Introduction

It is crucial that we grasp God's intention when we read the Bible. The entire book of Numbers revolves around a single theme: God's desire to mold the Israelites into a divine army, where only those who triumph in battle can inherit the Promised Land. The book of Numbers is effectively a landscape of fallen bodies; those unable or unwilling to fight to victory will perish in the wilderness. The Israelites who initially emerged seemed capable of warfare, but training revealed their inadequacy.

Reflecting on the book of Numbers, we suddenly encounter the topic of sacrifice. Did Moses, while composing this section, simply write whatever came to mind? In Numbers, chapter 26, there is a re-enumeration of the Israelites, which includes the daughters of Zelophehad. When women are also willing to rise up for battle, God includes them in the count. This serves as a great encouragement to both brothers and sisters in our church.

In chapter 27, Moses specifically writes about the daughters of Zelophehad and Joshua, who succeeded him. All of them are part of a fighting force. Victory in battle is what counts, a vital theme in the book of Numbers.

Chapters 28 and 29 of Numbers discuss sacrifices. The key to victory lies in God, and our key to victory is pleasing Him. When we read the Bible, we should develop a habit of seizing upon repeated words or phrases. These repetitions are often the key, reflecting God's intention. It is not merely because God or Moses enjoyed repetition when writing the Bible, but because the matter is of great importance.

Important matters bear repeating, even thirty times if necessary. What matters most is whether people can truly take heed. Some might say, Teacher, you are so annoying, always repeating the same things. But this repetition is still not guaranteed to take root. If I did not speak, that would be even more problematic. Therefore, we must not stray off course. Do not ask, when studying the Bible, How many bulls or sheep are required for sacrifice? Is it morning or evening? When I read the New Testament, I rarely see the Lord Jesus or the Apostle Paul explaining the details of sacrifices. These are not meant to be explained, but diligently observed.

Sacrifice is the best way to please God. The Israelites trust in God. God allowed Israel to be re-established in this generation. In the Six-Day War of 1967 (the Third Middle East War), the surrounding nations gathered all their armies and mobilized all their forces and resources, choosing to attack when the Israelites were observing the Sabbath. When it seemed that the surrounding armies were about to overrun Jerusalem and its surrounding cities, God gave Israel victory. The Israeli soldiers began to rise up in resistance, discovering that the enemy's tanks had suddenly run out of fuel. After the victory, their general came to the Wailing Wall in Israel to offer sacrifices, thanking God. They knew very well that the key to their victory was God's work. Although they do not believe in Jesus, they are still God's chosen people. Although their way of trusting in God is different, they can still see God's miraculous deeds. The key to victory in battle lies in God, and we must please God throughout our lives.

Sacrifice is the Most Important Key for God's Army

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for a long time. As they were about to lead a new group of people into Canaan, Moses reiterated to them how to offer sacrifices. Sacrifice is very important. We as Christians, those who trust in God, do not rely on chariots or horses, but solely on the Spirit of the Lord God. It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God that things are accomplished.

Today, we sacrifice through prayer, and our way of sacrifice is to completely offer ourselves as living sacrifices. When we fight in the spiritual realm, we will be victorious. Today, we are fighting a spiritual battle. The nation of Israel had a war with the King of Moab. When it was about to be conquered, the King of Moab killed his son and offered him to idols. As a result, the Israelites were badly defeated, which shows that the issue of sacrifice is not just a matter of sacrifice.

Sacrifice is a spiritual matter. Today, our battle is not only with the earthly or human, but with the rulers of the darkness of this world. To fight in the spiritual world, we must cultivate a habit: we can only win in this world if we win in the spirit. To win in the spirit, we need to build God's mighty army. When the mighty army for spiritual warfare is established, we can see healing and deliverance on earth.

Cultivate the Habit of Sacrifice, Be God's Elite Soldiers

We can only win in this world if we win in the spirit. To win in the spirit, we must build God's mighty army. When God's army is established, we can heal and deliver people on earth, so today the church must cultivate a good habit of sacrifice. The church is definitely not a group of people wearing fancy pants and holding fancy fans, jumping and bouncing around. Of course, we thank God if you are jumping and bouncing around there. But the problem is that sacrifice and prayer are battles in the spiritual realm, and it is a spiritual law, not a human law. So brothers and sisters, do we recognize God today? If you are a person who recognizes God today, God will make you victorious.

