“GRATITUDE:
Is Praise Offered Sacrificially”
Hebrews 13:15-16
Series: The Discipline of Thanksgiving
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:18
GRATITUDE Offered as a Sacrifice of Praise is:
1. ROOTED in the FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12
Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11
Now if we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Roman 8:17
2. REQUIRING A FAITHFUL and WILLING CONFESSION
The fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.1 Tim. 6:12
3. REMEMBER THE FULLNESS OF THE WILL OF CHRIST.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
