Offense And Its Purpose

There are a total of 391 could be construed offensive scriptures just in the book of Matthew depending on who you are. Whether you think there is more or less is entirely up to you, but rest assured the gospel is going to be offensive depending on who you are, meaning that if you are human it will be offensive but if you are an alien then perhaps not. All kidding aside offense is caused when reading your bible when the word of God hits some aspect of flesh or spiritual immaturity that exists in your life. Of course to every non-believer, make-believer, or fake-believer it will be loaded with offense because they are serving a devil who hates the word of God. The point of the gospel is to challenge you and to help you to grow, both of which do not happen so easily in the natural because of our natural inclinations. Hopefully by the time of the closing of this message you will see how necessary and how beneficial offense can be to our lives. If you embrace it you will grow in the Lord, grow in loving others, in serving others, become more humble, understand more about the value of your salvation, and on and on. There is no down side except for your improper response when it comes a knockin' at your door and a knockin' it will come.

Gal 5:11 - 11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

1 Cor 1:18, 23 - 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness (that is offensive) to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Notice it doesn’t say it isn’t offensive to us who are being saved. It is our response to the gospel of offense that determines our place in salvation.

v.23 - 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

So before we move on I want to share how the words “stumbling block” and “foolishness” are defined in relationship to the word offense. I am doing this so that you see when you run into these words “stumbling block” and “foolishness” you can actually associate them with offensive gospel language and understand the gospel's intent and purpose for leading people to salvation…

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SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello, this is Ken, your podcast preacher. Welcome back to my podcast Deep Waters. This podcast is brought to you by Applied Strengths Ministry, where we believe working together on our strengths is the effect of working out the will and calling of God and into our life. Thanks for joining me. Let's open up in prayer. Blessed be the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose you and him before the foundation of the world, that you should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestined you to adoption as your son or daughter by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, which he purposed in himself, to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he made you accepted in the beloved. In him ye have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound towards you in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to you the mystery of his will, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times ye might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in him. I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of the mystery of him, and to the deepest knowledge of him that you are willing and able to receive, that the eyes of your understanding would be opened wider, and that you would be enlightened to who he is, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in you, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards you who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, that he would grant that you would be strengthened with might through his inner spirit in the inner man, and into your spirit and heart, consistently walking in the spirit, so that you would be able to stand against the appetites of your flesh, the corrupted spirit of this world, the devil and his demons, and any in all fleshly desires and temptations. I pray that your love may have found more and more not discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be real about your Christianity, and unoffendable until the day of Christ being filled with the fruits of righteousness, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, which are by Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit to the glory and praise of God. I ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will and all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work, strengthen with all might according to his glorious power, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints who walk by the Spirit and in the light. I pray that your hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love and unity, and that you would attain to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which has been given to each of my listeners by Christ Jesus, that you are enriched in everything by him, in all utterance and all knowledge, so that you do not come short in obtaining or operating in your calling and purpose, nor in using any spiritual gifts or talents to perform mighty miracle signs and wonders, and that we would do the greater works of Jesus yet to be accomplished, that we would be found eagerly waiting for the continued revelation of our Lord Jesus, who will confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the near coming of the day of our Lord. God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus. Okay, so now therefore, my sisters and brothers in Christ, when things get tough, think about whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and whatever things are of a good report. If there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things alone. I pray that in these very end of end time days that you would let your love be without hypocrisy. Show people your faith by your works and service and love, hate and loathe what is evil, cling to what is good and righteous, be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, and honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent and fully engulfed in spiritual fire, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, walking in the peace of God, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, that is each other, and that you would be given hospitality. May the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like minded towards one another, according to Christ Jesus, that we learn to be of one mind, in one accord, striving to get along no matter what disagreements we may encounter, operating completely