This is a message from our sermon series Don't Drink The Poison. See the notes below!

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.“

Matthew 11:2–6 (NKJV)

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

3 Traps of Expectation

1. Unspoken Expectation

2. Unmet Expectation

Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things the Lordhates—

no, seven things he detests:

17 haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that kill the innocent,

18 a heart that plots evil,

feet that race to do wrong,

19 a false witness who pours out lies,

a person who sows discord in a family.

3. Unrealistic Expectation

Process of Offense

1. Offense

2. Bitterness

3. Anger

4. Hate

Title: Your Spirit, Your Responsibility

Stage 1 - The Feeling of Offense

Stage 2 - The Choice to live or not live offended

Stage 1 - Someone presents you with an opportunity to be offended

Stage 2 - To Live offended is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die

Luke 17: 1 (NKJV)

"It is impossible that no offenses should come..."

Matthew 24:10

"And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another."

YOU MIGHT HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED; BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD

1 Corinthians 10

"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful, " but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good but the good of his neighbor."

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.“

ANYONE CAN GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OFFENDED, BUT YOU GET TO CHOOSE IF YOU WILL LIVE OFFENDED.

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other's their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

We Are The Church

Acts 2:46-47

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

1. Gathering of Grace

Philippians 1:7 (NLT)

"So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the good news."

2. Gathering of Healing

James 5:16

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."

3. Gathering on Mission

Acts 2:46-47

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Serve one another. - Galatians 5:13

Show hospitality to one another - 1 Peter 4:9

Be kind to one another - Ephesians 4:32

Encourage one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Carry one another's burdens - Galatians 6:2