I'm Offended

Navigating the Culture

I’m Offended

Stay the Course!

How many of you like sports?

While I’m not a particular fan of Football, there’s no question that when two professional football teams hit the field, there’s about to be three hours of conflict

Nothing you can do can ever make those two teams get along because they’re headed in two different directions

One has a goal in this direction, the other has a goal in that direction

which means there’s going to be three hours of conflict that is nonnegotiable

That’s a good analogy of what our culture looks like today

Today we are living in a time of conflict, and the teams have decided this is nonnegotiable

the political teams, the democrats and republicans, have decided we can’t negotiate the well-being of the american citizens

the same type of nonnegotiable conflict seems to also exist betwen black and white, rich and poor, and there are people on both sides of the gender issue

But on the field of play in football, there is a third team at play: The Referees

These are seven officials that are on the field but not of the field

They’re in the middle of the conflict but they’re not part of the conflict because these seven officials belong to a different kingdom

They represent 345 Park Avenue in New York where the NFL offices are

The NFL offices have representatives on the field of play

Those officials are to represent the kingdom in New York in the chaos on the field of play

Similar to how we represent the Kingdom of God

And like referees, we are to conduct ourselves in a particular manor, and follow a book of regulations

Philippians 2:15 NASB95

so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

In football, Officials might prefer a team, but it’s irrelevant because their decisions are made based on their book of governing guidelines

They are easily distinguishable in the game, because they wear black and white Jerseys that distinguish them from the competing teams on the field

the unfortunate thing in a football game is if the referees decide to join one of the teams:

Because the moment that they do that, they have lost their uniqueness, their distinctiveness

And what you find out is that the competing teams use them rather than follow their lead

As Followers of Christ we need to remember that we operate by a different authority, by a different rule book- The Kingdom of Heaven

We are supposed to represent that Kingdom, not mimic the kingdoms of the culture

If we are to be in the world but not of the world, like the bible tells us, then we can’t deviate from what God has put before us

Don't deviate from God's Word…The Bible

Don't deviate from the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Don't deviate from Christ’s purposes for you…for each of us.

Don't deviate from Christ's mandate that we are to be the light and salt in this dark and rotting world.

Don't deviate from the mission, which is to make disciples of all nations.

We are to declare the “Good News of Jesus and then be ready for those who respond.

Stay the Course! Which means we have to navigate the treacherous waters of this culture and they are very treacherous.

We compared ourselves last week to the Israelites who were taken captive into Babylon

And we looked at how we can apply God’s command to them, even in their persecution and defeat, to:

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.

I’d like to make another comparison:

Conversion of the Vikings

The problem comes in that the word tolerance no longer means

that I respect someone's differences;

now it means that I must embrace someone's differences.

Not to embrace them, not to celebrate them, is to be intolerant.

Here's the reality.

Those who claim to be tolerant in this world actually seek to be dominant.

Think about how tolerant the culture is when it comes to true disciples of Jesus Christ.

Review

We have three options when it comes to living in this culture at this time.

Isolation?

If we isolate we lose our God given opportunities to represent Christ to a lost and confused world.

Assimilation?

If we assimilate we lose the sharp edge of the truth.

Engagement.

The only God sanctioned option before us is to engage the culture with a powerful blend of truth and grace.

God calls us to move toward the broken, the hurting, the confused and the messed up people.

And to do that effectively requires infiltration without contamination.

Engagement without compromise

As we concluded last week, there may be some concessions, but

there can be no compromise.

These are the non-negotiables, convictions, biblical values that create lines we just won't cross.

Family Circus

When we consider the culture today, everybody seems to be offended by something and they believe they have the right NOT to be offended.

a family circle cartoon depicting the dad holding a cookie and the son reaching up for it.

The dad asks, “What's the magic word to get what you want?”

His young son responded I'm offended.

Video- John Crist on Brands that need to be cancelled immediately

PETA

Everybody seems to be offended even PETA.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals got into the act.