Today, we are building a church, establishing a church that relies on God to fight and win. There is no one among us who is not an elite soldier. Every one of our brothers and sisters must start to catch up and strive to be God's elite soldiers. To be God's elite soldiers, we must cultivate the habit of sacrifice. This whole chapter is about daily sacrifices, weekly sacrifices, monthly sacrifices, and different festivals to sacrifice every year. So many sacrifices, will it delay work? Some people think, How can it not delay work? However, they have misunderstood a fundamental thing: it is God who makes us victorious.

Sacrifice is a Matter of Attitude

If you do not recognize the Lord your God in everything, you will not be able to do such tedious things. You have to do such things every day, keep the Sabbath every week, have a New Moon every month, and then have this festival and that festival every year: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Weeks, too many, we don’t even understand what these festivals are. If a person does not recognize God, if you think you want to rely on chariots, horses, muscles, or money, you will not offer such sacrifices. Only those who recognize that God is the key to our lives can offer such sacrifices. Because such things are really tedious and really troublesome. You say what is the point of this sacrifice? Does God get hungry if we don't sacrifice? Actually, it's not about whether God is hungry or not, it's about our attitude.

God has screened out those who trust in Him and those who do not trust in Him through such tedious sacrifices. The most important thing in this sacrifice is the attitude of sacrifice. The attitude of sacrifice is very important, it is related to your inner perception. Why do we sacrifice so much? Why do we give and serve so much? Why do we spend so much time and effort serving God? Because that is our inner perception. We recognize God in everything. This is Abel's sacrifice. When we sacrifice, what is shown is our attitude in life, and our attitude in life is our inner value system. We will do what we recognize. People will never do what they think is wrong, and people will not fail to do what they think is right.

Are we doing the right thing today? Or are those who do not pay the price doing the right thing? Today I tell everyone that it is useless to go to church on Sunday and sit there. You might as well save your time and do what you should do. Being a Sunday Christian is of no use. Among the Christians I have seen and come into contact with, there are many such people. So I am very emotional: How foolish people are! There is a God who can make us victorious, who can make us rich, who can heal all kinds of diseases in our bodies, who can make us on top and not at the bottom, but we do not rely on Him. We rely on our own intelligence to do all kinds of things. How foolish is this?

Some people say, Let’s see how long this pastor can persist? Today I can tell you that I can persist for a long time. Because I am a person who trusts in God, even if I don't want to persist, God will make me persist for a long time. That is an attitude. When I implement it according to God's faith, I see how God makes me victorious. So brothers and sisters, do you know? Sacrifice is a matter of attitude.

Set Aside the Time for Sacrifice as Holy

Today, I am telling you that in the past twenty years of my Christian life, I have never missed a Sunday service. Today, there are many people who skip classes on Sundays. Even if there are not many among us, there are many in other places. If you trust in God, what is your attitude in your heart? Do you really trust in God? If you really trust in God, this time will be set apart as holy and used to worship God and offer sacrifices to God. Isn't there other time to work? There is plenty of other time to work.

Then if you say, What should I do if the enemy happens to rush over when I am sacrificing? Naturally, God will protect you. You don't have to worry that the sky will fall. The sky will not fall. Do you understand? If we trust in God, can't God protect us? God can definitely protect us. So today, the faith I am conveying to everyone is a faith of never compromising. Why have I never skipped a class on all my Sundays in the past twenty years? No matter whose family has died, whose family has a child, or whose family is getting married, it doesn't have much to do with me. This time is given to God and set apart as holy. I encourage everyone to imitate me so that we can all set apart the time that should be set apart as holy.

