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How to Offend Someone
Sermon by Ryan McClureWe all have unintentionally offended others by ignoring cultural or situational awareness and forgetting that different gestures, actions, and words may carry diverse meanings across other cultures and contexts. Cultural differences include hand signals (such as a thumbs up or crossing fingers) which are innocuous in one culture but highly offensive in another. Biblical teachings on offense include Abraham misleading Pharoah and Abimelech about his "sister" and Jesus's rebuking Peter for attempting to deter Him from God's purpose. We must observe the following principles to avoid offense: 1.) maintain situational awareness, understanding the contexts and needs of those around us, 2.) maintain humility, prioritizing the well-being of others over our own, and 3.) maintaining action-oriented love-taking deliberate steps to care for relationships, even if it requires self-denial. Even though offense is inevitable, we must emulate Christ's love by avoiding unnecessary harm while prioritizing the spiritual growth of others. In our daily interactions, we must continually reflect on our own behaviors, striving to build up rather than tear down relationships.
Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon Without Becoming Assimilated (Part One)
Sermon by David F. MaasIn a culture which glorifies war heroes and winning at all costs, becoming an ambassador to peace is perhaps the most elusive goal we could ever accomplish.
Can We Win People For Christ?
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeMost of the Christian world believes that it is the duty of believers to 'win people for Christ.' Yet the whole counsel of God reveals a larger reality.
Cultural Paradigms in Scripture
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul had the capability of seeing the truth from several different cultural paradigms, namely from honor-shame, power-fear, and innocence-guilt continuums.
John (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.
Themes of I Corinthians (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCorinth was at the crossroads of trade routes, abounding in religious syncretism. Paul's letter to the Corinthians instructs us how to live in a wicked society.