Priesthood of Every BelieverSample

Lesson 6: Offering Spiritual Sacrifices

In 1 Peter 2:5, believers are described as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood tasked with offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. This metaphor beautifully encapsulates the communal and individual aspects of our faith, emphasizing that our lives, collectively and individually, should be lived in worship and service to God. This lesson explores what it means to offer spiritual sacrifices and how this concept is integral to our identity as a royal priesthood.

Spiritual sacrifices can be understood as acts of devotion, praise, and service offered not out of obligation but from a heart moved by love and gratitude towards God and the lost. These sacrifices are manifold and encompass all aspects of Christian living, including prayer, worship, acts of kindness and mercy, sharing the Gospel, multiplying disciples, and using our gifts and talents for God's glory. Unlike the physical sacrifices of the Old Testament, these are the fruit of our lives, made possible by Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, which reconciled us to God once and for all.

As priests in God's kingdom, every believer is called to live a life that is a spiritual offering. This involves a continuous commitment to personal holiness, ethical conduct, and growth in faith, which not only honors God but also serves as a witness to the world. It is about making our lives a reflection of God's love and grace to those around us. However, more than living out the character traits is required. Seeing people come into the kingdom and be disciples to obey the commands of Jesus requires intentional sharing of the Gospel and teaching new believers to obey all the commands of Christ.

Action Step: Reflect on the various aspects of your life — your time, talents, and resources. Commit to a daily discipline of prayer, reading God's Word, and sharing your faith for the next week. In your prayers, offer praises and thanksgiving to God, and present your life anew as a living sacrifice to Him. Consider one specific way you can use your talents or resources this week to serve others in your community, church, or family as an act of worship to God.