13th Sunday after Pentecost (Prop 16 – A)
Romans 12:1-8
August 23, 2026
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The text that I have chosen for this morning’s sermon is the Epistle from Romans.
A fundamental part of worship for the Jews was the sacrifice of animals. Some sacrifices were given in thanksgiving or for celebrating. The primary sacrifice was for sin. Whether or not the sin was intentional made no difference, a sacrifice was required, and until the sacrifice was offered, forgiveness remained out of reach.
What you may not realize is that because the sacrifices weren’t perfect, they couldn’t take away sins. Even the most perfect lamb lacked the ability to forgive sins. The sacrifices were effective because of Jesus. His sacrifice on the altar of the cross transcends time to bring forgiveness to those who preceded Him and to those who follow Him. Free of the stain of sin and guilt, His sacrifice was done once and for all. His sacrifice gives you the forgiveness of all your sins. It bestows life on the spiritually dead. It gives eternal life. And it transforms us.
Paul describes it this way: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” As living sacrifices, we’re dedicated to the Lord. You are to be holy, which means that you’re set aside for His particular use. To be holy is to give up your earthly desires, turn your back on sin, and put God first in your life. Worship Him alone. Rely on Him alone. Love Him above all else. Be willing to sacrifice any and all things which hinder your status as a living sacrifice.
If only it were that easy! It’s hard to be holy. It’s hard to turn our backs on earthly desires and put God first. Willpower won’t cut it. What enables us to be living sacrifices is the sacrifice of Jesus. The forgiveness of sins makes you holy and separates you from the sinful world. The mercies of God found on the cross encourage and endow us with the power to live holy and blameless lives. In Colossians Paul says, “Jesus has now reconciled in His body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.” Therefore, why do we want to sacrifice ourselves to Him? Why do we want to serve the Lord? Because He first served us! We respond to His love with our own. And when we inevitably fail, either intentionally or unintentionally, the same sacrifice of Jesus brings forgiveness to the repentant. When you sin, when you are unholy, the blood of Jesus makes you holy once again. His sacrifice was so perfect that when you need forgiveness, when you struggle, when you need help, He will bless you with the fruits of His sacrifice.
In the Old Testament God uses the term a pleasing aroma to describe sacrifices offered in faith. Sincere hearts offer sincere sacrifices. Insincere hearts offer insincere sacrifices. When you present yourself as a living sacrifice to God, fully dedicated to Him, you offer a pleasing aroma. When you present yourself half-heartedly or begrudgingly your aroma is malodorous. A stinking aroma arises when we’re unwilling to sacrifice our own desires for God. You’re to be holy and acceptable to God, and you’re not when you sacrifice God for everything else. Sacrifice means suffering and disappointment. It means missing out on activities so you can love God above all things. To be a living sacrifice means you have to give up activities you enjoy if they’re unbefitting of a Christian. Sacrifice is taking extraordinary actions to withstand temptation. Sacrifice is giving yourself over to God say, “Not my will, but your will be done.” Parents sacrifice immensely for their children because we love them. How much more should we sacrifice for our loving God who created us, sustains us, blesses us, and saves us?
Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Part of being a living sacrifice is to act and believe differently than the society in which we live. When we don’t offer ourselves as holy sacrifices, we remain conformed to this world, and we will not be pleasing sacrifices to God. The conformed focus on earthly things. The transformed are focused on God. The conformed are influenced by wickedness. The transformed are influenced by holiness. The conformed are confronted with eternal suffering. The transformed look forward to eternal joy. Yes, it is a sacrifice to give up possessions, time, special events, any other desires. It’s why it’s called sacrificing. But think about something. Is anything in this world better than what God offers? If you’re not willing to sacrifice time, possessions, income, and your very self for your Lord, why not?
After Paul talks to us about being living sacrifices he transitions to the roles Christians play in the Church and as the Church. These two topics seem disconnected, until you realize that to be a living sacrifice means that we use our talents for the good of the Church, both here in Lake View and in the Church around the world.
Many Americans, many Christians for that matter, are self-absorbed. We’re focused on our families, our jobs, our kids activities, and our own desires. This is understandable – to a point. Living sacrifices look inward and outward, and this is especially true in the Church.
Paul says, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Every person in the Church plays a part, no one is disposable or unimportant. If the body has two hearts and no lungs, it dies. If it lacks a liver, it’s going to die. There are consequences if an organ, bone, or joint stops working. Each of you is important to the Church, and it needs you to work! Young, old, male, female, tall, short, rich, poor it doesn’t matter, you’re vital to the Church, and the Church is vital to you. You have an obligation to serve the Church with your gifts. To be blunt: it’s a sin to not use the gifts that God has given you for the benefit of the Church.
Paul says, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” Use what God has given you. Paul says that if your talent is service, you serve. If it’s teaching, you teach. If it’s encouraging other Christians, you encourage. If you’re financially blessed, you joyfully give. If it’s leading, you lead zealously. If it’s showing mercy, show mercy with cheerfulness. Here at Emmanuel, some of you are good with your hands and are mechanically inclined. Some of you are good listeners and give wise advice. You’re teachers, medical professionals, retirees. You’re kids who have friends in school and sports who can bring to church or tell them about Jesus. You’re teens who can influence your peers and schools. You’re young adults who can impact society’s values, both now and in the future. I’ve had members who have said that they couldn’t do anything but pray. That’s significant! Prayer is just as important as missionary work in the jungles of South America. Prayer intercedes for others by asking God to help them, heal them, bring them to faith, give them eternal life. The Church is blessed when its members, the body of Christ, work together. When you come to church, you’re a blessing to others. When you skip services we’re missing your gifts and you’re missing out on the gifts of others.
By using our gifts and demonstrating we’re living sacrifices, the Lord Jesus Christ will spread the Word and by His grace give growth to the Church.
Saint Paul writes in Ephesians: “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The blood poured out on the altar of gold was empowered by the blood on the altar of wood. The sacrifices in the Temple required the animal to be alive. The sacrifice for your sins required our Lord to be alive. He died but He lives again because He is the perfect sacrifice. By God’s grace and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we are living sacrifices who are transformed to be holy and acceptable to God.
Amen
Now the peace which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen