WHAT IS OFFENSE?

Proverbs 20:24 (NLT) The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

INTRODUCTION:
• At every turn, you can see offended people.
• The media fuels it. Relationships end because of it. Anger, bitterness, and resentment grow and spew because of it.
• It’s not absent from the church world, either. Churches split and divisions happen.
• It is a trap of the devil that affects our world.1

Week 1: What is Offense?
Week 2: Relationships
Week 3: Culture
Week 4: Heart Change, Humility
Week 5: The Gospel is Offensive

Definitions:
• Offended: the state of being insulted or morally outraged2
• Offend: to cause (a person or group) to feel hurt, angry, or upset by something said or done2
• Offend: to irritate, annoy, or anger3

We become offended in two ways:
• Those who have truly been treated unfairly.
• Those who believe they have been treated unfairly.

The Last Days will be full of offense.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT) 1You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

• Offense is going to happen.
• Our response is our responsibility

THE TRAP OF OFFENSE…
• As we mentioned earlier, the devil uses the trap of offense. He uses it as bait.
• When we choose to be offended and hold on to things, all kinds of things grow, and strongholds are formed.
• We think we are justified in each scenario. We can use offense as a tool because we think it punishes the people who have offended or hurt us. We think it keeps us safe and that it’s necessary for you and for them because of the hurt or frustration they have caused.
• In reality, it affects you and keeps you trapped.

Jesus said it’s impossible to not have the opportunity for offense.
Luke 17:1 (NLT) One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!
Luke 17:1 (NKJV) Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

• Why does one translation of Luke 17:1 say “offense” and the other says “temptation”?
• Offense can be not only an assault but also become a temptation to others and yourself.
JESUS’ RESPONSE TO OFFENSE:
• At Jesus’ crucifixion, He stood silently as they accused Him and lied about Him.

What does Jesus do with their offense, assault, and attack?

Luke 23:34-39 (NLT) 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 35The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” 39One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

• Jesus calls us to forgive.

WHAT ARE WE PLUGGED INTO?
• When we are not plugged into God and secure in our identity in Him, we are set up for all kinds of opportunities to be trapped by offense—and many other traps from the enemy.
• When we’re secure in who God is, His love for us, and secure in who He says we are, it’s a lot harder to get offended.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) 6And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

• If our identities are in other things, we are in trouble. We need to be plugged into who God is and His word.

CLOSING QUESTIONS
1) What stood out to you in this message and why?
2) Have you been caught in the trap of offense?
3) Do you need to forgive, repent to God, or pray, “Lord, help me with this truth”?
4) Do you need to revisit the cross and your offense to God? Do you need to remember His love?
5) What are you plugged into?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
1) What stood out to you in the message? Why was it significant?
2) Why do you think offense is a trap the enemy uses? Have you ever seen it play out negatively in your life?
3) What was going through your mind when he talked about Jesus’s response to offense?
4) What things do you typically get the most offended over and why?
5) Have you ever been hurt and had a hard time forgiving and holding on to the offense? What step do you think you need to take in in your life now?
6) What things do you place your identity in? Do you find it’s easier to get offended when you aren’t living your life plugged into God and His word?
7) Don’t forget to take prayer requests in your group!