The Most Offensive Verse

Offensive Verses 1 Corinthians 6: Timothy 2: Samuel 15:1-3 Mark 9:42-48

More offensive than these? Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Why is this offensive? There IS a God, and you’re not Him. God is the last word. The world doesn’t revolve around us. ▫Cf. Genesis 3:5

Some implications: I don’t get to make the rules.

God makes the rules. Matthew 21:23-27 ▫Authority either originates with God or men. ▫If there is no God, then life is just personal preferences because there is no ultimate authority. God is the boss of you. ▫Romans 9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”  cf. Ecclesiastes 6:10 ▫We must do what the maker has created us to do.  Acts 17:26-27

Some implications: I don’t get to make the rules. God decides what is good and meaningful in life.

God says what is good and meaningful. Ecclesiastes 1:9 “under the sun” ▫ Solomon’s efforts to find meaning in life without God ▫1:16-17; 2:1-11; 12:13-14 God’s rules are not arbitrary. They are for our good. They show us the best way to live. ▫Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 14:12 ▫Hebrews 11:25 Our job is to seek and serve God. ▫Acts 17:30-31

Some implications: I don’t get to make the rules. God decides what is good and meaningful in life. When we break God’s rules, we must seek forgiveness.

We must seek forgiveness. Matthew 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ▫Admit we are wrong. ▫We want mercy and grace – not what we deserve. ▫Ask for forgiveness. Genesis 1:1 tells us Who we have to ask. Romans 3:23, 6:23 ▫We are all sinners worthy of death.

Genesis 1:1 Puts us in our place. Shows us to whom we are accountable. Let’s us know who we rebel against when we refuse to do what He has created us to do.

Be Saved Today! Believe – John 8:24 Confess – Matthew 10:32-33 Repent – Luke 13:3 Be Baptized – Mark 16:16 Be faithful – Revelation 2:10