Sharing in Spiritual Worship (Heb. 13:10–16)

While it is true that a New Covenant Christian is not involved in the ceremonies and furnishings of an earthly tabernacle or temple, it is not true that he is deprived of the blessings that they symbolize. A Jew under the Old Covenant could point to the temple, but a Christian has a heavenly sanctuary that can never be destroyed. The Jews were proud of the city of Jerusalem; but a Christian has an eternal city, the New Jerusalem.

I. For each of an Old Testament believer’s temporary earthly items, a New Covenant believer has a heavenly and eternal counterpart.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

A. We have an altar” does not suggest a material altar on earth.

That would contradict the whole message of the epistle. In the Old Testament sanctuary, the brazen altar was the place for offering blood sacrifices, and the golden altar before the veil was the place for burning incense, a picture of prayer ascending to God

A New Covenant Christian’s altar is Jesus Christ; for it is through Him that we offer our “spiritual sacrifices” to God.

B. We may set aside places in our church buildings and call them altars; but they are really not altars in the biblical sense.

Why? Because Christ’s sacrifice has already been made, once and for all; and the gifts that we bring to God are acceptable, not because of any earthly altar, but because of a heavenly altar, Jesus Christ.

Christians must also present a sacrifice of praise. This praise is to be constant. We find no circumstances in which praise for God is inappropriate. Believers find no joy in dead animals, but in the living Lord. His glory, not our comfort, is to be our desire. God is not pleased by animal sacrifices, but by believers who acknowledge his goodness, greatness, and mercy.

II. The separation from dead religion and identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His reproach.

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.

A. The sin offering was taken outside the camp and burned completely.

Jesus Christ, our perfect sin offering, suffered and died “outside the gate” of Jerusalem. All true Christians must go out to Him, spiritually speaking, to the place of reproach and rejection.

“Why stay in Jerusalem when it is not your city?” asked the writer. “Why identify with the Old Covenant Law when it has been done away with in Christ?”

B. Hebrews urges us to go outside the camp of Judaism.

We are to reject the fellowship and rituals of Judaism and cling only to Jesus. In so doing we surrender security and court danger.

We must venture into new territory under the flag of Jesus without fearing ridicule from unbelievers. Bearing the disgrace of commitment to Jesus brings eternal reward.

III. Hebrews calls us to commitment to Christ, to praise for God, and to do good and to share with others.

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.

A. Spiritual sacrifice is continual praise to God.

The words of praise from our lips, coming from our hearts, is like beautiful fruit laid on the altar.

How easy it is for suffering saints to complain, but how important it is for them to give thanks to God.

B. Spiritual sacrifice is good works of sharing.

Christians have other opportunities to offer this sacrifice by sharing with others, believers and unbelievers, some of the good things that God has so generously given to us.

We are to be on the lookout for occasions where we can give spontaneous help. Christians respond to Christ’s atoning death with good deeds and praise, not with animals. God finds great pleasure in these responses.