Salina church of Christ Fall Seminar

1646 N. 9th

Salina, Kansas 67401

Leadership Message

Living Sacrifices

I urge you, brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is our spiritual act of worship

Sacrifice was required of both the individual and the nation under the Law of Moses.  While animals were brought live to the temple, they were actually dead at the time of offering before the Lord, having been slaughtered and prepared beforehand according to God’s instructions.  This is in stark contrast with the Gospel’s concept of sacrifice.  The Old Law required a dead sacrifice.  The New Law requires a live sacrifice.  But, what does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

To begin to understand, we must first perceive ourselves as God’s temple.  Don’t you understand that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?...for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.  The Jerusalem temple was the dwelling place of God.  Animals were brought to the temple, but sacrificed in the temple.  The sacrifices were made in the actual presence of God.  We, also, in our sacrificial offerings are doing so in the very presence of God because He is dwelling I us – His present day temple.

While yet living, there is a death involved in being a living sacrifice.  Paul says, I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  We give up living for self and turn our focus on living for Jesus.  When we do so, our being a living sacrifice is just beginning.

Immediately after Paul’s urging us to be living sacrifices, he continues, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  The pattern of this world is self indulgence, serving self only.  Being a living sacrifice demands a change of focus.  No longer can we put our own interests ahead of the Lord’s.  He comes first.  How do we accomplish this?  By a renewing of our mind.  Simply put, it starts with decision coupled with commitment:  a mental resolve that He comes before all else.  Once such commitment has taken place, transformation can occur.  As living sacrifices we no longer have a worldly appearance but have taken on the spiritual manifestation of Jesus.

                SMc

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

1Corinthians 2:2