The Shoulder, The Cheeks and The Stomach Part 1

[0:00] Hallelujah! We thank God you've tuned into this message by David Entry at Caris Church. No hand can help you with the fulfillment of your destiny but the Word of God.

[0:11] May God's hand align you further into your destiny through this word. Exodus 18, verse 3. And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the mouth, which is the belly, stomach.

[0:47] So he said, this shall be the priest's due. Jesus is our high priest. He said, this is what the people shall give from those who offer a sacrifice.

[1:03] You know, interestingly, this fasting time, the word sacrifice has been very consistent. It's been very, very consistent. Sacrifice, sacrifice. Yesterday we spoke about sacrifice in a very powerful way.

[1:16] Because yesterday's reading says that sacrifices and burnt offerings you did not desire. Psalm 51.

[1:27] God didn't desire sacrifices and burnt offerings. So somebody will be thinking, ah, but as I said, God works with sacrifice. So when you give a sacrifice, God can move.

[1:39] But here it says sacrifice. You didn't desire a new king, just please. You didn't desire that for you do not desire sacrifice.

[1:50] Else I would have given it after he really sinned so bad. He said, if you sacrifice you, I will give you. I can easily do this. I can easily do that. He said, but God didn't desire it.

[2:01] So I explained that what God needs from you is not just an activity. Because somebody can come and give to God. But it doesn't mean that's what God is looking for.

[2:14] Religion depends on the activities. Spirituality doesn't depend on the activity. Spirituality depends on the state of the heart which bears a certain activity.

[2:26] If it's in your heart, it will show. So he says that that's not what God is looking for. That's not the kind of sacrifice he's looking for. Then he says that true sacrifice, the sacrifice God is looking for, verse 17, is a broken and a contrite spirit or heart.

[2:42] The sacrifice of God are a broken spirit and a broken and a contrite heart. A heart that is broken. Broken because of breaking God's law or because of distance from God or because of we have done our own thing.

[3:02] But now we are coming back to God. Lord, have mercy on me. It's a brokenness of heart. It facilitates your fasting. How come you are fasting but there are some things you are fast holding on to it?

[3:17] Two days ago I said, if you don't let your ex go, you are not ready for your next level. To go to the next level, leave your ex.

[3:32] And it's not only relationship. There are things that are in your past that must be buried. Where? In your past. So that's the sacrifice. Then look.

[3:43] The verse 18 continues to highlight more on there. It says that then you shall, after the heart is broken, it says then you shall be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness.

[3:55] You see, God actually accepts sacrifices by one's sacrifices of righteousness. Then you'll be pleased with sacrifice. So don't say God doesn't take sacrifice. He does!

[4:06] But it's not the activity he's looking for. He's looking for the state of the heart first. And that state of the heart, when he provokes some things, God respects it in a very unique way.

[4:17] So we see, sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. It means that somebody's about to cross to a big space. So in Deuteronomy chapter 18, it says that this is what they shall bring to the priest.

[4:31] It says that the priest, this is before, as they offer sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, they shall give unto the priest the shoulder.

[4:42] Let's say the shoulder. And the two cheeks, let's say the two cheeks. Or the cheeks. Let's say the cheeks. And the stomach.

[4:53] And I explained the shoulder to be, Jesus said that, Come unto me all you that heavy lady and I'll give you rest. It said the government shall be upon the shoulders. And he says, Jesus said to the Pharisees, I think Matthew 23, you put heavy burdens on the shoulders of men.

[5:08] So the shoulder stands for weight and burden. And then now the cheeks, the cheeks stand for, in Isaiah 50 verse 6.

[5:20] Thank you, Jesus. I gave my back to the smithers and my cheeks to them that pluck of the hair. Okay, Jesus said, Matthew chapter 5, Matthew chapter 5 verse 39, it says that when somebody strikes you on the cheek, whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn the other side.

[5:42] You know, so the cheek stands for offense, place of offense, the place of where you have been offended. You have to give it away. You can't expect to go to your next level with harboring this bitterness and offense.

