SACRIFICES

Sunday Morning:  September 15, 2002

Text:  Hebrews 13:15-16  "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

MADE CLEAN BY THE BLOOD

Hebrews 13:12  "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate."

PRIEST WERE SANCTIFIED

Leviticus 8:30  "And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him."

PRIEST OFFER SACRIFICES

Hebrews 10:11  "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:"

ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

1 Peter 2:9  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"

SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

1 Peter 2:5  "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

SACRIFICE OF CONFESSION

Psalms 51:17  "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

CONFESSION OF SIN

Psalms 51:2-4  "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."

SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED

Proverbs 15:8  "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."

SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

Hebrews 13:15-16  "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

A FIXED HEART OF PRAISE

Psalms 57:7  "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise."

THANKSGIVING

Psalms 107:22  "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."

SACRIFICES OF PAUL AND SILAS

Acts 16:25  "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

MANY SHALL SEE IT

Psalms 40:3  "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."

THE WORD OF CHRIST

Colossians 3:16  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace (peace) in your hearts to the Lord."

SPEAKING AND SINGING

Ephesians 5:19  "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"

PRAISE, NOT PERFORM

Psalms 150  "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."

HEAVENLY SANCTUARY

Psalms 102:19  "For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;"

THE LORD'S SANCTUARY

Hebrews 8:2  "A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man."

LIVING SACRIFICE, OUR BODY

Romans 12:1-2  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,. . ."

SACRIFICE OF GIVING

Philippians 4:15-19  "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. 19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

DO GOOD AND COMMUNICATE

Hebrews 13:16  "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

COMMUNICATE

Acts 2:42  "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship [to communicate], and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

WILLING TO COMMUNICATE

1 Timothy 6:17-19  "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

DOING GOOD

Matthew 25:34-36  "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

MINISTRY TO THE LORD

Matthew 25:40  "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

 

MINISTRY TO THE SAINTS

Hebrews 6:10  "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

THINK ON THESE THINGS

Philippians 4:8  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."