Sacrifice and Offering

I want to invite you to open your bibles with me to the book of Hebrews, for just one second, and then we’re going to go spend some time in Leviticus. In case your wondering, its that book right after exodus, and I usually call it the buzzkill book. The reason being is because whenever you get the desire to read the Bible, most people will open their bibles up to Genesis and begin reading all theses great stories of Adam and Eve, Abraham's faith, and the craziness of Issac and Jacob and their families. Of course, the story of Joseph is one of my favorites. Then you get into Exodus and find this amazing story of of Moses, and the freeing of the Israelites, and the red sea crossing… and then all of sudden you come face to face with Leviticus. And immediately you are thrusted into a book all about laws and do this and don’t do that.. and you’re like wheres the stories? Wheres the adventure… where’s the drama? This is a bunch of ceremonies and procedures and stuff. If you’re like most people and you were getting into Leviticus, you drudged your way through these first chapters of this book, trying to make sense of altars and sacrifices and offerings and animals and blood and gore—trying to determine, “What in the world does this mean? What is this stuff about? And I know some of you are probably going, well, pastor, isn’t the law abolished… why would I even need to read all of this stuff. Cant I just overlook it and move on to Deuteronomy?? Well, like a parent… I'm just going to say…no… its important. It really is.. Yes, you get to enjoy your meat, potatoes and dessert, but listen, you need to eat your vegetables too.

So, Right now, we are in a 4 weeks series called, Sacrifice. Where we’ve began last week by seeing Jesus as the Lamb… and today, we’re going to explore this title, Jesus as the offering. But to understand what Jesus is offering, we need to understand what it means from the beginning.

And I’ll do that by telling you a story. Having kids, Alicia and I have really enjoyed watching our children grow up. We both come from cooking backgrounds—I began working in kitchens very young when my mother was a waitress, and Alicia grew up in her grandparents' diner. Eventually, we both worked at her grandparents' resort restaurant. We both love to cook. So naturally, when Gabriel, Chloe, and Abby came along, we bought them a large toy kitchen set with all the cool features—pots, pans, fake food, buttons that made cooking sounds. They loved to imitate us as we cooked. Now that our kids are older, someday our recipes will be handed down to them. They'll graduate from that toy stove to cooking on real stoves in their own homes. And while we miss the cuteness of seeing them play with their toy kitchen, we're excited to see them create real dishes. And This got me thinking: Why start with the toy version instead of going straight to the real deal? The answer is obvious. In their immaturity, we wanted them to have fun and use their imagination. But we were also planting seeds in their tender hearts that would hopefully blossom into a love for cooking and hospitality. We wanted to pass down our passion for bringing people together around a table—one of the most Jesus-like things we can do. At the same time, we didn't want to overwhelm them with technology they weren't ready for or put something dangerous in their hands. The toy kitchen was age-appropriate preparation for the real thing to come.

IV. And so, I tell you this story because I feel, this is how Leviticus is designed compared to the gospel of Jesus we see in the New testament. Things we read about and see God set in place in the old testament, are precursors to the things to come later. And so, to have a passion for the things to come, which we get to experience now, we need to see where they originated and why. So, to begin with… I want to read this Scripture in Hebrews chapter 10 and then were going to go back into the book of Leviticus and see the fisher price version of sacrifice that leads us back into Hebrews 10 later on… so, once I read this, you can put a marker, or a ribbon here, because we’ll return… In Hebrews chapter 10, verse 1 says this… “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.”