[5:56] Sometimes where your greatest blessing is going to come from, offense will meet you there. The place of your greatest blessing can be the place where offense comes first.

[6:08] And if it is God who is going to bless you, he will charge you and grace you to overcome the offense. Just that some of us, we don't want to let go. We don't want to let go.

[6:20] It's interesting, Pastor O was speaking about offense or something like that. She spoke heavily. I didn't even know. Later on, when she saw the notes, I said, oh, I wasn't there. I wasn't there when she was there.

[6:32] I didn't see the notes. The next day, she said, I was speaking about the same thing. How beautiful is the grace of God upon us. When God really wants to bless you, he will expose you to what will help you move forward in life.

[6:47] So, he says, the cheek is the offense. The cheek's offense. Is it possible you are ready for your next level? But your offense has captured you.

[7:01] Offense has captured you. Satan always thrives in a territory of offense. What did I say? Yeah. He thrives.

[7:11] Yeah. He thrives. He's able to breathe in the grounds of offense.

[7:22] Where there is offense, Satan thrives very well. Never forget this. Nobody gets blessed exceptionally with bitterness in their hearts.

[7:34] So, that's why you'll be hearing me say that I'm done with this place of bitterness. Some of us, bitterness has blocked you. And it's not the devil.

[7:45] It's just bitterness is working. Most people die prematurely because of the heart of offense. Offense can even create a room for sicknesses to come in. Yes.

[7:58] Brothers and sisters, one of my blessings in life is I'm not carrying offense. But sometimes when God wants to alleviate you, he will separate you anyway.

[8:10] He will allow you to be isolated because so no one takes the credit. God just likes to. I don't know who I'm talking to. God likes to take the credit. But the close friends who lie on you and say, or sometimes you will be shocked if someone should hurt you.

[8:28] It's not this person. If Jesus has kept offense in his heart, because what Judas did to Jesus was not nice. Yes. Judas. The one who was supposed to be close to you, not knowing he was killing you.

[8:41] And it happens a lot in life, especially in ministry. Those of you want to do well in anointing. If you want to do well with the anointing of God, get ready. Somebody close.

[8:53] No fire. Somebody close will betray you. Somebody close. You will find out later. So he said, the one who I share my bread with has lifted his heel against me.

[9:05] Let an enemy do it. But that is how oil works. Oil works when you have conquered an offense. So that's what he says on the cross.

[9:16] He said, forgive them. If he had not said forgive them, he wouldn't have resurrected. Oh yes. So he died offense free. He died.

[9:27] Offense is like lead. Weight. It's a weight. You can't swim with weights. You drown. So Jesus said, Father, forgive them.

[9:39] Father, forgive them. And so when he died, death could not hold him. God, there's nothing the enemy can use to hold him. He just floated back when it's time to resurrect.

[9:51] When is your time to resurrect? When is your time to be lifted? When is your time to cross the Red Sea? When is your time to leave Egypt? There will not be anything the enemy will have to hold you.

[10:02] So that's why I said sacrifice. Sometimes letting offense go is your biggest sacrifice. It's not just the money. Letting offense go.

[10:15] The older you are, the more dangerous it is to keep offense. Because you don't have much time. You don't have much time. And your natural composition constitutes.

[10:29] Your frame is getting frail. The older you are, the weaker you become. Did you know that? It's just common sense.

[10:41] Biology. That's just the... The older you are, the weaker you become. And offense has a way of eating you and making you weaker from the inside.

[10:54] So already physically you are getting weak. And you are facilitating it with internal weakness. Wow. So, as we are fasting, maybe God is calling somebody to a higher ground.

[11:13] I'm done with bitterness. I'm done with offense. One of the things I found out about offense is offense is a choice. You can always choose to be.

[11:27] It depends on your perspective. Offense operates with perspective. So, somebody can look at you and say that, Oh, this is your jacket. It doesn't look nice at all.

[11:40] And you won't be offended. We live in a generation that is very fake. Fake. So fake. But offense is hurting you. There are people who are...

