How Much Does Sacrifice Cost

Introduction

When you are hired to a job there is typically an expectation that comes with that job as it pertains to time or the completion of projects or daily task. When I sign the offer letter or accept the position what I am saying is I am willing to do the work described in the description of the position that I’m signing up for. As Christians there are some things in our job description that God expects when we said “Yes I believe that Jesus is the son of God”.

At the end of verse 13 Paul states that we should be given to hospitality. He begins this chapter of scripture encouraging us to present ourselves accordingly, the living sacrifice that we are is our reasonable worship or service!

Understand that hospitality and sacrifice work together. In effort to be hospitable one must be willing to make sacrifices accordingly. Any time we get frustrated about the sacrifices we have to make or when God expects us to be hospitable to people we aren’t that fond of let us remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. His eternal hospitality by opening up His home in heaven should be live our lives properly.

We Find Ourselves in the In-Between

What we must understand is before we can get to a place of hospitality we have to be mindful of the in between.

I believe we all want to be hospitable but sometimes giving is going require giving when you do not feel like.

It’s going to require being polite, kind and showing mercy when you do not feel like it.

What is in between sacrifice and hospitality?

A renewal of the mind:

We have to distance ourselves from the rhetoric of the world and attach ourselves to that which is good and acceptable according to the will of God.

Letting go of pride is how we get from sacrifice to hospitality.

Understanding that I’m no greater than anyone else. And if I’m standing on the island of isolation, I’ve still done less than Jesus so sacrifice is a part of the equation.

James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

Sacrifice begins when I also understand that although we have different gifts it is up to us to use them according to the grace that is given to us.

This word given in this text means God grants. The power of what is granted depends on who gave it!

I can give you 1,000 dollars as a gift and tell you to use it as you see fit, but if I provide a grant there are guidelines and stipulations on how the gift is supposed to be used.

We see this by seeing what is granted in the following verses.

Prophesy, but prophesy in proportion to our faith.

Minister: but minister from a place of service.

Let us teach but let us teach in a healthy way.

exhort positively, in a manner that encourages one another.

Lead, but lead with diligence and if you have to show mercy let us do it cheerly.

Understand that God has granted us these gifts with parameters. When we are disobedient, we find ourselves operating outside of the parameters, which is why God has the authority to take it back.

Let us give with liberality, understanding that Jesus did not have to do what He did for us.

Matthew 6:1-3 ““Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,”

Hospitality is more that just setting out the nice silverware when people come over. Hospitality is more than just letting your guest go before you during the church potluck. Hospitality has love attached to it, hospitality has affection and kindness attached to it. Hospitality has patience and prayer attached to it.

Romans 12:9-13 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”

These are granted to us because they are given to us with parameters!

Understand hospitality is about going the extra mile! There’s no way I can be a Christian and refuse to go the extra mile. There’s no way I can call myself a Christian and hate my enemy. There is no way I can participate in any evil behavior toward other people and call myself a child of God.

Matthew 5:38-42 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”

Sacrifice to Hospitality, From Frustration to Cooperation

No matter what anyone tells you, sacrifice can be frustrating, confusing and not necessarily something so one would deem as fun.

To be a living sacrifice is that the way we offer our lives by being the Godly example it should speak lives to each other.

People not wanting to be around you is not an insult to them, our example might not speak enough life to encourage people to want to be cooperative with you!

Our presentation matters! Are we making ourselves available to one another! Present or to make available for work! Is our spirit on Do Not Disturb or are we ready to walk into a season of cooperation and hospitality.