A couple of years ago, they came up with a plan to remove anti animal language from our conversations. So they wanted to change these common phrases…offering new ones.

Are you ready for this?

Kill two birds with one stone

feed two birds with one scone

Beat a dead horse

feed of Fed horse

Take the bull by the horns

take the flowers by the thorns

Bring home the bacon

bring home the bagels.

What? Bagels are good sometimes, but we all know that life is better with bacon.

Can I get an amen?

I think you get my drift. We're living in an offended generation.

But as believers we must know that there is an offense which demands no apology.

And because it demands no apology, we have not scripted one.

Because when we apologize for offences

we will veer off course and we will not navigate this culture well.

in this in his first letter, the apostle Peter tells us,

1 Peter 2:7–8 (NASB95)

This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,

“The stone which the builders rejected,

This became the very corner stone,”

and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

Jesus is the rock of offense!

1 Corinthians 1:22–24 NASB95

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

other version reads: “The cross is an offense”. instead of a stumbling block

In the original language of the Bible, the word translated offense or stumbling block, literally means “scandalous”.

The cross of Jesus Christ is offensive! It is scandalous

So here's today's Big Idea:

To empty the cross of its offense is to empty it of its power

Let me repeat that

Let's consider how that might be done so that we never do it.

blacklist these practices

1 The cross is emptied of offense by teaching that good works are necessary for salvation

In Galatians 5:11, Paul tells us that as soon as we emphasize works, as a way to gain God's approval, the offense of the cross is removed.

Galatians 5:11 NASB95

But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

To put it plainly, we empty the cross of its offense.

When we say that our works are worth something, in the act of salvation.

Unfortunately, salvation by works, in one form or another, is our natural default inclination.

People are offended when they're told that they're too sinful to cooperate with God in salvation.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

People are offended when they're told that they're too sinful to cooperate with God in salvation.

They're offended when told that our holy contribution in salvation is our sin.

God supplies the faith

and the gift of Christ's righteousness.

The cross exposed our sinfulness by showing the lengths God had to go to redeem us.

The cross is God's rejection of all human merit, or goodness.

The cross is emptied of offense by teaching that good works are necessary for salvation

2 The cross is emptied of offense by the notion that Jesus did not suffer God's wrath on our behalf

There are those who want to water down the message of the cross by saying

that if indeed Jesus bore the wrath of God,

that would be a form of child abuse at the hands of a vengeful father.

Of course, that's not true.

Jesus makes it clear with these words.

John 10:17–18 NASB95

“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Our salvation was a plan agreed upon by all three members of the trinity.

That said, the Bible clearly states

God's anger against sin is very real

and that Jesus took our punishment.

Some think that not speaking of God's anger against sin helps the acceptance of the good news. That’s just not true.

That’s contrary to the truth

We cannot emphasize the love of God to the exclusion of His Holiness and justice.

Theologian John Scott said it well,

Before we can begin to see the cross as something done FOR us…we must see it as something done BY us

Jesus bore the wrath that was due us! Jesus absorbed/absorbs what you and I should receive.

Always remember, the bad news prepares people for the good news.

the first step in any 12 step program toward recovery begins with admitting there is a problem

The first step on the romans road to salvation

Romans 3:23 NASB95

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 NASB95

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 NASB95

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9 NASB95

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

Romans 10:13 NASB95

for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The cross is emptied of offense by the notion that Jesus did not suffer God's wrath on our behalf

3 The cross is emptied of offence with the insistence that there are other ways to God.

There have been other leaders like Jesus who taught lofty ethical ideas

All other religions have their gurus and prophets, some of whom claimed enlightenment…

but none claimed sinlessness and

none claimed to be a qualified Savior who could forgive sin and present us to God as holy.

Only in Christianity does God become the sacrifice;

only in Christianity is God alone the Redeemer.

Other religions are about man seeking God.

