to it? [44:17]
2. In 1 Samuel 24, what opportunity did David have to harm Saul, and what was his response? [49:27]
3. How does Jesus' response to his accusers in Luke 23:34 serve as an example for handling offense? [54:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Saul's fear of man contrast with David's fear of God, and what were the consequences for each? [44:17]
2. What does David's restraint in the cave reveal about his character and his trust in God's sovereignty? [49:27]
3. How does Jesus' act of forgiveness on the cross challenge our understanding of forgiveness and grace? [54:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized people's opinions over God's commands. How did that affect your decisions and relationships? [44:17]
2. When faced with an opportunity to retaliate against someone who has wronged you, how can you choose restraint and trust in God's justice like David did? [49:27]
3. In what ways can you actively seek community and avoid isolation, especially when dealing with personal pain or offense? [01:04:11]
4. How can Jesus' example of forgiveness on the cross inspire you to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply? [54:23]
5. Consider the generational impact of your response to pain and offense. What legacy do you want to leave for future generations in terms of faith and forgiveness? [01:08:05]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with bitterness or resentment. What steps can you take this week to begin the process of healing and forgiveness? [01:06:20]
7. How can you create a supportive environment within your church community to help others overcome their own offenses and find healing? [01:04:11]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Peril of Prioritizing Human Approval

When we prioritize the opinions of others over God's commands, we risk losing our way and causing harm to those around us. King Saul's life serves as a cautionary tale of this truth. Despite being anointed as Israel's first king, Saul's fear of man led him to disobey God, ultimately resulting in his rejection by God. His obsession with maintaining his image before people overshadowed his duty to obey God's commands. This fear of man not only led to his downfall but also caused pain to those he led. A healthy fear of God, on the other hand, keeps us grounded and obedient, ensuring that our actions align with His will. [44:17]

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you more concerned with pleasing people than obeying God? How can you begin to shift your focus to prioritize God's approval today?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereignty Through Restraint

David's decision not to harm Saul, even when he had the opportunity, demonstrates a profound trust in God's sovereignty. This act of restraint reveals David's deep belief in God's justice and timing. Despite the encouragement of his men to take revenge, David chose to align his actions with God's heart, trusting that God would handle the situation in His own way and time. This challenges us to consider how we respond to those who have hurt us. By choosing restraint and forgiveness over revenge, we align ourselves with God's heart and demonstrate our trust in His justice. [49:27]

"Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." (Proverbs 20:22, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are tempted to seek revenge. How can you practice restraint and trust in God's justice instead?

Day 3: The Healing Power of Community

Saul's isolation and bitterness led to his tragic end, while David's life was marked by supportive relationships and community. The church is a place where broken people come together to worship a holy God, finding healing and restoration in the process. Saul's fear and bitterness drove him away from others, leading to his downfall. In contrast, David's relationships and community supported him through his trials, providing strength and encouragement. This highlights the importance of community in our journey of faith, reminding us that we are not meant to walk this path alone. [01:04:11]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Are you actively participating in a community of faith? How can you reach out to others for support or offer support to someone in need today?

Day 4: Emulating Jesus' Example of Forgiveness

Jesus' response to His accusers and His willingness to forgive those who crucified Him is our ultimate model for handling offense. By focusing on the cross, we find the strength to forgive and trust in God's plan for our lives. Jesus' silence before His accusers and His prayer for their forgiveness demonstrate a profound grace and love that we are called to emulate. This challenges us to consider how we handle offenses and encourages us to extend forgiveness, trusting that God is writing a new story in our lives. [54:23]

"When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:23, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? How can you begin to extend grace and forgiveness to them, following Jesus' example?

Day 5: Creating a Legacy of Forgiveness and Faith

Our response to pain and offense can have a lasting impact on future generations. By choosing forgiveness and healing, we can break cycles of bitterness and create a legacy of faith and trust in God. Saul's life serves as a warning of the generational impact of bitterness and fear, while David's life exemplifies the power of forgiveness and faith. By choosing to forgive and trust in God's plan, we can influence future generations, leaving a legacy of faith and hope. [01:08:05]

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." (Hebrews 12:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can your response to pain and offense today impact future generations? What steps can you take to create a legacy of forgiveness and faith in your family or community?

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Quotes

"It's good to see everybody in church today, and I'm excited to get to preach. We've had a great morning so far, and I believe God's going to speak to us today." [00:34:51] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"When the fear of God disappears from a person's life or never existed to begin with, people will be hurt in the process. Can I encourage you? Can I pull back the curtain a little bit for you? You have found yourself in a church full of pastors and leaders that fear God." [00:45:40] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And that's an important thing. When I stand upon this stage, I don't take it lightly. I don't get up and say, yeah, that's right, I'm preaching. I understand that there is a crazy thing going on where a broken person like myself gets to speak the word of the Lord to our church. I don't take it lightly that your giving is what pays my salary." [00:45:57] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"So when I remember some of the ways I've been hurt by people, when I am reminded of some of the bumps and bruises I've had along the way, my goal is not to say, oh God, I'm just going to muster this up, and I'm just such a great person. It's Jesus, if you could stay silent, I can probably stay silent." [00:55:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"See, the way that you handle those who have hurt you will speak deeply to your belief in the sovereignty of God. All right. Listen, I'm not pro-pain. I'm not pro-neglect. I'm not pro-abuse. I'm not pro any of the things that have happened to you, but I absolutely am pro the sovereignty of God." [00:56:54] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And I've had every kind of leader in my life, some amazing ones, some ones that hurt me along the way. And I'm just here to tell you, all of them have made me more like Jesus. I wish that there was another way, but all of them have been a part of my process of trying to lead like Jesus, trying to act like Jesus, trying to be like Jesus." [00:58:44] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The words of my mouth are the fruit of my heart. The book of Proverbs would say it this way, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Or for us, out of the abundance of the heart, the fingers tweet." [00:59:43] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And this is what the beauty of the church is, is that we walk in here with all of our brokenness, all of our pain. I'm messed up. You're messed up. And we all come to worship at the altar of a holy God. We all come in here. And so because of that, pain is not a possibility. It's a definite." [01:04:23] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"No, there's a beautiful thing in the kingdom of God that what we begin to say is, this is the family I was given but there's a family I can choose and just because I was not given the father that I deserved, I can get a new father and just because I was not given the pastor that I deserved, I can get a new pastor and just because I did not have the mentor that I deserved, I can get a new mentor." [01:05:46] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?