Intro. Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:4-9
1. Offense: A cause of sin; "a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare…--occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumbling block" (Strong's).
2. "any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall" (Thayer, 577), Lev. 19:14; (Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:7-8; 1 Cor. 1:23).
3. Allurement, enticement to sin, Matt. 18:6.
4. Who is a stumbling block? How can I be a stumbling block? How do I avoid being one?

I. HOW I BECOME A STUMBLING BLOCK.
A. By Minding the Things of Men instead of God, Matt. 16:21-23; Rom. 8:6-8 (Col. 3:1-2).
B. Through a Lack of Love, 1 Jno. 2:10-11.
C. By having an Overestimate of Oneself (Conceit), 1 Cor. 8:1-3.

II. IDENTIFYING STUMBLING BLOCKS FROM THE SCRIPTURES.
A. Preventing People from Coming to Jesus is a Stumbling Block, Matt. 19:13-15; 3 Jno. 9-10.
B. A False Teacher, Rom. 16:17.
C. An Ungodly Influence, 1 Cor. 15:33.
D. Misusing a Liberty, 1 Cor. 8:9-13; 10:31-33.
E. Judging Liberties, Rom. 14:13.
F. Refusing to Always Forgive, Lk. 17:1-5.
G. Binding Human Opinions, Matt. 23:4.
H. Urging and Condoning Sinful Conduct is a Stumbling Block, Rev. 2:14.

III. THE SPIRITUAL DANGER OF BEING A STUMBLING BLOCK, Matt. 18:6-9.
A. Stumbling Blocks in World are Inevitable.
B. Perils to Oneself & Others, Matt. 18:6.
C. Punishment, Matt. 18:6-7; 13:41-42.
D. Prevention, Matt. 18:8-9.

By Joe R. Price

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