March 10, 2024
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TEXT: Exodus 22:1-14
TOPIC: Sacrifice, part 3
SERMON SUMMARY:
This sermon focused on understanding the biblical concept of sacrifice, especially through the lens of the Passover lamb in Exodus. Fr. Rob began by showing examples of sacrificial practices from his travels in Southeast Asia - offerings to appease spirits or gain favor from gods. However, he contrasted these with the Passover sacrifice having a very different intent.
He walked through the Passover story in Exodus, where God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and put its blood over their doorways so the angel of death would pass over their homes. This was not to appease God's wrath, but rather an act of remembrance and thanksgiving for God graciously delivering them.
Fr. Rob highlighted three key lessons about biblical sacrifice:
Our sacrifices to God must be purely out of thanksgiving for what he has done, not trying to appease or gain his favor, which we cannot do through sacrifices.
Like Noah, we must realize God has chosen and delivered us by his grace, so we offer our lives as "living sacrifices" to serve him, denying our sinful desires to follow God's ways.
We have been redeemed from slavery to become God's adopted sons and daughters. Therefore, we are called to experience the restoration of our hearts and live fully for Christ's kingdom purposes, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Practically applying this, Fr. Rob linked it to the routine of taking communion, where we receive Christ's life spiritually through the bread and wine, just as the Israelites ate the Passover lamb that died in their place. In partaking of communion, we reenact laying down our old life and receiving Christ's new resurrected life in its place.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION & DISCUSSION:
PRAYER:
