Sacrifice, Our Christian Duty
Hebrews 13:7-16
December 1996
Sacrifice of Leaders
Charlotte was born of hearty stock an old Virginian family. Her brother would be a respected physician, and a sister would be also be a doctor, the first female doctor south of the Mason-Dixon line. She would serve as a medical missionary among the Arabs in Palestine. Charlotte however, would make the family name famous. Living in the late 1800’s was not an easy time for an independent single young lady, but she would not deterred by her sex. She was determined to demonstrate what God could do with a willing instrument. In 1873, she left for missionary service to the land of China. It was in this distant land that she, Charlotte Lottie Moon, would sacrifice her life.
After several years on the mission field loneliness and frustration had take a toll on Lottie, her old boy friend had proposed marriage. He had made an appealing offer for a lonely single woman. Her suitor, however, had been influenced strongly by German liberal scholars. Lottie found these unbiblical positions incompatible with her own devotion to the Lord and significant enough to end all plans of marriage. Had she been in love she was asked, "Yes, but God had first claim on my life, and since the two conflicted, there could be no question about the result." Lottie’s faith demanded — required obedience and this sacrifice.
Lottie challenged the role of women on the mission field and a lack luster missions strategy that had produce fruitlessness. Because of her radical faith and desire to evangelize the people of China she drew harsh criticism. She knew there would be many obstacles preventing her from expanding her ministry. She knew it would be controversial and dangerous, yet she trusted God. Pioneer evangelism was extremely difficult work and she endured many trials. She heard the mocks of the natives as they screamed "devil" as she walked down the narrow village streets. The work was tiring and long.
Only after several long years did she begin to reach the people she had labored among. After 4 years God rewarded her. She wrote, "Surely there can be no deeper joy than that of saving souls." Lottie’s sacrificial work now affected thousands.
Great unrest later fell upon China, and Lottie was forced to leave her beloved China for a time. Outbreaks of the plague, smallpox, and famine devastated China. Lottie organized a relief service and pleaded for funds from the United States but none ever came. Lottie contributed from her personal funds and gave all that one person could give. All she had was now gone; money, strength, and health. She poured herself out like a drink offering.
In hopes of saving her life, her colleagues made arrangements for her return home, but it was to late. On Christmas Eve, 1912, one week after her seventy-second birthday Charlotte "Lottie" Moon died.
Lottie made many appeals for help. In one letter sh wrote "It is odd that a million Baptists of the South can furnish only three men for all China. Odd that with five hundred preachers in the state of Virginia, we must rely on a Presbyterian to fill a Baptist pulpit. I wonder how these things must look in heaven. They certainly look very queer in China . . ."
She sacrificed comfort, romance, the last of her savings, her pride, and her very life. What would cause a person to do such a thing?
Read Hebrews 13:7 —
Are you a Christian? Is Jesus your Lord? Then, remember your leaders those that have gone before us. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. What examples of faith we have before us. Read Hebrews 11:33-38.
Jesus Christ is still the same he has not changed, he is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Sacrifice of God
Yet, if that is not enough to move us let us consider the sacrifice made by God. In Hebrews 10:10-12.
Oh, what a sacrifice, when Jesus died on the cross as an atonement for our sin. Oh, what manner of love the father has given unto us. This was a priceless sacrifice. God gave his all. John 3:16.
During December we once remembered that giving of that priceless gift, but no longer. Instead, even in our homes are the most expensive gifts those that go to our family and friends or God!
The letter to the Hebrews is written to some very Jewish Christians. For them Christian faith was simply an addition to their religion. It was really difficult to tell the difference between the Jew and Christian.
Is it difficult to tell who is the Christian with a glance under our trees, a examination of our checkbook or our credit card purchases, or the gaze of an observer at our service? Do our faithless neighbors live the same?
The Acceptable Sacrifice
What then is the demands of a disciple?
First Peter 2:4-5 says,
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Look at Hebrews 13:15-16 —
We are given in this passage two commands. First, is a sacrifice of praise. The continual public profession of our faith. The proclamation of our faith expresses our thankfulness to God for His priceless sacrifice. Are you thankful?
Over and over again in seminary Dr. Gray reminded us that we need to be thankful. It is so easy for us to take for granted all the blessings we receive. Even easier is the habit of not expressing our thanksgiving. It is so easy to day to get into the routine of negativity and yet how easy it would be to be thankful for the blessings we have received. We have been blessed! What do you deserve? Nothing! When we wake up in the morning and have a new breath it is a blessing. Pride says, "look what I have done and what I deserve." How do you say thank you? Dr. Gray taught me to send a personal note of appreciation.
Here the Bible tells us that if we are thankful for God saving us we will tell others. Repeating empty words to God, in a quick prayer, is so easy to do. If you are serious about a thank you do something about it. Even if it costs you something.
Now the second command tells us not to forget to do good and to share with others. Do not stop doing good deeds.
How easy it would be for us to just be like the rest of humanity and send our thank you card and give our token offering to the Salvation Army bell ringer and share a gift in the offering plate and feel good about what we have done.
We however, have two examples set before us that compel us to follow. What would cause a woman to forsake all? Her love for God compelled her. What brought Christ to come and lay aside his crown and throne in heaven to die for such as you and I? God’s love! Romans 5:8.
An Acceptable sacrifice begins with love. Do you love him?
What is an acceptable sacrifice? Let me share 4 observations:
1. It costs us something. Luke 21:1-4 —
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
2. It is something you have been equipped for already. God does not ask us to give what He will not supply. That is what the Bible says. It says you already have what you need and the works God has called you to, he has already gotten you ready to do.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
3. It is beyond your ability. Supernaturally supplied. Moses at the Red Sea.
4. A worthy sacrifice will be consumed. Like Elijah’s sacrifice on Mt. Carmel was consumed by fire for the glory of God a worthy sacrifice will be consumed by God to his glory. Another missionary who gave her all for Christ, Amy Carmichial, wrote that any sacrifice laid on the altar should be expected to be consumed by fire.
Many crowd the Savior’s Kingdom,
Few receive His Cross,
Many seek His consolation,
Few will suffer loss
For the dear sake of the Master,
Counting all but dross.
Many sit at Jesus’ table,
Few will fast with Him,
When the sorrow-cup of anguish,
Trembles to the brim —
Few watch with Him in the garden
Who have sung the hymn.
Many will confess His wisdom,
Few embrace His shame,
Many, should He smile upon them,
Will His praise proclaim;
Then, if for a while He leave them,
They desert His name.
But the souls who love Him truly,
Whether for woe or bliss,
These will count their truest heart’s blood
Not their own, but His;
Savior, Thou Who thus has love me,
Give me love like this.
Author unknown
A page from Thomas a Kempis Imitation