[11:51] Can you imagine you are... This is even the worst thing. You are in church listening to a pastor you are offended in. No, no, no. I know some of you are saying, Aye, but it happens a lot.

[12:01] Think about it. Think about it. Listening to a pastor who is praying for you, Who is laying hands on you. And you are already offended. When they lay their hands on you, Rather, it turns to something different.

[12:14] So, when we are doing anointing service, Just in case you are offended in me or in the church, It's better you don't come. Because it might not relieve you. Are you guys know what I'm saying?

[12:26] This time of fasting, Sacrifice and give your cheeks to the priest. Give your cheeks.

[12:37] Let it go. It's not adding to you. So, don't only give your bedding. Give your cheeks too. Give your cheeks.

[12:49] Sometimes, Somebody, you were told, You were warned that that cheek in your life is not good. Let her go. And you are offended. So, since that time, You are offended in the pastor.

[13:01] Give those cheeks away and let the cheeks go. Some people, what they don't like is to be told the truth. Or to be corrected. Offenses are on the rise.

[13:11] Because Satan is putting more people in prison. Offense, They are calves. Satan will give it to you.

[13:22] And then you yourself put it on your hand. And some people, It's not only their hands. They are calves. And they themselves have added their legs. So, they are walking like this. Shackles.

[13:34] They've carved their legs and their arms together. You yourself. But you are done with that place. You are done, You are done with the place of offense.

[13:46] In the name of Jesus. And then finally, Stomach. Belly. Their God is their belly.

[13:57] Philippians 3, 19. What does the belly signify? Stomach means appetite. Your desire. Your desire. Your appetite. Yeah.

[14:10] The things you want. Your lust. Yes. Lust is one of the bad things that interfere with our traction in God.

[14:23] Our speed in God. Your lust. Great Exodus. I'm done with lust. I'm done with lust. I'm done with ungodly appetite.

[14:36] I'm done with ungodly appetite. I'm done with ungodly desires. Don't be offended. I'm done. I'm done with fantasies.

[14:49] Fantasies. I don't understand why. I'm done with this place. And you're only thinking about problems. But what has been welcoming and hosting the problem, you want to keep it.

[15:02] Do you understand? The things that are hosting your problems. Talking about the appetite. Appetites. The offense. You know, those burdens.

[15:14] They are the ones that host the problems of your life. So you can't be done with this place when the main host is in place. You are turning on the heat.

[15:27] But all the doors and the windows are open. And draft is coming. Not even draft. The actual cold is coming in the place. And you say, I'm cold. I'm cold. I'm cold. I'm cold.

[15:40] Am I talking to somebody? So when you are saying, I'm done with this place. You should also have in mind. Some things you are not going back. I won't go back.

[15:52] I can go back. To the way it used to be. Before your presence came and saved me. I won't go back.

[16:03] I will go back. I can go back. To the way it used to be. Before your presence came and saved me.

[16:19] You can't go back. You cannot go back. This is your best season. In the entirety of your life. This is your best season.

[16:33] One of the things that can also help you sometimes. Instead of blaming others. Blame your appetite and your choices. Blame your appetite and your choices.

[16:45] Until you take responsibility. You won't be free from that pit. Take responsibility. Know that you contributed to falling into that pit. And take responsibility. Did you understand?

[16:56] Don't ask for break from service. You may break. Don't ask for break from service. Tell someone. It looks like this is a prophetic word for you.

[17:13] Sometimes you are the architect. And the engineer. Of where you are. Until you stop blaming others. And taking responsibility.

[17:27] A pastor. Your church is not growing. And you are upset with people who have left. They are gone. And you are very upset. If they are not left. My church wouldn't have been like this. But they have left.

[17:39] Start taking responsibility for the state of the church. Envy. Trust God. Let it go. You can't change the matter.

[17:50] Trust God. Today's reading. Very interesting part. It says that. I think the verse 5. Yeah. The verse 5 or so. God shall likewise destroy thee forever.

