Notes From the Pastor's Desk
July 5, 2026
Acceptable Sacrifices Unto God
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psm. 51:17). The Bible teaches that all saved people are priests unto the Lord. What did the priest do in the Old Testament do? He offered up sacrifices unto the Lord and represented the people unto God. Since God has made us priests (Rev. 5:10), what should we offer up unto Him? I am going to suggest five things to you in this study.
I. A Broken Heart
(Psm. 51:17) A person cannot offer his or her own atonement for sin. We have no hope but in the simple mercy and grace of God. What does this broken and contrite heart suggest? It suggests that we are giving up ourselves to God, knowing that only He can forgive our sins and set us free from the burden of guilt, in order that He might renew a right spirit within us (Psm. 51:9‑12). No heart is ever repaired until it is seen as broken.
II. Our Bodies
(Rom. 12:1) According to the writings of the Apostle Paul, our bodies are the temples of God (1 Cor. 3:16). A temple is a place where God dwells. Since God is to dwell in the believer's bodies, then we are to give that dwelling completely, wholly and entirely to Him, placed at His disposal and available for His use. Do not offer your body unto sin, but offer it to the Lord as a holy dwelling place for a thrice Holy God.
III. Our Thanks
(Psm. 107:22) Our biggest problem is not that we completely fail to pray. A bigger fault of ours is that when God answers the prayers, we fail to give thanks to Him for the answers to the prayers that He sent to us. We are to urge and encourage thanksgiving in our life and in the lives of others. The call to a thankful spirit is the refrain of Psalm 107.
IV. Our Praise
(Heb. 13:15) In this verse, the writer of Hebrews encourages God's people to “Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…” God is pleased with the praises of His people. When we praise the Lord, we are giving glory for what He has done in us, and not tooting our own horn. Do not wait for someone else to do the praising toward the Lord you ought to be doing yourself. If we will just praise Him, then God is well pleased with that spiritual sacrifice. Our lips should give praise to Him constantly to others.
V. Our Gifts
(Phil. 4:18). Phil 4:18, “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” Paul speaks of the things that were sent to him from the church at Phillipi. Those people had well supported God's church and God's man. Don't forget to be a giving person.