Introduction: The Word of God is the most remarkable Book of the World. It is the inspired, inerrant, infallible, and indestructible Word of God. Man does not need new revelations. A man could dedicate his entire to learn all there is to learn about this Book and would never touch the hem of the garment.

This Psalm is not in this place by accident. It is located at almost the middle of the Bible. The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. As you may or may not know, the middle verse of the Bible is Psalm 118:8 which says: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." The middle of the middle verse of the Bible is these two words "the Lord".

This Psalm paints the greatest pictures of the Word of God. It calls the Word these names "thy Word", "precepts", "commandments", "law", testimonies" and "statues". I saw a two or three book commentary on this Psalm a few years ago that amazed me in that someone took a long period of time studying this great Psalm.

One person likened this psalm unto a long prayer. I would agree with that assessment in that you can find much to use as a basis for prayer. Let me quickly cite an example before preceding to my message. Psalm 119:9 says "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." You could use this verse as a prayer. "Lord, I want my life to be clean before you. Help me heed the plain teaching of thy Word." Praying back the Word of God is the highest form of praying I know. You are speaking His Words when you do that. I could spend the next few hours giving example after example of this type of praying but that is not my message today.

Let's look at some blessed truths from our test. In these verses we see a man with:

1. An Adoration for the Scriptures vs. 162-164

vs. 167

David just could not get enough of the Bible. The Lord used him to write many of the Psalms. I do not believe that David ever realized how God was going to use these Psalms in the lives of people for centuries after his death and for all eternity. This man is plain in declaring his love for the Bible. vs. 97

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”

vs. 127

“Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”

You can not love the Word of God too much. You can read the Word of God too much. You can memorize the Word of God too much. You can not mediate upon the Word of God too much. I do not ever remember someone being accused of doing these activities with the exception of doing on the job when you should be working or neglecting your duties in your home. Most of the time we do too little. Then we wonder why young people do not love and use the Word of God in their lives as they ought. It is because they have had an example of too little in their lives. On the sign of one of the local churches was this saying some time back: "One ounce of example is worth a ton of advice."

2. An addiction to the scriptures vs. 164

Addiction means to apply one's self habitually or to devote time and attention by customary or constant practice. In other words, you cannot live without it. Most of the time we think of addictions in the negative sense. People are addicted to drugs which includes cigarettes and coffee. John Swain said many times that cigarettes was the first drug that most addicts are addicted. Some people would die, or so they would lead you to think, if you would not ever let them never smoke again. This is not an anti-tobacco message but if the shoes fits, wear it or if your phone rings answer it. I was dealing with a dear friend of mine who is addicted to cigarettes. She had just had an episode of chest pains. I reminded her that one day she would be looking face to face with Jesus.

He would tell her that He wanted to use her longer on the earth but she killed herself slowly.

One of those folks who is super smart said that if you would do anything for thirty days without fail that thing would become an habit. It should be our habit that we read this Book every day. If you do not, then take the thirty day challenge. Work a plan or plan to fail. Do it seven days a week without fail and you will be addicted to the Bible. It is our food, fortune, fellowship and foundation. We call ourselves Bible believers yet do not read it enough to understand its simplest doctrines. When I was in Bible Institute, I would mess up one doing simple task at times. Mr. Anderson, who was probably one of the most godly men I have ever known, would have this timeless advice: "If all else fails, Mr. Walls, read the instructions." I want to apply that advice in this matter this way: "Before all else fails, read the Instructions." After all the Bible is the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

I have heard new parents make this statement: "Child rearing would be easier if the child came with instructions." Why, they did. It is called the Bible, especially the book of Proverbs.

Get hooked starting today on the Word of God. I could spend the rest of the message on this introductory note but it is time to move forward.

3. An Application of the Scriptures. vs. 166-168

We find the command to be saved. Salvation is impossible apart from the Word of God.

