Sermon: Many
by Chris Cumming
In our reading of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we get a rather
detailed account of the ministry of Jesus. He teaches a myriad of subjects.
Beginning in Matthew 18 He introduces the subject of the offended brother.
Matthew 18:5
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
From this passage we learn the Matthew 18 Process which is exclusively used
between two firstfruits. However, why would Jesus give this lesson and process
to firstfruits unless He knew there would be times when a firstfruit could be
offended? He absolutely knew there would be times when we might be offended by
something and Matthew 18 gives us the procedure for saving our brother and
ourselves when offense takes place. There is a greater element at play here and
this is the idea of being offended in the first place. Matthew 18 is a process
instructing us what to do after we have become offended, but it does not
necessarily address the spiritual concept of refraining from ever being
offended.
Are there different levels of being offended? When does the emotion of being
offended begin to harm us spiritually? Can the emotion of being offended lead
one to sin? What are the dangers of a firstfruit being too easily offended?
Could this emotion lead one to a situation where they are denied the Kingdom?
What can we do to totally overcome ever being offended? And while we are on the
subject, is offense and being offended going to increase and increase prior to
the return of Christ? We will answer all these questions, as I encourage all of
us to stop being offended.
Stop being offended.
Is offense and being offended on the increase in the world and in the church?
When was the last time you were offended? What offended you? Were you offended
by someone in the world or someone in the faith? If you were offended by someone
in the church, did you go to them or did you just express your offense to others
and/or stew in this negative emotion?
Long after Jesus had instructed the disciples in the Matthew 18 Process, He
gives a class about what it is going to be like in the end time and in those
years just before He returns to this earth. You know the story, as recorded in
Matthew 24 and 25: Jesus has come to Jerusalem for the last time. He is with the
disciples at the Temple. Jesus refers to the end time, which prompts a
fascinating question from the disciples. You read that question in Matthew 24:3.
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately,
saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy
coming, and of the end of the world?
Side Note: Mark 13:3 tells us that this question came from just 4 of the
disciples: Peter, James, John and Andrew.
Jesus begins by telling the men that there would be wars and rumors of wars and
these followed by famines, pestilences and earthquakes. He then says in verse 8
that, "These are the beginning of sorrows." Verse 9 says that we will be
delivered up to be afflicted and killed and that we will be hated of all
nations. Jesus then makes a very profound statement that goes far beyond what He
discussed in Matthew 18. Follow along in your own Bible...
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate
one another.
Can you see just how profound this is? Matthew 18 is talking about two,
forward-moving firstfruits inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit and the love
of Jesus Christ. It is talking about members motivated by love, joy, peace,
compassion, forgiveness and a desire to take the wrong in these situations of
offense. The Matthew 18 firstfruit desires peace and harmony in the church and
in every spiritual relationship. The firstfruit described in Matthew 24:10 is
not the same firstfruit described in Matthew 18.
Matthew 24:10 is describing a process that begins with them being offended and
going swiftly to abject [wretched and despicable] hatred and ultimately
murder [physically and spiritually]. In contemplating the astronomical
differences between the Matthew 18 and Matthew 24 firstfruits, can you
understand this serious encouragement to stop being offended?
I take Matthew 24:10 as a serious, deliberate and determined warning from Jesus
Christ to me, personally. Matthew 18 is a procedure. Matthew 24:10 is prophecy
and a warning to all firstfruits in the end time and the warning is simple: Do
not get offended.
Stop being offended.
I am being abundantly motivated, in all fear and trembling before the Lord, to
avoid all offenses between now and the return of Christ. I strive to be the
Matthew 18 Christian and not the Matthew 24:10 Christian who is clearly in a
severe backslide and/or complete falling away. You are about to see supporting
verses and commentary meaning showing how this kind of hatred will keep one from
the elements of the salvation process and ultimately the Kingdom of God. Matthew
24:10 does not sound like a firstfruit on the way to the Kingdom of God. And do
you know what word in Matthew 24:10 puts me into the most severe and profound
fear and trembling? The word, "many." Hence the title for this sermon. "Many
shall be offended." Is it any wonder now, as Jesus continues to answer this
question about the end time and goes into the Kingdom parable of the Ten Virgins
[bridesmaids] that He declares that five [a full half of them] as
foolish and who witness the door of the Kingdom being shut in their faces
[Matthew 25:10].
