1. A Living Sacrifice Romans 12:1-2

2. What Is Sacrifice?
We are familiar with Patriarchal sacrifice (Gen. 4:3-4; 8:20; 13:18)
We are familiar with Mosaic sacrifice (Exodus through Numbers)
We are familiar with Jesus Christ’s sacrifice (Eph. 5:2; Heb. 9:26)
What about our sacrifices? What constitutes acceptable sacrifices today?

3. Biblical Principles of Sacrifice
First, a sacrifice, by definition, must cost something (2 Sam. 24:24; Lk. 21:1-4)
We must offer up a sacrifice that costs (Rom. 12:1; 15:16; 2 Cor. 8:5; Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6; Heb. 11:17)
What did we give up and go without in order to make this sacrifice? Did you really feel it? Did it hurt? Did you really miss it? No “cheap” or “bargain- basement” sacrifices from us!

4. Biblical Principles of Sacrifice
Second, a sacrifice must be acceptable to God – according to his will (Heb. 11:4; Lev. 22:17-20; Mal. 1:8)
We must offer up a sacrifice “acceptable to God” … the “acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:5)
Sacrifice cannot be an afterthought … it requires us to think, to plan, to do the right thing as God would have it

5. Biblical Principles of Sacrifice
Third, a sacrifice must offer the best (Lev. 22:21-25; Mal. 1:13-14)
We must offer up a sacrifice that is holy and spiritual (Mt. 6:33; Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 2:5)
Sacrifice will not hold back the best for ourselves … it will not give the leftovers to God

6. Biblical Principles of Sacrifice
Fourth, a sacrifice must be given freely (Ex. 35:20-24; 36:5-8; Lev. 22:19,29)
We must offer up a sacrifice that is free-will (2 Cor. 8:12; 9:6-7)
Sacrifice is to be given freely, willingly, cheerfully, lovingly

7. Biblical Principles of Sacrifice
Fifth, a true sacrifice will be given without desire for personal recognition or reward (Heb. 5:1)
We must offer up a sacrifice that is directed toward God and others, not self (Mt. 6:1ff; Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:15-16)
Sacrifice is not sacrifice if it is for the praise of man … an “advertised” sacrifice is not sacrifice

8. A Living Sacrifice Sacrifice is not just an OT subject
OT sacrifices were meant to foreshadow the sacrifice of Christ and our very own daily sacrifices
Your sacrifice: is it costly, acceptable to God, the very best, given freely, and with no desire for recognition?