Did You Ever Give Up?

Did You Ever Give Up?

Recently, I was watching a movie on TBN called Abraham. While watching this movie I was awakened to a Biblical truth that may explain much. Have you ever really thought about the process of sacrificing a lamb? In the movie, Abraham was teaching his son Ishmael the process of sacrifice to the Lord. There was more to it than just walking up, grabbing one, and killing it. The boy were taught to pick one of his firstborns without blemish. In fact, when Isaac had to choose one, and he asked his father which he should choose, his dad said pick the one you love the most, if you want God to know how serious you are about Him accepting it, and you.

Galatians 2:20 States

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Shall we pray:

Dear Heavenly Father:

We are so thankful that you loved us so much that you sacrificed the one you loved the most. You chose the one without blemish, without sin. Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice in our place. He willingly allowed Himself to be offered up for us on a pile of wood, in the form of a cross. As you loved us and gave yourself for us, may we, as Paul described in Galatians 2:20, offer ourselves as willing sacrifices to You, that you may live out your ministry on earth through us. In Jesus name: AMEN

The process of sacrifice was not only about the one being sacrificed, but more so about the heart of the one that was offering the sacrifice. Remember the first two brothers, Cain and Abel? Surely their dad Adam had demonstrated the proper process of sacrifice.

Genesis 4:3-7 States

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at your door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.

When you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, did you present yourself a willing sacrifice? Were you really crucified with Christ? Were you presenting yourself to die, because you were willing to give up the one you loved most, yourself?

Abraham has the boy take hold of the lamb he loved most. He turns over the lamb and ties off its legs. He quickly gets ready to take the lamb, but his dad says wait son! Son, the lamb is still struggling. It hasn't given up yet. See how it struggles. Son, God will never accept a sacrifice unless it total gives up.

Did you ever give up?

Many have made a choice of heaven over hell. They accepted Jesus as a Savior, a ticket to heaven.

Did you ever wonder if your sacrifice, you, was acceptable to God?

As the lamb finally gave up, and stopped struggling, the boy was able to put the lamb on wood, a fuel for the burnt offering, then kill the lamb. Only when the lamb was submitted, did the Father allow the sacrifice to be completed. Have you ever wondered whether your heavenly Father allowed your sacrifice to be completed? Were you totally submitted? Did you give it all up?

Remember back to the time when you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Did you consider that you were supposed to be offering yourself as a sacrifice? You were trading your will (your self and sin); to live by His will in righteousness submitting to allow Christ to live through you. Everyone in the Kingdom submits in obedience to the King, or they are removed from it. To quote Tommy Teeney: "If you have the King's favor, you don't have to worry whether anyone likes you; however if the King doesn't like you, it doesn't matter how many others do. Did you submit to the King? Is that the way you remember it? Did you ever give up? Was there any real sacrifice? Was your offering acceptable to God?

God accepted and respected Abel and Abel's sacrifice (he had the King's favor), but did not accepted Cain or his sacrifice. Did God respect and accept you and your own sacrifice (your self and sin), so that Jesus might be willing to be a substitute to die for you? Do you think Abel knew God was pleased with his sacrifice? I think he knew that God was pleased, because he knew he had offered his best. Did you offer your total best, yourself? I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. He loved and gave himself for you, do you give yourself to Him? Does your life reflect that you died to self and sin, and that Jesus lives through you? Does your life reflect a life that Jesus would live if He were in you? When a person meets you, have they met the same old you, or do they feel like they have met a glimpse of Jesus?

Have you ever seen the Gatorade commercial, "Is it in you?" The people sweat the color of Gatorade that they are drinking. The evidence that it is in them is that it comes out all over while they work out. Do you work out for Jesus. Is He in you? When you are working hard, does Jesus just flow out of you all over? Do you take in the living water, by studying His word and praying without ceasing? Is the sweat of your efforts your sweat, or His gifts flowing out of you as His substitute which lives through you?

The book of James has a lot to say about it:

James 1:17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

You were created to be sacrificed! You were created to offer yourself (your free will) up as firstfruit to God's will, to do works in His name.

James 2:17-18 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Is He in you? Are His works evident? Did you ever give up? Was your sacrifice ever accepted? God will only accept sacrifices that are willing to die. Did you offer yourself a living sacrifice? Is your turn from self and sin evident to you and everyone around you? If you were on trial, would there be enough evidence to support a case that Jesus Christ lives in your heart, in your place?

