Living Sacrifices: Embracing Christ's Call in a Broken World

2 Weeks ago: Let the promise and power of God’s wrath lead you to repentance.

Renounce all other gods in your life and serve the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Be as jealous for God as He is over you.

Last Weeks Sermon: focuses on passing down God's testimony through generations and the theme of light versus darkness. Pastor Bill highlights Jesus as the light in the darkness, emphasizing hope and restoration through Him. Believers are encouraged to walk as children of light, renouncing darkness and actively bringing light into the world. The main biblical reference throughout the sermon is the contrast between light and darkness, drawing connections to creation, Jesus as the light of the world, and the future second coming of Christ.

Eric Liddell - The Flying Scotsman

Introduction

Eric Liddell, often known as "The Flying Scotsman," was not only an exceptional athlete but also a man of profound faith. His story is a powerful illustration of the theme of sacrifice and living out one's faith, which aligns perfectly with the message of our sermon today.

Background‌

Eric Liddell was born in China to Scottish missionary parents. He later moved to Scotland for his education and quickly became known for his athletic prowess, particularly in running. He was selected to represent Great Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics, where he was expected to compete in the 100 meters, his best event.

The Conflict

However, Liddell faced a significant dilemma when he discovered that the heats for the 100 meters were scheduled for a Sunday. As a devout Christian, Liddell believed in observing the Sabbath and refrained from participating in any competitive sports on that day. This decision was met with considerable pressure and criticism from both the public and the British Olympic Committee, who saw him as their best hope for a gold medal.

The Decision

Despite the immense pressure, Liddell remained steadfast in his convictions. He chose to withdraw from the 100 meters, a decision that could have cost him his athletic career and national pride. Instead, he opted to compete in the 400 meters, a race in which he was not favored to win.

The Victory

On the day of the 400 meters final, Liddell ran with a piece of paper in his hand, given to him by an American team masseur, which quoted 1 Samuel 2:30: "Those who honor me I will honor." Against all odds, Liddell won the gold medal, setting a new world record with a time of 47.6 seconds. His victory was not just a triumph of athleticism but a testament to his faith and the power of standing firm in one's beliefs.

Post-Olympic Life

‌After the Olympics, Liddell returned to China to serve as a missionary, following in his parents' footsteps. He continued to live out his faith through his work, even during the difficult years of World War II. Liddell was eventually interned in a Japanese prison camp, where he continued to serve and inspire others until his death in 1945.

Application

‌

Eric Liddell's story is a powerful reminder of the call to live out our faith, even when it requires significant sacrifice. His life exemplifies the principles found in Romans 12:1-2, where we are urged to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Liddell's decision to honor the Sabbath, despite the cost, mirrors the call in Mark 8:34-35 to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

‌Conclusion

‌Eric Liddell's legacy continues to inspire Christians around the world. His story challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how we can live out our faith more boldly and sacrificially. As we reflect on his example, let us be encouraged to stand firm in our convictions and trust that God will honor our faithfulness, just as He did for Eric Liddell.

Exodus 11:1–10 ESV

1 The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people. 4 So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.

63,779

Transition: From the Plagues of Egypt to the Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus

As we reflect on the powerful narrative of the final plague in Egypt, we see a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty and justice. The death of the firstborn in Egypt was a pivotal moment that led to the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. This event, marked by the shedding of blood, foreshadows a greater act of deliverance that would come centuries later.

In Exodus 11, we witness the severity of God's judgment and the distinction He makes between His people and those who oppose Him. The Israelites were spared from the plague through the blood of the Passover lamb, a symbol of God's protection and mercy. This act of divine intervention points us forward to the ultimate Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ.

Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from death, the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, offers us protection from the eternal consequences of sin. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Jesus's sacrifice was the fulfillment of this requirement, providing a way for us to be reconciled with God.

In the same way that the Israelites were called to respond to God's deliverance by following Him out of Egypt, we are called to respond to Jesus's sacrifice by laying down our lives and following Him. Romans 12:1-2 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This is our spiritual act of worship, a response to the mercy and grace we have received through Jesus.

As we move from the story of the Exodus to the story of Jesus, we see a continuous thread of God's redemptive plan. The liberation of the Israelites from physical bondage in Egypt is a precursor to the spiritual liberation we receive through Christ. The call to follow Jesus, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross, as stated in Mark 8:34-35, echoes the call to obedience and faithfulness that began with the Exodus.

Let us now turn our focus to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. As we delve into the New Testament, we will explore how His blood, shed for us, brings forgiveness and calls us to a life of sacrificial living, honoring Him in all that we do

The Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus

Hebrews 9:11–14 ESV

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

A. The Necessity of a Perfect Sacrifice

Old Testament Sacrificial System:

Leviticus 16: The Day of Atonement required the high priest to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people annually. These sacrifices were temporary and had to be repeated.

