Our Sacrificial Offerings to God

Our SacrificialOfferings to God

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.

Romans 12:1I 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.

Sacrifice

Our fallen flesh – something difficult, something unpleasant,something we would rather avoid.

Romans 12:1I 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.

Sacrifice Viewpoint of

New Creature – something joyful, something thatis a delight, something that we would rather be doing than any-thing else.

Romans 12:1I 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.

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

But soon, as I progressed in the narrow way all these things became a sheer joy a delight. There was absolutely nothing I would rather be doing.

Matthew 19:27 Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 

Mark 10:29,30 Jesus answered, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age,… and in the age to come, eternal life.

… The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in you if faithful. (Romans 8)

1 Peter 4:12,13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you;

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Volume 6 – Page 678If our joys were dependent upon circumstances of this life merely, we should be without joy; and, as the Apostle has declared, be “of all men most miserable.” (1Cor. 15:19) It is when hope has laid firm hold on the exceeding great and precious promises of God’s word, that joys spring up as flowers in a desert, vivified by our tears – such flowers of joy and blessing as the poor world in its wilderness condition could not produce or imagine.

Psalm 56:8 (Living Bible)

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

1 Corinthians 10:13 Diaglott

No trial has assailed you except what belongs to man and God is faithful who will not permit you to be tried beyond your ability; but with the trial, will also direct the issue, that you may be able to bear it.

Our Loving God of Providence 

In all our sickness, the Lord saith to the waves of pain, “Hitherto shall ye go, but no further.” Wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat.

The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition and effects of all our sicknesses. Each throb...each sleepless hour...each relapse...each depression of spirit...each sanctifying result—nothing great or small escapes the loving hand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head. 

Affliction comes not haphazard – the weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistake in balancing the clouds and meting out the heavens, commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients for our development as new creatures. We cannot suffer too much nor be relieved too late.

The knife of the Heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. “He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” A mother’s heart cries, “Spare my child;” but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God.

He who has fixed the bounds of our habitation has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation.

May each of us ever strive to achieve the height of Christian attainment, - complete acquiescence to every trying experience without murmuring or complaining, knowing that it was permitted only because it was the best experience in the world for our eternal interest.

Prosperity!

Philippians 3:13 This one thing I do,… I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Luke 9:23If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Denying self would seem to include denying those things that are pleasing to the flesh, but would be detrimental to the New Creature.

May we each look inward and evaluate how well we are doing in denying self, especially the next time we are about to purchase a car, furniture, a house, or even just thinking of going out to a fancy restaurant.

Luke 9:23,24 If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Volume 6 – Page 127However it is not enough that they (the Great Company) consecrated fully, it must be demonstrated that they at heart love the Lord and would not deny him at any cost, even though not faithful enough to COURT SACRIFICE IN HIS SERVICE.

My earliest thought I desire shall be, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me.

Revelation 3:14-16I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of mymouth.

1 Timothy 4:12

Be thou an example of the

believers.

A life filled with humility – love – devotion – sacrificial activity in the Lord’s service.

In other words lukewarmness, can have the effect of begetting lukewarmness in other brethren.

Others may begin to think lukewarmness is the accepted level of Christian vitality.

Ones flesh may start to reason, well they don’t seem to sacrifice too much, and they seem to be fairly well thought of by the brethren.

I’ll live my life like them. No use going to an extreme.

You know you really aren’t the most qualified for that position.There are others who could do a much better job for they have more time, or money, or ability.

That’s really a job that would be better for someone younger, or someone older.That job would really be better for a sister, or a brother, or a deacon, or an elder.You know you really should get your house painted first.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.

They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Romans 12:11 (Phillips) Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work, and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning as we do our work for the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Galatians 5:22:23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Galatians 6:2 NIV Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Hebrews 10:24 NASLet us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.

1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 8:12 (Phillips)The important thing is to be willing to give as much as we can, - that is what God accepts, and no one is asked to give what he has not got.

