“It is Impossible that no Offenses Should Come” Luke 17:1-4

Luke 17:1-4 Have you ever been offended? How DO WE respond when offended? Jesus (through His words and actions) teaches us how to respond. When we are offended, how SHOULD WE respond?

Is Sin Involved? The offenses Jesus speaks of here are called sin, Luke 17:3 Jesus offended others without sinning, John 6:60-61; Mark 7:1-7 1Corinthians 8:12 “But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” We should be willing to suffer wrong, 1Corinthians 6:1-7

Don’t Jump to Conclusions Confronting sin is not optional, Luke 17:3; Matthew 18:15-17, Communicate with the individual.

Don’t Jump to Conclusions Mark 14:64 “You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.” Luke 23:2 “And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Luke 23:13 “Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, concerning those things of which you accuseI have found no fault in this Man Him;”

Deal with Sin Immediately Private sin requires a private rebuke, Matthew 18:15 What do you do when a private rebuke is not received? Matthew 18:16-17 Public sin requires no private rebuke, 1Corinthians 5:1-7 Consider the attitude of Jesus toward sin, Matthew 23:23-33

Deal with Sin Immediately Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Consider the father’s attitude, Luke 15:29-32 Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’”

Forgive Completely Jesus commands us to forgive the one who repents, Luke 17:3-4 There seems to be no limit to this, Matthew 18:21-22 Both thieves reviled Jesus on the cross. When one repented – Jesus forgave Him , Matthew 27:41-44, Luke 23:39-43 Peter denied Jesus publicly three times, yet he was restored when he repented. Matthew 26:69-75, John 21:15-18

Forgive Completely Matthew 5:23 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”

When Offenses Come… Is sin involved? Do not jump to conclusions. Deal with sin the RIGHT way. Forgive completely.

“It is Impossible that no Offenses Should Come” Luke 17:1-4