1. Responsibility and Influence “When am I a stumbling block?”
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2. “When am I a stumbling block?”
Matt. 16:23; Lk. 17:1-2; Rom. 16:17; 14:13; 1 Cor. 10:31-33
Passages
But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16:23)
- Peter did not hurt Jesus’ feelings, but presented Jesus with a plan that would cause Jesus to sin (offense).
- Peter sinned just by presenting an occasion to sin, even though Jesus did not follow it.
- Any time we sin (what we do or what we encourage others to do), we are an offense to them even if they resist the temptation we presented.
Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1-2)
- This death is better than facing the punishment of leading someone else to sin
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. (Romans 16:17 NKJV)
- “Offend” involves things that are contrary to the doctrine vs roday “offend” usually means “I don’t like it.”
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. (Romans 14:13)
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NKJV)
- Two new phrases “stumbling block” and “cause to fall”---not to merely trip over but to fall over.
- Just to put it in their way is a problem, whether or not they fall.
- In these chapters, Paul is talking about topics which are matters of liberty but believed to be sinful—do not cause others to do something they believe is sinful (even if you know it is not sinful).

3. “When am I a stumbling block?”
Common questions
1. When does God hold me responsible for contributing to the sins of others?
2. What if I do what is right and someone sins in response?
3. What if I do something permitted (liberty) and it causes someone to sin, but I was not aware?
1. When does God hold me responsible for contributing to the sins of others?
A. Any time I sin and others know of it
B. Any time I contribute to someone doing something that is sinful (show it, suggest it, not warn against)
C. Any time I contribute to someone doing something they believe is sinful (even if isn’t sinful)
D. correct mistaken views of 1 Thess. 5:22
i. appearance (KJ), form (NKJ, ESV, ASV), kind (NIV)
ii. not saying avoid anything anyone might think is a sin—Jesus was right to associate with sinners with the goal of convincing, rebuking, and exhorting them but some tried to use it against Him.
iii. Paul is teaching us to avoid everything that is sin, and in other verses teaches us to avoid something if we know it will cause someone to stumble, not if it might offend some unknown people.
2. What if I do what is right and someone sins in response? I am in good company--Jesus!
3. What if I do something permitted (liberty) and it causes someone to sin, but I was not aware?
A. 1 Cor. 10 Paul deals with liberties when we are aware of their influence on others
B. We cannot know everything about others but need to act consistent with what we know and continue knowing each other better.

4. “When am I a stumbling block?”
Areas of common discussion
Other areas equally important

5. Responsibility and Influence “When am I a stumbling block?”
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What is God’s influence in my life?