Rom. 10:17

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

We find the comfort of being sanctified When you keep the Word of God, it will set you apart from this world's ways, wisdom, wants and wages.

John 17:17

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

We find the companionship of Blessed Sovereignty. The Lord knows what lays ahead. We need not to worry or fret. He knows and He cares for us even in the moments of greats periods of trials, temptations and what some people call tragedies. Mt. 28:20

“lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Heb. 13:5-6

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Well, we have covered all the verses of our text except one. Look at verse 165. Pay particular attention to it. It is the basis of my message today. Look at it with me. In fact, let's say it out loud. "Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them." As I was working on this message, there was a phrase that jumped out at me. The phrase, "great peace", is it. Not just peace but great peace. Not just little peace but great peace. Not even much peace but great peace.

There is another word that is important to our message today. It is the word "offend." It is the reason why many people leave churches. It is rare today for people to leave Independent Baptist churches with the exception of moving to another area that they leave for doctrinal issues. They usually leave for the reason that they were offended. The word "offend" means to stumble over, fall because of something in the way; feelings to be hurt and affect the life; to put stumbling block in the way, upon which another may trip and fall; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority; to cause one to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another.

Put in your mind's eye someone whom you knew in times past who was going to set the woods on fir for Jesus. This is the man that said to the entire world, "Come and see my zeal for the Lord." This is the same man who convinced the preacher, the church and everybody who knew him that now that he was on the side of God and good that the war against evil would surely be won. But somehow this man had such a "glorious" and "dramatic" conversion is now at home watching television on prayer meeting night. He got his feelings hurt over some good and straight forward Bible message and said, I quit." In my short years of ministry as a pastor, I have heard numerous of people in revival meetings make the same bold claims. I remember in particular one such person who proclaimed his sin before the people and then on the Sunday following the meeting was going to a sporting event and was not even in the house of God whatsoever that day. Something is wrong with that picture. Be careful, be every careful what you say you are going to do for the Lord, for someone besides God usually hears it and could go to Hell because you failed on your end of the bargain.

Today I want to give you three thoughts on this subject:

"NOTHING SHALL OFFEND THEM".

I. THE CAUSES WHICH PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED

A. Preaching on the family Mt. 10:36-37

“And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

1. Our kinfolk have failed and somewhere a preacher who is faithful and true to the Book is going to deal with the sins of our family. If I never ring your phone as a family on occasion, then I am not true to the Book. There are times when I preach to myself and my family over Bible issues.

2. Many people have left a good church because the pastor preached against the sins of some rebellious teen-age child or because their relatives are members of some liberal church

that was denounced by the plain teaching of the Bible by the pastor.

If I stay by the Book, and I have tried to do so faithfully all the years of my ministry, let it be your guide for any other influence will lead to ruin. Several thoughts comes to mind as I am writing my messages for you today. The rich young ruler allowed his riches influence for eternity. This is what Jesus said. Mt. 8:19-22

“And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

Luke 9:62

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

B. Preaching on Finances

Someone said "the touchiest nerve in a Baptist's body is the one that runs from his wallet to his heart. If you want to kill a Baptist, shoot him in the wallet." Some of the quietest services I have ever seen or even preached was during messages on finances.

1. Where you give is important

Mal. 3:10

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

The local church is God's storehouse for the believer. You worship here. You dedicated your children here. Many people will be have their funeral preached in church. To give to

another organization before giving your tithes and offering to the church is like eating at Ryan's and paying for it at Golden Corral.

2. When you give it is important

1 Cor. 16:2

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

3. What you give is important

Mal. 3:8

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

Some people tip the Lord instead of tithe. Without trying to brag, my wife and I taught our children that they ought to tithe their allowance. Seth is faithful every two weeks after getting his allowance to bring me his tithing envelope to put the information on it for him.

In fact, some people tip the waitress more than they give to God. What a shame. After all, you have a free salvation and a home in heaven. Why should you be a God robber by withholding your tithes to the Lord? If you withhold your tithes, God calls you a thief and robber.