and fully in love, always striving for the working out of God's specific will for each of our lives, while working in partnership with each other, within the church and the Holy Spirit, as he manifests as miracle signs and wonders through the daily activities of our ministry and kingdom work, and while we also go out preaching the gospel in word and deed. Let us love and serve one another, our enemy, and those who wouldn't expect us to do so, considering each person better than ourselves. Bind up any words or thoughts that are contrary to the love of God, or which would set you back in your Christian walk. Guard your hearts from anything that would hinder the growth of your character. Never forget that you can do all things in Christ, and never forget this means all things. All step out in faith today and walk with God and with each other, being assured that nothing will separate you from Him as long as you abide in Him. All those things that don't exist as though they do. Remember the faith of God of which we have created the universe by the Rama and Logos Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of the things that are visible. All that you need for this life is invisible until you apply your faith to receive it, but make sure you make your requests known to God without fear, doubting, or unbelief. Always remember he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. Be more than a conqueror today, submitting to the will of God in everything. Never forget that you can do all things through Christ who will strengthen you to this very day. Let each of us express uncompromising love towards one another in humility, while maintaining a teachable spirit, seeking to grow no matter how much it challenges our current thinking. I pray that God will give you the revelation within this message that he intends you to receive with the understanding. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory in majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. The title of this message is Offense and Its Purpose. There are a total of three hundred and ninety one could be construed offensive scriptures, just in the book of Matthew, depending on who you are. Whether you think there is more or less is entirely up to you, but rest assured the gospel is going to be offensive depending on who you are, meaning that if you are human, it will be offensive, but if you are an alien, then perhaps not. All kidding aside, offense is caused when reading your Bible when the Word of God hits some aspect of flesh or spiritual immaturity that exists in your life. Of course, to every nonbeliever, make believer, or fake believer, it will be loaded with offenses, because they are serving the devil who hates the word of God. The point of the gospel is to challenge you and to help you grow, both of which will not happen so easily in the natural because of our natural inclinations. Hopefully by the time of this closing of the message, you will see how necessary and how beneficial offense can be to our lives. If you embrace it, you will grow in the Lord, grow in loving others, in serving others, become more humble, understand more about the value of your salvation, and on and on. There is no downside except for your improper response when it comes knocking at your door and a knocking it will come. Galatians eleven and I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. For the message of the cross is foolishness, that is offensive to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. Notice it doesn't say it isn't offensive to us who are being saved. It is our response to the gospel of offense that determines our place in salvation. Verse twenty three, but we preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness. So before we move on, I want to share how the words stumbling block and foolishness are defined in relationship to the word offense. I am doing this so that you can see when you run into these words stumbling block and foolishness, that you can actually associate them with offensive gospel language and understand the gospel's intent and purpose for leading people to salvation. The biblical definition in context. In the original Greek text, these verses do not actually use the English word offense, but rather the root words from which the biblical definition of an offense is derived from. The following are two definitions stumbling block scandalon. In 1 Corinthians 1 twenty three, Paul states that the cross is a stumbling block to the Jews. The Greek word used here is scandalon, which is the exact same word translated as offense elsewhere in the New Testament, such as Romans nine thirty three and Galatians five eleven. It literally means a trap, snare, or an obstacle that causes someone to trip and fall. In the past I would teach my staff on the word scandalon, when they would have disagreements with people or get offended at work. A working image is that scandalon, which it says is a trap or snare, is often associated with the imagery of a hole dug in the ground, with wooden spikes coming up and around through the bottom of it. Then the trapper or hunter would suspend a pole across the hole and hang a piece of meat or other type of bait from it, with the objective that as the animal went to reach out for the bait, they would fall into the hole and become impaled. So when you allow offense to offend you and to lead you away from the gospel truth, the devil has impaled you. Perhaps this is what the intent and purpose of a fiery dart is Ephesians sixteen. The word foolishness and its definition as it compares to offense is as the following foolishness, folly or moriah. In Corinthians one eighteen and one hundred twenty three, the message of the cross is described as foolishness to those who are perishing and to the Gentiles. In this context, the offense is not about hurt feelings, it is about intellectual and spiritual rejection, where the gospel is viewed as absurd, weak, or a barrier to their belief. The attention to the sentence is not about hurt feelings, is an intellectual and spiritual rejection, where the gospel is viewed as absurd, weak, or a barrier to their belief. The Bible in John 10 10 states that Satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy, and he uses offense as one of his fiery darts to affect your belief in the offensive gospel in hopes that you will walk away impaled and offended. Now it is important for you to know that God uses the word to offend you for the right reasons, and the devil uses people to offend you for the wrong reasons, and you