"DON'T YOU KNOW THAT YOU OFFENDED THEM"
A very good morning to each one in the radio audience. It is
once again a joy to me that you have invited me into your home this
morning by way of the radio waves. It continues to be my prayer that
these times spent together are beneficial to those who take the time
to listen. Why not tell others about the program? Now, to our study
for the morning.
The word of Jehovah is all-sufficient. The apostle Peter says,
"seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that
pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that
called us by his own glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). The apostle
Paul said, "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in
righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished
completely unto every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is
certainly important to teach and preach the whole counsel of God; as
Paul stated to the Ephesian elders when he said, "For I shrank not
from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). This
must be done without fear or favor of men. Hear the apostle Paul
again, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I
striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not
be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
Sometimes people will not like the spoken word of truth. Some
will react in a violent manner as did Stephen's audience in Acts
7:58. But, the word needs to be taught anyway. Some are not content
in rejecting the word of God at home. They will go to great lengths
to stir up trouble against the preached word as did some of the Jews
of Thessalonica as seen in Acts 17:11. But, the word needs to be
taught anyway. The preached word of truth includes pointing out sin
in the lives of mankind. Paul states, "preach the word; be urgent in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all
longsuffering and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2). Sometimes men are
offended when the truth is preached, as were the Pharisees when the
Lord spoke His word unto them. Look at Matthew 15:12, "Then came the
disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were
offended, when they heard this saying?" But, the truth needs to be
taught anyway.
Some particular things are offensive to people today. Because
of this, should one compromise the truth? Should one skirt around
these truths so as not to offend people? Absolutely not. God's
children today need to have the same courage that the early
disciples had. "But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather
than unto God, judge ye; for we cannot but speak the things which we
saw and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). Then again in Acts 5:29, "But Peter
and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than
men." When men told them to "shut up" they courageously "spoke up."
They taught the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), despite the fact
that the truth was offensive to some. What are some things today
that must be preached in spite of the fact they may be offensive to
some people?
The whole counsel of God as it concerns the church must be
taught. Yes, it will offend many when we teach that the church had
its beginning on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of
the Lord, as was predicted by the prophets. You are encouraged to
look to Isaiah 2, Daniel 2, Joel 2, as well as other Old Testament
prophets for this information. It was very clearly prophesied that
the church would be established in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost
following our Lord's resurrection. That offends some people. Others
are offended when the truth is presented that there is only one
church. And, yet, that is exactly what the inspired writer says in
Ephesians 4:4, where Paul said there is one body, and that body is
the church, Ephesians 1:22-23. If offends some when the truth that
the saved are in that one church. Ephesians 5:23, states, "For the
husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the
church, being himself the savior of the body."
Some are offended when the truth concerning how men and women
are saved is preached. God's plan for salvation requires faith upon
the part of mankind (Hebrews 11:6); repentance from past sins (Luke
13:5); confession of one's faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 10:10) and
a burial in the water of baptism for the remission of sins (Acts
2:38). But, that plan must be preached to the whole world (Mark
16:15-16), even though some are offended by it. Others are offended
when the truth is taught concerning the need for continual obedience
upon the part of God's children. God's word very clearly teaches "be
thou faithful unto death" (Revelation 2:10). Yes, a child of God can
commit sin and unless repented of, be eternally lost. That teaching
offends some. Those so offended need to be taught anyway.
Some people are offended today when the truth of God is taught
concerning the role of women. The word of God very clearly teaches
that men are to lead in public prayers, that men are to do the
public preaching of the word where mixed assemblies come together to
engage in acts of worship. I call your attention once again to the
inspired apostle Paul, "In like manner, that women adorn themselves
in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided
hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh
women professing godliness) through good works. Let a woman learn in
quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach,
nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness" (1 Timothy
2:9-12). This offends many today. But, God's eternal Word still
says the same thing that it has said for lo these 2000 years. There
are religious groups today who have women participating in the roll
of leadership in public worship. Some have women preachers. Some
have women elders. Women cannot meet the qualifications for elders
as found in 1 Timothy 3:2-7. Paul states, "The bishop (or overseer,
the elder) therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one
wife..." How may a woman be the husband of one wife? Yet, that is
one of the requirements of those who serve as overseers or elders in
the house of God. Now, that offends some when that truth is pointed
out. But, that truth needs to be taught anyway. For, you see, it is
still a part of God's Divine truths. It matters not if all reject
it, God's word still teaches it. Are you offended when these truths
are taught. "But," someone says, "that is just your interpretation
of the scriptures." If you have voiced that opinion, may I ask you,
Please explain how a woman can be the husband of one wife. Also,
please explain what Paul meant when he said that women are not to
teach, nor to have dominion over a man. Does God's Word offend you?
