Luke 17:1
Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (NKJV)

Today, multitudes of Christians are not serving God. They attend no local church or do so only occasionally. They will not make a commitment to any church. They come, but they don’t serve. They receive spiritual food but don’t give money. They call when they’re in trouble, but they never serve others. These are the offended ones. Somewhere down the line they have been scandalized. The trap was baited, and they picked up the offence. The door slammed shut and they’ve been trapped ever since. They carry their offence everywhere they go. It’s their excuse for not going on with God. They quickly tell you, “We’ve been so HURT in Church.” They can tell you the details of how they were offended by a Pastor, a sermon, a brother, sister or church leader; how they didn’t like the vison, the direction, some prophecy...but the bottom line is always the same...they are offended and have no part of serving Kingdom purposes. Failing to realize that “offences must come”, they seek a place where there are no offences. They long to find a place of rest where no word will upset them and where all the people are pleasant and polite. But Jesus Himself says such a place doesn’t exist. -Bob Mumford
 
The issue is not whether or not we will be offended; the issue is how will we respond to offenses? 

Offense Against God
 
Matthew 11:6
“And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (NKJV)
 
Matthew 11:6
“And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me.” (ESV)
 
Mark 14:27
“All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night…” (NKJV)

Mark 14:29
Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. (KJV)

If someone as great as Peter, could be offended by Jesus, we should realize it can happen to us!
 
Mark 3:21
But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” (NKJV)

Mark 6:2-3
And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. (NKJV)

John 11:21
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (NKJV)

Mark 10:22
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (NKJV)

John 6:61
When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?” (NKJV)

John 6:66
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (NKJV)

If we want to follow Jesus, make Him Lord, and be His disciple, we’re going to have to learn how to not to be offended by Him!
 
John 16:1
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. (KJV)
 
Offense Against Others
 
Luke 17:1-5
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. (NKJV)

Not 7 times, but 70 X 7!

If you are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, you’re going to have to make up your mind to live in never ending forgiveness!
 
Luke 15:5
…Increase our faith. (NKJV)

The only time the disciples asked Jesus to “increase their faith” was when Jesus told them what they needed to do in order to overcome offense!
 
Everyone says that forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have someone to forgive. -C.S. Lewis

Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free…and then realizing you were the prisoner. -Max Lucado

Matthew 24:10
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. (NKJV)

Mark 11:24-25
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. (NKJV)

The Lords Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.