How can we apply the principles of sacrifice and obedience in our lives today? Setting the Scene: Leviticus 8:19 “ And Moses slaughtered the ram and sprinkled the blood on all sides of the altar.” • Israel watched as Moses obeyed every detail God had given for the priests’ consecration. • The blood signaled life offered up, illustrating both the seriousness of sin and the wholehearted devotion God deserves. • Obedience was not optional or approximate; it was exact. Sacrifice Fulfilled in Christ, Yet Still Relevant • Hebrews 9:22 – “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” • John 1:29 – Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” • Because Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice is complete (Hebrews 10:10), we no longer bring animal offerings; we bring ourselves. Living Sacrifice: What It Looks Like Today (Romans 12:1) Offer your body “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Practical expressions: – Time: set apart undistracted moments for worship, Scripture, and service. – Talents: use every skill—administration, teaching, hospitality, craftsmanship—for kingdom work. – Treasure: budget generosity first; view spending as stewardship, not ownership. – Relationships: forgive quickly, honor others, carry burdens (Ephesians 4:32; Galatians 6:2). – Personal holiness: guard eyes, mind, and tongue; choose purity over popularity (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Obedience: Hearing and Doing (1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15) • God prizes obedience above ritual. • Belief shows itself in active steps—adjusting schedules, habits, and priorities to God’s voice. • Small, daily choices matter: – Speak truth even when it costs. – Keep commitments. – Submit to authorities unless they contradict Scripture (Romans 13:1; Acts 5:29). – Practice Sabbath rest as trust in God’s provision. Motivations That Keep Sacrifice and Obedience Joyful • Gratitude: remember the cross; love responds to love (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). • Identity: you are already accepted in Christ; obedience flows from sonship, not for it (Ephesians 1:5-6). • Hope: every act of faithfulness will be rewarded (1 Corinthians 15:58). Fruit That Follows • Peace of conscience (Isaiah 32:17). • Credible witness—others see Christ in tangible form (Matthew 5:16). • Deeper fellowship with God—“He who loves Me will keep My word, and My Father will love him” (John 14:23). Finishing Well The altar blood of Leviticus 8:19 calls us to lives that are consistently offered up and lined up with God’s Word. Sacrifice and obedience remain our privileged response, empowered by the Spirit and anchored in the finished work of Jesus. |
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