A key to overcoming our sins is learning when to deny ourselves. Christ plainly declares that those who desire to follow Him must deny themselves.

The peace offering teaches many things, but one of its main symbols is fellowship. Our communion with the Father and the Son obligates us to pursue peace.

The sacrificial system of Leviticus typifies spiritual sacrifices which we perform under the New Covenant. The animal sacrifices focused on total commitment.

The New Covenant, wherein God writes His law on the heart and gives His Spirit, empowers God's people to obey without the need for external control.

The Scriptures place a paramount importance on sacrifice. Abraham's 'sacrifice' of Isaac confirmed him to the position of father of the faithful.

The meal offering represents the intense self-sacrifice required in service to man. Our service to man must be done for God's sake rather than man's appreciation.

The sacrifices were neither insignificant nor barbaric, but a teaching tool for us. In the burnt offering, we see Christ in His work for the already redeemed.

The meal offering represents the second Great Commandment, love toward fellow man. Our service to others requires much grinding self-sacrifice and surrender.

What would today's average, obese, couch-potato American do if the nation required him to serve his country? Would he volunteer to serve in the armed forces?

Queen Esther, faced with the destruction of her people in Persia, put her life on the line. Her example can be an inspiration to all of us.

Christ says that we can show no greater love than in sacrificing our lives. We must come to the point where we are doing this daily, yet how do we do this?

God intends that we give ourselves as living sacrifices, mortifying our carnal nature, allowing God to consume our abilities in service.

Stephen's early martyrdom stands as a striking example of faith and commitment, to the extent that even Christ stood as He witnessed the deacon's sacrifice.

God does not do things uselessly, and certainly does not need our physical goods. Being a living sacrifice produces successful living.

God has chosen the weak and base things of the world, yet we can still sacrifice our personal concerns for the greater good just as our Savior did.

Consuming second tithe (not within our gates) is understood to be for foodstuffs, for entertaining spiritual siblings, and making them happy and joyful.

How do we, as modern Christians, bear our cross as Jesus commands? Christ meant far more than simply carrying a stake over our shoulders!

It is commonly thought that we pay no price for forgiveness, yet Scripture shows that God gives us significant responsibilities to be a part of His family.

We live in a youth-oriented culture, yet the elderly have a great deal to offer — if we will only pay attention and not push them to the margins of society.

In taking undue attention off the self, sacrifice (as an act and as a way of life) creates peace, prosperity, cooperation, and most of all, character.

In John 13, when our Savior washed His disciples' feet, He taught them that He was willing to accept the task designated to the lowest of the servants.

Pentecost and Memorial Day may seem to be quite different, but we should not be too hasty in concluding that they do not share any common features.

While the sacrifice in life or limb is commendable and worthy of honor, to compare it with Christ's work on the stake trivializes Christ's sacrifice.

While it is inspiring to observe the acts of heroism performed by Medal of Honor recipients, it is far more inspiring to recognize everyday heroes living among us.

We have all kinds of rights, but not all rights should be exercised if we have opportunities to demonstrate God's way of give to total strangers.

The best offering we can present is a humble and contrite heart, attainable through fasting, if done without pride and self-seeking.

Christ's sacrifice was both a sacrifice (fulfilling the law, which requires the shedding of blood for expiation from sin) and an offering (freely given).

There must be something to prove we are one with Christ and in union with the Father and the Son. That something is the manner in which we conduct our life.

The offerings of Leviticus, though not necessary under the New Covenant, are invaluable for teaching about Christ in His roles as sacrifice, offerer, and priest.

Jesus Christ expects His followers to serve while expecting nothing in return. Whoever wants to become great must fill the role of an unpretentious servant.

Father's Day may have originated when the Roman Catholic Church set aside March 19 to honor fatherhood.

Christian martyrs, convicted by God's truth, having an ardent love for Christ, have attained a special place of honor because of their ultimate sacrifice.

Reconciliation is the product of a sacrifice to pacify the wrath of an offended person. We must imitate Christ in His approach toward hostility from others.

The primary function of a priest is to assist people in accessing God so that there can be unity with God. A priest is a bridge-builder between man and God.

Our forgiveness from God is conditional, depending upon our forgiving others. It is an opportunity for us to extend grace, sacrificing as Christ did for us.

