August 24th, 2025: Sacrifice of Praise | Hebrews 13:9-21

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Have you heard it said that it isn’t what you know as much as who you know that gets us ahead in this world? Who are you putting your trust in? Is it the boss who right now seems to hold sway over every important promotion? Is it the person with enough money, influence, intelligence, prestige, or authority that you covet their acknowledgement, even to the point of ignoring the consequences? Notice when you put your confidence in any human, they are subject to the same flaws as you. They tire. They get sick. They change their mind. They die. The politics or social norms change. They become outdated. Human authority doesn’t last very long. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. (Psalm 146:4).

Have you considered knowing God? The creator of all things, the true and righteous King? Do you know about his ability to turn the way of the wicked upside down, to heal the sick, to defend the poor, to free the captive, or to protect the fatherless and widows? What about Him? You can have abundance and blessing by knowing Him! If you don’t know Him, you certainly can. Simply call upon him with a sincere heart and a contrite spirit. He will in no wise turn you away. If you do know Him, do you praise Him? Does your life delight in His loving kindnesses and righteousness? Are you reveling in his goodness so others can see and learn to delight in Him as well? What does it mean to give a sacrifice of praise? Let’s find out!

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

The book of Hebrews is unique in that there is no certainty of who actually wrote this letter.  Most scholars believe that it was Paul because of the Old Testament scriptural references,  Paul’s great knowledge of the Torah, his mention of Timothy, and the timing of the writing. This letter is not addressed to a particular church, but addresses the better way of salvation through Jesus. Jewish converts to Christianity find their new faith puts them in danger, separating families. It is easy to understand why they are wavering in their faith and are ready to turn back to their Jewish roots and practices.  

It is very hard to keep believers of Jesus on the same page, then as well as now. Many “new” thoughts and ideas continue to be tried out. The author of Hebrews reminds the young Christians there and all of us today,  not to believe everything they hear.  There will be many false religions. They know the truth about Jesus.  They have the apostles, the Old Testament to steady their faith. They are not to follow or try out all the new ideas that come their way.  The young church is to stick to the teachings from the apostles and Jesus himself.  Salvation is not about what they don’t eat or the “meats” they sacrifice. Through the sincere word of God, Jesus in their heart, they must stand upon the foundation of faith in the grace and truth of God. There is no need to return to the ceremony of the law of the Old Testament.  They are required to become established - standing firm and confident in Jesus. 

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

The Jewish converts to christianity face many difficulties within their families, friends, and social status for believing in Jesus.  But the altar of Calvary belongs to them as believers.  The writer encourages them not to be easily defeated.   

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:32-39).

  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

These verses in particular show that the author had an extensive knowledge of the sacrificial process as defined in the Torah. He is comparing another detail of the crucifixion that fulfills the Law. And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung. (Leviticus 16:27).

As the law required the sacrifice to be burned outside (without) the camp. Jesus was crucified close to (nigh unto) the city or just outside of Jerusalem. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. (John 19:19-20).

This represents the freedom to the new believers to think and go outside of the law to follow Christ.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (Phillipians 3:13-15).

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 

Many scholars believe that these verses indicate that the temple had either already been destroyed or was about to be destroyed. To a faithful Jew, there is no greater city than that of Jerusalem.  To see it fall may indeed make one feel that things were completely out of control and that God had again forsaken the nation.  The writer uses these words to comfort.  The city they seek is not here - it is to come. We too wait for that same city.  A new Jerusalem, perfect and coming down from God out of Heaven.  Here is what John had to say about that city:  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.(Revelation 21: 1-5)  Key words: Faithful and true!

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

So now, instead of offering animal sacrifices, and because of our relationship to Jesus, we are asked to offer the praise of our lips. To communicate the goodness of God. Worship testimonies in church are only a very small part of our praise. The sacrifice of praise is a lifestyle. We are to give credit where credit is due. We are to recognize that everything we are and all that we can do is given to us by God.  Praise isn’t just words.  Praise is actions. It is how we do the mundane.  It is how we handle the annoying or treat the poor.  It is whether or not we have mercy and how we forgive.  The Sacrifice of Praise includes doing the right thing when you would really rather not. It is not thinking too highly of yourself and preferring someone else above yourself. It isn’t easy to love people that are hard to love; some are hard to even like. When you are right in an argument,  you are still required to do the right thing. It isn’t about fairness or deserving. It is a sacrifice; giving up what you desire to bring honor to God.  Just like Jesus did for us.   

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

And our reasonable conduct continues. We are to submit ourselves to God and to each other.  We are to Love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.  We are to stick to pure and undefiled religion- to care for widows and orphans and keep ourselves unspotted from the world.  And in every circumstance in our life, in all things, give thanks.  Why?  Because your creator is in control. He places the ministers, the leaders, the people in authority around us.  As believers, we do not belong to ourselves. We belong to God.  Paid for in full by the blood of Jesus.  His ways are higher than our ways; His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  Does that mean we like everyone and everything that happens to us?  Of course not, we are not insane.  We will fail.  We are subject to the consequences of sin (not just ours but also the sin in the world).  The key words are obey, submit, pray, and live honestly. In doing so, we give praise not only in lifestyle but also in words.  

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 As the writer of Hebrews finishes the letter, he blesses his readers.  Such gracious words!  He reminds us that Jesus was raised from the dead. That He is the great Shepherd - attending to and watching over every believer. He prays for our good, our works, our understanding, and that we may be pleasing in God’s sight.  Don’t we all strive to be well pleasing in the sight of our King. As we offer our individual sacrifices of praise,  in so many different ways, we too should remember to pray for others.  Encourage someone -Jesus is worthy of praise and honor and glory.  Let’s see that He gets it!

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Corinthians 1:18-21).

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!