What did the Hebrew writer mean, the law was only a shadow of things to come? So I want us to explore that a little bit. Let’s start here in Leviticus, and let’s think about the Fisher-Price range in Leviticus. All right? When we come to the book of Leviticus, Leviticus picks up right where Exodus left off. And where we find ourselves is that the children of Israel is now at the foot of this mountain called Mount Sinai and they are experiencing the glory of God. They have the tablets in hand, And so now what they need is they need to know how to worship. But how? How do we come close to a holy God? And thats what I believe the Israelites were desiring. And so, God begins like this in Leviticus chapter 1 verse 1.. The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. Now, let’s turn over a few pages to the end of chapter seven, and see if this doesn’t sound somewhat familiar. Verse 37 in Leviticus chapter seven says, These, then, are the regulations for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering and the fellowship offering, 38 which the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai in the Desert of Sinai on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the Lord. Those are bookends., Chapter 1, and chapter 7, are book ends to this whole sacrificial offering system. And between these bookends, God describes five different offerings. Now, I know what you're thinking - 'Five different offerings? That seems complicated!' But each one served a specific purpose in helping people connect with God, so between these two book ends, chapters 1-5 explain what theses offerings are for… The burnt offering (chapter 1) was completely consumed by fire—nothing remained. It represented total dedication, saying "I want all of you, not just part of you." The grain offering (chapter 2) wasn't about sin but gratitude—bringing the first portion of your harvest to acknowledge God as provider. This parallels our modern practice of giving tithes and offerings. The peace offering (chapter 3) was uniquely shared—part went to God, part to the priest, and part to the worshipper. They actually ate together, symbolizing relationship and fellowship with God. The sin offering (chapter 4) addressed unintentional sins, providing a way to deal with guilt and restore the relationship with God when we fall short. The guilt offering (chapters 5-6) focused on making restitution—not just with God but with others you had wronged, requiring repayment plus 20%. It taught that our actions have consequences. Now, if you put all five of those together, in-between the book ends of chapter 1 to 7, You’ll find that the first three offerings were voluntary offerings, not to be done on any particular prescribed occasion, but they were intended to be that which fostered “a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” Which means, an act of worship that was sincere and well received.

But those last two offerings—the sin offering and guilt offering—these were different. These weren't optional. If you messed up, you had to bring these. If you broke one of God's rules, you needed to make it right, through these offerings. They were designed to help you receive forgiveness. It's pretty interesting if you think about it. Some offerings were about showing love to God freely. Others were about fixing the relationship when we've damaged it. Some were about giving to God because we're grateful. Others were about receiving what we need most—forgiveness.

But all of them leads to one thing… They all point to our need for something greater than ourselves. And Leviticus 1-7 teach us that, through these offerings, there three things we learn. First, faithfulness to God. We need to give Him our whole lives, not just pieces. Those burnt offerings and grain offerings weren't about God needing animals or grain - they were about teaching us what real commitment looks like. God doesn't want your leftovers or your spare time. He wants all of you.

Second, fellowship with God. We were created for relationship with Him, not just religion. Remember that peace offering where you actually got to share the meal? That was God's way of saying, 'I don't just want your stuff - I want to connect with you.' We weren't made to just follow rules; we were made to know God personally.

And third, forgiveness from God. Because we all mess up and need a way to make things right. Those sin and guilt offerings were addressing the reality that we all face - we blow it sometimes. We need a way back. We need forgiveness that actually works.

Here's how I'd sum it up: God was using those sacrifices to show people two things – the seriousness of their sin and their desperate need for a Savior. And both of those things are only fully addressed at the cross of Christ. Think about it this way. If our kids tried to bake real cookies in her toy oven, nothing would happen. The food would go in raw and come out exactly the same way. Those toy ovens can't transform anything. In the same way, all those animal sacrifices couldn't actually transform the human heart or permanently remove sin. But just like our kids would eventually move on to cooking with a real oven that actually transforms raw ingredients into something nourishing, God was preparing His people to recognize the real thing when it came. He was getting them ready for Jesus, whose sacrifice would truly transform us from the inside out.

