“Here For a Purpose: Offensive Over Affirming” Sunday, July 10, 2022

I Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

I Corinthians 1:20-23 (NIV)
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

• WHY IS THE GOSPEL SO OFFENSIVE?

1. The Gospel Truth is Exclusive and Absolute

Romans 1:20 (NIV)
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

2. The Devil’s War is to Attack Truth

John 8:42-45 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

3. The Gospel Stands in the Way of Sinful Pursuits

4. The Gospel Demands Life Change

John 6:60,66 (NIV)
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

• WHY IS ABSOLUTE AND COMPLETE AFFIRMATION OF BEHAVIOR DESIRED BY THE WORLD?

1. Love for Humanity is Not Independent From Affirmation of Humanity’s Behavior

2. Complete Affirmation of Behavior Requires No Change

John 3:19-20 (NIV)
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Matthew 5:14,16 (NIV)

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. …let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

• HOW DO WE SHARE AN OFFENSIVE MESSAGE, BUT WITH LOVE?

1. We Share the Whole Message

II Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in all righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for ever good work.

2. We Share a Grace Saturated Message

Ephesians 3:7, 10 (NIV)
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…

3. We Share a Life Changing Message

4. We Share a Trusted Message

5. We Share a Consistent Message

I Thessalonians 4:1-12 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable… For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…

6. We Share a Spirit Appointed Message