4. Why you give is important

Mt. 6:1

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

I tithe in gratitude to God and that the ministry of Freedom Baptist Church may go forth as it ought. Tithing was the one area in my life in which I struggled over many years.

I was an infrequent tither for many years. I had to ask the Lord to forgive me of my sin of robbery. I used the same excuses that many people used. I did not make much money. I really did not make that much. So I used my excuse to be an infrequent tither. About 13-14 years ago, we settled this sin with God as a family. God has blessed ever since. Yes, I still have had money problems at times. My cars have broken down many times but in the past 13-14 years, I have never taken my tithes and used it for some other "good" purpose. In fact, after I regularly started tithing, God moved me in greater areas of ministry to include to bring me to this place I call my church home.

Lee Roberson says "Tithing is the subject that reveals your heart." How true, how true.

C. Preaching on Faithfulness 1 Cor. 4:2

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a

man be found faithful.”

It is odd that people would expect more out of a car, lawn mower, or washing machine than they do out of themselves. If your car failed to run three times a month, you would probably get rid of it. If your lawn mower would only start one out of three times, you probably scrap it and buy a new one. If your washing machine would fail four or more times a month, you would not let it clutter up your utility room, you would be trying to figure out a way to get another one.

But you call yourself a Christian and a believer in Jesus Christ yet fail to show up for church. You expect the preacher to be faithful. You even expect the preacher's family to be faithful. Why set standards for them that you will not do?

One lady got offended one time and quit church because the preacher could not remember her name from one Easter to the next. If you don't believe me, ask some other preachers or pastor's families if that would not be so.

If everyone was as faithful as me, how faithful would they be? Good question, isn't it?

Psalm 101:6

“Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”

D. Preaching on the Fires of Hell

Old fashioned hell fire and brimstone preachers are being faithful to the Bible when they preach on those subjects. We are living in the era of the purpose driven churches. They

will not preach on this subject because it offends people. I am sorry but Jesus Christ, the greatest preacher that ever was, preached twice as much about Hell than He ever did about Heaven. People who reject Christ as their Saviour are standing condemned and need only one heartbeat to stop from going there.

I am a watchman for the souls of men. Some people have told me over the years that it was not any of my business if they went to heaven or hell. MY reply to that it is my business. God wants to faithfully proclaim the whole counsel of God which includes messages on Hell. Eze. 3:17-18

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”

E. Preaching on fashions

I have seen almost more people offended and mad over preaching on fashions than most another subject. When a preacher starts preaching on modest apparel on both men and

women, people start fidget and some will allow themselves to be offended. Our bodies are the temple of God. What kind of advertisement are you for Jesus? I don't beat people to death

with this subject like I used to hear in the early years of my life as a believer. But what you wear can reveal whose you are. I don't require men to wear suits. I do require my boys to wear a tie on Sundays but it is not a requirement of the men of this church.

Ladies and gentlemen, it does matter what you wear as a believer when you are in the public’s eye. If you are wearing clothes that reveal areas that should not be revealed, you are sinning against the Lord and telling this world that there is no difference between you and the world.

Modesty is word that has been cut out of the dictionary in most people's homes. You cannot be too modest. Here is a simple formula for a believer to use in deciding whether or not some

clothing is right for them to wear in public: "If I met Jesus on the street right now, would He approve or reprove me?" That can be the acid test.

Let me give one postscript before preceding. I do not make this type of preaching a major topic in my preaching. Some preachers try to find things on church members to preach on. I do believe in clean and holy living and I believe that believers should dress right but it will not be the main thrust of my preaching. I have known some woman who had dresses below

their knees and hair all the way down their backs who will cut you with their tongues like a two-edged sword. I have known some men who were clean shaven, short hair, suit wearing and spit shined shoes who had a bad attitude against everyone and won no one to Christ.

