IT IS IMPOSSIBLE BUT THAT
OFFENSES WILL COME

DECEMBER 13, 1998 AM
MF Blume

(Sermon originally preached by Rev. Raymond Woodward)


Luke 17:1 
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!

A successful trap must have one of two characteristics.

  1. Hidden.
  2. Baited.
Something that...
  1. Animal will fall into it.
  2. Animal lured to it.
Devil has traps set for all of us. One of best baits is something all of us encountered. Offense is like bait. Jesus said, "It is impossible to live in this life and not have the opportunity to be offended." Someone else's sin often affects our relationship with God. Your response will determine your future.

How do you know if you are offended?
Answer these questions

  1. Are you compelled to tell your side of the story?
  2. Do you fight thoughts of suspicion?
  3. Are you constantly rehearsing past hurts?
  4. Have you lost hope  because of someone else did to you?
  5. Do you feel hindered from fulfilling your full potential?
  6. Do you feel betrayed?
If you answered "Yes," or "maybe," you are face to face with offense and perhaps ate it up.

Probably more than one person is in this state here today.

Its IMPOSSIBLE to live in life and not have the opportunity to be offended.

Psal 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.
If an enemy did it, I could have taken it. Believers, many times a fellows believer will bring you the worst hurt. In Law, the most bitter cases are not the fraud cases, or business embezzlements. THOSE THAT OPPOSE THEMSELVES. "OFFEND" Bitter people are deceived into thinking they are right although they are so wrong. Many be offended. One of the signs of the times is many being offended!!! If you expect and REQUIRE high standards of treatment, someone will fail you! Jesus warns of false prophets after offended. Wolves always prey on wounded and young sheep, not in to the middle of the flock to get grown sheep. False prophets preach what people WANT to hear not what they NEED to hear. Much of Christianity does not resemble that. Jesus said it is inevitable that devil will set traps and you will face them to get offended.
Matt 11:2  Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
John was in prison and after saying Jesus was the Lamb who takes the sins of the world, he doubted, and sent disciplkes to check Jesus out.  Jesus knew John was facing offence.  After telling them He fulfilled Old testament prophecies of opening blind eyes and healin the sick, He said this:
Matt 11:6  And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Many have been offended by Jesus. Know the culture of the day it was written. We put walls around our hearts. The heart was not made to have walls. God is seeking to speak through those walls into you. Walls become strongholds Two bodies of water are necessary In Israel. Sea of Galilee is vibrant and beautiful. Dead Sea is where Sodom and Gomorrah existed. Sea of Galilee many fish in it, but Dead Sea is dead. Build walls and do not let feeling out open in case get hurt, you lock things in you that are not meant to stay in you. Misinterpret Word.
Hebr 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;
Root of bitterness. Not only you are hurt but many get offended and defiled.

"Bitterness is unfulfilled revenge."

Can you hear right now God's voice speaking to you through this preacher?

Joseph lost inheritance and freedom. How do I know He did not get offended? Joseph knew that not.
Gene 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.
You thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good. One main way we get ourselves out of God's will is being offended and letting ourselves get bitter.

Matt 18:7 Parallel to Luke 17.

Matt 18:7  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!
Impossible but that offenses should come. This is not to put a burden on you. Plowing of wicked is sin. Jesus forgave us the debt of one thousand lifetimes. The only added words to the Lord's prayer was a reference to the aspect of the prayer concerning forgive us as we forgive. This is serious, and affects your eternity. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE BUT THAT OFFENSES WILL COME.