The one thing God wants more than anything is the one thing we need the most: daily sacrifices that put to death our human nature and self-focus. Brethren, God never asks us to sacrifice anything that is not for our own good. Paul tells us in Philippians that we must reframe sacrifice as an investment. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:8-9 that he counted all things as loss. Not just as loss, actually as rubbish, he says, that he may gain Christ in the righteousness of God through faith.
Brethren, we too must reframe sacrifices as investments. We must count all things loss as Jesus commands in Luke 14:26 and Matthew 16:24-25, and as Paul exhorts right here in Philippians, we must be ready to sacrifice everything to follow and imitate Jesus Christ, so that we can have fellowship with His sufferings. Fellowship with His sacrifice is what Paul is saying, so that we then can be conformed to His death. Sacrifice is not just the one thing, sacrifice is everything.
It is how we are being transformed each and every day into God's image. Paul adds in Philippians 2:17 (you can turn there if you want), we should be glad and rejoice as we are poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of our brethren.
And Paul brings it all together for us here. It is a beautiful illustration. Remember, we have the burnt offering first. We have the meal offering right on top, and at the end, the way it was concluded was with a drink offering which was gradually poured out, wine gradually poured out, signifying the offerers' willingness to give their life poured out in complete service and dedication to God and His Family.