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Fulfillment in Jesus:

John 1:29 (ESV): "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

B.The Uniqueness of Jesus's Sacrifice

Once for All:

Hebrews 10:10 (ESV): "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Without Blemish:

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

C. Implications

Atonement and Reconciliation:

Romans 5:10 (ESV): "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."Our Call to Sacrificial Living

Justification and Sanctification:

Romans 3:24-25 (ESV): "and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith."

The Redemptive Power of Jesus’s Blood

Hebrews 9:22 (ESV): "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."

Explanation: This verse underscores the necessity of blood for purification and forgiveness. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were required for atonement. Jesus's sacrifice fulfills and surpasses these requirements, offering a once-for-all atonement for sin.

A. The Significance of Blood in Scripture

Old Testament Context:

Passover (Exodus 12): The blood of the lamb on the doorposts saved the Israelites from the final plague. This prefigures Jesus as the Lamb of God whose blood saves us from eternal death.

Levitical Sacrifices: The sacrificial system established in Leviticus points to the necessity of blood for atonement.

New Testament Fulfillment:

Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29): John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

The Last Supper (Matthew 26:28): Jesus speaks of His blood as the "blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

B. Implications

Atonement and Justification:

Romans 3:25 (ESV): "whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith."

Romans 5:9 ESV

9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

1 John 1:7 ESV

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Explanation: Jesus's blood serves as a propitiation, satisfying God's wrath and justice, allowing us to be justified by faith.

Reconciliation and Peace:

Colossians 1:20 (ESV): "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Explanation: Jesus's blood brings reconciliation between God and humanity, restoring peace and relationship.

Our Call to Sacrificial Living

“We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.”

David Platt- Radical

“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.”

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Explanation: Paul urges believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, emphasizing a life of holiness and transformation.

A. The Call to Deny Ourselves

Mark 8:34-35 (ESV): "And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.'"

Explanation: Jesus calls His followers to a life of self-denial and taking up their cross, symbolizing a willingness to endure suffering and sacrifice for His sake.

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose

Explanation: This passage reiterates the call to self-denial and the paradox of finding true life through losing it for Jesus's sake.

B. Living Sacrificially in Daily Life

Philippians 1:20-21 (ESV): "as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Explanation: Paul exemplifies a life wholly dedicated to honoring Christ, whether in life or death.

Philippians 2:17 (ESV): "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all."

Explanation: Paul views his life as a sacrificial offering, poured out for the sake of others' faith.

C. Implications

Transformation and Renewal:

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Explanation: Sacrificial living involves a transformation of mind and heart, aligning our will with God's.

Manifesting Christ's Life:

2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (ESV): "always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

Explanation: Our sacrificial living allows the life of Jesus to be evident in us, demonstrating His love and power.

Matthew 16:24–25 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Philippians 1:20–21 ESV

20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 2:17 ESV

17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

2 Corinthians 4:10–11 ESV

10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

John 12:25 ESV

25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Charles Spurgeon: "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter."

Action Steps

1. Reflect on the Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus

Daily Devotion: Set aside time each day to meditate on the significance of Jesus's sacrifice. Read passages like Hebrews 9:11-14 and Isaiah 53, and spend time in prayer, thanking Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice.

Journaling: Keep a journal where you write down your reflections on Jesus's sacrifice and how it impacts your life. This can help deepen your appreciation and understanding of His love and grace.

2. Embrace the Redemptive Power of Jesus's Blood

Confession and Repentance: Regularly confess your sins and repent, acknowledging the cleansing power of Jesus's blood. Reflect on Hebrews 9:22 and 1 John 1:7-9, which emphasize the importance of confession and the assurance of forgiveness.

Forgiveness: Extend forgiveness to others as you have been forgiven. Remember that Jesus's blood not only cleanses you but also empowers you to forgive others. Reflect on Ephesians 4:32.

Share the Gospel: Share the message of Jesus's redemptive power with others. Use opportunities in your daily life to talk about how Jesus's blood has transformed you and can transform others.

3. Live a Sacrificial Life

Service: Commit to serving others in your community, church, or workplace. Look for practical ways to help those in need, following Jesus's example of sacrificial love. Reflect on Mark 10:45, where Jesus says He came to serve, not to be served.

Generosity: Practice generosity with your time, talents, and resources. Consider how you can support your church, missions, or charitable organizations. Reflect on 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, which encourages cheerful giving.

Self-Denial: Identify areas in your life where you can practice self-denial and take up your cross daily. This could involve fasting, giving up certain comforts, or prioritizing others' needs above your own. Reflect on Mark 8:34-35 and Romans 12:1-2.