WHAT ABOUT STUMBLING?

INTRO:

1. Stumbling comes from the Greek word "scandalon" and 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.

A. I remember, going barefoot, and stumbling over roots and rocks when I was a lad. I kept my big toes especially bruised and bleeding.

2. some falls can seriously injure, especially if you are up in age, some falls have actually been fatal.

3. It is a terrible thing to stumble.

4. It is also a terrible thing to cause one to stumble.

I. WHAT DOES THE LORD THINK OF STUMBLING?

A. Take time to read, Mt. 18:1-17; Lev. 19:14; and Isa. 57:14.

II. SOME EXAMPLES OF THOSE THAT STUMBLED.

A. Eve.

B. Adam.

C. Cain.

D. David.

E. Solomon.

F. Judas.

G. Jews.

III. WHO CAN STUMBLE?

A. Anyone. 1 Cor. 10:12.

B. Peter said that he would not stumble, but he did. Jno. 13:36-38; Mt. 26:33-35.

C. Christians. Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19,20.

IV. HOW CAN ONE STUMBLE?

A. Over silver and gold. Ezk. 7:19.

B. Over idols and iniquity. Ezk. 14:3-8; Isa. 59:1-15.

C. Over unbelief. Jno. 8:24; Heb. 12:1; Rom. 4:20.

D. Over failure to study God's word. Hos. 4:6; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16,17; 1 Pet. 2:8.

E. Over disobedience. Isa. 1:2-20; 1 Pet. 2:8

V. WHO CAN MAKE ONE STUMBLE?

A. Lawyers. Lk. 11:52. Preachers. Mt. 15:14; Mal. 2: 7,8.

B. Christ. 1 Cor. 1:23; Rom. 9:32,33.

C. Christians. 1 Cor. 8:9-13.

D. Fathers. Mt. 10:37.

E. Mothers. Mt. 10:37.

F. Wives. Mt. 10:37.

G. Children. Mt. 10:37.

H. Loved ones. Mt. 10:37.

VI. HOW CAN THEY CAUSE TO STUMBLE?

A. Teaching perverse doctrines. Mt. 15:8,9.

B. Deceiving the hearts of the simple. Gal. 1:6-10; Rom. 16:18.

C. By doing things that are worldly. 2 Pet. 2:20-22.

D. By failure to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:1-4.

1. Eli forfeited the priesthood by failing to correct his sons. 1 Sam. 2.

VII. WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THOSE THAT STUMBLE AND THOSE THAT CAUSED THEM TO STUMBLE?

A. It would be better to have a millstone about the neck and be cast into the sea. Mt. 18:6,7.

VIII. HOW CAN ONE KEEP FROM STUMBLING?

A. Love God's Law. Psa. 119:97-104, 165; 1:1-3.

B. Obey God's Law. Mt. 7:24-27.

1. By walking in the light. 1 Jno. 1:6,7; Jno. 11:9,10.

C. Search the scriptures daily. Acts 17:11.

D. Let whatsoever you do be done in faith. Rom. 14:23.

1. And by the authority of Christ. Col. 3:17.

IX. HOW CAN ONE KEEP FROM CAUSING ANOTHER TO STUMBLE?

A. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Mk. 12:30,31.

B. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Mt. 7:12.

C. Love God with all thy heart, strength and mind. Mk. 12:30,31.

D. Obey the Lord now, and lead one on a strait and narrow way.

E. By offending not. Prov. 18:19; 1 Cor. 10:23-33; 8:13.

F. By being a good example. 1 Tim. 4:12.

CONCLUSION:

1. Why should you continue to stumble at the Lord's commands? 1 Pet. 2:8.

2. You can obey Him today and do away with that stumblingblock.

3. In your disobedience, you might be stumblingblock to others.

4. Do not be a stumblingblock and a rock of offence.

Unknown Author

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