Some are offended today when God's simple acts of New Testament
worship and service are mentioned. There are specific acts of New
Testament worship and service that are clearly defined in the all-
sufficient word of God. Man's wisdom has entered the picture and now
we see church bake sales, garage sales, raffles of all sorts. All of
these inventions of men are contrary to the truth of God relative to
the way God's people are to finance the work of the church. Paul
states, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave
order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day
of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may
prosper, that no collections be made when I come" (1 Corinthians
16:1-2). When this truth is pointed out, some become extremely
offended. I ask you very candidly, where is your authority for cake
sales, raffles (that's gambling), garage sales, as the work of a
local church to raise funds?? Do you have book, chapter, and verse
for such a practice? Now, no doubt, that offends some, to be ask for
Bible authority for the things practiced. But, it needs to be said
anyway.
The truth concerning the kind of music to be used in worship to
Jehovah offends many. There are ten passages dealing with the music
of the first century and in each of them the music is singing,
making melody in the heart. Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 are
two of these passages. But, presumptuous man come along and adds
mechanical instruments of music to their worship. When is pointed
out that this is sin, many are offended. But, it needs to be said
anyway. Have you ever tried to find authority for mechanical
instruments in worship to Jehovah today?? Do you not know that there
is a need for Bible authority for all things practiced. Does that
offend you? If so, it still needs to be said.
The disciples of the first century observed the Lord's Supper
upon the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). That is Sunday. When
this truth is pointed out, there are those who are offended because
they have changed the day of the observance to other days. Not only
have they changed the day but some have also changed the elements
involved in the Lord's supper. Both of these are wrong. When this is
pointed out some are offended. But, it still needs to be said
anyway.
Some are offended when love is discussed from a biblical
perspective. Christ loved people enough to show His love for them.
He offers the possibility of freedom from sins by the shedding of
His blood on the cross. John states, "and from Jesus Christ, who is
the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of
the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and washed us from
our sins by his blood" (Revelation 1:5). We appropriate the blood of
Christ to our lives by faith. Not by faith alone, but by an obedient
faith. Obedience to the gospel plan of salvation as already
mentioned in this lesson. There is no way to respond to God and to
show our love to Him without obeying His every commandment. Listen
to our Lord, "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John
14:15). And again, "Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I
command you" (John 15:14). John states, "For this is the love of
Cod, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not
grievous" (1 John 5:3). And again, "And this is love, that we should
walk after his commandments" (2 John 6). My friend, you do not love
the Lord if you refuse to keep His commandments. Does that offend
you? If so, it still must be said. Some are offended by God's laws
and His definition of love, but in order to show one's love to God
and to other people in an effort to save souls, the truth of God
must be preached anyway.
The truth of God has always been offensive to the majority of
people and they have, therefore, chosen another path to follow
instead of God's word. Did not our Lord say, "Enter ye in by the
narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For
narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life,
and few are they that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). That truth offends
many today. Those who are offended often make attacts upon those who
are seeking to warn mankind of their sinful practices. For these
reasons and others, many commit cowardly compromises and refuse to
teach the whole counsel of God. God's people need the courage to be
bold and unashamed in the proclamation of the truth of God's Word
even though there are those who are offended by the message.
It is not my purpose nor design to purposely offend anyone. It
is my intent to focus upon God's revealed truth and to call upon men
and women everywhere to respond in obedience to that truth. If that
offends someone, then so be it. Paul states, "So then, am I become
your enemy, by telling you the truth" (Galatians 4:16).
I would be more than happy to discuss these matters with any
honest and sincere heart. Telephone: (409) 374-2381. Address: Route
1, Box 502, Anahuac, TX. 77514
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