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Sermon Introduction

Part of the author's closing remarks were instructions on praising God, defined as verbal thanksgiving and sharing goodness to others in His name. All of which are considered pleasing sacrifices to God. Christ’s sacrifice was made once and for all time. There was no need for animal sacrifices, and there was no need to sacrifice Christ again. However, believers can offer sacrifices of praise.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Hebrews 13:15-16 NASB

15 Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Notes

Part of the author's closing remarks were instructions on praising God, defined as verbal thanksgiving and sharing goodness to others in His name. All of which are considered pleasing sacrifices to God. Christ’s sacrifice was made once and for all time. There was no need for animal sacrifices, and there was no need to sacrifice Christ again. However, believers can offer sacrifices of praise.

1. Through Christ, believers continually offer a sacrifice of praise (13:15). Praises to God are forever and continuous. Instead of sacrificing animals like in the old ways, believers offer a sacrifice of praise.

2. Praising God is giving thanks and acknowledging Jesus Christ. Furthermore, believers must do so verbally because all genuine thanksgiving comes from the heart. Thus, praising Him is about verbally thanking Him (13:15b).

3. The author encouraged the believers not to forget doing good and not to neglect sharing with each other. Although the author mentioned such prior, he explained that such acts were considered offerings to God (13:16).

Application

1. Live a lifestyle of praising God. We should continuously praise God, and it should be second nature to us, like breathing, drinking, or eating. Consider every praise as an offering to the Father in the name of the Son.

2. Let us verbalize our thanksgiving for others to hear in Christ’s name. And we should do so at all times, which means in good times or in difficult times, we shall thank God for others to hear.

3. Sharing our time, effort, and material things to others is a form of sacrifice that pleases God. In His name, share God’s goodness to others, which is a form of worship. We share both material and spiritual blessings.

Discussion / Reflection

1. How may we apply continuously offering the sacrifice of praise in His name?

2. How may we apply sharing goodness to one another in His name?