have to discern which one is happening. But you still get to make the choice as to how you will let the offense either to continue to offend you and separate you from someone you might have possibly been connected with by God, or you will let it draw you nearer to God and to perhaps deal with something that actually is offending God. In my life I have submitted bad behaviors to God that I know were offensive, and as he removed them from my life, I was able to draw nearer to him. Okay, so let's define the word offensive. The word offensive primarily means causing anger, resentment, or hurt feelings through rude and insulting behavior. It can also describe something deeply unpleasant to the senses, causing displeasure or insult, rude remarks, words or jokes that insult or show a lack of respect, unpleasant senses, sights or terrible smells that disgust people, moral outrage, actions that violate common rules of decency or good taste, not meeting personal expectations, insecurity, the absence of a personal mission, calling, or purpose in a person's life. Now let's look for a minute at a scriptural result of being offended for whatever reason. Hosiah four six, my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for me, because you have forgotten the law of God, I also will forget your children. Now what is important to understand is that this is a worldly definition, and we know this because of the statement the word offense primarily means causing. The word causing is subjective without also including the intent of the causing offense. I believe Jesus used the language that he did because it would either cause one to agree with the gospel through offense, or it would cause one to become offended, which we know ultimately led humanity to murder Jesus, in whom they thought was a source of offense, and so they rejected the faith. Let's see who was really speaking the gospel of offense. twelve, forty nine through fifty, Jesus states he did not speak on his own authority, but the Father gave him a command on what to say. Let's look at the scripture, for I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak, and I know that his command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told me, so I speak. John eight twenty eight. Jesus explains that he speaks exactly what the Father taught him after being lifted up. Then Jesus said to them, When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things. Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does the works. John fourteen twenty four. Jesus adds that the words people hear is not his own, but belong to the Father who sent him. He who does not love me does not keep my words, and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. Jesus answers that his teaching is not his own, but comes from the one who sent him. Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that is the Father's who sent me. Is it safe to say that it was and is, the Father of all fathers, who was and is pushing your buttons? Yes, but why? I hope to bear that out in this message. I hope and pray that as you find the real purpose and offense, that you will embrace it as an opportunity that it is. Question What is the difference between getting offended at the cross of Jesus as opposed to being offended at how someone might share or teach the gospel? Getting offended at the cross of Jesus relates to the message itself, which challenges human pride by declaring all people are sinners who cannot save themselves. Being offended at how someone shares the gospel relates to human delivery, which involves poor tact, arrogance, judgment, ignorance, spiritual immaturity, or lack of love by the messenger. Several points at being offended at the cross. Target God's truth and spiritual reality. The core issue is that it exposes human sin, strips away self righteousness, and demands repentance. The reaction rejection of God's standards because human pride, the flesh, dislikes needing a savior. Biblical view unavoidable, the cross is naturally a stumbling block or offensive. Read Galatians eleven. The rejection of human pride teaches that people cannot save themselves by their own good deeds or moral merit, and we know the Bible says there is no one who's good, not one. You can read that in Romans. Confrontation of sin, it declares all people morally flawed and accountable to a holy God. Exclusivity, it claims Jesus is the sole path to God, which rejects pluralistic worldviews. Now offended at the delivery or the messenger. Target the human behavior, tone or attitude of the speaker. Core issues insensitivity, self righteous scolding, lack of listening or aggressive proselyzing, or even things like judging a sinner for being a sinner, or somehow that you come off in a better position because you are saved and they are not. In other words, you're comparing your life as a Christian to somebody else who's not yet a Christian. This creates a problem when you're preaching the gospel. Reaction rightful frustration or hurt caused by human rudeness rather than divine truth. The biblical view sinful or poor communication. Christians are told to share the truth with gentleness, respect, and a heart of love. What is the purpose of offense? To identify that you are working and or thinking in the flesh eleven through twenty five. Now you know we have to look that scripture up, right? And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty, only do not use your liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another, for all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this you shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if ye bite and devour one another, beware least you be consumed by one another. I say then, walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, for the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, rivalries, and the like, of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Notice you have to practice them. So if you're a real Christian and you have some of these things still manifesting in your life, but you repent, God will help you to get rid of those. So it's not talking about you making a mistake and then that's the end of it. That process is called sanctification. Verse twenty two, but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such there is no law, and those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. We cannot manifest the fruit of the spirit while being offended. This is the plan and outworking of the devil. Offense directly affects your character. Being offended and staying that way is