Refuse to Be Offended

Scripture References: Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon Notes:

Intro: Welcome to this special sermon featuring guest speaker Vinu from Living Hope Church in Mumbai, India. Instead of just sharing information, Vinu shares a powerful insight God gave him from Matthew 15 about dealing with offense.

Key Points:

1. The Canaanite Woman's Plight (Matt 15:21-28): A woman desperately seeks Jesus for her demon-possessed daughter.
2. Multiple Offenses: She faced several potential offenses: 
   • Ignored by disciples ("Send her away").
   • Initially ignored by Jesus ("did not answer a word").
   • Seemingly excluded ("I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel").
   • Indirectly compared to a dog ("not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs").
3. Refusal to Be Offended: Despite coming with a great need (deficit) and facing these rebuffs, the woman persisted without taking offense. She humbly accepted even the "crumbs."
4. Faith and Breakthrough: Jesus commended her response as "great faith." Crucially, "her daughter was healed at that moment" – the moment she refused offense and demonstrated faith.
5. The Danger of Offense: We often get offended by loved ones, leaders, or anyone who slights us. Taking offense hinders the flow of God's blessing, healing, and deliverance in our lives.
6. The Power of Non-Offense: Choosing not to be offended, even when seemingly justified, is an act of faith that becomes our breakthrough moment. It opens the floodgates for God's work.

Conclusion: The Canaanite woman teaches a vital lesson beyond healing: refusing offense is a powerful demonstration of faith that unlocks God's intervention and blessing. Holding onto offense blocks God's flow, while releasing it invites breakthrough.

Call to Action:

• Reflect: Is there any offense you are holding onto? Towards family, friends, leaders, or God Himself?
• Decide: Choose today to lay down that offense for God's sake, trusting Him with the situation.
• Receive: Believe that at this moment of choosing not to be offended, God can bring healing, restoration, and breakthrough into your life and relationships. Ask Him for it now.

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