Because this time is a time for sacrifice, a time when no work can be done. We have other time to work, to attend funerals, to attend weddings, and to do other things, right? Why do we have to use the time that is set apart as holy to attend those things? Today, brothers and sisters, we must know that when Cain offered sacrifices, he did not have the right attitude in his heart. He did not know that people need to rely on God to live. He thought that he needed to rely on food to live. Then, offering sacrifices became an extra burden, and serving God became an extra burden.

Today, brothers and sisters, if you think that serving God is extremely tedious, if you think that trusting in God is a tedious thing, if you think that attending Sunday services and prayer meetings is a tedious thing, you actually don't need to do it. You can try it. Can you do well if you do it in Cain's way?

Today, in some churches, I see many good people getting cancer. A few days ago, a pastor told me that among them, as soon as they go to the hospital for an examination, one of them is a cancer patient. I really don't know which day it will be my turn. Once there was a young couple among us. The sister's mother was in a church, and I knew their pastor too. Then the sister said to me, What should I do? The church my mother went to found that one person had cancer after examination, and another person had cancer after examination. I don't know when my mother will get cancer. Why is this happening? Because people do not recognize God. Do you think that just attending gatherings on Sundays makes you a victorious Christian? Actually, it is not like that.

Today, among us, can every brother and sister say to God: I want to be a victorious Christian! I want to offer the right attitude to God. I will not offer the disabled to God, not the extra to God. Even if what I offer is time, it is without disability. Everyone needs to start to understand that the attitude of sacrifice determines whether you are Cain or Abel. Everyone needs to start reading the Bible. A sister told me that she likes the Book of Isaiah that I lead in studying very much. Our Bible study series has already released many issues. If you like it, you can order the paper version.

He who kills an ox is like one who slays a person; he who sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; he who presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; he who burns incense is like one who praises an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose what displeases me.(Isaiah 66:3-4)

Did everyone see that? Sacrifice is also an attitude. Today, we must do things according to time and rules. For example, if some people do not come to Sunday gatherings, but only listen to them later on the uploaded website, this is a problem of attitude, not a time of setting apart as holy. But I want to say that offering time is an incomparably good thing. These two passages of the Bible also reveal to people that they must offer sacrifices according to time, number, and rules. Sacrifice is an attitude problem.

You know what? If a person wants to cultivate a good habit, set aside time as holy, and do one thing, they should do it well. Do not just change with time and with the development of events. Do not give up worship because someone is getting married this day and attending a funeral that day. Some people’s busy work has also become a reason for not going to worship, but work is never finished. Put aside what you are doing and serve God. This is an attitude.

After each paragraph in these two chapters of Numbers, it has been saying: This is besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering. What does besides mean? It does not mean that I offered a burnt offering this morning, and then I don't need to offer sacrifices on the Feast of Tabernacles and the Passover, because the additional ones must also be offered. I urge everyone not to develop the habit of giving short measure and cutting corners. This is an attitude problem. So everyone, do not cut corners in the presence of God. God examines people’s hearts. Do not haggle over whether I did this today and that tomorrow. In fact, these are all extras.

There is a daily sacrifice every day, and there is also a sacrifice on the Sabbath. You cannot replace it with the usual sacrifice just because it is the Sabbath. There are sacrifices for the New Moon and the first day of the month. You cannot replace them just because the New Moon happens to be the Sabbath. These things are separate. You cannot replace the New Moon and the first-of-the-month sacrifices just because you sacrifice every day. Our attitude is to offer all that should be offered, without cutting corners. This is an attitude problem. Do you know what God said when there was a problem with the sacrifices offered by Israel?

You also say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you sniff at it,” says the Lord of armies, “and you bring what was stolen, and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I accept that from your hand?” says the Lord. “But cursed be the swindler who has a male among his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord; for I am a great King,” says the Lord of armies, “and My name is feared among the nations.(Malachi 1:13-14)

Why do you say that? Because people who cheat think that sacrifice is a troublesome thing. People have a scale in their hearts. They will do what they think is worthwhile, and they will not do what they think is not worthwhile. But those who do not value God are short-sighted and do not know that victory in battle lies in God, so these people offer sacrifices in this way: Keep the good for themselves and offer the bad to God. You say, how can such people not be cursed!

