Thanksgiving Sacrifices

I need someone to know this morning that the Turkey isn’t the only thing being sacrificed this Thanksgiving. I thank God for its sacrifice that we might enjoy a time of family, fellowship, and fun, but there must be more to this season than indulging. And while we don’t really pay attention to the reason for the holiday because it is rooted in oppression and genocide of our Native American neighbors, we do understand, especially as Christians the need to set time aside to give thanks and to come together. I also, acknowledge that these seasons are not always pleasant for everyone. Many times we suffer loss of loved ones and that dampens the holiday. Other times memories of traumatic experiences and the lack of good memories make it difficult to find joy in the holiday. And I pray for you everyone who mourns on this holiday. But, there is a word for this season. That no matter how or if you are going to have Thanksgiving this Thursday, the turkey isn’t the only thing being sacrificed this thanksgiving.

The writer has maintained a priestly motif throughout the book dealing with both Jesus as King and priest, and now in this final chapter they see the believer as a priest. The idea here is that since we are under a new testament and a better covenant we can offer of priestly services to God ourselves. Because although God is not satisfied with the blood of bulls and goats, He is pleased with the spiritual and practical sacrifices given to Him by his people, through the satisfying sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

It is sacrificial because it is costly and it is costly because it is valuable to you and difficult to part with. We do a disservice to the idea of a sacrifice if we think only in terms of ceremonial observance. When someone made a sacrifice it was something that was precious, costly, important, valuable, and difficult to part with. This is why I’m so thankful to God for sacrificing his Son, It was costly. This is why I’m so thankful to Jesus for sacrificing his life, it was costly. And this is what we find in the first Sacrifice of our text.

1. Sacrifice of Praise

Through Him, because otherwise we don’t have the right or access.

Continually(without stopping)…sacrifice (difficult)...

Sanctifying

New City

2. Sacrifice of Work

If praise is difficult the next two are going to be flat out hard. The writer says, “and do not neglect.” The church has got to be about more than just the weekly exercise of Sunday worship. Even in our emotional responses to the goodness of God we must not neglect and forget that we have been saved unto “good works”. We are supposed to do not just be. So, if your Sunday to next Sunday is the entirety of your religious experience you are missing the fullness of the Christian experience. Do not neglect doing good!

Doing good not to be confused with good behavior. Right. Were not just talking about not sinning. Going good is the beneficence. Good works. It is the sacrificing of ones time and energy to do something good for someone else.

being good is feeling sorry for injustice…doing Good is speaking out against injustice

being good is wanting a better life for our kids....doing Good is mentoring a kid and teaching them better.

being good is being angry about a government system not created for us…doing good voting to make change

being good is feeling sorry for those with no voice…doing good is speaking up for the voice less

being good is feeling unsatisfied with the treatment of the marginalized…doing good is loving your neighbor as you love your self.

being good is thinking there has to be a better way…doing Good is making things better.

3. Sacrifice of Service

The last sacrifice is in sharing. This is probably the most difficult because now you have to give something materially. It means you are going to have to part ways with something you own or possess. And if we are honest we here today as a witness to the fact that at some point in time someone shared with you (preach). If you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, somebody shared the spoon.

The African proverb said “I am because we are, and we are because I am”

The word share is the same word used in acts when all the church shared what they had and were on one accord.

In fact the work used for sharing is the same root used for fellowship. It is a basic understanding of community. And it used to be that way for us. In our communities at one point in time you could go to your neighbors house and see if they had a cup of sugar. (preach)