That's why Hebrews 10 is so powerful. It shows us how Jesus fulfills and completes everything those sacrifices were pointing toward. So let's begin in Hebrews chapter 10 and read verse 1 again.. Verse 1 says, "For since the law….” Let's stop for a moment.. because look down in verse 8… look at what it says in Hebrews 10:8, "When he said above, 'You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings' (these are offered according to the law)…’" You see what's happening here? The writer of Hebrews is talking about those exact same offerings we just looked at in Leviticus! He's saying, This is mind-blowing if you think about it. God set up this elaborate system of sacrifices, but then says He never really desired them or took pleasure in them? What's that about? It's because they were never the final goal. That means of sacrifices were teaching tools. They were training wheels. God wasn't after dead animals - He was after transformed hearts. That's why verse 1 says the law "has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities." Like my daughter's toy kitchen compared to a real one - it resembled the real thing but couldn't actually do what the real thing does. And here's the problem with that shadow system - the verse continues: "it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” Think about that phrase "continually offered” for a moment…. - they had to keep repeating the same sacrifices year after year after year. Why? Because they never actually fixed the problem! If they had worked, the sacrifices would have stopped because people would have been cleansed once and for all. But instead, as verse 3 says, "in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year." Every sacrifice was essentially saying, "You're still a sinner. You still have this problem. You're still not right with God. That's the Fisher-Price range - a good teaching tool, but it couldn't actually cook anything. It couldn't actually transform anything. It couldn't actually solve the problem.

Now let's see what Jesus did differently as the offering…. Look at verse 5. It says, "Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me.’" This is incredible! Instead of another animal, God prepared a body for Jesus. This isn't about another lamb or goat - this is about God's Son taking on human flesh and becoming the perfect Lamb. The offering is no longer something outside of us, nor is it an action to be performed - it's a person. And not just any person, but God Himself in human form. Jesus continues in verse 7, "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.’" Isn’t this is what God was after all along! Not the blood of animals, but willing obedience. That's what none of those sacrifices could provide. The animals didn't choose to be sacrificed. The grain couldn't decide to be offered. But Jesus willingly chose to do God's will. He tells us in John 10:18, No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” And look at what happens next in verse 9: "He takes away the first to establish the second." Jesus doesn't just improve the old system - He completely replaces it! It's not an upgrade; it's a whole new operating system. Now here's the part that amazes me most. Look at verses 11-12. It says, "Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Did you catch that contrast? The priests were always STANDING because their work was never done. It was like being on a religious treadmill - constantly running but never arriving. But Jesus? After His sacrifice, He SAT DOWN. Done. Complete. Finished. Tetleistia… it is finished. And here's what His one-time sacrifice accomplished in verse 14: "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being made holy.” Church, with one sacrifice, Jesus did what thousands upon thousands of animal sacrifices over a thousand of years could never do. He took 5 sacrifices and perfected it with one…and through him offers the ability to be holy for he is holy.

