OFFENSE AND RECONCILIATION

OFFENSE:                                 Matthew 18: 1 - 11

    "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
     little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of
     heaven." vs.4

“Offences will come”  (vs.  6 - 7)
a. Humility, and with it the ability to follow one
      who is spiritually mature is the only road  to 
      greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven?
b. Specifically, in the Kingdom, one is great as
he serves those he might consider to be less.
c. Least in the Kingdom is he who fails to have
consideration  for others  or “lords”  it over 
     them.

You and I are unable to determine greatness in this
sphere and if  we believe we might have attained it,
 it is far from our grasp.

Offenses  must and will come.  You and I, Children
of the Lord God, are given opportunity to engage in 
the ministry of “Reconciliation.” Greatness belongs 
to the Lord.

Some ways in which we might offend...discuss...
1. Hypocrisy   2. Any  sin in our  lives.  3. An air of
 superiority to anyone.  4. Failing to keep our word.
(Since our Lord is so careful in keeping His Word,
 we cannot represent Him and fail to keep ours.)
5. Profane Use of “Holy” or Sacred things (words) 
in a flippant way or for common purpose. We are
to take care to reverence things belonging to God.
(In retrospect, it all belongs to Him, we are merely
stewards of  everything  within  our sphere.  It is a
trust.)


RECONCILIATION:              Matthew 18: 15 - 19
Reconcile:  To settle a difference or difficulty 
between two previously agreeable parties.  To
restore relationship(s.)
“How to  engage in reconciliation.”  (vs 19 - 20)
   We dare not attempt Spiritual service, ie recon-
ciliation,unless we have the power of  God on our 
lives.  Otherwise we would be dabbling in the Spi- 
ritual with the "arm of flesh" and destined  to fail  
and risk offending our Lord. (vs. 21-23) Reconci-
liation is only possible through God's Word. It is
our tool...

Ephesians  2: 14-18.  Christ  has  paved  the  way 
for reconciliation of mankind to the father and is 
always  willing to enable us  to  work in this area.  
We are talking about the reconciliation  between
God and man, also called Regeneration, the New 
Birth, or  Salvation.  (There is also the same type 
work between individuals as we work to restore
relationships.)

2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 16  and 17 - 21.  Read  and 
discuss  these passages separately.  We are here 
given  the opportunity to engage in a vital  mini-
stry  with  our God.  (Matthew 18: 6 - 9)  We, as 
mature“Saints,”are warned against offending in 
word or deed and find in 2 Corinthians17-21 we
are  never  to  be offended, and must be quick to
reconcile  those  whom  we have offended.  If we 
keep "short accounts" on this earth we  will have
to  give account for less  negative when we stand 
before our Lord,  gain or loss of reward. Always 
be available to help  in  reconciliation of  fellow 
believers  within the  Body of  Christ... (Church)

    (How can we, who are  such great sinners, 
   be offended at/with anyone?  We are given 
   the  privilege to partner in the  ministry of                  
   reconciliation with our Lord.)
    
 donporter,sr  edited, 9.17.14; 8.09.16