The LORD's Day, August 9, 2009

So That We May Not Offend Them

Matthew 17.24-27
Our culture has become so individualistic. We are into all kinds of personal preferences these days. We have nearly lost the concern for other’s feelings around us. If we are not careful we can be influenced by the world’s thinking in this area.

The Philip’s translation of Romans 12.2 Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold is a favorite of mine. We must not let the spirit of the age take precedence over the work of God’s Spirit in our lives and in the lives of others within the Body of Christ. The Spirit must reign.
I shared in the Bible Study that I have never heard a message on this. Many of the preachers of the past seemed to have ignored this portion of scripture. The LORD put it in His Word and therefore it must have significance for us and it does. The words of Jesus are for us today... "so that we may not offend them..."

Every Jew of age was required to pay this tribute tax to the temple each year. Obviously the collectors came all the way up to Galilee to collect it. This was done a month before Passover. This temple tax purchased the sacrifices for the temple. Repairs and salaries were also covered by this money that was collected.

Jesus and Peter were doing something that they didn’t have to do so not to offend others. Sometimes it is not doing something as well. We should avoid offending other for Jesus.

Jesus is showing us here that sometimes we need to avoid claiming our rights for the benefits of others. In this instance it is to make people more receptive to the Gospel. As ambassadors of Christ, we should be more concerned with advancing God’s kingdom than exercising our individual rights.

In the letters to the churces it is to not offend another believer.

Romans 14
I Corinthians 8

Basically the same truth applies to both. Why take liberties if it is going to offend someone in their personal pursuit of God? As we mature in Christ we learn the true value of things. Another person’s spiritual journey is infinitely more important than our preferences, liberties or rights.

1. We are responsible for our brothers and sisters.

Cain’s question was wrong. We are our brother’s keeper. (Genesis 4.9) We are one body. The body takes care of itself.

Things that offend might seem small potatoes to us but they can trip up another.
In fact that is precisely what the word offend means: to put a stumbling block in the way upon which a person may trip or fall. It can even mean to entice to sin.

Man wearing wedding band who worked with Billy Graham asking me what our church believed about it. He was ready to take his off when he was here so as not to offend.

Jesus’s words to Peter: "We are exempt but so that we may not offend them..."

Jesus was concerned that they would view Him as a lawbreaker and that they would not be open to His message. We need to be concerned with the same thing. We should be seeking to obey the LORD so there will be no offense with others who have not arrived to faith yet.
On disputable matters, go the second mile with people. Be like Jesus!

2. We have freedom but it has boundaries. Romans 14.13-18

With freedom comes responsibility. For instance here in the US as citizens we ought to vote. We ought to vote intelligently. We are free but with that freedom comes responsibilities.
When it comes to our freedoms we always should take into account another’s soul if is involves an area where they could be offended.

This is a little complicated. Because of the way God made us, we are individuals. Because of our varied experiences and upbringing we have a different view on certain things. We live on the coast. I grew up going to the beach. We think nothing of going into the water and swimming and having fun. There are places in the country where Christians do not believe it is proper for men and women to swim together. When we are there it best to respect their feelings. When they come here be like Christ and respect their views.

Another boundary of freedom is implied in this passage and that is self control. That is a fruit of the Spirit that is developed over time. We ought to be growing in that area. It is for our own good and the good of others as well. God has given us the power to say no to things that would hurt us and offend others.

3. Lets be careful not to offend others. Romans 14.19-23

Look at the context here. Two times in this chapter Jesus speaks about his own death. He would be tried in Jerusalem and the temple would be a major issue in His trial. Its leaders would be the ones who condemned Him to death. He prayed for their forgiveness and did not put any stumbling block in the way of their coming to Him. Jesus calls on us to do the same.
So this matter of not offending others is not just for brothers and sisters it is even for potential ones who are currently enemies.

Paul was once an enemy of the Church. I Timothy 1.13-14.

This has huge implications beyond just disputable matters of conscience. The larger umbrella is this: Ephesians 4.3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
This involves forgiving and taking care of offenses. If we know we have sinned against someone and they are offended go to them. If someone has sinned against us we need to confront them in love. We are going to look at that this next week in Matthew 18.

God wants us to keep peace in the body and with
people outside the faith as much as within us lies.
Lets do it for His Glory!