II. THE COST OF BEING OFFENDED

A. You sacrifice your communion with the Lord.

Hos. 5:6 “They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.” Nothing and no one should cut your communion with the Lord. If you allow someone or something to do that, then that becomes greater than the Lord in your life. It ought to be our greatest desire to want to spend that quality time with Him. He should be the first one we speak to each morning and the last one at nights.

B. You suffer chastisement. Hos. 5:15

I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.”

I realize that some times Bible preaching is hard to swallow and it wounds us. But if the preacher is straight with the Book, then let it drive you to your knees and not out the door.

I remember a pastor that I sat under for three years make this statement so many times that I cannot venture a guess: "If you don't like what I am preaching that there is 26 windows and 14 doors, hit it." You should have heard the AMENs he would get and I was probably one of them. When God brought this to my remembrance, I asked the Lord to forgive me of that ungodly attitude.

Yes, some preaching is tough, but to be offended opens the door to chastisement. I have been on the receiving end of the chastening hand of God. It is never pleasant or nice. Some times it can very physical. In my case, it was. One of my desire as a pastor is to help you avoid being chastened by God. Don't allow the preaching to offend you. I do not want to be know as a preacher who deliberately runs people off for the pure joy of doing so. NO, I will not excuse your sin. No, I will compromise the Bible in order to keep you. Yes, I hate sin. But I desire that you will not suffer the chastening hand of God.

C. You sin the result of your sin in children.

Ex. 20:5

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me”

In the Book of 2 Chronicles, we find three kings mentioned in particular setting. Uzziah was a good king whom the Bible says that he did what was right before the Lord. But one day, he allowed this to go to his head. He decided to come into the temple and burn incense upon the altar of incense. This was a duty plainly spelled out by the Lord as a duty of

the priest. When he bullied his way to do this, God gave him leprosy that very moment. He died a leper. After his death, his son, Jotham reigned. The Bible also says that he did that

which was right in the sight of the Lord but he did not go to the temple. In other words, he was offended.

When he died after reigning for 16 years, his son Ahaz reigned. The Bible says he did not that was right in the sight of the Lord. Not only did he not go to the temple, 2 Chron. 28:24

tells us that he shut the doors of the temple after taking out all the vessels in the temple and cutting them up. See the result of what happens when sin enters in.

This pauses me to think. Is this church one generation away from closing its doors? If we fail and become offended at the plain Bible teaching that we know is true, we will see the result in our grand children.

III. THE CURE FOR BEING OFFERED

A. Fall in love with the Word.

Psa. 119:11

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

When this Book becomes more important than our feelings, then we have got closer to the Lord and further from the devil. Here is the attitude that a believer needs in their lives daily: "Yes, Lord, your servant heareth and will obey." This is not blind obedience but Biblical obedience. This is not careless or carnal obedience but Christ-like obedience. Make it a practice to do what the Book says first in our lives and God will bless. Mt. 6:33

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

B. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Isa. 26:3

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Isa. 31:1

“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”

Heb. 12:2

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

You will never go wrong to this very concept. He will keep you from being offended. Forget those who may want to cause you to be offended. He took every lie, slander, gossip,

accusation and slight without coping an attitude. When we keep our eyes upon Jesus, this world grows strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

C. Realize that you are far better off than you deserve. Ezra 9:13

“And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this”

Psa. 103:10

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.”

If we would have gotten justice, then we would surely went to hell. But we got mercy from the blood of the Lamb. Why should we allow our feelings be offended and move away from God's perfect will. We are better off under God's protection than be offended and suffer the judgment of God in our lives.

D. Reckon yourself death in Christ.

Rom. 6:11

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Dead men are never offended. If we are died in Christ then we cannot be offended.

Gal. 2:20

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Conclusion: During the revival, will we allow the preaching to offend us or help us? The choice is ours to make. God always gives the best who leave the choices to HIM.