And now, because of what Jesus has done and accomplished, because the Spirit of the living God dwells within us... our lives become an offering. Not to earn God's favor, but to express our gratitude. Not out of obligation, but out of love. Not to gain relationship with God, but because we already have it through Christ. Look, can I just be honest with you for a second? There are times when I too struggle with this. I really do. Sometimes I catch myself dividing my life into boxes - here's my church box, here's my family box, here's my work box. And I treat them like they're completely separate. And honestly, I don’t know why I am drawn to put my life into boxes.. But then I read Romans chapter 12, it wrecks me. Because Paul doesn't say, "Take your Sunday morning worship and make it really impressive to God." He doesn't say, "Make sure you're doing enough religious activities to balance out your non religious life.” No. After eleven chapters of explaining what Jesus did for us and our insuficnianry to save ourselves, that we all fall short of the glory of GOd, and that JEuss is the perfect offering, Paul says something that completely demolishes our religious boxes. He says: "Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” Do you realize what this means? The separation we've created between sacred and secular isn't from God. It's from us. Those moments when you're changing diapers? That’s a Sacred moment. That conversation with your difficult coworker? Holy ground. The way you handle your finances? That’s Worship. It's true... you can be brushing your teeth and be praising, 'you are worthy...' And I think about things like this and ask,..What if we've been missing it this whole time? What if real life isn't just equal to religious life... what if it's actually where God wants to meet us the most? What if God just wants to meet you and me in our everyday ordinary life. Listen, church, God doesn't want a visit from you on Sunday. He wants a life with you every day. You know what's interesting? This invitation to bring our whole lives to God isn't just freeing - it's also challenging. Because it means there's no part of our lives that's off-limits to Him. No compartment we can keep to ourselves. The world tells us something very different. It says, 'Keep your faith private. Keep your religion contained. What you do Monday through Saturday is your business.’ And Paul saw this tension coming. That's why in the very next verse, Romans 12:2, he says: "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without thinking.” Guys, look around! Every day this world is trying to squeeze us into its mold. There's this constant pressure to conform, to fit in, to chase after what everyone else is chasing. And the scary thing is how easy it happens! We don't even realize it. We're just breathing it in - the values of this world, the priorities, the ways of thinking. Before you know it, you're making decisions exactly like everyone else without even questioning why. But Jesus didn't die on the cross just to forgive your sins and then leave you the same! His sacrifice wasn't just a get-out-of-hell-free card. When He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, He was inviting us into a completely different way of living! The issue is… we’re caught between two ways of living… Think about it… The world is constantly whispering, "Be comfortable. Take the easy path. Look out for yourself." And on the other hand…. religion often responds, "Follow these rules. Check these boxes. Perform these rituals.” But Jesus? Jesus offers something totally different. Not comfort. Not rules. But relationship. Connection. Transformation from the inside out. Paul nails it when he says, "Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out." Not by trying harder to follow religious rules, but by focusing your heart on the One who gave everything for you. And so heres the issue,… The world pulls toward comfort; while religion pushes toward rules. But Jesus offers a third way: relationship through everyday worship in our ordinary lives

As Peter comes up…

Folks, when this truth grips your heart—when you truly understand what Jesus has done as your perfect offering—everything changes! Your Monday morning worship isn't a burden; it's a RESPONSE to undeserved grace! You don't live from religious obligation anymore—you live from RELATIONSHIP! From DELIGHT! From WONDER! So how do we actually live as offerings in response to Jesus' perfect offering? Let me give you three ways before we leave today: First, show up honestly. Drop the religious mask with God! The God of the universe doesn't want your polished performance—He wants YOU. Listen churhc, Your brokenness isn't a barrier I need you to understand that… —it’s an INVITATION for His grace to flood in! Oh man.. David knew this so well… he writes…”The Lord is near to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18). Don't you see? Your weakness is the stage where His strength performs its greatest work!

Second, show up for others. In Leviticus, offerings created connection. Today, our greatest offering isn't stuff—it's PRESENCE. Jesus made this crystal clear in Matthew 25 when He said, "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..." When the people asked when they did this, He responded, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Our presence with others becomes our presence with Jesus. Just this week at Red's Grill, God nudged me to notice an older gentleman who seemed to need connection. Nothing dramatic—just asking thew waitress to pay for his meal. But in that moment, that small sanctuary was built. At Safeway on Monday there was this elderly lady pushing her cart... she looked at me and smiled and I simply said, you have a beautiful smile. Connection. Holy moment was created. Later in the week, at Wendy's with my son on Friday night... we came to the speaker and after our order, I simply said, I appreciate you... every moment... is an opportunity to show up for others, and watch how Jesus works in you and through you. Your attention to others is an offering!

Finally, show up consistently. Like Daniel who prayed three times daily, find those regular touch points with God. Not because you have to, but because you GET to! Let everyday moments—your morning coffee, your commute—become holy ground where you meet with the Living God! But hear me clearly: This isn't about straining harder. It's about surrendering deeper. We can't do this on our own strength—and that's the BEAUTIFUL NEWS! Jesus is our offering. Jesus is our righteousness. Jesus is our presence. When we come broken, HE is whole. When we come weak, HE is strong. When we cannot show up, HE has already shown up for us! Your hope isn't in your ability to be perfect. Your hope is in the One who was perfect on your behalf. Christ—our substitute. Christ—our righteousness. Christ—our EVERYTHING! You are loved. Right now. Not for what you do, but for who you are in Christ. *