a choice to remain immature spiritually speaking. But if spiritual growth is your main objective, then when offense comes, then you can choose to allow it to either do its godly intended work or you can remain a baby Christian, and but of course, you can also allow it to keep you in unforgiveness, thus possibly losing your salvation. Hebrews twelve for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Matthew six, fourteen through fifteen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses. Do you see the spiritual strategy the devil is using against you? To keep you as a baby Christian, which is always going to be offendable. Remember, babies are always about me, myself and I, and keep you in unforgiveness, and or cost you your salvation. People will get offended, but it isn't our job to do the offending. It's the Father's, the Word of God or the Holy Spirit's job. We share, teach, preach, pastor, evangelize, operate in the apostolic or prophetic office in love. But know for sure that eventually you yourself will have to confront being offended. If this wasn't the case, then you may be in a place where there is no Holy Spirit power working in your life. Sin dulls conviction. For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. These are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. If the cross is offensive and pushing for growth has its offenses sometimes, then how do we rectify the following verses? Second Corinthians six three. We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks, or to the Church of God, just as I also please all men and all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. We get back to how and why we do operate in the fivefold ministry, how we do. what we preach and to what level of spiritual maturity we have ourselves attained to. The rule of the hour is that if someone offends you, then have a little chitty chatty about it with a heart of forgiveness. Matthew seven one three Judge not that you not be judged, for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? I have often thought how many specks are in a plank, which seems to me that it would take a lifetime for you to get your own crud together, let alone worrying about somebody else getting their own crud together Love people through because you cannot criticize them through Galatians six one Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself, least you also be tempted. Be careful when operating in a spirit of offense, lest you walk away in the very trap that may have ensnared them Matthew twenty three twenty four. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you. Leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. Notice it didn't say wait for him to come and repent and ask you for forgiveness for his offense. Do not ignore being offended or knowing that someone else is offended at you. Deal with it quickly. Many times offense comes from a misunderstanding and not from an actual interaction. How do we remain teachable in the midst of scriptural offense? The Bible does not use the exact modern English word teachable, but it strongly commands and praises a teachable spirit. The idea appears most often in the book of Proverbs, where being open to wisdom, discipline and correction is tied to being wise. Some of those verses are Proverbs nine nine instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning. Proverbs twelve one whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid Proverbs nineteen twenty listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days Proverbs one five let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. Some of the New Testament verses are Matthew eleven twenty nine. Jesus says Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls James one nineteen My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry Clothe yourselves all of you with humility towards one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble Luke six forty a disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher Does Jesus take the commitment of being a disciple seriously? Luke fourteen twenty six If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple Matthew ten thirty four thirty nine Do not think I came to bring peace on earth I did not come to bring peace but a sword, for I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother and a daughter in law against her mother in law, and a man's enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. Luke twelve fifty one fifty three Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you not at all, but rather division for from now on five and one house will be divided, three against two and two against three, father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law Micah seven five seven Do not trust in a friend, do not put your confidence in a companion, guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom for son dishonors father, daughter rises against her mother, daughter in law against her mother in law a man's enemies are the men of his own household. Therefore I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me. If those are offensive that just simply means you have some work to do. Your family has been redefined if you are obedient to other Christians doing the work of Jesus Matthew twelve forty sixty while he was still talking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with him. Then one said to him, Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with you. But he answered and said to the one who told him Who is my mother and who are my brothers and he stretched out his hand towards his disciples and said Here are my mother and my brothers for whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother Mark three thirty two thirty four and a multitude was sitting around him, and they said to him, Look your mother and your brothers are outside seeking you but he answered them saying Who is my mother or my brothers? And he looked around in a circle at those who sat about him and said here are my mother and my brothers Jesus redefined family and it is up to us as to how we navigate close family relationships upon our getting saved Matthew nineteen twenty nine and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life Mark ten twenty nine through thirty one So Jesus answered and said, Assuredly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospels who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life but many who are first will be last, and the last first Luke eighteen twenty nine thirty So he said to