Playlist:

playlist Go to the Offense (topic) playlist

Islands and Offenses

'Ready Answer' by Staff

As much as we wish our church congregations could get along peacefully, Jesus tells us that, sadly, offenses must come (Luke 17:1).


The Defense Against Offense

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Bible states that offenses will come. Here are ways to handle offenses and keep minor irritations from growing into bitterness.


The Prisoners

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

'To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.' Forgiving and being forgiven are part of being a family.


Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Jesus teaches us how to deal with offenses and sins against us in this parable, focusing on our attitude of forgiveness because of being forgiven ourselves.


The Prisoner

'Ready Answer' by Austin Del Castillo

We tend to work at cross-purposes to God, imprisoning ourselves and others in our adversarial relationships. The key to our cell is true forgiveness.


Sins in the Balance (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Forgiveness is not a feeling that washes over us, but a conscious choice. It does not mean that the offense will never come to mind, nor that all the pain vanishes.


A Root of Bitterness (2016)

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Only by letting go of the poisonous root of bitterness can we become like our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father.


The Elder Brother

'Prophecy Watch' by Ted E. Bowling

In the Prodigal Son, most people dwell on the relationship between the prodigal and his father. However, the elder brother has much to teach us as well.


Godly Tact and Diplomacy

Article by David F. Maas

Humans are very adept at causing offense. But as Christians, we must learn the art of tact and diplomacy that works toward unity among the brethren.


The Elder Brother

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Like the older brother in the parable, we may have looked down on those who have stumbled. We are not equipped to judge anybody else's repentance.


'Sons of God?'

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

God gave Jesus Christ to us to restore peace, reconciliation, and harmony with God. In the Beatitudes, the peacemakers are called 'sons of God.'


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Twelve)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our forgiveness from God is conditional, depending upon our forgiving others. It is an opportunity for us to extend grace, sacrificing as Christ did for us.


Reacting to Criticism

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

All have been guilty of malicious gossip; consequently, they should not become offended when they hear gossip about themselves (Ecclesiastes 7:21).


Forgiveness and Reconciliation

CGG Weekly by John W. Ritenbaugh

Forgiveness from God is directly tied to our forgiving those who have sinned against us! We must reciprocate God's forgiveness by forgiving others.


A Patriot and a Traitor (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

An indescribable reward awaits those who endure and remain loyal. We cannot afford to lose our vision of our righteous cause, as Benedict Arnold did.


Anger (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We dare not let the sun go down on our wrath. Uncontrolled anger can be a major cause of mental and physical illness. We must reconcile with our adversaries.


Vengeance is Mine

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Christ counsels us to love our enemies in order that we may be children of God, demonstrating not only His mercy but also our sonship by being peacemakers.


'But I Say to You' (Part Two): Murder and Anger

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Murder originates in the heart. Nothing from the outside defiles a man but originates in the heart governed by carnal human nature.


Restoration and Forgiveness

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

It is impossible to grow spiritually in a climate of animosity and jealousy. If we use the power of God's Holy Spirit, peace will accrue as a fruit.


The Sixth Commandment (Part One) (1997)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Our society is becoming increasingly violent. The sixth of the Ten Commandments covers crime, capital punishment, murder, hatred, revenge and war.


Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Mercy eclipses any kind of sacrifice one may offer, triumphing over judgement. The leaven of the Pharisees consists of prideful, hypocritical, merciless judgment.


Stand Fast in a Changing World

Sermon by Kim Myers

We have been warned to keep alert, watching for the return of our Savior, not living in careless ease. We should be sobered by the degenerating state of the world.


The Need for Forgiveness

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because it is more blessed to give than to receive, the things we desire for ourselves we should be willing to give to others, including forgiveness.


The Spiritual Mark of the Beast

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Anger and hostility, driven by self-centered competitive pride constitute Satan's spiritual mark that divides nations, ethnic groups, families, and the church.


Matthew (Part Twenty-Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus contrasts the enormity of what we are forgiven to what we forgive others. Our forgiveness is directly connected with our forgiveness of our brother.


Matthew (Part Twenty-Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Those who are mature should be able to endure the slights of the immature, being circumspect not to lead anyone into sin through our careless example.


Unity and Division (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Even though God desires brethren to dwell in peace and unity, at times HE ordains and causes disruption and division. How do we explain this apparent paradox?


Offences Must Come

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

Contrary to popular usage, the verb 'offend' indicates a transgression of a moral or divine standard. There is little room to be offended unless there is sin.


Joseph's Extraordinary Example

Sermon by Kim Myers

Joseph was an extraordinary type of Jesus Christ. His life and character parallels Christ's in at least 16 ways, which God purposefully foreordained.


Grateful For Reconciliation

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must remember what we were and how far God has brought us out of that place, pulled out of the muck and brought into His glory.


Blessed Are the Meek (2014)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Paul's listings of virtues, meekness always appears near the end, reflecting its difficulty. Meekness is the gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion.


Is a Rock Just a Rock to God?

'Ready Answer' by Bill Keesee

God calls us 'living stones' in I Peter 2. Here is why this description is a very fitting view of God's work making us His jewels.


What Does "Discerning the Lord's Body" Mean? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

When Paul talks about the 'the [Lord's] body' without defining exactly what he means, he does so in the middle of a lengthy discourse on the spiritual Body.


Reconciliation (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ placed a high priority on reconciliation, warning us that before we engage God at the altar, we had better make peace with our brother.


Our Genetically Altered Foods (Part Three)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our food has been hopelessly contaminated by genetic modification. However, we must not look down on others who are unable to purchase organic foods.


Judging in the Church

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Human nature is strongly competitive and full of pride, making judgment inherently problematic. Nevertheless, God wants us to learn to judge with equity.


Do Unto Others and Reap What We Sow

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Reaping good fruit does not happen immediately. If we feel we are not reaping, we must consider that we might be reaping some negative things we have sown.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our obligation toward God mandates that we love our fellow human beings, even individuals who have severely wronged us.


Forbearance

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God put up with the foibles of Abraham, Samson, David, Job, and others, allowing them time to repent and build character. We need to develop this godly trait.