Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. We're going to be diving into a meaty topic today, one that challenges us, inspires us, and calls us to a deeper commitment in our walk with the Lord. We're talking about the necessity of sacrifice, the cost of disobedience, and the power of surrender.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." This quote is a stark reminder of the call to sacrifice and surrender that is inherent in our faith. It's not always an easy road, but it's the one we're called to walk.

Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

Let's open in prayer.

Father God, we thank you for your Word that guides us, challenges us, and inspires us. As we delve into this scripture today, we ask for open hearts and minds to receive your truth. Help us to understand what it means to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, to count the cost of disobedience, and to experience the power of surrender to your will. It's in Jesus' mighty name we pray, Amen.

The Necessity of Sacrifice

The necessity of sacrifice is deeply rooted in the very essence of our relationship with God. It's not a suggestion, but rather a requirement for those who want to follow Christ. It's a call to let go of our own desires, our own plans, and our own comforts, and instead, to give ourselves fully to God and His purposes.

Woven throughout the Bible: From the Old Testament, where we see the Israelites offering sacrifices to God as a way of atoning for their sins, to the New Testament, where Jesus Himself becomes the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. This theme is not only historical but also very personal and relevant to our lives today.

In our modern lives: The necessity of sacrifice may look different than it did in biblical times, but it is no less significant. It might mean giving up our time to serve others, letting go of our resources to support God's work, or surrendering our own ambitions to follow God's calling. It's about prioritizing God's will over our own, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.

Offer our bodies as a living sacrifice: This is a powerful image that speaks to the totality of our surrender to God. It's not just about giving up certain aspects of our lives, but about offering our whole selves - our bodies, our minds, our hearts - to God. This kind of sacrifice is described as holy and pleasing to God, and it's the kind of worship that He desires from us.

Not without its challenges: It requires us to let go of our own desires and to trust in God's plan. It's a call to die to ourselves and to live for Christ. But it's also a call that comes with great rewards. As we sacrifice for God, we draw closer to Him, we grow in our faith, and we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living in obedience to His will.

A call to humility: It's a recognition that we are not the center of the universe, but rather, that God is. It's an acknowledgement that our lives are not our own, but rather, that they belong to God. And it's a commitment to live not for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

Always worth it: It's a pathway to deeper intimacy with God, greater impact for His kingdom, and a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

The Cost of Disobedience

The cost of disobedience is a theme that echoes throughout the pages of Scripture, from the Garden of Eden to the cross of Calvary ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO