Living Sacrifice: Bringing Our Past to the Altar
Day 1: Reflecting on God’s Mercy
Reading: Romans 12:1-2
Devotional: Today, we focus on Paul’s urgent invitation to view our lives through the lens of God’s mercy. Take time to reflect on the specific ways God has shown you mercy – in forgiveness, protection, provision, and unexpected blessings. How does recognizing God’s mercy change your perspective on your current circumstances? Consider writing down 3-5 specific mercies you’ve experienced recently. Let this awareness of God’s goodness fuel your worship and motivate you to offer yourself as a “living sacrifice” in response to His love.
Day 2: Restoring the Altar of Your Heart
Reading: 1 Kings 18:30-39
Devotional: Elijah’s act of repairing the broken altar reminds us that God is in the business of restoration, not replacement. What areas of your spiritual life feel broken or neglected? Perhaps old habits, doubts, or hurts have damaged your connection with God. Today, invite God to help you “repair the altar” of your heart. Remember, you don’t need to start from scratch – God wants to restore what was already established in your relationship with Him. Pray for the courage to bring those broken pieces before God, trusting in His power to make something beautiful from them.
Day 3: Bringing Your Past to the Altar
Reading: Genesis 3:8-13
Devotional: God’s questions to Adam and Eve after the Fall reveal His desire for honesty and vulnerability in our relationship with Him. Today, prayerfully consider these four questions: Where are you hiding from God? What lies have you believed about yourself or God? How have you shifted blame or made excuses? What have you done that you need to confess? Remember, we can’t alter our past, but we can bring it to God’s altar. Be courageous in your honesty with God, knowing that His love and grace are greater than any mistake or struggle you face.
Day 4: Living Sacrifice – A Daily Surrender
Reading: Romans 6:11-14
Devotional: Paul’s concept of being a “living sacrifice” implies an ongoing, daily process of surrender to God. Unlike the finality of animal sacrifices, our offering of ourselves is continual. What tends to “crawl off the altar” in your life – worry, pride, anger, fear? Identify one area where you struggle to maintain surrender to God. Throughout today, practice consciously re-offering this area to God whenever you notice it creeping back into control. Remember, this “living killing” of our selfish nature is made possible only through God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.
Day 5: Praise in All Circumstances
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Devotional: As we conclude this week, we’re reminded that true worship involves rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances. This doesn’t mean ignoring difficulties, but rather choosing to praise God even in the midst of them. Today, challenge yourself to find reasons to praise God in your current situation, whatever it may be. How might continual prayer and thanksgiving change your outlook? Consider starting a gratitude journal, writing down three things you’re thankful for each day. Let this practice of intentional praise become a cornerstone of your daily walk with God.
Discussion Questions
How does reflecting on God’s mercy change our perspective and motivation for worship and sacrifice?
In what ways can we ‘repair the altar’ in our own lives, as Elijah did on Mount Carmel?
How does the concept of a ‘living sacrifice’ differ from Old Testament sacrifices, and what challenges does it present in our daily lives?
What are some ‘altars’ in your life that need to be restored, and how can you begin that process?
How do the four questions God asked in Genesis 3 (Where are you? Who told you that? Have you eaten? What have you done?) apply to our spiritual growth today?
In what ways do we sometimes try to ‘alter our past’ instead of bringing it to the altar, and how can we overcome this tendency?
How can we maintain a balance between acknowledging our brokenness and embracing God’s love and acceptance in Christ?
What role does gratitude play in our ability to offer ourselves as living sacrifices?
How can we practically apply the concept of ‘living killing’ in our daily spiritual walk?
In what ways does bringing our past to the altar lead to true worship and praise?
Watch or listen to the message
Restoring the Altar: Living Sacrifice in View of God’s Mercy
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the concept of living sacrifice as presented in Romans 12:1. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing God’s mercy before offering oneself as a living sacrifice. The pastor draws parallels between Old Testament sacrificial practices and the New Testament call for believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices. The sermon highlights the need for restoring our relationship with God, likening it to Elijah repairing the altar on Mount Carmel. It encourages listeners to bring their past, struggles, and brokenness to God’s altar for restoration and true worship.
Key Points:
– Reflecting on God’s mercy is essential before offering ourselves as living sacrifices
– The concept of living sacrifice involves continually bringing our struggles to God
– Restoring our relationship with God is like rebuilding a broken altar
– True worship comes from offering ourselves as living sacrifices
– We cannot alter our past, but we can bring our past to the altar
Scripture Reference:
– Romans 12:1
– 1 Kings 18:30-39 (Elijah rebuilding the altar)
– Genesis 3 (God’s questions to Adam and Eve)
Stories:
– The story of Venezuela’s political struggles and the hope for freedom
– Elijah rebuilding the altar on Mount Carmel
– Adam and Eve’s encounter with God after eating the forbidden fruit
– Personal anecdotes about recognising acts of kindness and mercy in daily life
