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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