SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Romans 12:1) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
(Psalms 19:14) "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
(Romans 6:13) "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
(Psalms 24:3-4) (3) "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?" (4) "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."
PREFACE SUMMARY
“The phrase "a living sacrifice" can be found in the book of (Romans 12:1). It refers to dedicating oneself entirely to a higher authority and the purposes of God. This involves giving up personal desires and will to serve a greater good, which may include acts of selflessness, devotion, and surrender.
The term “living sacrifice” originates from Romans 12:1, where the Apostle Paul urges believers to present their bodies as sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. This call to action signifies a total commitment to God that transcends ritualistic worship and extends into daily life. Many inspired individuals to live a life of service and devotion to stretch toward the mark of God's high calling in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To grasp what it means to be a living sacrifice, one must first consider the historical context of sacrifices in biblical times. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were often animal offerings made to atone for sins or express gratitude toward God. These offerings were typically dead sacrifices, symbolizing the cost of sin and the need for redemption. However, Paul’s exhortation introduces a transformative shift; instead of offering dead animals, believers are called to offer their lives—alive and active—as an expression of worship.
In conclusion, becoming a living sacrifice is both an act of worship and a lifestyle choice that embodies a total commitment to God’s will. It invites believers into a transformative relationship marked by gratitude, service, and continuous growth, exercising their faith in everyday actions and decisions. Living a consecrated, sanctified life as a living sacrifice requires believers to embody Christ-like behavior in all areas of life—workplaces, homes, and communities.
“KEY BENEFITS OF BECOMING A LIVING SACRIFICE.”
1. Spiritual Growth and Transformation: Becoming a living sacrifice is transformative. It occurs when believers consecrate themselves to live a life that aligns with God’s will. This act of surrender allows for the renewal of the mind, as emphasized in Romans 12:2. It states that transformation occurs through renewing one’s mind, leading to a deeper understanding of God’s purpose and an increased ability to discern His will. This results in personal and spiritual development.
2. Helps Discover Your Call and Purpose: Becoming a living sacrifice enables believers to discover and fulfill God's call on their lives, helping them achieve their God-given purpose and contribute positively to the world. This sense of purpose brings fulfillment and satisfaction beyond material achievements or societal recognition, as it is rooted in divine intention.
3. Strengthen Your Relationship with God: Offering oneself as a living sacrifice helps believers develop a closer relationship with God. This commitment requires trust, love, and obedience, which are foundational in their relationship with God. As Believers draw nearer to God through this act of worship, they experience His presence more profoundly, leading to greater peace, joy, and assurance in their faith journey.
4. Freedom from the Bondage of Sin: Living sacrifices are called to die to sin and worldly desires (Romans 6:11). This means that we should let go of selfish desires and free ourselves from the grip of sin. Doing so allows us to live a righteous life and strive for holiness. Breaking free from sinful habits improves our well-being and will enable us to demonstrate the transformative power of faith to others.
5. Called to Serve: When individuals with faith embrace the principle of living sacrificially, they often feel a strong inner calling to actively dedicate themselves to serving others. This can manifest in various ways, such as offering their time, resources, or skills to contribute to the betterment of the community or to assist those who are in need.
6. The Eternal Rewards are Out of This World: The Bible teaches that when individuals prioritize spiritual development and build loving and faithful relationships over material pursuits, they will receive rewards in their present life and the afterlife (Matthew 6:19-21). By investing in spiritual growth, believers are laying up treasures that will last for eternity. These treasures include personal spiritual development, the cultivation of meaningful and loving relationships, and the promise of eternal life with God.
"LIVING SACRIFICES UNDERSTAND MERCY."
Becoming a living sacrifice involves recognizing God’s mercies as foundational to our response. God's mercies encompass His grace, forgiveness, and love demonstrated through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death. Understanding these mercies compels believers to respond with gratitude by dedicating their lives wholly to Him. This dedication is not merely about abstaining from sin but actively engaging in good works that reflect God’s character.
Understanding the significance of showing mercy is the way to recognize living sacrifices. Living sacrifices come in different forms, such as a parent sacrificing their own needs for the sake of their children, a worker putting in long hours to provide for their family, or a friend giving up their time and energy to help someone in need. We all make sacrifices in one way or another, and by taking the time to honor and recognize these sacrifices, we can show compassion and empathy toward others.
Showing compassion and being friendly toward others can help build stronger relationships and create a more caring and supportive community. When we practice empathy and kindness toward others, we positively impact their spirits and improve their day. This is especially important in today's world, where many face challenges and hardships.
Many hospitals advertise themselves as " hospitals of mercy," some even use "Mercy Hospital" as their name, placing large signs near their establishment to attract business. The word "mercy" has different meanings, but in the context of a hospital, it often implies a commitment to providing compassionate care and support to patients and their families. Hospitals that use the name "Mercy Hospital" aim to create a sense of comfort and care for their patients, reassuring them that they will receive compassionate care during their stay.
