Dear Friends and Brethren:

Sacrifices and offerings of various kinds have been a part of religious practice since time immemorial. Cain and Abel brought offerings to God (Genesis 4:3-4). Upon leaving the ark after the flood, Noah "built an altar to the Lord…and offered burnt offerings on the altar" (9:20). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob offered sacrifices to God (22:13; 31:54; 46:1). In the ancient world, sacrificial offerings were considered a normal-and essential-part of worship.

In the time of Moses, God gave instructions for the establishment of a priesthood and elaborate sacrificial system. The five types of sacrifices were 1) burnt offerings, 2) meal offerings, 3) peace offerings, 4) purification offerings, and 5) reparations offerings. Leviticus 1-7 provides a detailed description of Israel's sacrificial system.

Charles Groce, in a message entitled "Lessons From the Sacrifices," points out that the Old Testament sacrifices were gifts that the offerer brought to God to express gratitude, devotion, and complete surrender to God. The sacrifices, Charles notes, were both regulatory and revelatory. They gave form to the nation's corporate worship, while continuously reminding the Israelites of the holiness of God, the nature and enormity of sin, and the need for access to God and forgiveness of sins.

Charles describes each of the five types of sacrifices and explores the valuable lessons we can learn from a study of them. The sacrificial system came to an end, but the lessons it brought are still valid today. Request your free copy of Charles' sermon (available on CD), and see how an ancient system of worship brings to light timeless truths.

Thank you for your prayerful support for this ministry. We hope to hear from you soon.

All of our materials and services are offered to the public free of charge. Many naturally ask us how we can afford to send out thousands of booklets and CDs each month. The answer is simple: On a regular basis, prayerful friends and members of the Church of God International voluntarily support us with tithes and offerings to further the advancement of the Gospel to the world. No financial obligation is ever demanded, but if you are moved to support this work of God, donations are gratefully accepted. Simply click on the "donate" tab on the homepage of our website (www.cgi.org) and follow the links to donate via credit card or you can mail a check or money order to the following:

Church of God International
3900 Timms St
Tyler, Tx 75701