DIVINE SACRIFICE

Title: DIVINE SACRIFICE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Supporting Texts: Genesis 22:9-12, John 3:16, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Hebrews 9:11-14, Ephesians 5:2

INTRODUCTION:
Divine sacrifice refers to the ultimate offering made by God through Jesus Christ and the sacrifices we are called to make in response to God's love and grace. Sacrifice is the act of giving up something valuable for a greater cause, and the greatest of all sacrifices was made by God when He gave His only Son for the redemption of mankind. Our sacrifices, although small in comparison, are also important as they align us with God's will and purposes.

1. THE ULTIMATE DIVINE SACRIFICE

a) God's Sacrifice of His Son:
The greatest divine sacrifice was God giving His only Son for the salvation of humanity (John 3:16).

b) Jesus' Willingness to Be Sacrificed:
Jesus willingly gave Himself to die on the cross for our sins (Matthew 26:39).

c) The Cost of Redemption:
Jesus' death was the price paid for our sins, enabling reconciliation with God (1 Peter 1:18-19).

d) The Purpose of Jesus' Sacrifice:
Jesus' sacrifice was for the forgiveness of sins, the defeat of death, and eternal life for believers (Romans 5:8).

e) Biblical Example: The sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross (John 19:30).

2. THE CALL TO PRESENT OURSELVES AS SACRIFICES

a) A Living Sacrifice:
God calls us to offer our lives as living sacrifices, surrendering our will to His (Romans 12:1).

b) Holy and Acceptable to God:
Our sacrifices must be holy and in alignment with God's standards (Ephesians 5:2).

c) A Reasonable Act of Service:
Sacrifice is not a burden, but a reasonable act of worship and service to God (Romans 12:1).

d) Sacrificing for God's Glory:
Our sacrifices should reflect God's glory and point others to Him (Matthew 5:16).

e) Biblical Example: Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God (Genesis 22:9-12).

3. SACRIFICE IN WORSHIP AND SERVICE

a) Sacrifice of Praise:
Offering praise and worship to God is a form of sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15).

b) Sacrifice of Time:
Sacrificing our time to serve God and others is an act of obedience (Luke 10:38-42).

c) Sacrifice of Resources:
Our financial and material resources should be given to God in sacrificial giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).

d) Sacrifice of Comfort:
Stepping out of our comfort zones to follow God's call requires sacrifice (Matthew 19:21).

e) Biblical Example: The widow's sacrificial offering of two mites (Mark 12:41-44).

4. THE POWER OF SACRIFICE

a) Sacrifice Brings Blessing:
Sacrifice positions us to receive God's blessing and favor (Malachi 3:10).

b) Sacrifice Brings Transformation:
Giving up our personal desires for God's will transforms us into the likeness of Christ (Galatians 2:20).

c) Sacrifice Brings Victory:
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross led to His ultimate victory over sin and death (Colossians 2:15).

d) Sacrifice Brings Spiritual Growth:
As we sacrifice for God, we grow spiritually and mature in our faith (James 1:2-4).

e) Biblical Example: Paul’s sacrificial life for the gospel (Philippians 3:7-14).

5. THE BLESSINGS OF DIVINE SACRIFICE

a) God Honors Sacrifice:
God honors those who offer their sacrifices with a sincere heart (1 Samuel 2:30).

b) Sacrifice Leads to Intimacy with God:
Sacrifice deepens our relationship with God and draws us closer to His presence (James 4:8).

c) Sacrifice Opens the Door for Divine Intervention:
When we sacrifice in obedience, God responds with divine intervention (2 Chronicles 7:14).

d) Sacrifice Strengthens Our Faith:
Sacrificial living strengthens our trust in God's provision and faithfulness (Hebrews 11:17-19).

e) Biblical Example: The life of David, who made sacrificial offerings and saw God's favor (2 Samuel 24:24-25).

CONCLUSION:
Divine sacrifice is at the heart of God's redemptive plan for mankind. Through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. In response, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, dedicated to His service and glory. True sacrifice is not limited to what we give up, but to how we live our lives for God’s purpose. As we present ourselves as sacrifices, we experience God's divine favor, transformation, and blessing.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me to present my life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You.

2. Father, I surrender my will to Your divine will; have Your way in my life.

3. I pray that my sacrifices will glorify You and bring others closer to You.

4. Lord, I offer my praise as a sacrifice of thanksgiving for all You have done.

5. Father, empower me to give sacrificially, whether in time, resources, or service.

6. I declare that my sacrifice will lead to breakthrough, healing, and restoration.

7. Lord, strengthen my faith as I sacrifice my desires for Your purpose.

8. I receive Your divine favor and blessings for every sacrifice I make in Your name.

9. Father, help me to grow spiritually as I follow You in sacrificial obedience.

10. I pray that my life will be a living testimony of Your goodness and grace.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. As you offer yourself as a living sacrifice, God will pour out His favor upon you.

2. Every area of your life that requires transformation will be renewed through sacrificial living.

3. God is opening new doors of opportunity for you as you walk in sacrificial obedience.

4. Divine provision will follow every sacrifice you make in the name of the Lord.

5. The Lord will honor your sacrifice and bring you into a season of supernatural harvest.

6. Your sacrificial giving will cause you to experience breakthroughs that defy explanation.

7. As you obey God’s call to sacrifice, He will draw you closer to His presence.

8. Every seed of sacrifice you sow will bear fruit that will multiply abundantly.

9. Divine intervention will manifest as a result of your sacrificial obedience to God.

10. You will experience a greater level of intimacy with God as you sacrifice for His purposes.