Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Sacrifice”
Review
Every once in a while we find it necessary to go to the doctor for a physical. We make an appointment with a person who is familiar with how the physical body functions and the signs of good and not so good health. The doctor went to school to learn to look for particular vital signs. He will order certain tests and look at certain things that indicate good physical health. These things are universal and unchangeable. It will do no good to focus on other factors. The doctor will not care what brand name clothes I wear, what color my hair is, the number of books I have read or my favorite color.
He wants to know if my blood pressure is within a range that indicates good function. He wants to know if my heart rate is steady and within the range that indicates good health. He will look in my eyes and ears and down my throat. He will order a blood test, among others, to see if a variation within these particular vital signs indicates a problem. Then the doctor will prescribe a course of correction usually calling for greater attention to diet and exercise leading to better vital signs.
There are some Biblical vital signs that enable us to monitor our spiritual condition. Paul diagnosed many spiritual malfunctions by attention to particular spiritual vital signs. Love for God and others, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, longsuffering, kindness, self-control.
One who regularly engages in the spiritual exercises or habits prescribed in scripture will enjoy greater spiritual vitality and broader eternal impact.
So far we have identified seven.
Solitude and silence
Submission
Confession
Interaction with Scripture
Faith
Thanksgiving and celebration
Prayer (Meaningful conversation with God)
These activities exercise the soul for increased capacity to live on the eternal level of life. Without them, we cannot grow. Without them we will never experience the full joy of Christ’s life lived through us. These activities are all key elements involved in building relationship with anyone.
INTRODUCTION
Today we begin a brief exploration of the next activity or habit. This particular activity is one which many passionately admire but few personally aspire. This activity is the very foundation of Christianity. Some might champion this activity as the very key to a fruitful life. In the coming weeks I want to ask and answer three basic questions. What is it? Why is it so vital? How do I practice it as a habit of life?
Every Christian serious about a deeper walk with God and greater impact in our world must perceive, pursue and practice this activity as a way of life. This aspect of our relationship with God is probably better illustrated than defined.
Jim Elliott at 21 years old "One treasure, a single eye, and a sole master." (1948)
"God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus."
"Father, take my life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar." (1948)
"Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is often short-lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul? Short life? In me there dwells the spirit of the Great Short-Lived, whose zeal for God's house consumed Him. 'Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God:" (1948)
"Overcome anything in the confidence of your union with Him, so that contemplating trial, enduring persecution or loneliness, you may know the blessedness of the 'joy set before: for 'We are the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: And what are sheep doing going into the gate? What is their purpose inside those courts? To bleat melodies and enjoy the company of the flock? No. Those sheep were headed for the altar. Their pasture feeding had been for one purpose: to test them and fatten them for bloody sacrifice. Give Him thanks, then, that you have been counted worthy of His altars. Enter into the work with praise:' (1949)
"Remember-and I don't mean to sound pedantic or impudent as if I knew all the costs remember that we have bargained with Him who bore a Cross, and in His ministry to those disciples His emphasis was upon sacrifice, not of worldly goods so much as upon family ties. Let nothing turn us from the truth that God has determined that we become strong under fire, after the pattern of the Son. Nothing else will do. Lord make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high station, but that my life may be an exhibit to the value of knowing God. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." (1949)
Eight short years later, Jim Elliot along with four others offered the ultimate sacrifice.
"Father, if Thou wilt let me go to South America to labor with Thee and to die, I pray that Thou wilt let me go soon. Nevertheless, not my will." (1948)
Of the coffin: "a swallowing up by Life. For this I am most anxious." (1948)
"Only I know that my own life is full. It is time to die, for I have had all that a young man can have, at least all that this young man can have. I am ready to meet Jesus." (December, 1951) .
