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Sermon: Many
by Chris Cumming
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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 makes reference
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.
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