Don’t Be Offended
Sermon Notes
To offend means to cause someone to get angry; to hurt someone's feelings or cause resentment. To me an offense is nothing, but the works of the devil and we accept it, we take it in and say I was offended. But still what is it to be offended?
Matt 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Sometimes we are unable to function properly in our calling because of the wounds and hurts those offenses have caused in our lives. We become handicapped and hindered from fulfilling our full potential.
Psalm 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 (In Large) 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.
Here David is saying the culprit is not some distant enemy but a close friend.
The closer the relationship, the more severe the offense! You find the greatest hatred among people who were once close. Attorneys will tell you the most vicious cases are in the divorce courts. History shows that the bloodiest fights are civil-brother against brother, son against father, or father against son.
The home, meant to be a shelter of protection, provision, and growth where we learn to give and receive love, is often the root of our pain. This truth remains: Only those you care about can hurt you.
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!
Return to sender! Remember this it’s not the offense, but how you react to it.
Nothing hurts more than a wound from a friend, there may be times when friends lovingly confront you to help you. But you must know your friends. A real friend will stick by a friend in times of trouble and bring healing, love, comfort, and understanding. I myself want everyone to know now what kind of friend I would like to have.
I want a friend with a dog-like mind. A dog will stick by you closer than a friend.
Conclusion: Question; what kind of friend are you? Don’t betray those that love you, and the ones that you love. Do all you can to be the best friend in the world. I’m reminded of a song.
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.