Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me. I. WHAT IT IS TO BE OFFENDED IN CHRIST. 1. It supposes some offer and revelation made to us, that grace is brought home to us and salvation offered to us. 2. It implieth such an offence that either they are kept off from Christ, or else drawn away from Him. II. UPON WHAT OCCASIONS MEN WERE OFFENDED IN CHRIST. 1. They were displeased with His Person. 2. They were offended at His doctrine. 3. The great stumbling-block of all was His sufferings. III. WAS IT NOT PROPER TO THAT AGE ONLY? There is danger still: — 1. Because, though the name of Christ be had in honour, yet the stricter profession of godliness is under reproach. 2. It may happen that the stricter sort of Christians are the poorer, and so may be despised of men. 3. Though men be not distasted against Christianity as a whole, yet in part, at some of its ways. 4. There is no man but if he run up his refusal of Christ to its proper principle he will find it to be some dislike, either from the inward constitution of his own mind, or the external state of religion in the world.What is likely to offend since Christ's exaltation into heaven? 1. The many calamities which attend the profession of religion. 2. They may take offence at Christ's doctrine, at the purity, self-denial, the simplicity, the mysteriousness of it. IV. THE KINDS OF THIS SIN OF BEING OFFENDED IN CHRIST. 1. There is an offence with contempt, and an offence with discouragement. 2. There is an offence of ignorance, and an offence of malice and opposition. 3. There is a total, and there is a partial, offence. V. How is IT TRUE THAT THOSE THAT ESCAPE THIS SIN ARE IN THE READY WAY TO SALVATION? 1. He that is not offended but evangelized, hath the power and virtue of the gospel stamped upon his heart. 2. The esteem produceth uniform obedience. 3. We are better fortified against temptations to apostasy — errors, scandals, and persecutions. VI. MAKE USE OF THIS CAUTION. Take heed of being offended in Christ. 1. Who are in danger of it. 2. The heinousness of it. (1) It is unreasonable. (2) .Natural. (3) Dangerous. 3. What shall we do to avoid it? (1) Get a clear understanding; (2) a mortified heart; (3) a fervent love. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.WEB: Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me." |
    |