Living Sacrifice 5/19/2019

Welcome guests, at the conclusion of my message this morning it is our custom to give the Lord an opportunity to minister. I invite the entire congregation to come to the front. We pray with one another and for one another. Just like the Bible describes, “us bearing one another’s burden”. No one can successfully live for God alone and without each other. We invite you to join us if you are comfortable to come forward

Introduction

Misunderstanding in common Christianity is that the Lord asks for the heart (which he does) and that He is not concerned with the body. But scripture deals with the body as well as the heart. The only option is to choose to ignore what scripture says, or to choose that I will align my life with the Lord’s request of what my life should be in representation of Him.

I want to talk to us today about a subject in scripture that is often overlooked and goes unaddressed from too many pulpits in America. I am going to address God’s call to His people for living a life of holiness.

Romans 12:1 NKJV

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.

The Bodies of Beasts

In the OT a sacrifice was offered by the priest. But presented by the offerer who transferred to God all his rights of the animal. The offerer surrendered any choice of what happened to the animal, how it would be used.

When the priest laid his hand upon the head of the beast the offerer was giving up all of his interest in the future of that animal.

Could have produced a lot of meat for the family?

Could have born many offspring for the herd?

Could have fetched a nice price at market if it were to be sold?

All of was surrendered.

Abraham

Abraham was ready to offer Isaac. Genesis 22

Isaac was the fulfillment of a God given promise.

When we surrender to God as we should, even the things He promises should be available for an altar.

Too often we have a me religion. It is about me, not about Him.

Isaac was the future. Isaac was the heir.

Abraham was willing to sacrifice all at the request of the Lord.

Jesus

God did give his son as a sacrifice for our sins. What you and I owe, we could never pay. Jesus became the payment, He became the sacrifice. The substitute.

He no longer ask for a dead sacrifice. But a living sacrifice, that is our body.

Romans 12:1 NKJV

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.

Our Bodies

2 Corinthians 6:16 NKJV

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

I will dwell in them, and walk among them. - Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

A call of distinction from the world.

2 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV

Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

We are to glorify God in our bodies. To engage in the duties of immediate worship and in diligent attendance to our calling. Being willing to suffer for God. A living sacrifice does not choose its suffering. All rights, titles, and ownership have been surrendered by a living sacrifice.

What would happen in this church if we together would present our lives in this manner to God?

What would happen in us? In our families?

Instead of making the body servant to the Lord, we make the soul servant to the body.

Romans 6:19 NKJV

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

God can do nothing with our heart or spirit without the service of the body.

Message of Holiness

Could you expect a Holy God to dwell in an unholy temple?

He said I will dwell in them, walk among them.

It is for us to present or give our bodies to God as a living sacrifice.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Promises - dwell in them, walk with them, they shall be My people. I will be a Father to you - verse 18.

Altar music

Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Cleansing affects you inside - (thought life, spirit), outside (appearance, talk about, look at), expressions of life (where you are willing to go, who you often associate with, what you are entertained by).

Holiness is about me.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Conclusion

God comes to us with the gift of salvation. Thru grace He offers deliverance. He says I am going to take all of this junk of your life, this shamefulness, this sin, this mess. Thru grace I am exchanging it - you take salvation, and I will take all of this sin.

I will cleanse you thru baptism in my name. I will fill you with the Holy Spirit. I will dwell in you, and walk with you.

In exchange, thru my mercies you present your body to me as a living sacrifice.

Paul said it was our “reasonable service”. I say reasonable service falls way short of what it really is.

The living God almighty ask for you and I to become His dwelling place - taking from us all of what a mess our life was. And His only request is present our bodies as a living sacrifice.

To be renewed and transformed. To clean ourselves from the filth of the world, the flesh and our spirit.

There is nothing fair in that, I know what my life has to offer. God is not getting a prize.