"Gave myself for Auca work more definitely than ever, asking for spiritual valor, plain and miraculous guidance. . . ." (May, 1952)
"The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for." (1952)
"Give me a faith that will take sufficient quiver out of me so that I may sing. Over the Aucas, Father, I want to sing!" (July, 1952)
AB Simpson at 17 years old: “A Solemn Covenant:: The Dedication of Myself to God
Everlasting and Almighty God, Ruler of the universe, You made this world and You made me. You are in ev¬ery place beholding the evil and the good. You see me and know all my thoughts. My innermost thoughts are all familiar to You. You know my motives for coming to You. I appeal to You, Searcher of hearts. So far as I know my heart, it is not a worldly mo¬tive that brings me before You now. But my "heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" [(Jeremiah 17:9, KJV)] and I would not pretend to trust it. You know I have a desire to ded¬icate myself to You forever. I come before You as a sinner, lost and ruined by the fall, and by my transgressions. Yes, I am the worst of all Your creatures. When I look back on my life, I am filled with shame and confusion. I am ignorant and rude, like an animal in Your sight. Lord, You made Adam holy and happy, and gave him the ability to maintain this state. The penalty of disobedience was death. He disobeyed Your holy law and incurred the penalty. I am his descendent. I have inherited this depravity and this penalty. Your sentence is just. Lord, I bow in submission before You.
Lord, I am an evil person. How can You stoop to look on me? It is an endless deference to even notice me. But truly, Your loving¬kindness is boundless and eternal. Lord, You sent Your Son in our image, with a body such as mine and a wise soul. All the perfections of the Godhead abide in Him. So does the modesty of our sinful na¬ture. He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, and through Him we all have access to You by the same Spirit. Through Jesus, the only Mediator, I come to You. Lord, by trusting in His mediation, I boldly approach Your throne of grace. Lord, I feel my own insignificance. But You strengthen me by Your Spirit. I am approaching You to covenant with You for eternal life. In Your Word You told us that it is Your will for all who believe in Your Son to have eternal life. And You will raise him up on the last day. You gave us a New Covenant and sealed it in Jesus' blood on the cross.
I now declare before You and before my conscience and every¬thing You have created that I accept the conditions of this covenant and close with its terms. I believe on Jesus and accept salvation through Him, my Prophet, Priest and King, as made to me by God, wisdom and righteousness and sanctification. Lord, You made me willing to come to You. By Your love You subdued my rebellious heart. So now take it and use it for Your glory. Whenever rebellious thoughts develop in my heart, overcome them and bring every¬thing that opposes You into subjection to Your authority. I yield myself to You as one alive from the dead, forever. Take and use me for Your glory.
Ratify now in heaven, 0 my Father, this covenant. Remember it, o Lord, when You bring me to the Jordan. Lord, remember me when You come with all the angels and saints to judge the world. May I be at Your right hand and in heaven with You forever. In heaven write down that I have become Yours, Yours only, and Yours forever. Lord, remember me in the hour of temptation. Never let me depart from this covenant. Lord, I sense my own weakness and so I am not making this in my own strength. If I did, I would fail. But in Your strength, 0 Captain of my salvation, I shall be strong and more than a conqueror through Christ who loved me.
Lord, I have made this covenant with You according to Your Word. I did not make it for worldly honors or fame, but for eternal life. I know You are true and will never break Your Word. Give to me all the blessings of the New Covenant, especially the Holy Spirit in great abundance. The Spirit is the pledge of my inheritance until the day of redemption. Maya double portion of Your Spirit rest upon me. Then I shall proclaim Your ways and laws to transgressors and to, Your people. Sanctify me completely and make me fit for heaven. Give me all the spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.
Now I am a soldier of the Cross and follower of the Lamb. From now on my motto is "I have one King, even Jesus." Support and strengthen me, 0 my Captain, and be mine forever. Lord, place me in the circumstances You want. If it is in accordance with Your will I request that You give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food I need, lest I am poor and steal, or lest I be¬come rich and say, "Who is the Lord?" Let Your will be done. Now, give me Your Spirit and protect my heart all the time. Then I will drink of the rivers of salvation, lie down by still waters and be infinitely happy in the favor of my God. Saturday, January 19, 1861
Such sacrificial commitment fills church history. A whole book is filled with the stories of the early martyrs of the faith. In the third century a committed priest served God during the rule of Claudius II otherwise known as Claudius the cruel. The actual details of his life are somewhat clouded but legend has it he gave his life to ministering to Christians jailed and martyred during Claudius’s rule. Claudius experienced difficulty recruiting soldiers for his military machine. Based on his reasoning that the men did not want to leave their wives and families, he issued a ban on marriage. Our committed priest defied the Emperor’s decree and continued to marry young couples in secret. When Claudius found out, the priest was imprisoned and ordered beaten and beheaded. While in prison the jailer’s daughter (whom the priest had prayed for healing of her eyesight) visited and ministered to him. Before his death on February 14, 269 AD, legend has it the priest left a note of gratitude to the young girl and signed it, “Your Valentine.” Saint Valentine thus became associated with true love. The rest is history.
