Romans 12 1 I beseech you therefore brethren

Romans 12: 1 “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. ”

A Living Sacrifice: an offering made to God by killing an animal and burning it on an altar, designed to make atonement for sin. It always implied the killing of the animal as an acknowledgment of the sinner that he deserved to die. - Any offering made to Him and His service as an expression of thanksgiving or homage.

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law q The true value of a sacrifice / offering lies in obedience. ü Genesis 4: 4 b “…And the LORD respected Abel and his offering. ” ü Heb. 11: 4 a “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; …”

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law q The true value of a sacrifice / offering lies in obedience. ü Genesis 22: 1 -12 (2) Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, …and offer him there as a burnt offering…” (12) “And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. ”

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law q The true value of a sacrifice / offering lies in obedience. ü 1 Samuel 15: 1 -23 (22)“So Samuel said: "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. ”

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law (Lev. 1 - 7) § § § Burnt Offering Meal (Grain) Offering Peace Offering Trespass Offering Sin Offering

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law (Lev. 1 - 7) § Burnt Offering v Voluntary act of worship v Atonement for unintentional sin in general v Expression of devotion, commitment, and complete surrender to God

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law (Lev. 1 - 7) § Meal (Grain) Offering v Voluntary act of worship v Recognition of God’s goodness and provisions v Devotion to God

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law (Lev. 1 - 7) § Peace Offering v Voluntary act of worship v Signified that all was right, or would be right, between the worshiper & God v The Law describes 3 classes of peace offerings: ü Thanksgiving offering ü Vow offering ü Freewill (or voluntary) offering

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law (Lev. 1 - 7) § Trespass Offering v Mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin; sin requiring restitution v Cleansing from defilement v Make restitution

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law (Lev. 1 - 7) § Sin Offering v Mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin v Confession of sin v To extinguish the guilt incurred by sin v Cleansing from defilement

A Living Sacrifice Ø Sacrifices from the Old Law (Lev. 1 - 7) q These animal sacrifices were not sufficient to cleanse us perfectly before the LORD. ü Hebrews 10: 1 -4 q Only through the sacrifice given by Christ Jesus can we become truly purified in God’s sight. ü Hebrews 9: 7 -14, 24 -28

A Living Sacrifice Ø Christ – The Ultimate Sacrifice q Christ was a living sacrifice throughout His entire life on earth v He emptied Himself of glory, acted as a slave rather than as LORD of all, and took upon Himself our humanity (Phil. 2: 6 -7) v At an early age, He was “about His Father’s business” (Luke 3: 49) v Through temptation, He remained obedient to the Father (Mt. 4: 1 -11) v He did not seek His own glory (Jn. 7: 16 -18, 28)

A Living Sacrifice Ø Christ – The Ultimate Sacrifice q Christ was a living sacrifice throughout His entire life on earth v He gave His life willingly (Jn. 10: 18) v He loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God (Eph. 5: 2)

A Living Sacrifice Ø Christ – The Ultimate Sacrifice q The true value of a sacrifice / offering lies in obedience. ü Romans 5: 19 “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. ” ü Philippians 2: 8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ”

Romans 12: 1 “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. ” “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ” (1 Peter 2: 5)

A Living Sacrifice Ø Am I a “living sacrifice? ” q I must die with Christ (Col. 2: 20) ü John 12: 23 -26 ü Romans 6: 7 -14 q I must be raised with Christ (Col. 3: 1) ü Colossians 3: 1 -4 Seek things above, set your mind on things above, and your life will be a Christ centered life!

A Living Sacrifice Ø Am I a “living sacrifice? ” q I must put to death fleshly desires (Col. 3: 5) ü Col. 3: 5 -9 a ü 1 Peter 2: 1 -3 q I must put on a new life (Col. 3: 12) ü Colossians 3: 12 -15 ü Ephesians 4: 1 -3, 22 -24

A Living Sacrifice Ø Am I a “living sacrifice? ” q The true value of a sacrifice / offering lies in obedience. ü Become a living sanctuary (1 Cor. 6: 19 -20) O, Lord, prepare me, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; With thanksgiving I’ll be a living sanctuary for You. Lord, teach Your children to stop the fighting, start uniting all as one; Let’s get together, loving forever, sanctuary for You.

A Living Sacrifice Ø Am I a “living sacrifice? ” q The true value of a sacrifice / offering lies in obedience. ü Become a living sanctuary (1 Cor. 6: 19 -20) You were the One, Lord, who sent the Savior, heart and soul, Lord, for our land; It is You Lord, who knows our weakness, You refine us with Your hand. O, Lord, prepare me, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; With thanksgiving I’ll be a living sanctuary for You. #19 – Hymns for Worship (Supplement)

Romans 12: 1 “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. ”