We must exercise longsuffering and kindness to all, including to those that have done ill to us. We are disciples of Christ if we love one another.

Producing fruit is not simply a matter of having Jesus Christ or being forgiven. He says we will not produce anything unless we go on growing in Him.

We assess costs and values all the time in our daily lives. We should employ the same process to God's love for us in giving His Son as the sacrifice for sin.

True friendship is not just a casual relationship, but a deep commitment of trust, enabling the sharing of our deepest thoughts without fear of betrayal.

God can take satisfaction that He is doing the right thing, and thus His rejoicing can even come from painful judgments. Sacrificing and rejoicing are linked.

Satan has provided what appear to be plausible alternatives to Christ's sacrifice for salvation, like service, positive changes, and right thinking.

Paul reveals God's plan to save all Israel (Romans 11:25-36); the ultimate gift to His saints is the ability to help in the reconciliation process.

Much of Protestantism misconstrues the significance of the New Covenant as a 'free pass into Heaven' without paying attention to the Law within the Covenant.

We have been de-leavened, but we know we still have sin in us that has to be purified through a lengthy process of sanctification.

Christ's sacrifice was not merely substitutionary, but representative, with Christ giving us a pattern for life - mortifying our flesh and putting out sin.

The humble attitude exemplified by Jesus in footwashing shows the mind of God. God expects us to follow Christ's example of loving others, flaws and all.

The Navy SEALs' fear is not of death, but of failing their team, parallel to the bond Jesus Christ desires among His disciples.

Jesus Christ did not teach the pyramid model of leadership, where successive levels of leaders provide direction to those in the lesser ranks. He served.

If we want to follow Christ, we must sacrifice, take up our cross, and follow His example of service to God and others.

A root cause of the Corinthians' problems (and perhaps ours) was a massive failure in evaluating the worth of other members of the spiritual Body of Christ.

In I Peter 2:5-9, God's people are called a chosen generation and a royal priesthood, God's own distinctive people, commissioned to offer sacrifices.

Jesus Christ was not a sunshine patriot, but sacrificed everything He had for the sake of God's people and the Kingdom of God—His holy nation.

Exposure to more than two hours per day on digital screens lowers scores on thinking and language tests. We must not abandon our children to smartphones.

A culture of slavery pervaded life in the early Christian church, forcing Paul to pen instructions accommodating this practice in the context of love.

The peace (or thank) offering was the most commonly given in ancient Israel. It pictures God, the priest, and the offerer in satisfying fellowship.

If you knew you would live forever, how would you live? Biblically, eternal life is much more than living forever: It is living as God lives!

We give peace offerings today through living sacrifice, keeping God's law out of love and to glorify Him rather than just to perform duty.

Casting takes place when a sheep falls over and its weight causes it to get stuck on its back until the shepherd intervenes.

We earn God's favor by obedience; there is a direct tie between submission to His will and His favor. The more one submits, the more favor and grace accrues.

Paul's believed that there is only one gospel and used the terms 'gospel of God' and 'gospel of Jesus Christ,' teaching the same things as Jesus Christ.

Any time we feel prompted to exalt ourselves, we demonstrate Satan's spirit of pride, thereby jeopardizing our entry into God's family.

Giving a gift strengthens the bond between individuals, bringing about a warm feeling in the giver toward the one receiving the gift.

Genuine humility is one of the most elusive characteristics a person can attain. It consists of of self-respect accompanied by a genuine desire to serve.

Eternal life, emphasizing a special intimate relationship with God the Father and Christ, is vastly different from immortality, connoting only endless existence.

The best way to conquer evil is to do righteousness, serving God and mankind. Sins of omission are every bit as devastating as sins of commission.

True greatness does not come from dominance but from serving with the attitude of a slave. Willingness to sacrifice self is the secret to success.

God's promises to give us the desires of our hearts, His Holy Spirit, wisdom, and spiritual gifts to edify the Body all come with strings attached.

The 'Pierre De Coubertin Medal' is given out for sportsmanship, honoring generous behavior toward competing athletes—much harder to win than a gold medal.

The eyes of the world are on those who seek to be God's servants. Consider these stories of people whose inspiring examples serve as witnesses to God's character.