Focus: The Sacrifice God Requires

Text: Rom.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."

Our text makes certain that God requires of us the sacrifice of OURSELVES.

In Phil.4:18, God requires the sacrifice of our RESOURCES. Paul says, "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus THE THINGS which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God" - Phil.4:18.

In Heb.13:15, God requires the sacrifice of our PRAISES. The writer of Hebrews says, "By him therefore let us offer the SACRIFICE of PRAISE to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

These three sacrifices are acceptable to our God - the sacrifices of our selves, our resources, and our praises.

How well are you sacrificing yourself, letting God have his way with you? Is God getting enough of all he has given you? Is God feeling the impact of your resources? How often do you praise God, using your vocal cords? The psalmist says, "SEVEN TIMES A DAY do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments" - Ps.119:164.

Paul testifies of the Macedonian church, "And this they did, not as we hoped, but FIRST GAVE THEIR OWN SELVES TO THE LORD, and unto us by the will of God" - 2Cor.8:5.

Give and keep giving yourself first, then your resources and the praises of your lips. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter