GOSPEL OUTREACH CHURCH

Offended? 10/26/16
Offended? 10/26/16




Matthew 13:21 (KJV)
21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  

I begin today's message with ANOTHER of my FAVORITE Words found in Holy Scripture-the Word "OFFENDED."

OFFENDED-("scandalize"); from <G4625> (skandalon); to entrap , i.e. trip  up (figurative stumble [transitive] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) :- (make to) offend.
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.


Our English word, SCANDAL OR SCANDALIZE" is a direct directive of the Hebrew word "SKANDALON."


A new and dear friend and brother-in-the-Lord, Pastor Rick, posted this on FB this week:


"YOU CANNOT CARRY A CROSS AND CARRY AN OFFENSE!"  


Jesus said:


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

"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE BUT THAT OFFENSES WILL COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

If you have not been sufficiently offended YET, you will be!!!

The Christian way is littered with OFFENDED people AND offensive folk!!!!

In fact, OFFENSE is one of the devil's most utilized weapons.

In layman terms, satan uses the WEDGE!!!

satan finds a tiny CRACK in OUR armor and uses the WEDGE to DIVIDE us-one Christian against another, one denomination against the other.

The military describes this as "FRIENDLY FIRE!!"

WE become OFFENDED when WE feel like our "rights" have not been honored or properly respected.

WE become OFFENDED when WE "cannot get what WE want or need."

1 Corinthians 6:7 (KJV)
 
7  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

The BEST way to prevent being "OFFENDED/SCANDALIZED" is to "TAKE THE WRONG!!!"

ALLOW one's self to be "DEFRAUDED!!!!"

DEFRAUDED-from <G575> (apo) and stereo (to deprive ); to despoil :- defraud, destitute, kept back by fraud.
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

OUCH!!!!

Now I have quit preaching and started MEDDLING!!!

WHEN you are DEFRAUDED, not if, WHEN you are DEFRAUDED, REFRAIN and RESTRAIN yourself from retaliating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proverbs 26:4 (KJV)
 
4
 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  

Proverbs 29:11 (KJV)
 
11  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Beloved, one of the HARDEST things I, personally, have struggled with is keeping my mouth shut!!!

The want, the need, to get the last word-to DEFEND myself!!!

Did not Jesus teach:

Luke 6:26 (KJV)
 
26
 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.  

The quicker the better WE learn to do without!!!

The best way to defeat offenses is to DENY ourselves!!!

Jesus said:

John 18:36 (KJV)
 
36
 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.  

No one escaped this world alive and unscathed!!!!

And not everybody will love or even like or agree with you.

GET OVER IT-SHRUG IT OFF-DON'T STEW IN IT!!!

Ephesians 4:23 (KJV)
 
23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

TODAY-RENEW YOUR MIND!!!

In working with little Amanda all these years, we have found that the best way to ease her mind and calm her when she is upset is to change her focus!

Get her THINKING about something else that whatever it is that has OFFENDED her!!!

Romans 12:2 (KJV)
 
2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Today, BELOVED, "BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND!!!!!"

GOD BLESS YOU!

PASTOR DOUG

Please feel free to contact me anytime at  DOUGGHC@AOL.COM or  by phone:

404-295-5644 or 

CHURCH ADDRESS:

70 Stone Rd.

McDonough, GA. 30253

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GOSPEL OUTREACH CHURCH
70 STONE RD.
MCDONOUGH  GA 30253
dougghc@aol.com