Sacrifice is central to the Christian faith. It is not just a ritual; it is a reflection of divine love and redemptive power. At the very core of Christianity lies the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself completely for the salvation of mankind.
Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV) “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Without the sacrifice of Jesus, humanity would still be lost in sin. His offering on the cross was not only substitutionary (He died in our place) but also propitiatory (He satisfied the wrath of God). He gave everything His blood, His body, and His life to reconcile us to the Father.
Hebrews 9:26 (NKJV) “…but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
This sets the divine precedent: if Jesus gave all for us, we, too, are called to live sacrificially for God and for one another.
Sacrifice in the biblical sense isn’t limited to money or material offerings. In fact, Scripture reveals a broader theology of sacrifice:
1 John 3:16 (NKJV) “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
However, this same passage points us to a deeper truth: while sacrificial love is noble, it must flow from a heart that is aligned with God’s Word.
We must be careful not to exalt sacrifice above obedience. This was King Saul’s grave error.
1 Samuel 15:22–23 (NKJV) “So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.’”
Here we see that disobedience nullifies the value of sacrifice. Saul thought God would be pleased with extravagant sacrifices of livestock yet he disobeyed a direct command. His failure to obey revealed a deeper heart issue: he prioritized ritual over relationship.
This demonstrates the weakness of sacrifice it cannot compensate for willful disobedience. Sacrifices offered in disobedience become acts of self-justification, not worship.
Proverbs 21:3 (NKJV) “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
Some believers mistakenly think that generous giving, church attendance, or religious activities can cover for an unrepentant lifestyle. But Scripture firmly opposes this idea.
Malachi 1:13–14 (NKJV) “You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” says the Lord of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” says the Lord. “But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.”
Even in Old Testament sacrificial law, the quality of the offering reflected the heart of the worshiper. A blemished sacrifice was a sign of dishonor to God and brought a curse, not a blessing.
Isaiah 1:13 (NKJV) “Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me.”
This shows that without repentance, holiness, and submission to God’s Word, sacrifices even large or costly ones are meaningless before Him.
Jesus Himself taught that broken human relationships hinder our worship:
Matthew 5:23–24 (NKJV) “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
This passage highlights a critical truth: God values reconciliation and peace over religious performance. Giving without addressing bitterness or unresolved conflict makes the offering void in God’s eyes.
Romans 12:18 (NKJV) “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
No amount of giving can replace the command to live in peace. God is not moved by outward gifts alone; He weighs the motives and condition of the heart.
Some believe that sacrificial giving will secure their place in heaven, but the Bible is clear: only faith in Christ, evidenced by repentance and holy living, guarantees eternal life.
Galatians 5:19–21 (NKJV) “Now the works of the flesh are evident… those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Sacrifice cannot overwrite these judgments. Hell cannot be avoided through offerings it can only be escaped through repentance, faith, and obedience to Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:26 (NKJV) “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”
So, what kind of sacrifice does God accept?
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.”
Psalm 51:17 (NKJV) “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart these, O God, You will not despise.”
A truly acceptable sacrifice is:
Flowing from obedience
Accompanied by repentance
Given in humility
Offered in faith and love
You may have given many good and generous sacrifices and God sees that. But remember, no sacrifice can take the place of true surrender to Jesus Christ.
If you haven’t yet given your life to Jesus, now is the time. Salvation is not earned through giving it’s received through faith and repentance.
Acts 3:19 (NKJV) “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
If you’ve already received Christ but your walk has grown lukewarm, reignite your passion for holiness. Jesus warned the lukewarm church:
Revelation 3:16 (NKJV) “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Sacrifice is beautiful but obedience is better.
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Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Welcome again to our Bible study journey.
This is part eight in our ongoing exploration of the books of the Bible. So far, we’ve covered the first 17 books, including significant ones like Ezra and Jeremiah. Today, by the grace of God, we continue with the next book in line the prophetic book of Ezekiel.
Before we begin, if you haven’t yet gone through the earlier books we studied, I encourage you to do so at your own pace and in a prayerful, reflective manner. This teaching is intended to build upon your personal study, not replace it.
Book number: 26th in the Bible
Chapters: 48
Author: The prophet Ezekiel
Name Meaning: Ezekiel means “God strengthens” or “God will strengthen.”