Matthew 24:10 screams out to me: I want to know of every mental, emotional and
spiritual truth, device and procedure that will stop me before entering any
thought or feeling or reaction of offense. I do not want Christ returning to
this earth and pointing His finger at me and simply uttering the phrase,
"Matthew 24:10." This sermon is not encouraging you to place where you are not
easily offended. I do not want you to be offended period.
Let us now get immersed in verse 10.
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate
one another.
Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another - To illustrate this
point, one sentence out of Tacitus (Annal. l. xv). will be sufficient,
who, speaking of the persecution under Nero, says, At first several were seized,
who confessed, and then by Their Discovery a great multitude of others were
convicted and executed. ~Adam Clarke
Many shall be offended - See the notes at Matthew 5:29. Many shall stumble,
fall, apostatize from a profession of religion. Many who “professed” to love me
will then show that they had no “real” attachment to me; and in those trying
times it will be seen that they knew nothing of genuine Christian love. See 1
John 2:19. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses
Matthew 5:29
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.
1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they
would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be
made manifest that they were not all of us.
Shall betray one another - Those who thus apostatize from professed attachment
to me will betray others who really love me. This they would do to secure their
own safety, by revealing the names, habitations, or places of concealment of
others. ~Barnes Notes
Shall hate one another - Not that real Christians would do this, but those who
had professed to be such would then show that they were not his true followers,
and would hate one another. Luke adds that they should be betrayed “by parents,
and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends,” Luke 21:16. They would break over the
most tender ties to surrender Christians to punishment. So great would be their
hatred of Christianity, that it would overcome all the natural endearments of
kindred and home. This, in the persecutions of Christians, has often occurred,
and nothing shows more fully the deep and deadly hatred of the human heart to
the gospel. Compare the notes at Matthew 10:21. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
Luke 21:16
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and
friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Matthew 10:21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child:
and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put
to death.
Continuing in the John Gill on Matthew 24:10.
And then shall many be offended - That is, many who had been hearers of the
apostles, and professors of the Christian religion; who were highly pleased with
it, and were strenuous advocates for it, whilst things were tolerably quiet and
easy; but when they saw the apostles, some of them beaten, and imprisoned;
others put to death, and others forced to fly from place to place; and
persecutions and affliction, because of Christ and his Gospel, likely to befall
themselves, would be discouraged hereby, and stumble at the cross; and fall off
from the faith of the Gospel, and the profession of it: ~John Gill
And shall betray one another - meaning, that the apostates, who would fall off
from the Christian religion, would prove treacherous to true believers, and give
in their names to the persecutors, or inform them where they were, that they
might take them, or deliver them into their hands themselves: these are the
false brethren, the Apostle Paul was in perils among: ~John Gill
And shall hate one another - not that the true Christians should hate these
false brethren, any more than betray them; for they are taught to love all men,
even their enemies; but these apostates should hate them, in whose communion
they before were, and to whom they belonged; and even to a very great degree of
hatred, as it often is seen, that such who turn their backs on Christ, and his
Gospel, prove the most bitter enemies, and most violent persecutors of its
preachers and followers. ~John Gill
Signs that a person might be easily offended. I found this on the Internet.
1] They are complainers.
We all complain about something and usually address it immediately, but it can
become a problem if one is constantly complaining.
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good
to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
James 5:9
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the
judge standeth before the door.
2] They frequently play the victim card.
They can do no wrong and blame their problems on everyone else. They believe
their lives would so much better if other people could just be better.
John 5:5-7
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that
case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? ["Do you want to be
healed?"]
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled,
to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
Here is what one commentator says about this:
To the average reader, this seems like the dumbest question in the world! Who
would want to stay sick? As a reader, I am answering the question for the man
before he can even speak, “Yes! Yes! Just say yes!” We don’t see that, but
instead hear victimization telling Jesus a story. “The sick man answered Him,
‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but
while I am coming, another steps down before me’” (John 5:7).
Jesus didn’t ask that. He just needed a yes or no answer. Victimization doesn’t
answer that, because it would draw a line in the sand of what would be required
from this day forward. If he says yes, then he is personally responsible from
now on. If he says no, he looks like a fool to everyone. So instead, he gives a
list of reasons why he hasn’t been able to get into the pool. ~end quote~
3] They are insecure.
It’s not hard to tell when someone is insecure. They are always trying to cut
others down to make themselves feel better. They also talk bad about people
behind their backs often. Insecurity is the root of being too easily offended.
