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I. THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE SO OFFENDED IN CHRIST THAT THEY NEVER, TRUST HIM AT ALL OR ACCEPT HIM AS THEIR SAVIOUR.

1. Some in His own day were offended with Him because of the humbleness of His appearance. They said, "He is the sun of a carpenter."

2. There are others who reject Him because of the fewness of His followers.

3. Some are offended with Christ because of the grandeur of His claims. He claims to be God.

4. Some are offended with our Lord because of His atonement.

5. Some are offended because of the graciousness of the gospel. They prefer works.

6. Some are offended because of the holiness of His precepts. They like liberty to sin.

II. THERE ARE SOME WHO JOIN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST WHO AFTER A TIME ARE OFFENDED.

1. Because the novelty wears off.

2. Because they thought that they were always going to be happy.

3. Because they have met an opposition they did not expect from their enemies.

4. Because they began to find that religion entailed more self-denial than they had reckoned upon.

5. Because of the hard speeches of those who ought to have encouraged them.

6. Because of the ill conduct of professors.

7. Through trials of providence.

III. THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE NOT OFFENDED IN CHRIST, AND THEY ARE DECLARED TO BE BLESSED.

1. Apart from anything else it is a blessed thing to have grace enough given you to hold fast to Christ under all circumstances.

2. Then you shall find a blessedness growing out of your fidelity,

3. But what blessedness awaits you.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

I. WHO ARE THE PERSONS THAT ARE OFFENDED AT CHRIST?

1. Those who discredit the authenticity of His Word.

2. Who deny the Divinity of His Person.

3. Who reject the efficacy of His atonement.

4. Wide despise the influences of His Spirit.

5. Who backslide from the profession of His name.

II. THE THINGS AT WHICH THEY ARE OFFENDED.

1. The meanness of His birth.

2. The sufferings of His life.

3. The simplicity of His doctrines,

4. The poverty of His followers.

5. The ignominy of His death.

III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT OFFENDED AT CHRIST.

1. Divine peace (Psalm 119.).

2. Divine comforts (Psalm 89:16).

3. Divine care (1 Peter 5:7).

4. Divine honours (1 Samuel 2:30).

5. Eternal reward,

6. To be offended at Christ displays the greatest ignorance.

(The Pulpit.)

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KJV: And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

WEB: Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."