Only in Christianity has God come to seek and rescue man.

This is not the time to hide the cross or neglect it.

Let us embrace the cross and the resurrection and rejoice.

We don't just have a prophet, but a Savior who proved his qualification!

So with that, let's obey Jesus:

We must take the cross into the world.

How do we do that?

1 We take the cross into the world by making disciples

How many of you remember getting a copy of the Sunday Sermon on CD or casset tape?

What you really got is a copy of the master CD.

The Master CD held the original recording, and the copies of that CD are made available so you can listen to the sermon again or share it with someone else

All you were getting was a replica

The replicas of the master sound like the master, look like the master, and feel like the master, but they are not the master

However, they are so much like the master, it’s as good as having the master itself.

Jesus is the master, but what He wants to do is copy Himself onto His followers

so that when people see you or me, they are getting a recording of the Master

In order to take the cross into the world, we must imitate Christ and teach others to do the same

that is the essence of discipleship

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

2 We take the cross into the world by serving others

Jesus said he came into the world to serve not to be served.

Philippians 2:5–7 NASB95

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

The ancient defender of the faith, Tertullian wrote:

“It is our care for the helpless, our patience, our practice of loving kindness that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents.

“Look!” They say, “How they love one another. Look how they are prepared to die for one another!”

John 13:35 NASB95

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Philippians 2:3–4 NASB95

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

3 We take the cross into the world by exalting it above any political affiliation

Patriotism and political affiliations can become an idol when they hold more sway, more importance in your life than the Bible

Yes… Christians should run for office at every level.

And, Christians can lead in recruiting support for their favorite candidates.

And yes, Christians should work toward just laws.

And yes, you should vote no on proposal 66

But it has been unwise to intertwine politics with the gospel message

That intertwining could present an obstacle to those who would otherwise be responsive to the message of Christianity.

It’s like the referee in a football game putting on one team’s jersey instead of his black and white stripes

it only causes confusion and compromises your authority

The cross is to stand above all politics and politicians and their quests for influence.

4 We take the cross into the world by giving witness to our own faith

We carry our cross we when we refuse to hide its message under the banner of niceness.

Some believers are so anxious to not offend anyone,

they never get around to explaining both the blessings of the cross and our need for it.

Often, we are too nice, too timid, and too quick to be an “inoffensive”.

Don’t get me wrong, some The greatest advertisement for the gospel are

Christians who listen well,

who are welcoming and

who are eager to serve others.

The greatest advertisements are also those who have deep convictions,

but act on them in redemptive ways.

Always asking Jesus for the opportunity to share the message.

We’re meant to be engaging the culture with a powerful blend of truth and grace

we are soldiers charged with infiltration without contamination.

Engagement without compromise

Someone said

Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar, we have found food

Let's invite the hurting and the broken to the table

where we have found all that we can possibly need at the table of God.

5 We take us across into the world by inviting the worst of sinners to believe the gospel

Listen to what the famous evangelists D L Moody said.

A young man told me last night that he was too great a sinner to be saved.

Why they are the very young men Christ is after.

The only charge they had against Christ is that He was receiving bad men.

Those are the very kind of man He is willing to receive.”

Moody goes on,

“All that you have to do is prove that you are a sinner and I will prove that you get a Savior.

If your sin rises up before you like a dark mountain, bear in mind that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin.

There is no sin so big or so corrupt and vile but that the blood of Christ can cover it.”

Moody concludes,

“God says in effect, I think so much of what Jesus Christ did when he died on the cross,

I can forgive a criminal if he believes in Jesus,

but I cannot forgive a sane, decent, responsible person who doesn't believe in Jesus.”

Grace is unlimited to those who receive it.

Sick and dying bride from a car crash to the door of a Dr.

To empty the cross of its offense is to empty it of all its power

communion

1 Corinthians 11:26–29 NASB95

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 NASB95

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25 NASB95

In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”