True and acceptable Sacrifice
Good morning brethren, I would like to share a brief exhortation on the topic “True and acceptable Sacrifice.” Our anchor Scripture is Romans 12:1 says “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.” Throughout the Bible, we see people bringing sacrifices and offerings before God. However, not every sacrifice was accepted by Him. This reveals an important spiritual truth: it is possible to give something to God that is not pleasing or acceptable to Him. We must understand that God does not only look at what is placed on the altar; He also looks at the heart of the person bringing the sacrifice. The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 gives us one of the earliest examples of an acceptable and unacceptable sacrifice. Both brothers brought offerings to God, yet God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. This brings us to an important question What makes a sacrifice true and acceptable before God? That is the purpose of this exhortation. Perhaps we should begin with this prayer “Father, do not reject my sacrifice, my prayer, my service, my worship, or my offering. Teach me to know Your heart and to give You what pleases You, in Jesus name. Amen.” Scripture in 1 Samuel 16:7 says “For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” This scripture explains that God is not impressed by outward religious activities - as believers, we may pray, give offerings, serve in church, sing, preach, or perform acts of kindness, but God is interested in the heart behind everything we do. Hebrews 11:4 says “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Note here that Abel’s sacrifice was connected with faith, they both brought sacrifices but difference was in their approach the sacrifices were presented to God. This teaches that a person can give a large offering with the wrong heart, while another can give a small offering with genuine love and faith (Mark 12:41–44). So God look at the heart, may you give with a pure heart in Jesus name!
As believers it is important we pray to know the heart of God, this we help us to know what God truly desires of us so we can better able to offer Him what is acceptable. Psalm 40:6–8 says “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire… Then said I, Lo, I come… I delight to do thy will, O my God.” This proves that God’s desire is not empty religious activity but that everyone know Him, love Him and obey His will. A biblical example is the story of King Saul, he was instructed by God to obey a specific command, but he partially obeyed and then tried to justify himself. The prophet Samuel responded in 1 Samuel 15:22 “To obey is better than sacrifice.” God is interested in our obedience than religious activity without obedience. In Genesis 4:3-5 we read that Cain brought an offering from the fruit of the ground, while Abel brought the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof. And then the Bible says “And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.” Please take note of the order God had respect unto Abel and then to his offering. This shows us that God considers the person before the offering and that no offering can compensate for a heart that refuses God. Cain could have asked “Lord, what did I do wrong? Teach me how to approach You. Instead, he allowed rejection to produce bitterness, hatred and murder (Genesis 4:5–8). I must use this opportunity to advise that we should never conclude especially in times of correction. God spoke to Cain in Genesis 4:6–7 “Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?” Please never allow your disappointment to become destruction - when a prayer seems unanswered, when a door closes, when someone rejects you, or when something does not happen according to your expectation, do not immediately conclude that God has abandoned you. Sometimes what looks like rejection could be God’s correction, redirection, protection or preparation. God has a good plan for peace and hope for us. us(Jeremiah 29:11). As we reflect on our anchor scripture in Romans 12:1, as believers we are called to present our bodies as a living sacrifice - meaning true sacrifice of our hearts, time, obedience, gift, relationships, bodies, etc. Our lives as believers is an altar hence we must make sacrifices as a lifestyle. What then, is an acceptable sacrifice? A sacrifice of obedience “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22), A sacrifice of praise - “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.” (Hebrews 13:15), A sacrifice of thanksgiving - “Offer unto God thanksgiving.” (Psalm 50:14), A sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart - “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…” (Psalm 51:17). A sacrifice of love and generosity - “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18). Praise be to God that Jesus offered Himself once and for all for our sins, He became our Perfect Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2).
Jesus surrendered Himself completely to the will of the Father, He was our perfect example of an acceptable sacrifice. Luke 22:42 says “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Because Christ gave Himself for us, our response should be to give ourselves to Him. And because Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, our response should be to give ourselves to Him. In conclusion brethren, the story of Cain and Abel teaches us that God is looking for a surrendered heart. Two people can do the same thing, give the same amount, serve in the same place, or perform the same religious activity, yet God may see two completely different hearts. Therefore, the acceptable sacrifice begins with an acceptable heart. Let us not only ask, “What am I giving to God?” And let us also ask “What is the condition of my heart?” “Am I obeying God? I seeking His will?” “Am I giving Him my whole life?” Finally, let our prayer be like that of the Psalmist in Psalm 139:23 says “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” May the Lord give us hearts that are surrendered to Him, lives that bring Him glory, and sacrifices that are true, holy, and acceptable in His sight in Jesus name! Our Workers meeting begins at 9:45 am and the Service starts at 10:15 am. God bless you all. – Mike