1. Mercy shows compassion or forbearance to someone, especially an offender.
2. Mercy is a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.
3. Mercy would be the court imposing imprisonment rather than death for murder.
As a Christian, I believe our faith's fundamental principle is rooted in God's boundless mercy. His profound love and compassion vividly showcased this mercy when he willingly offered his Son, Jesus, a sacrificial atonement for our sins. This act of selfless love and grace serves as the bedrock of our faith and inspires us to live in gratitude and humility.
The act of grace and mercy we received at salvation was not based on anything we had done to deserve it. Instead, it served as a powerful demonstration of God's unconditional love towards us. As a result of experiencing this profound mercy, all our thoughts, words, and actions must reflect this incredible gift.
Beloved, when we sing, preach, pray, praise, and worship, we should do so with a deep awareness of God's mercy that we can see in Jesus Christ. Through his sacrifice, we have been free from sin and death and given the gift of eternal life.
God's mercy has been a life-changing experience for me. I have been forgiven for my sins and given a new life in Christ. My whole life is dedicated to worshipping and surrendering to his will, cause, purpose, and kingdom. I am grateful for God's mercy and committed to living my life in a way that reflects his love and compassion toward others.
(Matthew 5:7) "Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy."
Forgiveness and mercy are two of the most fundamental aspects of God's nature. Despite our mistakes and transgressions, God is always willing to forgive us if we seek forgiveness with a sincere heart. This act of forgiveness is not based on our merit or worthiness but on God's infinite grace and love.
God's mercy reflects His compassion for us. Even when we fail, God's mercy allows us another chance to make things right. We can experience the depth of God's love and grace through forgiveness and compassion.
When God says that all our sins will be cast into the sea of forgetfulness, he means the payment for them has been made. They will not be held against us now or in the judgment on the last day because they have been placed on Jesus, and God can now show us mercy.
The first work of a Christian should be to show mercy. When we forgive someone who has deeply hurt us, we release them from being accountable to us for their sin. We look to God to bring justice in his time. Just as we need God’s mercy daily, we must extend mercy to others.
It is crucial to understand that the God who can harden the heart of an unbeliever is the same God who has extended mercy and forgiveness to us. He has shown us grace and granted us pardon when we accepted His gift of salvation. Let us, therefore, live our lives in gratitude and obedience to Him, knowing that His love and mercy have saved us.
Beloved, may we live our lives recognizing and appreciating the efforts and sacrifices made by the people around us who strive to make our lives better. These acts of kindness, whether small or big, contribute to creating a more empathetic and compassionate society. By acknowledging and showing empathy towards these individuals, we can cultivate a culture of gratitude and support that uplifts everyone.
It's important to understand that empathizing and showing kindness to others benefit both the receiver and the giver. By acknowledging and honoring the living sacrifices of those around us, we can create a ripple effect that spreads positivity and compassion in our homes, workplaces, and communities. It's a small gesture that can significantly impact someone's life, and it's a responsibility we all share as members of society.
"PEOPLE LIVING A CONSECRATED LIFE POSSESS A SERVANTS HEART."
(Psalms 24:3-4) (3) "]Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?" (4) "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."
Did you know that people whose lives are centered on God live with the primary goal of pleasing Him? They possess a pure heart, which I call servants because they put aside their will and purpose and prioritize God's will in everything they do. These individuals have a deep devotion to their faith, making them a living sacrifice, offering themselves wholly to God.
Their daily routine involves reading the Bible and praying, which helps them keep their minds focused on seeing the kingdom of God flourish. They are not concerned with fulfilling their desires or worldly pleasures; instead, they live a life of holiness and consecration to the Lord. They strive to resist the flesh and its desires by walking in the spirit with prayer and dedication.
People who live a God-centered life understand that this world is temporary and their ultimate home is heaven. Their renewed hearts give them a unique perspective on life compared to the rest. They have a compassionate heart because of the presence of Christ in them, who gives them hope for eternal glory. They recognize that they do not belong to themselves, so they set aside their pride and jealousy and prioritize the things that matter to God.
A God-centered person has a heart full of love and tenderness and may sometimes show emotions like crying. They do not perceive this as a weakness but rather as an indication of a tender heart. They do not let their senses dictate their actions and are grateful for their new tender heart, which desires others to have the same freedom in Christ that they sometimes take for granted.
People who offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God do not interact with each other as the world does. They acknowledge that they are all brothers and sisters who make up the body of Christ. They understand that they form His church on earth, and even though they may go their separate ways, they never disconnect because they are one body. This unity is not just in a physical sense but also in a spiritual sense.
