Sacrifice

When you think of the word “Sacrifice”, what ideas or concepts come to your mind?  You might think of an act of giving up something that you want to keep in order to help someone else, like sacrificing a place in line at the grocery store for someone who is in a hurry, or maybe something more in depth, like sacrificing a vacation week from work to serve God on the mission field?  Or, do you think of an act from Biblical times where an animal was killed in a sacrificial offering to God?  In our modern day, that would be like sacrificing your money, time and belongings to God and literally giving them all up as a sacrifice in order to follow and please God.

Living a life of sacrifice is extremely counter-cultural in our day.  We live in a society and culture that is focused on self promotion, self glorification and self indulgence.  The thought of “sacrifice” is something we might do on occasion, but to live a life of sacrifice is extremely difficult to do, yet look at what the Bible instructs us to do as followers of Jesus.

Romans 12:1 says this…”Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Paul makes it very clear to us in this verse that our lives, our bodies, our thoughts, our possessions...everything is to be presented as a sacrifice to God.  And why not?  Look at what God did for you.  He sent His one and only son, Jesus, as the ULTIMATE sacrifice so you and I could experience life - life forever.

This weekend we are singing a song about this idea of sacrifice.  As we look at this song and respond to it in worship, look deep into your heart and ask yourself this vital question, “Am I living my life as a living sacrifice to God?  Have I truly understood the sacrifice Jesus made for me on the cross?”  If not, then open your heart to the Lord.

Listen to the words of this song...

“There is love that came for us

Humbled to a sinner's cross

You broke my shame and sinfulness

You rose again victorious

You are stronger you are stronger

Sin is broken you have saved me

It is written Christ is risen Jesus you are Lord of all

Lord Jesus - thank you for your sacrifice on the cross for my sin.  Might I live my life as a living sacrifice to you!  Give me the strength to do so, in Jesus Name - Amen

Here is the YouTube link to this song by Hillsong called "Stronger"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJS6Gm3MUHc