Living Unoffendable
Hope in the waiting • Sermon • Submitted
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· 255 viewsHow do you live in such a way that you can't be offended? How can you learn to walk in the fullness that Jesus purchased for you. I'm not suggesting you live like a door mat, but rather fly above the rejection and disappointment.
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Living Unoffendable
Living Unoffendable
Today is the last message in the series Hope in the waiting.
A series that endeavored to help us through those time when we fell like we are in a hold pattern. not getting where we need to go.
If you missed any of the messaged they are archived on youtube under my church in edmonton.
Next week we are beginning a New series entitled Living the Supernatural Lifestyle
Living the Supernatural Lifestyle Synopsis
Jesus said if we Love God we will obey Him. We find one of these opportunities to show God Love in the Great commission where Jesus said to His disciples
Go everywhere and preach the good news…. teach them everything I have taught you.
That is how His church has lasted over 2000 years. People teaching people.
But there is an aspect of what Jesus taught His disciples that many Christians sadly ignore.
That is, the Spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers.
You see Jesus did not expect his disciples to change the world without being equipped 1st.
Yes He gave them the great commission, but then He also said. Wait in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on High. That power being the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit, to work with them so they could complete what He told them to do.
Now I’ve heard some believers say that was only for the apostles and that died out when they did. I guess that makes them unbelieving believers?
But is that in the Bible, or just an argument based on their own experiences?
Because Jesus specifically stated “teach them everything I have taught you” , not teach them everything minus the supernatural stuff.
I believe, that Jesus intends modern Christian to have the same access to heavens resources as the early apostles did. No exceptions.
Break
Starting April 28th Kingdom Way Church will be taking the time to teach and impart Spiritual gifts
We will deal with topics like:
(Prophecy) Encouraging the way ONLY GOD can
Overcoming Fake News: How discernment can you know your being lied to
Walking in the faith that could move a mountain
Can I really speak a language I've never learned?
(Words of Knowledge) Knowing what YOU COULD NOT know
Much more on How God heals and can do miracles through you
How to deal with demons
But let’s get back to today!
How to Live Unoffendable?
It would serve you well to hear last weeks message on unforgiveness, as this message is a continuation
but the Coles notes are this.
Forgiveness is an expectation, not a choice
Jesus said
“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
It not really a choice is it?
in addition unforgiveness only hurts the one bearing it.
I describe unforgiveness as the cancer of the soul
This is the next step,
How to live unoffendable!
How to live in a constant state of forgiveness.
Now I know what alot people think when they hear this
That’s impossible, no one can do that.
I would say different
the perfect example of someone living an unoffended lifetstyle is Jesus
Specifically on a day like today when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
Go with me.
Jesus was beaten beyond recognition
The book of Isaiah tells us he beaten worse than any man ever beaten
Just as many were astonished at you, My people,
So His appearance was marred more than any man
And His form more than the sons of men.
crowds cheered him as he entered Jerusalem the previous week,
but then crowds demanded his death before pilate
they mocked him and spit on him as he carried the cross
They jeered Him while He hung on the Cross
The people He came to Save wanted Him dead, in the most brutal way possible
And yet what was his response?
But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
If there was anyone to demonstrate you can live an unoffendable life, It was Jesus!
Now I know what your thinking.....
But Jesus was God, of course He could do that!
While yes Jesus was 100% God, He was also 100% man
I know that disturbs all you math people
but it true.
Jesus was 100% God and 100% Man
Let me ask you.
Does God have to sleep? Jesus did
Does God have to eat? Jesus did
saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Jesus sweat drops of blood, knowing what He was soon going to face
And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Please don’t believe Jesus was able to face this and come out the other side because He was God
The truth is He did it as a man filled with the Holy Spirit
After John baptised Jesus and the the Holy Spirit descended as a dove upon Him
Jesus when into the wilderness to be tempted.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness
And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.
This is fundamental for us to understand.
Jesus was fully God, and fully man. When He came to earth He laid aside His diety
and lived as a man
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
Phil 2:
Every miracle, every healing, raising the dead, was all done through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus did this to demonstrate to us that we can do it to!
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
I have heard some people say…well corporately as a universal Church is was Jesus meant.
No actually that’s not true. Jesus specifically said the personal prounoun “He”
This is fundamental and we need to embrace this!
So if Jesus could live unoffended, you better believe we can too!
So How do we do it?
Have you heard the expression Live by the Sword....Die by the sword?
Well if you live by the praise of Men you will die by it as well.
What do I mean by this
If you are someone who desires people to recognise and praise you. You will have to deal with when they criticize and tear you down as well
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m say to stop encouraging one another. I actually feel we need to do more of that.
What I’m saying is this, If you’re reliant on the praises of people, your setting yourself up for disappointment, and you won’t be able to live unoffendable
Victim-hood
We’ve all met those people who you have to walk on eggshells around.
monitor every word you say, because they have the ability to twist everything you say so that is an attack against them
Its become a major characteristic of our culture
Many want to be a victim.
I need special attention because everybody’s always picking on me
Video How To Get Offended - Ultra Spiritual Life episode 52
Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you.
For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.
Eccl 7:21
Let me say this:
Offence only can exist when someone does not know their identity
A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger,
And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
“Christian selfhood is not defined in terms of who we are in and of ourselves.
