DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY: Sacrifice of Praise

DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY: Sacrifice of Praise

Monday, August 11, 2014

 

The following DT is written using notes taken and thoughts provoked during Pastor Paul’s Sunday sermon.

 

Hebrews [MKJV] 13:1-16 Let brotherly love continue. Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, those who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!" so that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me." Remember those leading you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried about with different and strange doctrines, for it is good for the heart to be established with grace, not with foods, in which those who have walked in them were not helped. We have an altar of which they have no right to eat, those who serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the Holy of Holies by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, so that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By Him, then, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, confessing His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

  If and as we see life as God would have us do, we not only praise Him at all times in every situation, we serve Him at all times in every situation; this is not habit to be determined by our worldly philosophical valuation but through godly vision. It is not enough to acknowledge who Jesus is and/or His mission and works, praise pleasing to God requires new birth. (Jn.3:1-3; 1Cor.2:9-16)

  Of course this requires new life maturation – consider that which you once praised God for – now consider your list of present days. Is it not larger, longer? Or has list not grow one sprig?

  In reading context of 13:15 we learn that lifestyle is directly related to “sacrifice of praise to God continually”: Consistency in proper love, being hospitable, honor in marriage, sense of His constancy, stability and steadfastness in all circumstances, living sanctified thereby setting right priorities, dependence on God, godly worship, keeping mind our lifeline, and our temporal sojourn.

  Is this however what people around us see?

  Some of the above Hebrews’ list requires sacrifice in the practice of self-denial of likes and desires; without such disciplines praise is limited or even nonexistent.

  Three other things as interference with praise:

1. Expecting recognition, thank you, appreciation.
2. An emotional expectation of reciprocation.
3. Waiting for other person(s) to initiate.
     And forget not that all of the above is part and parcel of our discipleship journey. Let us act accordingly!  EBB4