• Jesus was sacrificed on our behalf as the "once for all time" sacrifice.
• (Hebrews 10:12-14 NKJV) But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, {13} from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. {14} For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
• The New Testament clearly indicates that the Old Testament system of sacrifices and offerings was temporary, ineffective and unsatisfactory.
• (Hebrews 9:9-10 NKJV) It (the OT system) was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered whichcannot make him who performed the service perfectin regard to the conscience; {10} concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinancesimposed until the time of reformation.(until the cross).

(Hebrews 10:1-4 NKJV) For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things,can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. {2} For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. {3} But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. {4}For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

• No system of sacrifices is ever imposed on believers in the NT. The five references to sacrifices by Christian in the NT are nothing like the OT sacrificial system at all . The NT sacrifices did not involve the shedding of blood or high financial costs. The references tend to centre around commitment of self to God. The things offered were:
• Praise, thanksgiving, good works and sharing. (Hebrews 13:15-16 NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. {16} But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Personal Holiness(Romans 12:1 NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Dedication To Ministry(Philippians 2:17 NKJV) Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

A One-Off Gift To Paul(Philippians 4:18 NKJV) Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Spiritual Sacrifices/Worship(1 Peter 2:5 NKJV) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The prophets never complain about "not enough" being offered in the way of sacrifices. The quantity of worship is hardly a concern - but the quality is. Similarly its no use giving a million dollars to the church if you are inwardly at war with everyone there!

(Micah 6:7-8 NKJV) Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? {8} He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

(Mark 12:32-35 NKJV) So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. {33} "And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."{34} Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared question Him.

The concept of sacrifice is often used to encourage Christians to give generously. Preachers say things like "you have to give until it hurts or its not a sacrifice", or "tithing is just your duty to God, if you want blessing you have to give freewill offerings on top of that".(which is often inconsistent with last week's sermon where tithing did bring blessing). Some of this is misunderstanding and poor theology but a lot is just plain manipulation. The Old Testament sacrificial system is turned around and made to be monetary gifts to the local church and re-imposed on New Testament believers. This is rebuilding what Christ has torn down and is transgression. (Galatians 2:18) We have "died to the Law" (Galatians 2:19, Romans 7:6) with all its commandments and observances including the requirement for Christians to offer sacrifices, tithes or offerings in order to atone for sin or to receive blessing from God.

The OT sacrificial system was quite complex and involved whole burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings. They were offered for a host of reasons such as national sin, giving thanks at harvest time, reconciliation and various acts of personal cleansing and forgiveness. They were nothing like the weekly collection to fund the ongoing ministry of a local church. To turn this national system of offerings into what we have today in most churches is simply a devious exercise in exegetical gymnastics. It cannot and should not be done.

At this point we strike a difficult verse where Paul calls a financial gift from the Philippians "an acceptable sacrifice".

(Philippians 4:18-19 NKJV) Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. {19} And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Paul is using the term to say that the Christians in Philippi were giving not just to Paul but to God and that it was a holy and acceptable offering. Paul was using the spiritual language of his day to recognise the generosity of these Christians. He was definitely not imposing the sacrificial system of the Mosaic Law back on Christians in a slightly altered form.

If we are to use the terms "sacrifice" or "offering" in connection with financial giving we must be very careful how we do this in order not to create compulsion and spiritual confusion. Some guidelines, that I think are wise, are that such a sermon:

1. Should not create the impression that giving was required to please God or atone for sin or to receive blessing.
2. Should not make out of the "sacrifice or offering" a ritual with spiritual overtones and with some of the connotations of the OT sacrificial system.
3. Should avoid directly connecting financial giving with the sacrifices the Mosaic Law for instance by preaching from a passage on the "whole burnt offering" or "broken-necked things". This gives the impression to Christians that we still obey "some bits" of the Law and can cause very real confusion when they try to interpret Scripture for themselves.
4. Should make clear the two meanings of sacrifice that are found in English and the meaning as it is found in the Bible that it is a holy offering (not a severe act of renunciation).

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