God Needs More Spiritual Sacrifices Than Sacrifices
In the Old Testament, the Israelites approached God through offerings: sheep, cattle, birds, grain, etc. They asked the priests to offer sacrifices on their behalf. But today, God is no longer looking for sacrifices, but for true worshipers.
- God Seeks Worshipers in Spirit and Truth
Jesus himself said:
“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23)
God is Spirit, so we cannot worship Him simply through outward forms, rituals, or physical actions—but from a living, reborn spirit.
- Believers Are Spiritual Priests
Today, every believer is a “holy priest,” built to offer spiritual sacrifices:
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 2:5)
“By him continually offer the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb. 13:15)
- What is a spiritual sacrifice?
A sacrifice is not a material thing, but a genuine spiritual experience of Christ that we offer to our Heavenly Father.
It may be a confession of sin, thanksgiving, praise, or union with Christ in sacrifice and service.
It is also when we offer others whom we have helped to believe, as a gift sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16).
All of this is the reality of the Old Testament sacrifices (Leviticus): sin offerings, burnt offerings, fast offerings, peace offerings… Now we offer Christ himself, who is the type of all, the true offering, the truth.
- Distinguishing Spiritual Worship from Formal Worship
In many denominations today, people either fall into formality (masa offerings, formulaic dances…), or worship only with emotions and minds. But God is not looking for that—He is looking for a living, humble, repentant spirit:
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a contrite spirit he will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
- At the meeting—come with a spirit, not empty-handed
In Exodus 23:15, God says, “No one will appear before me empty-handed.” The same principle holds true today: when you gather, be prepared to offer something to the Father—a word of praise, a confession, something you have learned about Christ, a broken heart, repentance, etc. - Practice spiritual sacrifice
We do not need to offer sheep or cattle… But when we feel weak and sinful, we offer Christ as a sin offering. When we give thanks, we offer Christ as a thanksgiving offering. When we want to live fully for the Father, we offer ourselves in Christ as a burnt offering.
May each of us worship the Father in spirit and truth, and offer spiritual sacrifices regularly in our gatherings, through our real life and experience with Jesus.
Amen.