1. Luke 17:1-4 Do not be a stumbling block

2. 2 Stumbling block  skandalon (“a scandal”)  “occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends” (Strong)  A trap, snare, hindrance  “any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall” (Thayer)

3. 3 To avoid being a stumbling block… 1 Cor. 10:32-33  Remember that God wants all sinners saved, Luke 17:2 (1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9) We must never be a hindrance to someone’s salvation by our own sinful words, conduct or character, Titus 2:4-8; 1 Peter 2:11-12

4. 4 To avoid being a stumbling block… 1 Cor. 10:32-33  Mind the things of God, Matt. 16:21-23 Christian’s mind must be on things above, Colossians 3:1-2, 12-17 Heart (mind) of humility, Phil. 2:5 Mind to suffer rather than sin, 1 Pet. 4:1-2 Live acc. to the Spirit…submit to law of God, Romans 8:5-8 (Peter in Matt. 16:22)

5. 5 To avoid being a stumbling block… 1 Cor. 10:32-33  Remove every hindrance, Matt. 18:8-9 Do whatever is necessary not to sin and not to cause another person to sin! Sinless act that encourages one to violate his conscience, 1 Cor. 8:11-13 Sinful attitude or conduct, Matt. 5:27-30 (Rom. 13:14)  Repent and return to God

6. 6 To avoid being a stumbling block… 1 Cor. 10:32-33  Remember that God wants all sinners saved, Luke 17:2  Mind the things of God, Matthew 16:21-23  Remove every hindrance, Matthew 18:8-9

7. 7 A stumbling block to remove: Unwillingness to forgive, Lk. 17:3-4  Take heed: Jesus warns of the difficulty of forgiveness, 17:3 Rebuke the brother who sins against us Not the easy way (hurt, hold the hatred, gossip, backbite and hinder) Matt. 18:15-17 Effort is to convince sinner of his sin and bring him to repentance, 2 Tim. 4:2  God rebukes us out of love (Heb. 12:6)

8. 8 A stumbling block to remove: Unwillingness to forgive, Lk. 17:3-4  Take heed: If the sinner repents, forgive him, 17:3 Repent: Change of mind and conduct, 2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 26:20, 18 Tests our faith: “to release” debt (17:5) How? Follow the example of Christ, Eph. 4:31-5:2 (Lk. 23:34; Heb. 12:3)  Christ is ready to forgive every sinner!

9. 9 A stumbling block to remove: Unwillingness to forgive, Lk. 17:3-4  Take heed: If I do not forgive the repentant sinner I become a stumbling block to them and I lose my soul! God forgives repentant sinners  Failure to forgive the repentant fornicator at Corinth could have cast him into a pit of overwhelming despair, 2 Cor. 2:6-7

10. 10 A stumbling block to remove: Unwillingness to forgive, Lk. 17:3-4  Do not grow weary: The repetitive nature of forgiveness, 17:4 Tempted to judge motives, to become bitter and thus withhold our forgiveness cf. God and Israel, Matthew 23:37 (“how often”); God and us We will be forgiven as we forgive others, Matt. 6:14-15 (Col. 3:12-13)

11. 11 Do not be a stumbling block!  Shows you love the lost (Rom. 10:1)  Shows you love the weak in conscience (1 Cor. 8:13)  Shows you love your soul (Lk. 17:2)  Faith is needed to keep from being a stumbling block (Lk. 17:5)