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The Defense Against Offense
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible states that offenses will come. Here are ways to handle offenses and keep minor irritations from growing into bitterness.
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.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are not privy to God's, but we must realize that He has the prerogative to impose both blessings and calamity, the latter in response to disobedience.
Rock of Salvation or of Offense?
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIf we do not fully trust in Jesus Christ as our salvation, we will encounter Him as a stumbling block, offense, or tripping point.
What Is 'My Way'?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though we may claim to follow God's way, there is a considerable measure of selfishness in our pathways, a tendency to be dismissive of other people.
Now Is the Time
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler'Taking the Kingdom of Heaven by Force' has some rather dubious interpretations in the various popular commentaries.
The High Places (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeKing Jehoash (or Joash) of Judah, though he overcame much and did many good things, did not quite have the fortitude to rid the kingdom of its high places.
Gray Areas in Human Reasoning
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must be on guard for the incremental nature of gray areas. Godly reasoning recognizes no gray areas; just because something is lawful does not mean it is good.
Joseph: A Saga of Excellence (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though Joseph was born into a highly dysfunctional family, he nevertheless had a high batting average when it came to making the right moral choices.
The Fear of God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMany have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.