Sermon Tone Analysis

The Plot Against You

We cannot allow ourself to get isolated

Isolation is the plan and strategy of the Devil against you to make you a soft target

Eccl

This is very similar to the lesson and the picture of the Sequoia Redwoods.

Having deep connections causes us to be resilient to the attacks of the enemy

It is very hard to stand alone.

Remember, Jesus was ALONE when He was tempted of the devil!!!

Offense & Isolation

One of the major reasons for becoming isolated is offense.

Offense is one of the TOP strategies the devil will use against you - don’t be ignorant about that strategy.

One of the major reasons for becoming isolated is offense.

Offense - It’s going to happen!!!

Offence = SKANDALON = “trapstick”

The most important thing is how we handle those offenses

Some people choose to withdraw and isolate:

-If we simply aren’t around people, we won’t have to deal with being offended.

-If we never let people close enough to hurt us, we will never be hurt

What if we could simply be healed every time we are wounded?

- Like Wolverine

Is that impossible?

Or does it take ACTUAL forgiveness and ACTUAL faith for God’s healing power to come in?

luke17:

(KJV Strong's) 1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences (skandalon) will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

Faith for what?

- Faith cometh by hearing the word of God ()

-Faith that vengeance belongs to God & He will repay ()

-Faith that God is working on both of us - Sometimes we TAKE OFENCE unnecessarily…no one can MAKE YOU BE OFFENDED ()

-Faith that God will heal your hurting heart & take your heart of stone and turn it to flesh ( & ,)

Expectation is the breeding ground for Offense

Expectations for how we should be treated

Expectations about how our ideas should be accepted

If someone challenges our thoughts, ideas, or actions it can be a source of offense.

We all think we are right, sometimes even more right than God

Sometimes people say, if I were God…this assumes we know better than God!

Pro

(KJV Strong's) 3 For what if some did not believe?

shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

We cannot sharpen ourself!

We NEED others

Just One Thing:

Fight isolationism with connection & grace.

Let’s change for the better - TOGETHER!!!

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Questions:

How many times have you moved residences?

Knowing that offences will continue to come your way, how do you feel that God is challenging you to respond (perhaps differently than you have in the past) to the offences that come?

Read and share why you think anyone (including yourself) might possibly be offended by Jesus.

What is your biggest personal struggle with staying connected?