First Ref0rmed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day, November 10, 2002 Anno Domini

Hebrews 13:15 The Sacrifice of Praise

What do you owe God? The two sacrifices of vv. 15 & 16. Our priestly ministry in the New Covenant.

  I.   The coming of Christ has transformed religious devotion.
 

      A.  Not foods; grace.
      B.  No altar at the temple: Christ himself, Heb 13:10; 10:19-22; Heb
5:8-9; Heb 2:11-12.
      C.  No priest on earth; Jesus the heavenly high priest. Heb 4:14; Heb
7:25; Heb 9:15.
      D.  Ho holy city on eath; but the heavenly Jerusalem. Heb 12:22.
     

  II.  Through Christ, all Christians have been appointed priests to God.
Revelation 1:5-6.
 

      A.  No blood sacrifice, but the sacrifice of praise, and the
sacrifice of love. Heb 13:15-16; 1 Peter 2:5.
      B.  Christ has shed his blood for us; we offer our thanks to God.
Hosea 14:1.
      C.  Christ ministers God’s love to us, we minister his love to
others. Heb 13:16; Acts 2:42; James 1:27.
      D.  Our priestly service: worship and service. Praiseful hearts,
generous souls.
     

   III. Sacrifice of praise: the offering of thankful worship to glorify
God.
     

      A.  Praise is not an accompaniement to a “true” sacrifice.  It is
itself a true sacrifice, pleasing to God. 2Chronicles 29:28-30.
      B.  The fruit of our lips: confession and thanksgiving. Psalm
51:15-17; Romans 6:6.
      C.     The sacrifice of praise! Ps 50:14; Ps 107:22; Ps 116:17; Revelation
19:5-7.
     

  IV.  Continually offer praise to God.
 

      A.  The terrifying word of the law is replaced by the sweet command
to praise God through Christ.
      B.  “Continuously,” there are no special feasts and seasons for
offering praise to God.
      C.  Gracious worship in Christ’s kingdom is not about appeasing God
but about praising him!
      D.  Praiseful worship of God develops a heart of mercy and love
toward our neighbor. Heb 13:16; Romans 12:1ff; Phil 4:18; Heb 13:1.
      E.  If Jesus kept all God’s commandments, when does he offer up the
sacrifice of praise?
             

A clue: Hebrews 2:12; Psalm 22:22-25.

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

pastor@reformedprescambridge.com phone: 617.864.3185