The Sacrifice Of Praise

Introduction

The book of Hebrews presents to us the superiority of Christ. Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa write how Hebrews demonstrates that

Christ offers a better revelation, position, priesthood, covenant, sacrifice and power.

[1]

Christ is superior to angels, to the law of Moses, and the animal sacrifices. It is as the author of Hebrews wraps up the letter that we find our passage this morning.

After presenting the superiority of Christ, the author spends time reminding us of who Jesus is, what He has done, and how we should respond to Him.

That’s what we want to do this morning.

We are going to reflect on who our great God and Savior Jesus Christ is, on what He has done, and on our response to Him.

Why?

Because it is fitting and right for us to praise Him!

God has been doing some amazing things here at Grace Church. Amazing things in our lives.

We need to praise our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are going to be highly interactive this morning. I am going to talk briefly about each section, then I want people to share.

We are going to close the service with Communion. Communion is the celebration of who Christ is, of what He has done, and of what we are supposed to do about it. We begin with...

1. Praise For Who God Is –

a.

What do these verses tell us about who God is?

Exclusive – the way truth and life.

Our sacrifice.

Our offering.

Our sanctifier.

He is pleased when we treat others well and sacrifice of ourselves for them.

b. Alpha & Omega, Beginning & the end.

What does this mean? It means He is sovereign. He has everything under control. He knows the end from the beginning because He is already there!

c. Who is, was, and is to come.

He is eternal. He has always been and always will be. He is coming back!

d. The Almighty.

There is nothing that God cannot do!

e. Share who God is.

This is our response. We praise God for who He is.

Hymn

“Behold Our God”

2. Praise For What God Has Done –

a.

Given us exclusive access to God

He shed His blood for our sin!

He sanctifies us.

He suffered for us.

He takes our sin away.

He is building us a dwelling – Father’s house are many rooms. Goes to prepare a place.

He is pleased when we sacrifice to do good to others and share.

b. God speaks through His Word.

The Holy Spirit moved men to write down what we have today.

c. God speaks through the person and work of Christ.

d. God created all things through Christ.

This is seen repeatedly in Scripture. Colossians.

e. Christ upholds all things.

We learn this in Colossians as well.

f. Christ purged our sins.

g. Christ intercedes for us.

This is part of what He is doing now seated at the right hand of God.

h. Christ is coming back.

One day! The trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised. We shall all be changed!

i. Share what God has done.

Again, this is our response, we praise God for what He has done.

God has faithfully kept these doors open. Just when we needed, not a moment sooner, he has consistently brought new people in.

All of us are now Grace Church.

The biggest thing we praise God for is His Son Jesus Christ.

Hymn

“God’s Perfect Lamb”

3. Prayer For Current Needs –

a.

We have already spent time in praise as v. 15 says.

Our response to who God is must be praise! Our response to what He has done must first be faith, then praise. We anticipate that God has much more to do in the future.

The final verse in this section exhorts us to do good and share.

Part of doing good and sharing is bearing one another’s burdens through prayer.

b. Pray always.

c. Pray specifically.

That’s the idea of supplication. We pray for specific needs.

d. Pray in the Spirit.

We need to be led by the Holy Spirit as we pray.

e. Pray with perseverance.

Don’t give up!

f. Pray without exception.

No one should be excluded from our prayers.

g. Share requests and burdens.

Bill Fox – Procedure on Tues.

Hymn

#433 “Sweet Hour Of Prayer”

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 “He Keeps Me Singing” (chorus only)

Jesus Jesus Jesus sweetest name I know

Fills my every longing

Keeps me singing as I go

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #506 “I Will Sing Of My Redeemer” (chorus only)

Sing O sing of my Redeemer

With His blood He purchased me

On the cross He sealed my pardon

Paid the debt and made me free

Conclusion

I trust that we have more reason than ever to praise our God.

I pray that we would continually bear one another’s burdens.

As God continues to bless us, may He be seen in our lives.

#106 “Praise Him! Praise Him!”

[1] Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2002), 450, 453-61.

Hebrews 13:10–16 NKJV

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 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. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.