We do not belong to a disconnected body that only comes together once a week in a church service. That would be like describing a business. Every person in the body of Christ is essential, and they have their place and function. They are not interchangeable but unique and irreplaceable. Each one has a special role in the body of Christ, and when one member suffers, the entire body suffers.
Living a God-centered life can be challenging, requiring sacrifices and facing challenges. However, the benefits are immeasurable. It brings immense fulfillment and inner peace. It helps one develop a sense of purpose and clarity in life. It also provides a sense of community and belonging, connecting one to a larger group of people with similar beliefs and values.
"BECOME THAT LIVING SACRIFICE."
As followers of Christ, we can demonstrate our commitment to Him by offering ourselves as living sacrifices. This means we willingly offer our bodies, minds, and hearts to God as worship and surrender. Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to God involves putting aside our desires and preferences and submitting ourselves entirely to His will. This can be challenging, but it is a powerful way to communicate our love and devotion to our Savior.
We can become living sacrifices by striving to live a holy and righteous life, seeking to serve others, and continually growing in our faith. Ultimately, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is a beautiful expression of our gratitude for all God has done for us and a way to honor Him with our entire being.
“FIVE WAYS TO PRESENT YOUR BODY AS A LIVING SACRIFICE.”
1. Sacrifice Your Shyness: When you offer yourself to the Lord in worship, your expression must be open and genuine. This means letting go of internal barriers, such as inhibitions or shyness, that may hinder your wholehearted worship. You may need to actively work on overcoming fears or anxieties about being judged by others to focus on your connection with the divine. It's important to remember that true worship requires vulnerability and openness that can only be achieved when you sacrifice your feelings and fully commit yourself to the Lord. Doing so allows you to experience a deeper connection with God and find peace and fulfillment.
2. Sacrifice Your Emotions: " Deciding to sacrifice your emotions means allowing immediate reactions to take over a situation rather than carefully considering and responding to it. When you respond to a problem, you take the time to think and pray about it, placing logic and reason above your emotions. On the other hand, reacting involves making quick decisions without fully thinking them through.
3. Sacrifice Your Mindset: "This could be rephrased as "Let go of your existing beliefs, traditions, and thought patterns to form new and positive ones." This means that to grow and become a better version of yourself, you may need to abandon your current thinking and adopt a more open-minded and positive approach to life." By letting go of limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns, you can create space for new ideas and opportunities to enter your life.
4. Sacrifice Your Past Experiences: Sometimes, our attachment to past experiences can create barriers to personal growth and development. While reflecting on our past and learning from it is essential, it's equally important to recognize and release any negative emotions or self-imposed limitations hindering our progress. By embracing a mindset of letting go, we can free ourselves from the burdens of the past and open up new opportunities for growth and success.
5. Submit Your Body a Living Sacrifice: Bringing our body under submission to God’s Holy Spirit is a profound call to offer oneself, both physically and spiritually, with a heart and mind filled with pure and honest intentions. This call places a significant responsibility on devoted followers of Christ to wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to a higher purpose, to lead a life of selfless service and unwavering devotion, and to stand firm and resolute amid adversities and trials."
MY CONCLUSION
We have just finished discussing the inspiring message about becoming a living sacrifice to the Lord. I recall when this idea first came to me. I was preparing for a fast to be ready for an upcoming revival. I felt tired and had put everything away so I could sleep, but for some reason, I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom and freshen up before sleeping.
While in the bathroom, the Lord spoke this message into my spirit, and it immediately resonated with me. I have spent most of my life sacrificing as a long-distance truck driver and using that vocation to reach the masses of broken humanity with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
My dear friends, I take my walk with God seriously and take all these precautions to go before him because "He is my King." I love it when God wakes me up at 3 am or 4 am to pray. First, I wash my face, comb my hair, wear a decent shirt, brush my teeth, and use mouthwash. Then, I grab one of my favorite Bibles and place it on a chair as I reach for a small pillow on the floor. I find some soft instrumental worship music to create a peaceful atmosphere.
Before leaving for the Philippines, the Lord spoke to me early in the morning, and I wrote down what He told me. The Lord said, "My Son, here is what you do when you do not know what to do.”
1. "Do not doubt I am with you, for I have brought you here."
2. "Those who do not understand will see me working through you and start to believe that I am with you."
3. "As long as you stay humble, I will work through you to touch others, for this is why I chose you for this time and
era in history, and never doubt that I am with you."
In conclusion, it is essential to acknowledge that every individual has a unique place in the body of Christ and has a part to contribute to society's betterment. Whether through spiritual guidance, acts of kindness, or community service, we must work together to create a positive impact. Only by coming together as a collective body can we bring about the much-needed change required to transform our communities, cities, and nation and make them a better place for everyone."
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
