The Believer's Sacrifice

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The Believer’s Sacrifice

Hebrews 13:15-16 (NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Introduction:

Every year I have tried to use this Sunday before Thanksgiving as a time to focus on giving thanks to God, and to include the communion celebration of thanks for the salvation provided by our Lord and Savior.

Today we again offer our thanks to God for His wonderful plan of redemption. I trust that the Lord will speak to us as we look into His Word for a little while and then share the emblems of His suffering in our communion service.

There’s a little story about a young boy that attended a birthday party for his friend, Johnny Smith. When he returned home, his mother did what all moms do, she asked him if he remembered to thank Mrs. Smith for the fun and the food. Her son replied, “Well, I was going to thank her, but when the girl ahead of me thanked her, Mrs. Smith said, “Don’t mention it.” So I didn’t.

Far too many of us easily forget to express our thanks for little blessings; especially for those we receive from God.

The Scripture lesson we want to consider for a little while this morning is about the importance of expressing our thanks to God, so let us turn our attention now to the passage that was read earlier in the service – Heb. 13.

Remember that the book of Hebrews was written for:

(Wuest's Word Studies) … professing Jews … who outwardly had left the temple sacrifices, and had identified themselves with those … people who were gathering around an unseen Messiah, the High Priest of the New Testament system who had at the Cross fulfilled the [Old] Testament system of typical sacrifices. These … Jews were under the stress of persecution, and in danger of renouncing their profession and returning to the [obsolete] sacrifices of the Levitical system (10:32-34).

The author of Hebrews, which many scholars think was the Apostle Paul, gives a number of arguments throughout the letter as to why the new High Priest is so much better than the former ones. He gives numerous examples how the New Testament (covenant) is far superior to the Old Covenant. In the immediate context of these verses the author has re-emphasized some of the distinctions between the old covenant and the new one. He has reminded them that they have spiritual and invisible benefits that the worshipers in the old covenant did not enjoy.

After making a brief comparison between the former sacrifice of atonement and Jesus experience of suffering outside the gate, he urges his readers to go “outside the camp” in order to identify with Christ, and follow Him, even to the point of sharing in His suffering. Some scholars believe that his use of the phrase, “going outside the camp” is a direct challenge for them to leave the camp of Judaism and put their faith in Christ alone.

Now, let’s take a look at verses 15-16, which is the focus of our discussion today.

After explaining all the reasons and benefits for leaving the old ways, the writer reminds them that there are still sacrifices they need to continue offering, but they are very different from the sacrifices they previously offered. We want to discuss the reason for their sacrifices, the duration of their sacrifices, and the substance of their sacrifices as described in vv. 15-16.

I.    The Reason for Their Sacrifices

“therefore” – makes a connection to the thoughts he just expressed.

Since Jesus has made the sacrifice of Himself once and for all;

Since they have been admonished to leave the “camp” of the old system and the old covenant;

And since we are seeking a “city” or spiritual community that is yet coming;

Let us offer the sacrifice of praise.

In light of all that Christ has done and all that awaits each of us, the only logical response is a sincere sacrifice of praise from our hearts.

II.  The Duration of Their Sacrifices

“continually” – This word is actually part of the verb to offer and it can be literally translated: “let us keep on offering up.”

Christ’s sacrifice of His own blood was a once-for-all, one-time event but its effectiveness is forever, and He continually makes intercession for us. Therefore, we should respond by continually offering up our praises.

There can be no end of our sacrifices that He is so worthy to receive.

When God ceases to be God, then we can end our praises.

When redemption is no longer effective, then we can end our praises.

As long as God lives and as long as He demonstrates His grace to us, then He deserves our praise, honor and glory.

III. The Substance of Their Sacrifices

(Tyndale Commentaries) Having expounded in great detail the priestly office of Christ, the writer here employs the same imagery to describe the function of believers.

A. Praise

The main content of their sacrifice was to be their praise to God.

“fruit of our lips” – There is a sense in which we can live our everyday lives as a sacrifice of praise to God. But, the author specifically mentions that the kind of praise he is talking about is the kind that requires our voices, i.e. singing and speaking.

There have been a number of times that I have emphasized the need to offer our praises to God. At the risk of being repetitious, let me admonish each of us again to give God the glory.

(Wuest's Word Studies)  The Rabbis had a saying, "in the future time all sacrifices shall cease; but praises shall not cease."

There is a song in our hymnal:

“To God be the glory” Great things he has done
So loved he the world that He gave us his son
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear his voice.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice.
Oh come, to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory, great things he has done!

B. Benevolence

The sacrifice of praise with our lips is necessary and important, but that isn’t our only obligation. Believers are also admonished to “sacrifice to God” by “doing good” and sharing with others.

(Wuest's Word Studies)  … the recipients are cautioned that their obligations as priests are not exhausted with praise. Good deeds must also be included. The Greek word translated "communicate,"(KJV) koinoneo, in this context means "to make one's self a sharer or partner" with someone else in his poverty or need. That is, the saints are exhorted to share what they have of earthly goods with their fellow-saints who, undergoing persecution, have been brought to a state of poverty…

This is the same Greek word translated “fellowship,” “communion,” etc.

James 1:27 (NKJV) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Romans 12:13 (NKJV) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Philippians 4:16-18 (NKJV) ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. ¹⁸ Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

The genuine expression of gratitude is generosity.

When we give generously for the needs of those who suffer, we give pleasing sacrifices to God.

Conclusion:

Today and throughout this Thanksgiving season, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God as well as demonstrations of generosity to those in need.

As we prepare to share the communion of our Lord, let’s sing the hymn that is in your bulletin: Wounded for Me