2 Cor. 5;19,20(God) has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ!

1 Corinthians 4:1,2 Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.…Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Matthew 5:14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

Again our flesh may enter the picture suggesting, you know we’re so busy, and since we belong to the Chicago, or New York, or Detroit classes, or, we belong to the Dawn, or Herald, or Divine Plan Brethren, and they witness, that should be sufficient. We’ve fulfilled our responsibility. It’s probably OK for me to stop.

Isaiah 6:8I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said he, “Here am I, send me.”

Isaiah 6:11Then said I, Lord how long?

And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant andthe houses without man,

and the land be utterly desolate.

Philipians 3:12-13 (NAS)Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect but I press on …

Brethren I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet…But one thing I do… I press on toward the goal!

So send I you to labor unrewarded,To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown,

To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing,So send I you to toil for Me alone.

So send I you to bind the bruised and broken,O’er wand’ring souls to work, to weep, to wake,

To bear the burdens of a world a weary,So send I you to suffer for My sake.

So send I you to loneliness and longing,With heart a hung’ring for the loved and known,

Forsaking home and kindred, friend and dear one,So send I you to know My love alone.

So send I you to leave your life’s ambition,To die to dear desire, self will resign,

To labor long and love where men revile you,So send I you to lose your life in Mine.

“As the Father hath sent me,

So send I you.”

Revelation 17

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished; for I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name is feared among the nations.

2 Peter 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Ecclesiates 11:4-6Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap…Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

Romans 5:3,4We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Last messenger to Israel previous to John the Baptist.

Last messenger to Israel previous to John the Baptist.Prophesied about the time of Nehemiah’s 2nd return to Jerusalem from Persia about 410 B.C.It was a time of Israel’s spiritual lethargy

Last messenger to Israel previous to John the Baptist.Prophesied about the time of Nehemiah’s 2nd return to Jerusalem from Persia about 410 B.C.

The zeal of the priests and people overall had cooled down.

The zeal of the priests and people overall had cooled down.The Temple service had become one of mere formal observance.

The zeal of the priests and people overall had cooled down.The Temple service had become one of mere formal observance.Priests accepted sacrifices that should have been rejected and they looked on their duties as a wearisome burden.

Malachi 1:6-8 (RSV)A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised thy name?’

7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. And you say, ‘How have we polluted it?’ By thinking that the LORD’s table may be despised.8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he be pleased with you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 1:12-14 (RSV)12 But you profane (my name) when you say that the LORD’s table is polluted, and the food for it may be despised.13 ‘What a weariness this is,’ you say, and you sniff at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD.

Is God pleased?

Would He like it to be better?

Malachi 3:10,17 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it ….17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.

James 2:14-1714 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

She cast in all that she had.

Ezekiel 2:4-7The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—(for they are a rebellious house)—they will know that a prophet has been among them…Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them,…You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen.

Matthew 19:27-29 NIVWe have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?(Jesus answered,) Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

But that’s when it’s fun, when it

really hurts!

The compensating Joy of an innermost feeling you’ll get when after a tiring sacrificial service offering, you know deep down inside, God is pleased, and is somewhat looking down with an appreciative smile at your hearts desire to show how much you love him.  

...the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in you if faithful. Romans 8

● The Joy of having your loving family increase with spiritual brethren, all willing to lay down their life to help you in whatever way they can.

● The Joy of humbly, seeing your character gradually being transformed, becoming more loving, more kind, more compassionate.

The Joy of Knowing all things, that is everything that happens in your life, are working together for your good, bringing a peace of heart freeing you from all worry and anxiety.

The joy of communion with your Lord and Heavenly Father through prayer, and feeling their presence at your side every moment of the day.

Philippians 3:12 (Phillips) Not that I claim to have achieved all this, nor to have reached perfection already, but I keep going on, trying to grasp that purpose for which Christ Jesus grasped me.

Philippians 3:13 (Phillips) My brothers, I do not consider myself to have grasped it fully even now. But this one thing I do, forgetting all that lies behind me and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal.