1. WHAT ABOUT STUMBLING AND STUMBLING BLOCKS? Matthew 18:6-9

2. Introduction “Stumbling” comes from the Greek word "scandalon“. It is probably one of the broadest terms in all of Greek language. It means: a stumbling block, anything against which one stumbles, an impediment; a cause of ruin, destruction, misery, a cause or occasion of sinning, scandal, offense, cause of indignation. I’m sure we all remember going barefoot, and stumbling over roots and rocks when we were young.

3. Stumbling I kept my big toes especially bruised and bleeding and in pain. Some falls can seriously injure someone, especially if you are up in age, some falls have actually been fatal. It is a terrible thing to stumble. It is also a terrible thing to cause one to stumble.

4. Stumbling What does the LORD think of stumbling? Leviticus 19:14: “You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall revere your God; I am the LORD”. Isaiah 57:14: “And it shall be said, build up, build up, prepare the way. Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people”.

5. SOME EXAMPLES OF THOSE THAT STUMBLED Eve, Adam, Cain….. Actually, everyone who has lived and has sinned before God have stumbled. Not only individuals, but nations have sinned as well. We should not be so naïve that this country will not be punished for its sins.

6. WHO CAN STUMBLE? Anyone. 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”. Peter said that he would not stumble, but he did. He denied Jesus: John 13:36-38; Matthew 26:33-35.

7. WHO CAN STUMBLE? Christians. Galatians 6:1: Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted”. James 5:19,20: My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins”.

8. HOW CAN ONE STUMBLE? Over silver and gold. Ezekiel 7:19. Over idols and iniquity. Ezekiel 14:3-8; Isaiah 59:1-15. Over unbelief. John 8:24; Hebrews 12:1; Romans 4:20. Over failure to study God's word. Hosea 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16,17; 1 Peter 2:8. Over disobedience. Isaiah 1:2-20; 1 Peter 2:8

9. WHO CAN MAKE ONE STUMBLE? Lawyers. Luke 11:52. (they still get a bad rap) Preachers. Matthew 15:14; Malachi 2: 7,8. Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:32,33. Christians. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. Fathers, Mothers, Wives, Children, loved ones. Matthew 10:37.

10. HOW CAN THEY CAUSE TO STUMBLE? Teaching perverse doctrines. Matthew 15:8,9. Deceiving the hearts of the simple. Galatians 1:6-10; Romans 16:18. By doing things that are worldly. 2 Peter 2:20- 22. By failure to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4. Note: Eli forfeited the priesthood by failing to correct his sons. 1 Samuel 2.

11. WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THOSE THAT STUMBLE AND THOSE THAT CAUSED THEM TO STUMBLE? It would be better to have a millstone about the neck and be cast into the sea. Matthew 18:6,7.

12. HOW CAN ONE KEEP FROM STUMBLING? Love God's Law. Psalm 119:97-104, 165; 1:1-3. Obey God's Law. Matthew 7:24-27. By walking in the light. 1 John 1:6,7; John 11:9,10. Search the scriptures daily. Acts 17:11. Let whatsoever you do be done in faith. Romans 14:23. And by the authority of Christ. Colossians 3:17.

13. HOW CAN ONE KEEP FROM CAUSING ANOTHER TO STUMBLE? Love thy neighbor as thyself. Mark 12:30,31. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Matthew 7:12. Love God with all thy heart, strength and mind. Mark 12:30,31. Obey the Lord now, and lead others on a strait and narrow way. By offending not. Proverbs 18:19; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33; 8:13. By being a good example. 1 Timothy 4:12.

14. CONCLUSION: Why should you continue to stumble at the Lord's commands? 1 Peter 2:8. You can obey Him today and do away with that stumbling block. In your disobedience, you might be a stumbling block to others. Do not be a stumbling block and a rock of offence.