“God Blesses Our Sacrifices”
“God Blesses Our Sacrifices”
Reflection for LENT II: Sunday, February 25, 2024
For Churchill Gilford United Churches
Krista Moore
Scripture:
Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16
The covenant between Abram, Sarai, and God.
Gospel of Mark 8:31–38
Those who lose their life for the gospel will save it.
Sermon Focus Statement: God blesses our sacrifices, as Jesus blessed us with his sacrifice.
Sermon Function Statement: Sacrifice yourself for God and others as Jesus sacrificed his life for you.
Introduction to the Scriptures:
Abram and Sarai were sad.
They could have no children.
But Abram was faithful to God. He never gave up.
And God blessed them with children and descendants greater than the stars in the sky.
Jesus prepared his disciples for his ultimate sacrifice. They did not understand him. They did not know what it meant.
Soon they would follow him, even to a cross in Jerusalem.
REFLECTION
It was cold.
I didn’t take this step lightly. It was not something I would have done before.
But when Steve asked me to do it, for the good of the church and the food bank, I said yes.
Now this was not a great sacrifice.
I am alive, well, and good.
I suffered no harm by walking out on that ice and jumping in the freezing cold lake. (Other than numb feet and legs, and a bruised ego as I limped across the ice to get my warm blanket.)
I was no superhero, that is for sure.
Steve on the other hand, was a rock star!
It was cold. A small hardship for a greater good. And I would do it again. (But don’t quote me on that.)
SCRIPTURE: A GREATER SACRIFICE FOR A GREATER GOOD
When Jesus gathered his disciples to warn them about his coming death, he was stern.
He did not go easy on them.
He was preparing them for the worst.
His hardship was great. He would die on a wooden cross, and after three days would rise again.
This was no martyr’s death. This was what he called “the good news.” Those who died for the gospel would be blessed by God. How is that??
God promised those who persevered in the faith eternal life. But Why would Jesus sacrifice himself on a cross?
In a later verse in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus calls his crucifixion “a ransom for many.” That means giving his life in exchange for ours.
In other words, he gave his life for us – he died for us, so that we would be forgiven and have eternal life.
This is the good news. The gospel of Christ.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT SACRIFICE? ARE YOU A MARTYR?
So, what is so good about sacrifice or giving ourselves for others?
Isn’t it wrong to give up our happiness, well-being, life for others?
Didn’t God give us our lives to be lived out and to be happy and comfortable?
So what is a martyr?
You’ve heard the expression, “don’t be such a martyr!”
It’s an incorrect use of the word.
It’s not about hurting ourselves for others or being abused. It’s not about being a doormat, or suffering and complaining about it endlessly.
That is not for the greater good.
A true martyr is a witness to something greater.
A martyr suffers or dies for a greater cause, something bigger than themselves.
A martyr often suffers or dies to defend their belief in God, or Jesus, or to defend a principle or ideal like freedom.
WAR: SACRIFICE FOR GREATER GOOD
When the young men went off to war to fight Germany they were saving lives. They were fighting for our freedoms.
In that fight there was loss, and pain and suffering and death. Jesus tells his disciples and followers, “those who try to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, or for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”
What does that mean?
It means those who put their lives on the line to save someone else or to defend their faith or a greater good, win the greater glory of God in heaven.
GOD BLESSES THEIR SACRIFICE.
God blessed us because we now have freedom. Their sacrifice protected us and future generations.
SCRIPTURE
In Bible Study we were puzzling over how the apostles could give up their lives for Jesus. Many walked away from their livelihood, families, and even suffered death in the end.
How could they follow a man to Jerusalem who told them he would be killed, but after three days will rise again?
How could they preach a gospel that promises eternal life BUT they would have to walk with Jesus to the cross, turn the other cheek, forgive their enemies, and sacrifice themselves too, for God?
Something gave them the power to do this.
To persevere, despite persecution and even death.
WHILE JESUS WAS ALIVE, HE SHOWED THEM WHAT WAS POSSIBLE…
HE BLESSED THEM WITH MANY MIRACLES, TEACHINGS AND HEALINGS.
AFTER HIS DEATH, JESUS SHOWED THEM WHAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE….
HE OVERCAME DEATH, SHOWED THEM RESURRECTION, AND BLESSED THEM WITH THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
GOD BLESSES OUR SACRIFICES.
JESUS SACRIFICED HIMSELF SO THAT WE MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCHES:
Today we may shrug our shoulders and say,
oh well.
That was then this is now…
I just go to church and try to be a good Christian.
I don’t do anything special like the apostles, or Jesus.
I’m no martyr.
Or apostle.
Or disciple.
I’m just who I am.
Let me challenge you to think differently.
MANY HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR US TO BE HERE.
