Values and Disciplines of the Kingdom – 5
Jesus had the disciplines of prayer, fasting, thankfulness, sacrifice, giving, submission, service, stewardship, perseverance, self-control, worship, and love.
This week we look at the discipline of sacrifice and giving.
Sacrifice is alien to most people because we no longer sacrifice animals as they did in Biblical times. I believe it is difficult even to grasp the concept of what it requires from us. We are raised in a culture where we always want to end up on top of the leader board, but we determine what price we pay. So the sacrifice Jesus asks from us seems like a distant reality or no reality at all.
Let’s be honest: it is hard to die to self. Taking up your cross is never easy if you actually do it and stop talking about it. You choose to walk away with all your flesh screaming for vengeance because you want your way.
Sacrifice is a lifestyle that says, “I have surrendered it all.” This statement does not mean we are a pushover, merely that we prioritize God’s plan for our life. So do I still get to do my way sometimes?
Sacrifice knows He always has His way. That is a non-negotiable. The story of Jonah is powerful. Jonah, you are going to Nineveh. Either you pay for it, or God pays for it, but you are going.
Sacrifices come in little opportunities. First, we all must start with the baby stuff. Crawl before you can walk stuff.
Turn the other cheek. Walking the second mile is entry-level kingdom stuff. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us with this scripture.
Heb. 12:3-4 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Jesus warned us.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they would also persecute you. If they kept My word, they would keep yours also.
You know that this will cost you something. If you joined the Kingdom without knowing that, you started wrong. Before we get to lay down our lives for him, we will have the opportunity to die a thousand times, living a life that pleases Him.
May my life be a sweet-smelling sacrifice to Him.
Giving.
God is the first giver we read about in scripture. It is His character, and He can’t help it. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son – John 3:17.
1 Corinthians 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
- His mercies are new every morning – Lam 3:22-23.
- He freely loved us when we did not deserve it – Rom 5:6-8.
- We are justified by His blood – Rom 5:9.
- He gives us eternal life – 1 John 5:10-13.
- He gives us His righteousness – 2 Cor 5:21.
- He blesses us with all spiritual blessings – Ep1:3
- He gives us His Holy Spirit – Luke 11:13.
- He gives us authority over the enemy – Luke 4:19.
- He gives us the ministry of reconciliation – 2 Cor 5:18
- He gives us citizenship in heaven – Phil 3:20.
Jesus admonishes us to be givers as well. We received forgiveness, and God expects us to give that to others as well. As a matter of fact, Jesus teaches that if we don’t forgive others, he won’t forgive us. So why would God give you something and you not do the same for others?
Matt. 6:12 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Matt. 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
So what kind of a giver should I be. How big of a blessing do you want back? We give to receive. I don’t know any farmer who plants without the hope of a harvest. What do you hope for? Jesus did tell us to give in a certain way. This giving has to do with stewardship!
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
What can the world look like if we become givers like God?
The Bible also teaches us to give and not expect anything back. Is this a contradiction?
No, it is not!
Luke 4:34-35 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
This giving is to keep your heart in check. You give because you love like God. This giving has to do with sacrifice!
Are you a giver? Do you live a life of sacrifice?
Let’s lay our lives down for the world so that they can see who Jesus really is!