[18:03] He shall take thee away. And pluck thee out of the dwelling place. And the root of thee shall. Then look at verse 6 now. Verse 6 is the one I'm looking for. The righteous shall see it and fear.

[18:15] And shall laugh at him. The one who says to me. I don't need God. I don't need God. It doesn't matter. The righteous. Look at verse 7. You. He said. No. This is the man that made.

[18:28] Made not God his strength. But trusted in the abundance of his. Strengthing himself with his weakness. He trusts in the abundance of his riches.

[18:42] You are saving and saving and saving. It's good to save. Please. I believe in saving so much. But don't trust in your riches. Don't trust in your savings. Trust in God. And keep saving.

[18:54] Trust in God. And keep saving. So it gets to a time. When God even puts a demand on your saving. Your trust is not in the saving. Your trust is in God. Yeah.

[19:07] Trust in. And look at. Look at the next verse. It said. But I'm like a green olive tree. In the house. That's what should be your story. So by the time. By the time.

[19:18] This fasting is finishing. You. You should say to yourself. I'm like a green olive tree. The olive tree. Is not intimidated by weather conditions.

[19:31] Weather conditions. Listen. He said. I am like a green olive tree. In the house. The green there. Talks about. Evergreen. Evergreen. Fresh. Flourishing. In the house.

[19:43] In other words. I'm not moving on. I'm not moving anywhere. I'm rooted in church. When it's time for church. You'll find me somewhere else. When it's time for church.

[19:55] You'll find me somewhere else. So I'm like a green. But that's not even my focus. But that's a strong one. It takes a certain determination. And sacrifice. To be that kind of description. Like a green olive tree.

[20:06] But look at the next one. He says that. Oh no. No. No. No. I trust. While somebody is trusting in riches. While somebody is trusting in riches.

[20:19] Or the verse 7. While somebody is trusting in abundance of riches. He said. As for me. I trust in the message of God. I trust in the message of God.

[20:29] I trust in the message of God. I trust in the message of God. I trust in the message of God. I trust in the message of God. I trust in the message of God.

[20:40] That is why I can boldly say, I'm done with this place. I'm done with this place. It might look gloomy, but I know God is with me because I trust in the message of God.

[20:54] I trust in the message of God. So shall it be for you in the name of Jesus. Someone who trusts in the message of God, shall mercy. I trust in the message of God.

[21:10] I trust in the message of God. When I read it today, it blessed my heart so much. I trust in the message of God. I trust in the message of God, not just for this season, but forever, forever, forever, forever.

[21:28] I trust in the message of God. So we are going to pray in a moment, shortly. We are going to pray, God, I hand over my burdens.

[21:39] First Peter chapter 5 verse 7 says, casting all your care upon him. I hand over my burdens. I hand over my appetite. I hand over my offenses.

[21:51] Maybe sometimes your offense might not even be in church. It might be in your family. You still carry pain and bitterness against somebody in your family, against your wife, against your husband.

[22:04] Can I advise you, if you are a couple and you are believing God for the fruit of the womb, don't give place for offense. Don't give place for offense. One of the things that fights fertility between a husband and wife is offense between that husband and wife.

[22:19] When there is tension. Offense. You are believing God for your children to do well. But every time husband and wife are arguing and fighting, and you can tell there is bitterness in their heart.

[22:33] And there is always the opportunity to be offended. The problem is, if you trust in God, the one through whom the offense comes is in trouble.

[22:46] Yeah. He said, Luke 17, it's not possible the offenses will not come, but the one through whom he comes. It's serious. It's not possible the offense, but the one through him comes.

[22:57] So, you have to trust God and leave God to do the judgments. Leave God and just stay on course. Because as long as there is no pain, bitterness, offense in you, nothing can ground you.

[23:13] Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry. We pray you have been strengthened and enlightened. You can connect with David Entry on all relevant social media platforms, including Instagram and LinkedIn.

[23:27] You can also hear more messages from David Entry on all relevant streaming platforms and the Karis Church app. Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed. Be blessed.

[23:37] Transcription by CastingWords