Sermonette: The Devotion of the Firstfruits

Sermonette: The Devotion of the Firstfruits

Offertory
#FT04-02s
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 30-Sep-04; 20 minutes

listen:

description: (hide) In this offertory message, after explaining the need for offering: (1) maintaining unity,(2)not a slaughter, but an uncomplaining giving of life, (3) determined by the cost to the giver, and (4) the existence of a temple where formal offerings could be made. A totally dedicated life —dedicated to God (burnt offering) and man (meal offering) is a precursor to acceptance by God (symbolized by the offering of the First Fruits). Our offering is determined by our (1) treasure- our resources for giving (2) our heart- our motivation for giving (our vital interests in life), and (3) mammon- what one puts his trust in. We either trust God or mammon. We must be able to distinguish a central focus to a marginal focus, putting God at the center and everything else in the periphery. The giving of an offering determines how closely our focus is upon Him.