Proverbs 16:28
A froward man [willfully contrary] soweth strife: and a whisperer
separateth chief friends.
1 John 4:8
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath
torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
4] They are narcissistic.
They will ignore you no matter how many facts you throw at them. There is no
reasoning with them. Their beliefs are definite truths to them and everything
else is wrong.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 [see
Lessons]
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn
away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly
women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5] They are highly opinioned.
They will often be offended when your opinion opposes theirs.
Proverbs 18:2 [NIV]
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own
opinions.
Can Personal Elements of Belief [PEBs] be a possible snare and give rise
to brethren being offended?
PEBs, by definition, are strongly held by the firstfruit member. They hold them
so tight, they might wonder why everyone in the Body of Christ does not have the
same PEBs. I have seen more than one who wonders why their PEBs are not
universally held doctrine. Firstfruits cannot allow themselves to be offended
when they encounter members who have different or even opposing PEBs. Indeed,
they are to never let PEB offense enter their hearts or minds. They are to
ascertain the PEBs of the other members and treat them through their PEBs. I
have often given the example of the individual who watches the news or
documentaries on the Sabbath and who finds out his friend in the church holds a
PEB that says no radio or TV should be on during the Sabbath. What they must do
is make sure the radios and TV are off when the other member comes over for
Sabbath lunch.
Question: Will firstfruits be offended? Have firstfruits been offended in
the past?
Matthew 11:6
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Mark 4:17 [and Matthew 13:57]
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when
affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are
offended.
Remember what happened to Paul?
2 Timothy 4:10 [see
Lesson]
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed
unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
2 Timothy 4:16 [see
Lesson]
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that
it may not be laid to their charge.
Will there be betrayal in families?
Matthew 10:21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child:
and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put
to death.
Matthew 10:35-36
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter
against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mark 13:12
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and
children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to
death.
Luke 21:16
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and
friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Matthew 18:7
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come;
but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
The Matthew 18 Process begins in Matthew 18:15
Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
What did He say before that and does it related in any way to the warning in
Matthew 24:10?
Matthew 18:1-9
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little
children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were
better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences
come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them
from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than
having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is
better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to
be cast into hell fire.
Take a close look at verse 7:
Matthew 18:7
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come;
but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Notice the commentary:
Woe unto the world because of offences - That is, offences will be the cause of
woe or of suffering. Offences, here, mean things that will produce sin: that
will cause us to sin, or temptations to induce others to sin. ~Barnes Notes
It must needs be ... - That is, such is the depravity of man that there will be
always some who are attempting to make others sin; some people of wickedness
endeavoring to lead Christians astray, and rejoicing when they have succeeded in
causing them to fall. Such, also, is the strength of our native corruption and
the force of passion, that our besetting sins will lead us astray. ~Barnes
Notes
Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh - He who leads others into sin is
awfully guilty - no man can be more guilty. No wickedness can be more deeply
seated in the heart than that which attempts to mar the peace, defile the
purity, and destroy the souls of others; and yet in all ages there have been
multitudes who, by persecution, threats, arts, allurements, and persuasion, have
endeavored to seduce Christians from the faith and to lead them into sin.
~Barnes Notes
Now I could bring you admonitions I found on the Internet on how to keep from
being offended, such as:
Get your focus off "self".
Examine your own feelings
Look at the other person's background
Shed unfair expectations of others
Assume good motives
...but I am going to let the Word of God give us these admonitions.
1 Corinthians 13:5 [speaking of Love]
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil;
Proverbs 11:12
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding
holdeth his peace.
Colossians 3:13
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel
against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Famous people in history have seen the benefits of not becoming offended:
"When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own
failings. Then you will forget your anger."
"Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the
offense cannot reach it."
"An offended heart is the breeding ground of deception."
"While conscience is our friend, all is at peace; however once it is offended,
farewell to a tranquil mind."
So continue now in your salvation process.
If a firstfruit offends you, go to him/her immediately before you utter anything
to another. Especially true if we are speaking about your minister. Doing so
vaporizes the offense immediately.
Do not strive to be a person who is not easily offended. Be a person who is
never offended.
Know that the Lord Jesus Christ will never point a finger in your direction and
utter the phrase, "Matthew 24:10." Know that you will never be in the
"many" of that verse.
Stop being offended.