Sacrifice
Probably one of the most difficult
aspects of worship is sacrifice. A
sacrifice costs us something. It is not
inherent within us as a fallen race to give sacrificially. But when we present a gift to the Lord that causes us to offer
(perhaps even suffer) of ourselves in some way, God is pleased. Even King David recognized this concept early
on in his reign when he stated, “I will not offer to the Lord that which costs
me nothing.” (II Sam. 24:24, paraphrased.)
What is a sacrifice of praise? Heb. 13:15 declares, “Therefore
let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his
name.” The fruit of our lips is the
worship that flows from a heart of pure, unadulterated praise. In the worship experience, a sacrifice of
praise can also be associated with the rituals of giving and the
singing/playing of worship songs. When
we give our last “mite” out of faith for our tithes and offerings when we don’t
know where our next meal is coming from, that’s a sacrifice. When we’re not feeling well or in pain, and
we come to church to lift our hands and voices to the Lord, that’s a
sacrifice. When we don’t like the songs
being sung and yet we still enter into worship with all of our hearts, that’s a
sacrifice.
Lifestyle
worship demands that we love the Lord with all that we possess, and love others
as Christ loved us. Eph 5:2 admonishes us to, “Live a life of love, just as
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” “Sacrificial worship is a place where I drop
my ego and allow God to confront the issues that keep me from fulfilling my
destiny.”[1]
As we give
thank offerings, we encounter the manifest presence of God and find His path to
righteousness. Psalms 50:23 promises, “He who
sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and prepares the
way so that I may show him the salvation of God."
[1] David L. Ritter, Music Ministry
Manual, ed. Brenda Herring (San Diego, CA: David Ritter Publishing, 2010).
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