The Measure Of Our Sacrifice Series

THE MEASURE OF OUR SACRIFICE

Please open your Bible to Romans 12:1 for today’s message, “The Measure of our Sacrifice.” God will one day measure our lives and one of the things He will most certainly measure is our sacrifice. Many hear the word sacrifice, and they immediately think of suffering and pain and death, and that is a possible part of sacrifice. But that is not the true measure of sacrifice. The true measure of your sacrifice is not the ability to endure pain and suffering, but a heart that lives to honor God regardless of the cost.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible speaks of a godly sacrifice that pleases God. Righteous and holy sacrifices are so pleasing to God that He will one day measure the greatness of our lives by our sacrifices. Knowing how important this is, I want to show you from God’s word how your sacrifice can please God and bring great eternal rewards.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. NKJV

MEASURE YOUR LIFE AS A LIVING SACRIFICE

One of the most important ways to measure your life for eternity is by your willingness to sacrifice for the name of Jesus. The Bible reveals the Christian life is a life of sacrifice. Not a life of ease and comfort, but a life of sacrifice. However, it is possible to perform a great sacrifice that changes lives and the course of history and yet, it not be the kind of sacrifice God is looking for. The big question is, what kind of sacrifice is God looking for?

Paul wrote in Romans 12:1… I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…

God is looking for a living sacrifice… not a once-a-month sacrifice, but living sacrifice that lives day by day to know God, love God and honor God. One of the greatest calls upon your life is to be a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to God.

God is not looking for a sometimes sacrifice. He is not looking for those who say they will do it, and then don’t… He is looking for those who desire to be a living sacrifice, a daily sacrifice, a sacrifice that is given out of love and devotion. He is looking for those who love Him so much they are devoted to Him as a living sacrifice… That’s the kind of sacrifice that pleases God. That’s what I want for my life…

We talk about Abraham and His commitment to offer his son, Issac as a sacrifice. But what many forget is that Issac was old enough to say no. He was not a little boy. It was out of his obedience that Issac allowed himself to be placed on the altar. To do that, he had to surrender his will to God’s will, even though he did not understand it. As he laid on the altar, Issac was a picture of a sacrifice. However, when God sent a ram to be sacrificed in his place, and Issac got up from the altar, He became a living sacrifice.

Jesus Christ is the perfect picture of a living sacrifice. He died as God’s sacrifice for our sins, in obedience to His Father’s will, but now He reigns in heaven as a "living sacrifice."

That means when you believe in Jesus Christ, you become a living sacrifice. When the world sees you, they see a picture of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. That’s why a living sacrifice is so important and so pleasing to God!

As a living sacrifice you dedicate your body and life to God, and you keep on living for God, each day until He calls you home. And very importantly… The only time you can be a living sacrifice for God is right now, while your body is alive. Once your body dies you obviously can no longer use your body, your mind, your abilities, as a living sacrifice.

That’s why Paul said we are to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice… because it is only in this life that we can be a living sacrifice that honors God. And every day we do not live a sacrificial life for God’s glory is a day wasted for eternity.

What does a living sacrifice look like?

A living sacrifice is to sacrifice your own desires to live fully for God's kingdom and glory. To be a living sacrifice is to dedicate your hands for godly service. It is to dedicate your feet to godly service. It is to dedicate your eyes to see as God sees, and your ears to hear as God hears. It is to dedicate your mouth to speak of His love and mercy. It is to dedicate your mind to understand His truth, and to fill your mind with the knowledge of His eternal word. To be a living sacrifice is to dedicate your whole body to God in every way that glorify Him.