“A Living Sacrifice”

Chosen By God

I Peter 2:4-10

Jesus is the living stone, and we too are living stones that are being built into a spiritual house. One stone by itself is not a temple, not even a wall; just as one body part is useless without the others. Only together, through Christ, can be become a holy temple for God. Notice, it’s not by our own efforts or abilities that we are built into this temple.

“Once we were not a people” implies we could do nothing without God’s intercession through Christ. He chose us! We were in darkness, now God has called us out of darkness. We have received mercy.

What incredible descriptions God has for us through Christ: living stones, spiritual house, holy priesthood, a chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, a people belonging to God. According to Peter we who are Christians are all priests. What does that mean?

Priesthood: in O.T. times the people could not approach God directly. A priest acted as an intermediary between God and sinful human beings. They served in God’s temple offering sacrifices of prayer, thanksgiving, praise, and repentance.

Because of Christ, the final sacrifice, we all have access to God. This means that we all serve God personally, that we minister to others, and we have something to give.

What are the sacrifices that we should offer as God’s priests? We have been chosen to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (vs.5) and to declare the praises of Him (vs.9)

Offer Spiritual Sacrifices

In the O.T. priests offered animal sacrifices; Jesus was the final sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. The only sacrifice we have to offer now as God’s priests is ourselves.

Romans 12:1-21

This is the sacrifice that is acceptable to God — a living sacrifice. How do we become a living sacrifice (not a dead one)? Paul gives us some specific direction:

• Offer yourself (no one can do it for you)

• Do not conform to the pattern of this world (you are set apart)

• Think of yourself with sober judgment

• Use your gifts together with the family of God

• Love sincerely

• Hate what is evil

• Cling to what is good

• Be devoted to one another

• Honor one another above yourself

• Never be lacking in zeal… (Ex. Phineas in Number 25:5-13)

• Be joyful in hope

• Patient in affliction

• Faithful in prayer

• Share with God’s people who are in need

• Practice hospitality

• Do not retaliate and curse

• Have empathy for others (feel what they feel)

• Live in harmony with one another

• Be humble, not proud

• Be careful to do what is right

• Overcome evil with good

Declare the Praises of Him

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

According to this passage, a way for God to be praised is the act of giving. Financial sacrifice (contribution, special missions, benevolence, generosity) is worship: “expressions of thanks to God.”

2 Corinthians 8:7

God wants us to praise Him in all that we do (“excel in everything”):

• In faith

• In speech

• In knowledge

• In complete earnestness

• In love for others

• In the grace of giving

Three Principles of Sacrificial Giving

1. Acceptable giving is always sacrificial giving

a. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 — the example of the Macedonians

b. 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 — Jesus’ sacrifice should motivate us

2. Give yourself first to the Lord

a. 2 Corinthians 8:5, 10 — Desire to give to God first

b. Proverbs 3:9 — Give the first fruits

3. God loves a cheerful giver

a. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 — Giving comes from the heart

b. 2 Corinthians 8:11-12 — Willingness makes the sacrifice acceptable

Let’s appreciate what God has done through Jesus Christ — he has chosen us to be “priests” that our living sacrifices.