AND…
YOU MAY HAVE NO IDEA THE GOOD YOU HAVE DONE FOR OTHERS IN YOUR LIFE – YOU MAY NEVER KNOW THE IMPACT YOU HAVE MADE TO GIVE OTHERS HOPE, OR LIFE.
GOD BLESSES OUR SACRIFICES. Great or small.
SCRIPTURE
Abram was almost 100 when God blessed him and Sarai with new names and the promise of a child.
Abram fell on his face before God and committed himself to follow God.
It was a great sacrifice to believe in God, to follow God, despite not having evidence of children for many long years.
It seemed IMPOSSIBLE, but after Abraham’s sacrifice of faith, God blesses him and Sarah with children. And they have many descendants, as many as there are stars in the sky.
God fulfilled the promise.
GOD BLESSED Abraham and Sarah’s sacrifice and rewarded their faith and perseverance.
EXAMPLE: MOTHERS AND FATHERS/GUARDIANS
I think of many mothers or fathers who sacrifice themselves for their children. Who worked or gave up careers, or passions, to take care of their children, or juggle both.
It was not easy.
Maybe they may have had to work long hours and didn’t see their children enough. Or had regrets, but it was what they had to do to put food on the table.
Sacrifice isn’t easy. It is often painful. And sometimes it feels like it will never end.
DO WE REALLY SACRIFICE LIKE JESUS?
Some of us may not feel like we’re worthy enough to call what we do a sacrifice. Especially when we compare ourselves to the giants of our faith like Abraham, or Sarah, Jesus, and the disciples.
Most of us have never been to war, or saved someone’s life, or walked on water (or ice), or rescued someone from a burning house. Some of you have and we give you thanks.
We will never walk with Jesus to Jerusalem and witness the crucifixion, or worse, join Jesus on a cross.
But we all serve God in some way.
Who are we to judge the value of our life?
Jesus says, “what can they give in return for their life?”
Only God can judge our life, our efforts and our sacrifices.
God sees everything we do – whether it is:
– being kind to someone new in church or in our neighbourhood
– biting our tongue when we want to yell at a crazy driver
– defending a friend who is being bullied or gossiped about
– giving money to charity above and beyond your usual giving.
GOD BLESSES OUR SACRIFICES.
CLOSING
After the polar plunge, the sun was shining, and everyone was cheering and clapping.
I shuffled across the ice barely able to stand upright. I was so cold. But I must admit I felt elated; the warmth of the community, the blessing of the food that would be purchased for the food bank, and an abundance for the Benevolent fund.
We were so blessed.
Everyone played their part. Whether it was to:
• Donate beyond their usual giving (for Lent),
• show up and cheer in the cold
We all do our part.
Many efforts go unnoticed by us mere humans.
But God sees all our efforts and rejoices when we give or sacrifice. Sometimes our sacrifices seem small and insignificant.
Other times, they seem quite substantial.
No matter what we’ve done or haven’t done, God sees our efforts, and blesses us in some way.
In this life. Or in the hereafter.
THIS IS THE TIME OF LENT
When Jesus teaches us to sacrifice ourselves for God or others, just as Jesus sacrificed himself so we would have eternal life.
Krista’s Three Things
So what can we give ourselves for a greater cause?
1. Call or visit someone who needs encouragement or support.
2. Give to a greater cause – whether it’s in time, talent, or treasure.
3. Volunteer and become an active part of our church. Everything you do helps to support this community. And God sees it all.
GOD BLESSES OUR SACRIFICES
Here’s the secret about sacrifice.
It might be painful at first, we might be afraid to do it, but God often blesses us with peace of mind, or grace in the moments when we need it. We may even feel elated, or joyful in our giving. Often helping someone else helps us to feel better. Isn’t that true?
GOD BLESSES OUR SACRIFICES.
But sometimes it’s hard.
We all have our crosses to bear.
Maybe it’s taking care of a loved one.
Or dealing with an illness. A divorce. A thankless job.
Or serving the church for decades without notice.
Many do so silently without fanfare.
GOD SEES AND BLESSES YOUR EVERY SACRIFICE.
You will receive your reward.
BUT WHAT IF WE’RE NOT THAT GREAT? OR SELFLESS?
We don’t have to be perfect. The disciples were not perfect. They argued about who would be the greatest.
Jesus reprimanded them, saying that those who wanted to be his followers would have to deny themselves and “take up their cross.” They would have to sacrifice themselves for love
and SERVE one another.
There are many people like this in our church. In our community.
To those who give themselves tirelessly for the sake of others, who work for the greater good without personal reward or notice, may you be DOUBLY BLESSED.
And for those of us who keep trying, never give up!
Persevere, like Abraham and Sarah. Like the disciples.
And you will receive your reward.
GOD BLESSES OUR SACRIFICES.
JESUS SACRIFICED HIMSELF FOR US
THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE OUR REWARD WITH HIM IN HEAVEN.
May God Bless and Keep you all, till the end.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.