We are called to walk in obedience and sacrifice. Do you take God for a fool? He knows your heart, whether you really turned it all over to Him or kept something back. Remember what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? The Bible says in Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. If you call yourself a Christian, and don't see fruits in your life, you mock God, you don't glorify Him. When Christ is in you, you become a disciple of Him. And here is a news flash, it is your responsibility to grow! Isn't it amazing how many things were know, or do with passion that are really useless. Is being a disciple of Jesus the top priority in your life? If you truly ever gave up, it is. If life is a big test, and the text book the Bible, why do you not take every opportunity to study it with other believers? This place should be packed on Wednesday Nights and Sunday Nights, when God's word is studies and discussed with other disciples. It should be a priority in your life.

John 15:8 States "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Are you a disciple? Did you ever give up? Did you ever present yourself a living sacrifice? Is He in you? Do you glorify the Father by bearing much fruit? If you are not glorifying Him, you must be glorifying you!

We are all born with "free will". Free will allows you to choose your way (self); or God's way, by presenting yourself a living sacrifice. By trading your "free will" for "God's will" you become His first fruit and can then fulfill His purpose in life as His child. Becoming His child is what gets you in heaven. God knows His children. Does He know you? Do you work in the family business? Do you have the King's favor?

Just because you call Him Lord, doesn't mean you have made Him Lord of your life, and certainly doesn't mean He really knows you.

Matthew 7:21 States Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in heaven.

Did you give yourself as firstfruit? Was your sacrifice accepted? Are you doing His Father's will? Is your life pleasing to God? Is there evidence that you have bear fruit in His name?

Matthew continues in verses 22-23 "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? "And then I will declare to them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you who practiced lawlessness!"

I John 3: 4 States Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

I John 2:4 States He who says. "I know Him,"and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Is the truth in you? Does Jesus live through your life? Have your works captured the favor and heart of the King? Are

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We may have even convinced ourselves that we are going to heaven because we prayed a prayer. If you painted something, then saw you missed a few spots, would you pretend you covered everything? When the Priests went into the Holy of Holies before Christ died and tore the veil, they had to make sure they had totally covered the alter with blood, otherwise, God would not accept the sacrifice and would take their life. If they saw that the blood had not covered everything, they never took a chance, because it would cost them dearly.

Are you totally covered by the Blood of Jesus? If you aren't it will cost you dearly! You are covered by the blood of Jesus only when you become a living sacrifice yourself. You cannot be "Born Again" unless you die first? Did you ever give up, and die to self and sin? If not, how can you be "Born Again"?

James 1:7-10 States But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

You and I must first acknowledge that we have, and commit sin against God. You must confess those sins, turn from them, ask for forgiveness, and then walk in His light, serving God's Will, not yours. If you acknowledge yourself a sinner, and want to ask God for forgiveness, and want to walk in His light, you can come to this alter at the invitation. If you say you have not sinned, you make God a liar. This is your chance to repent and turn from leading a life of sin and self. You know "His Will" is better that your "free will". We will be here to help you, but it is your choice, your "free will". You must be willing to die for the King. One way (your will) leads to destruction and eternity in hell, the other (God's will) leads to eternal life and glory in heaven.

Everyone of you have received a small card with the words "My Free Will". This card symbolizes that God gave us all a choice. At the invitation, you all have the choice to make; keep your "Free Will"; or come and exchange your card for one that says "God's Will". The line can start on the left and come by to this alter. Drop your free will, symbolizing you are crucified to Christ, dead to self and sin, and born again to live for Christ Jesus. Some might want to respond to the Holy Spirit, and ask God to forgive them for not truly ever giving up and seek His will in your life. Please seriously consider that this could be the turning point in your life. Take this opportunity to show God you will trade, or will still trade your Free Will for His Will. If you think this silly, and plan to stay put, you might want to examine yourself. If Jesus were up here handing out tickets, to the rapture, you would all be climbing over each other to get up here. Consider this a final boarding call for heaven. It is almost midnight, the end is in the wind.

Did you ever give up? There is no time like the present! Trade your "free will" for "God's will".

Jack Jackson - Founder

Minister Where You Are