I. What is sacrifice?
The Common denominator between these shining examples of extraordinary faith is their determination to sacrifice everything for the sake of the kingdom. Sacrifice has to do with giving up something valued highly for the sake of someone valued more highly. The foundation of all sacrifice has to do with values. Give up the valuable for the more valuable. Our willingness to give up something valuable always relates to something we deem more valuable.
This is the foundational concept of Christianity.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46
Every serious believer must adopt a sacrificial lifestyle that validates our confession that following Jesus is more valuable than anything this world has to offer. Examples of personal sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom fill the Scriptures from Abel to Paul. Over 1,200 references
The writer of Hebrews perfectly captures the value scale of Moses.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26
Jesus
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." Romans 15:1-3
Abraham
He gave up the comfort of home and family to follow a God he barely knew. He chose to believe God’s promise to the point of offering his own son as a sacrifice to God. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED." He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. Hebrews 11:17-19
Widow
And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4
Disciples
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:11
Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:27-29
When the time came when everyone considered following Jesus too costly that Jesus addressed His disciples…
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." John 6:66-69
Paul
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. Philippians 3:7-19
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. Philippians 2:17
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica… 2 Timothy 4:6-10
What is sacrifice?
The willingness to give up something valuable for someone or something we deem more valuable.
Every choice we make is based on our values.
We evaluate every decision between options based on what we think will bring the greatest value or pay off.
The problem is that we have come to value the wrong things.
We have become addicted to the material things of this world that have a limited lifespan. We have been convinced that my feelings, comfort, wealth, security, pleasure, happiness, health and material possessions are of greater value than the things that count for eternity. We are therefore reluctant to sacrifice them for something we actually deem less valuable. An hour of Bible study cannot compete with a two-hour blockbuster. Ministering to the needy cannot compare to a party with friends. Supporting missions cannot compete with the smell of a brand new car. Every serious believer must adopt a sacrificial lifestyle that continually validates our confession that following Jesus truly is more valuable than anything this world has to offer.
II. Why is a sacrificial lifestyle necessary?
A. Sacrifice validates the true reality of our commitment
When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" But He said to him, "A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.'
"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.' "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' "And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' "And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.' " Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' "Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? "Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. "Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? "It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Luke 14:15-35
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Matthew 16:21-27
The Gentiles eagerly seek all these things (food and clothes); for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:32-33
B. Sacrifice demonstrates the true reality of our faith.
Abraham
Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Genesis 22:10-12
C. Sacrifice demonstrates the depth of our love and gratitude.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
D. Sacrifice exposes selfishness and complacency
Because selfishness is so sinister, we need to have it continually exposed.
Nothing exposes selfishness like sacrifice.
Just like sacrifice is the foundation of a surrendered life, selfishness is the foundation of a self-centered life.
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' " Revelation 3:14-22
E. Sacrifice brings true freedom and blessing
When we finally are able to relinquish control over everything and own nothing…
When everything in our life has been dedicated to kingdom purposes…
When we have fully entrusted our lives to the one who loved us…
We enter into a new freedom from trying to make life work.
We can truly love people and use things to bless people.
We can be free from the entanglements of trying to protect our stuff, our reputations, our pride, our future, our feelings, our family because we have relinquished control to God who promises to orchestrate all things for His glory and our good.
Beside freedom, there is the blessing of a deeper relationship with God. Daily sacrifices are the stepping stones to a deeper relationship and a greater impact. Sacrifice is the willingness to give up something valuable for someone we deem more valuable, It must become a continual practice. The daily selfless sacrifices we make qualify and position us for future sacrifices which bring greater freedom and blessing.
AB Simpson referred to what he called the essential sacrifice. A time in one’s life that they abandon their life to God completely.
Today!
Is Jesus Lord of all? If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.
Only when we relinquish control to Him will we reap the joy that only fully surrendered saints experience.