Brothers and sisters, you must know that in the era of the New Testament, we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices and offer ourselves completely to God. From now on, it is no longer I who live, but Jesus Christ who lives in me. From now on, I am dead to this world, and this world is also dead to me. How can such people not win in battle? Some people ask me, Pastor, why is your prayer so effective? I said, It is because I am determined to be a person who wins in battle. I dedicate myself completely to God and serve God, day and night, year after year, never knowing fatigue. It is not that I don't know fatigue, but even if I am tired, I continue to run forward. Some people say, You must protect your body! Today I want to say: The best way to protect your body is to serve God!

Today you must change your inner attitude. Once I received a phone call. The sister on the phone said, Pastor, I am going to fast and pray today. I heard a lot of noise from the other end of the phone and asked her, Why is there so much noise over there? She said, I am at work. I said, Your approach is like dieting, but it is not fasting and praying. Working while fasting, is this considered fasting and praying? This is called 'starving while working'. It is also normal if there are problems at work, because this is an attitude problem. The whole family has plenty of time to travel during the holidays, but they don't have time to take time alone to pray. Isn't such a person very dangerous?

Today, brothers and sisters, we must recognize God. The attitude of sacrifice is key. Attitude can completely screen out the treasures that belong to God and the treasures that do not belong to God. Don't care too much just because what I said happens to be your relatives. People's paths are all chosen by themselves. Don't think that after I say it, they will be one way, and if I don't say it, they won't be another way. God's word is established in heaven. The holy is still holy, and the filthy is still filthy. Offering yourself as a living sacrifice to God is the best deal and the smartest decision in a person's life.

If you don't know that what you read today is the smartest decision, then you can try it and then decide whether or not to do it. Brothers and sisters, you must all start to come out of wrong ideas. We must thank the Lord Jesus Christ for offering Himself for us and replacing all these sacrifices. From now on, we will no longer offer cows or sheep, but will consider ourselves living sacrifices and offer ourselves completely to God, serving Him all our lives and using our lives to manifest God's glory. How can such people not be blessed?

The Attitude of Sacrifice Cultivates Good Habits and Character

You know, one problem with a person's lifelong habits is that they change all plans and arrangements with changes in the living environment. People like this usually achieve nothing. Take the matter of gathering for the Lord's Day. Today, this person doesn't come because they have something to do, and tomorrow they don't come because of that. It's not just a religious act of coming or not, but a person's cognition. This is related to the character within a person. Brothers and sisters, if you see through all things, trust God well, and fear God, you will find that nothing will be delayed. Worshiping God must have a focused attitude, that is, no work should be done; it is to dedicate oneself wholeheartedly. The time of worshiping God is a perfect time, so we must put aside those unimportant things to worship God alone.

If a person chooses to follow the environment, going when there is this matter today and being distracted by that matter tomorrow, they will never be able to develop victorious habits and victorious character. Therefore, cultivating good habits and character is very important, especially when we come to God's temple to worship Him. If people put aside important things when they encounter problems, they will achieve nothing. If we do not trust God, we cannot have spiritual victory. If we do not have spiritual victory, we cannot live out God's glory. Know that our victory in battle is through God. We must all cultivate a habit of setting aside time to be holy to our God. Such service is only reasonable, because it is you, not God, who benefits. We cannot become religious. Religion turns us into Pharisees, which is not what God desires. We must be people who please God, cultivate good attitudes and habits, trust Him alone, and walk in God's will. Just as it says in the Book of Proverbs:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:5-10)

Today, brothers and sisters, if you can have the right attitude in serving God and setting aside time to be holy, then you cannot but be blessed by God.

Summary

If you acknowledge the Lord your God in everything, He will surely set you high above all nations on earth, because it is God who makes you victorious in battle, rich, healthy, and above and not below. If we can know our God in this world and trust Him completely in our time on this earth, we cannot but live out God's glory. As long as we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, our bodies and the work of our hands will surely prosper. We must hold on tightly to God and fulfill the mission God has given us in this world. May God bless everyone!