them, Assuredly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life. Why is this a condition of being a disciple Mark thirteen twelve thirteen Now brother will betray brother to death and a father his child, and children will raise up against parents and cause them to be put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end shall be saved. Salvation endurance, long suffering, the intense development of love Corinthians thirteen four through seven Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy, love does not parade itself around, it is not puffed up, it does not behave rudely, it does not seek its own, it is not provoked, it thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Offense, if allowed to do its holy work, will develop your character and allow you to love others, invoking all of the love descriptors identified in Corinthians thirteen, four through seven Luke twenty one sixteen through seventeen you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. Look at our set priority, which was actually set in the Old Testament and made its way into the New Testament Mark twelve twenty nine through thirty one. Jesus answered him The first of all the commandments is hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength this is the first commandment, and the second, like it is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandments greater than these. So I asked Google AI, if your soul represents your mind, will and emotions, why then in Mark twelve thirty does it list both the will and the mind? The reason I asked is because typically we define the soul as containing the mind, will and emotions. The following is what I got in Mark twelve thirty the listing of multiple faculties like heart, soul, mind and strength is a rhetorical device called a mirrorism. This means Jesus used overlapping and comprehensive terms to emphasize loving God with your entire undivided being rather than giving a strict clinical anatomy of the non physical person. The conceptual overlap, the modern defining the soul as the mind, will and emotions is a helpful systematic summary rather than a rigid scientific formula found explicitly in a single dictionary definition in Scripture. Intensive emphasis by multiplying terms like heart, soul and mind, Jesus used creative exaggeration and fullness he means with everything that you are, intentionally doubling down on human capacities so no part of a person's inner or outer life is left out. Linguistic translation users on Biblical hermenetics stack exchange generally agree that adding mind translates to the deep Hebrew concept of the inner heart as a center of intelligence and reasoning into clear Greek terms. Now additionally if we look at the response from the scribe who asked Jesus the question which is the first commandment of all, he stated the following Mark twelve thirty three thirty four and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul and with all the strength, and to love God's neighbor as oneself is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God, but after that no one dared question him. Notice he changed the word mind to understanding and Jesus stated he was on the right path, so we don't have to argue or get upset with anyone when their view or understanding is different than ours, especially if they have been running for a longer period of time than you might have been. Usually this is why we don't question our teachers when we are in elementary school. Yes, that was a rabbit hole but worth the twisty turneys, right? Let's take a look at Luke Luke nine, twenty three through twenty seven. Then he said to them all, if anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me, for whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory, and in his father's and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly there are some standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God Luke fourteen twenty seven thirty five and whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple for which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost whether he has enough to finish it, least after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying This man began to build and was not able to finish another way of saying that is this man was really lit up for God when he first got saved, but now twenty, thirty forty years later not so much thirty one or what king going to make war against another king does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand or else while the other is still a great way off he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for land or for the dunghill, but men throw it out he who has ears to hear let him hear. Christianity is under tremendous warfare by Satan and our flesh, which, by the way, didn't get saved Galatians two twenty I have been crucified with Christ it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Romans six three or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death Romans six eight Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We have to watch the fiery darts that Satan sends our way to plant offensive thoughts and questions such as did he really say? Ephesians sixteen, above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. One of those darts has a name and it's called offense. The other is unforgiveness by the way, and there are others Revelation twelve ten then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren who accuses them before our God day and night has been cast down. Accusation of a fellow brother in whom we are to love comes from Satan, so be careful in whom you will serve this day Ephesians two and you he made alive, you who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. We used to be very uncaring and offensive before we got saved, so stay away from the old man desires to be offensive and put on the new man in Christ. Ephesians four twenty two twenty four tells believers to strip off the old self, corrupted by deceitful desires, and to put on the new man, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Colossians three nine commands believers not to lie to each other, because they have stripped off the old self with its habits and put on the new self, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Romans six states that the old man, our formal sinful nature was crucified with Jesus on the cross so that the power of sin would lose its grip on us. Ephesians two fifteen speaks of Christ creating in himself one new man from two groups, Jews and Gentiles, establishing peace. Next scripture Second Corinthians casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. If what we are thinking is not supported the Bible way, then we are going another way. When you have bad or negative thoughts, regardless of who they are about, you must take that thought captive. When I do this I simply imagine myself taking the thought, putting it on paper in my mind and then throwing it in my spiritual trash can. It oftentimes interrupts the line of thinking that will just take me further and further away from the mind of Christ. We finish this section with these mind and thought scriptures to better understand the power that we have. Proverbs four twenty three tells you to protect your inner self, the heart and mind, because everything you do comes from there. The scripture states keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life Proverbs twenty three seven links a person's inner thoughts directly to their true character. The Scripture states for as he thinks in his heart, so is he eat and drink he says to you, but his heart is not with you Psalms one hundred thirty nine twenty three Ask God to search the mind and heart search me God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm nineteen fourteen ask that the meditations of my heart be pleasing to God. The Scripture states let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord, my strength and my redeemer We must allow the word to transform us, and sometimes being offended is God saying that the thing that is in you must go or it must change Romans twelve two and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Yes, we are all born transformers The world does everything from the flesh. Their wisdom is bad, their intelligence is corrupted and their counsel is faulty Corinthians two twelve Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God James three thirteen fifteen Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter, envy and self seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth this wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual and demonic one twenty twenty two Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe for Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness. Listen we didn't perform the interview of a lifetime to get saved. We were sought after by the one in whom we rejected until we said yes to his offer and his offensive gospel Acts four twelve and first Timothy two five. Let's take a look at Luke nineteen ten for the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost John fifteen sixteen You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you the scripture states you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. If you're inclined to go evangelize, get somebody saved, but you never follow up with that person, that means your fruit is not going to remain. Now yes, you can connect them to a teacher or to somebody else who can help to disciple them, but that's your job to make sure you point them in the right direction. Luke fifteen four Jesus uses the parable of the lost sheep to ask does he not leave the ninety nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? What man of you having a hundred sheep if he loses one of them does not leave the ninety nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost until he finds it John six forty four No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them. The scripture states No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. And John fourteen six states Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except through me. Now lastly these two scriptures is what has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of Christ Romans eight sixteen through seventeen, Ephesians one eleven through fourteen, first Peter one three, Hebrews nine fifteen, and Galatians three twenty nine Corinthians one twenty through twenty nine for you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise. Now notice that language foolish things so if you think hey is God calling me a fool? Yes, before you were saved you were a foolish thing. And that's in Corinthian see the offenses of the gospel are not only in the gospels, they are throughout the Bible continuing, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen and the things which are not to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. Offense is a tool and in the hands of Satan it can draw you away from those in whom you may need to remain most closest to, or in the hands of God it can allow you to grow and mature, so that you can do mighty exploits in his name. Daniel eleven thirty two those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery, but the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits. John fourteen twelve Most assuredly I say to you he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father. Philippians 4 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We close with one final thought Matthew 11 6 and blessed is he who was not offended because of me. Let's close in prayer may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before your God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Now may the God of peace the one in whom we call wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of peace, may he himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To our Lord of Lords and our King of kings who are high and lifted up, great high priest who has once and for all paid the price, that you might see and hear God, may he hear and respond to our prayers. To our God we stand and pray as he too always lives to make intercession for you while seated at the right hand of the Father. May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, the great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever amen. Well that's it for today. Remember it's not what you find wrong or disagree with regarding these messages, but what you can take away from it. Together we can do more to impact the kingdom than if we work alone. Let's flip the script and steal, kill and destroy the works of the enemy and create space for the light of life to shine through into people's lives. Plan a seed and click on the like and subscribe button. Repost on your social media platforms and help us to make disciples. Link this message out or teach from it in your Bible study, your life or cell group and yes even in your church. You can be assured it comes from one call to teach and though imperfect, you have the word of God to use and test everything I say. Let's build this ministry together. Thanks and see you next time in Deep Waters