It’s defined in terms of what God does to us and the relationship He creates with us and the destiny he appoints for us.
God made us who we are so we could make known who he is. Our identity is for the sake of making known his identity.”
Lies We Believe About Ourselves
Lies We Believe About Ourselves
If we’re honest with ourselves, we often feel insecure. Those who hide it best often feel it most. But our insecurity is an invitation from God to escape the danger of false beliefs about who we are and find true peace in who he is.
Identity as a Gift from God
Identity as a Gift from God
At the heart of what it means to be a Christian is to receive a new identity. In Jesus, we do not lose our true selves, but we become our true selves, only in him.
New Belonging in Jesus
New Belonging in Jesus
Christ is our life — not only the guarantee of it in heaven, but the downpayment of it by the Spirit now, as he lives in us. His joy becomes our joy; his love, our love; his peace, our peace; his strength, our strength.
United to Jesus
United to Jesus
We cannot experience anything greater than the fullness of union with Christ. Nothing reaches higher or is more theologically comprehensive.
Citizens of Heaven
Citizens of Heaven
In Christ, we are fundamentally new, and belong to the people of heaven. The language and values and customs and expectations of this world increasingly feel foreign to us. We have been born again for another world, to a greater kind of existence.
You’re a saint. The fact that you’ve placed your trust in Jesus Christ is enough to qualify you to be a saint. Even though you’ll still struggle with sin while you live in this fallen world, your core identity as a Christian is as a saint, not a sinner – and you can always count on Jesus’ help to overcome sin in your life. Rely on His help to resist temptation. When you do sin, confess and repent. Maintain attitudes of humility and gratitude for God’s grace.
You’re blessed. God has given you the greatest blessing of all – Himself. No matter what other blessings God may or may not choose to send into your life, you can always be confident that God Himself will be with you, loving you, and working everything in your life out for good purposes when you trust Him to do so. God also brings many different, specific blessings into your life regularly. Make a habit of reflecting on those blessings every day (or every week) and thanking Him for them.
You’re appreciated. God notices and appreciates every good choice you make throughout your life – even when other people don’t. So change the way you live as a result. Exchange grumbling for praying, competing for celebrating, bitterness for thankfulness, performing for serving, and boasting for encouraging.
You’re saved. Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, you’re saved from: sin, death, Satan, your old human nature, and a pattern of worldly living. You can respond in gratitude to your salvation by doing good works that God has prepared for you to do, to help others discover relationships with Him and help redeem this fallen world.
You’re reconciled. Jesus has spiritually reconciled you to God and other believers. Since God plans for all Christians – from all the diverse types of backgrounds on Earth – to live harmoniously together in heaven forever, you should do your best to live harmoniously here and now. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be peaceful, humble, and compassionate toward other people.
You’re afflicted. Everyone in this fallen world – Christians and non-Christians alike – must endure suffering. However, as a Christian, your suffering can accomplish good, redemptive purposes. Rather than asking “Why?” when you suffer, ask “Who?” instead, shifting your focus from trying to figure out something that you may not be able to understand and toward seeking God Himself, who promises to always be with you. Ask Jesus to use the suffering you experience to make you more like Him and point more people to Him.
You’re heard. God always hears and responds to your prayers when you’re connected to Him through Jesus. Feel free to confidently express any of your thoughts and feelings to God at any time, expecting Him to listen to you and answer your prayers according to what’s best for you.
You’re gifted. God has given you special abilities that He wants you to use in the Christian ministry work He calls you to do – both inside your church, and out in your community. You can discover those gifts by asking yourself questions like: “Whom/where do you have a passion to serve?”, What do you have a burden to do?”, “What needs do you see in the church?”, “What do you find joy in doing for others?”, “What opportunities has God already provided for you to serve others?”, “What things are you best at and have the most success in?”, “What have godly people commended you for doing?”, and “What acts of service have given you the deepest sense of satisfaction?”
You’re new. Jesus placed a new spirit within you when you began a relationship with Him, so, at your core, you’re a new person than who you were before you became a Christian. However, you’ll keep learning and growing every day for the rest of your life as you gradually become more like Jesus.
You’re forgiven. Since Jesus paid the price that God’s justice demands for your sin and took God’s wrath for you upon Himself, you were forgiven for all of your sins (past, present, and future), when you placed your trust in Jesus. You can thank Jesus for forgiving you by obeying His commands to forgive others who have harmed you and to seek forgiveness from people you’ve harmed.
You’re adopted. As a Christian, you’ve been adopted into God’s family. The work of your big brother – Jesus – on the cross has made it possible for you to become one of the sons or daughters of God the Father. So make your main goal of life learning how to know, love, and trust God as your Father.
You’re loved. While the people who love you can’t do so completely unselfishly, continually, or perfectly, God does. As a Christian, nothing can ever separate you from God’s great love for you.
You’re rewarded. God will reward you for everything faithful and holy that you do as a Christian. Although you can’t earn your salvation, after you’ve been saved you can earn rewards in heaven for the work you do serving God on Earth.
You’re victorious. Jesus has given you the power to ultimately overcome evil, sin, and death. Use the spiritual weapons at your disposal as a Christian (truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, scripture, prayer, and the strength to stand) in spiritual battles, trusting that you can always emerge victorious.