Estimated date of writing: Between 593–570 BC
Written during the Babylonian exile, particularly after the second wave of deportation of Jews to Babylon.
The deportation of the Jews to Babylon occurred in three major waves, each connected to a different king:
First Exile Under King Jehoiakim (around 605 BC):Notable captives included Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 1:1–6).
Second Exile Under King Jehoiachin (a.k.a. Jeconiah or Yekoniah):This is when Ezekiel was taken into captivity (2 Kings 24:10–17).
Third and Final Exile Under King Zedekiah:Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, resulting in the complete destruction of Jerusalem, including the burning of the Temple. He was captured, had his eyes gouged out, and was taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:1–7).
At this point, Jeremiah, still in Jerusalem, mourned deeply for the people and warned them of the coming judgment, but they refused to listen (Jeremiah 25; Lamentations 1).
Ezekiel began receiving visions while still on the journey into exile, around the River Kebar. His first vision is powerful and mysterious:
“In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.”Ezekiel 1:1, NIV
Like Isaiah (Isaiah 6) and John in Revelation (Revelation 4), Ezekiel saw the heavens opened, God’s throne, and cherubim (angelic beings).
In the vision, God gave him a scroll, not to read, but to eat a symbolic act that represents internalizing God’s message:
“Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll… and on both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.”Ezekiel 2:9–10, NIV
This scroll symbolizes God’s prophetic message filled with warnings, judgment, and sorrow.
Ezekiel was called to speak not to foreign nations, but to the house of Israel specifically, those still remaining in Jerusalem and the broader Jewish exilic community.
“He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.’”Ezekiel 3:1, NIV
“You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language… If I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.”Ezekiel 3:5–6, NIV
Here we see a painful truth: those closest to God’s covenant often reject His messengers, even more than outsiders might.
The book of Ezekiel can be broken into four major sections:
These chapters contain prophecies against the sinful practices of Judah and Jerusalem including idolatry, injustice, and hypocrisy. Ezekiel warns them of the coming destruction of the Temple and the city.
Ezekiel’s message parallels that of Jeremiah, who remained in Jerusalem. While Jeremiah preached within the city, Ezekiel prophesied from among the exiles in Babylon. They both delivered the same warning impending judgment.
After Jerusalem’s fall, Ezekiel shifts to prophesy against neighboring nations like Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. These nations had mocked or harmed Israel and would now also experience judgment from God.
This fulfills God’s word that He is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel.
Following judgment, God gives a renewed appeal for repentance. He affirms personal responsibility and the need for each individual to turn from sin and live.
“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”Ezekiel 33:11, NIV
These final chapters are filled with hope and prophecy. God promises to restore His people, shepherd them Himself (Ezekiel 34), and eventually rebuild the Temple.
One of the most profound prophecies includes a future third temple, described in great architectural detail (Ezekiel 40–48). Many scholars and theologians believe this refers to an end times structure not yet built.
“And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.”Ezekiel 48:35, ESV
God demands purity in worship and conduct. He will not tolerate idolatry or compromise (Ezekiel 8, 14).
Each soul is accountable before God. Salvation is not based on the righteousness of others.
“The soul who sins shall die.”Ezekiel 18:4, 20, ESV
God calls His messengers to warn others. Failure to do so brings guilt.
“If you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way… his blood I will require at your hand.”Ezekiel 33:8, ESV
God rebukes those who claim to speak for Him but speak from their own imagination:
“Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!”Ezekiel 13:3, ESV
In chapters 38–39, Ezekiel prophesies about a massive war involving nations around Israel many interpret this as an end times battle, possibly involving modern day Russia.
We now live in what Revelation 3 calls the Laodicean church age a lukewarm spiritual era.
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot… So, because you are lukewarm… I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”Revelation 3:15–16, NIV
This is not about a specific denomination. It’s a warning to the global body of Christ to wake up spiritually, return to holiness, and prepare for Christ’s return.
If you have not yet surrendered fully to Christ if you are still caught in sin (sexual immorality, pornography, lying, slander, profanity) repent today. Jesus offers complete forgiveness and a new beginning. Salvation is free, but it requires a surrendered heart.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us… and to cleanse