Offended – Week Three

DEFINITIONS:
*Offense:* The state of being insulted or morally outraged1
Offend: to cause (a person or group) to feel hurt, angry, or upset by something said or done.1
Culture: There are seven elements, or parts, of a single culture. They are social organization, customs, religion, language, government, economy, and arts.2

HOW DOES CULTURE CAUSE OFFENSE?
Cultural offenses can occur as a result of the beliefs and actions of social organizations, religions, and governments.

JESUS AND CULTURAL OFFENSE:

Isaiah 53:7-12 (NIV) 1Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Jesus was despised and rejected; He was a man of suffering.
He took on the pain and suffering of others to bring peace.
He was opposed and afflicted yet was silent—He spoke truth, and it was heard and seen, but He did not speak out in what came from His position.
He did no violence, did not lie, and was willing to suffer.
He was considered a transgressor, yet He was the intercessor for transgressors.

HOW ARE WE TO HANDLE CULTURAL OFFENSES?

A Living Sacrifice:

Romans 12:1-2 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Love in Action:

Romans 12:9-21 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Matthew 5:13-16; Peter 2; Luke 10:25-36
Icebreaker: You get to choose one or the other ☺ . Would you rather listen to rock & roll or country? Would you rather eat at McDonald’s or Burger King? Are you a morning person or a night owl?

What from the sermon was significant to you? Share a passage or statement that stood out.

Read Mathew 5:13-16 & 1 Peter 2. Read it twice. What do these passage say about living in the midst of culture? A) What stands out to you as you read them?

When have you experienced people who love Jesus being salt and light in the culture? A) What was memorable or inspiring about it?
Read Luke 10:25-36. Help each other understand the significance and background of the characters in the parable Jesus told. A) What does living with compassion, sacrificial love, and not compromising key kingdom of God principles look like in the world you live in? B) What challenges do you face doing this? C) What are ways you want to grow? D) What help, resources, encouragement, and partnerships do you need?
What are you learning about yourself and your world as you consider the topic of being unoffended and offended? A) How are you thinking about or responding to situations differently?