Anchor My Faith

The Sacrifice of Praise

¹⁵ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ¹⁶ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:15 – 1 ESV)

The “sacrifice of praise to God” is a concept found repeatedly in the Psalms. For example: in Psalm 50:14 ESV: “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High.”; in Psalm 50:23 ESV: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”; in Psalm 116:17 ESV: “I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” In addition to offering thanks, we are to perform our vows to the Most High, to order our way rightly, and to call upon the name of the Lord. This is a way of life that requires discipline.

It is through Jesus Christ that we are to “[give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 ESV). The sacrifice being offered here is not that of an animal, as in the Old Testament, but the verbal praise of God’s name: ²⁸ “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28 – 29 ESV). Does our life demonstrate the importance of sacrifice in our service to God?

That sacrifice of praise involve “the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” For example: in Isaiah 57:19 ESV: “creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him.”; in Psalm 119:108 ESV: “Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules.” As a part of those rules, maybe we should think of Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV: ²² “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” To produce this kind of fruit with out lives would be a form of sacrifice of praise to him. We see this in our next verse.

To do good and to share what we have are also called sacrifices that are pleasing to God. For example: in Micah 6:7 – 8 ESV: ⁷ “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” ⁸ He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”; in Philippians 4:18 ESV: “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” How are we remembering others in our worship of God?

Father, in worship and obedience of you, Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross on our behalf. Throughout his life on earth, we say him constantly helping others at the sacrifice of himself. Such an example he has set for us.

The Following Addendum Is Provided by ChatGPT

Summary Theme

A life of continual worship expressed through praise to God and practical love toward others.

Summary Paragraph

Hebrews 13:15–16 calls believers to offer a new kind of sacrifice; no longer the animal offerings of the Old Covenant, but spiritual sacrifices made through Jesus Christ. These include the “sacrifice of praise,” where believers continually confess God’s name with gratitude, and the sacrifice of doing good and sharing with others. True worship is not confined to words or gatherings but is demonstrated through a lifestyle that honors God both vertically (praise and thanksgiving) and horizontally (acts of kindness and generosity). These expressions are pleasing to God because they flow from hearts transformed by Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. What is meant by the “sacrifice of praise,” and why is it called a sacrifice?
Answer:
The “sacrifice of praise” refers to continually offering thanksgiving and honoring God through spoken acknowledgment of His name. It is called a sacrifice because it may require intentional effort, especially during hardship, discouragement, or suffering. Unlike Old Testament sacrifices that involved physical offerings, this sacrifice involves the heart, will, and lips of the believer. It reflects faith that chooses to glorify God regardless of circumstances, demonstrating trust in His goodness and sovereignty.

2. How does praising God with our lips connect to our daily walk with Him?
Answer:
Praising God with our lips is an outward expression of an inward reality. When believers consistently speak of God’s goodness, it reveals a heart anchored in Him. This kind of praise shapes our perspective, aligning our thoughts with truth rather than circumstances. It also serves as a testimony to others, reinforcing faith within the community and pointing others toward God. Thus, verbal praise is both a spiritual discipline and a reflection of a transformed life.

3. Why are doing good and sharing with others considered sacrifices pleasing to God?
Answer:
Doing good and sharing require selflessness, often involving the giving up of time, resources, or personal comfort. These acts mirror God’s own generosity and love, especially as demonstrated through Jesus Christ. Such sacrifices are pleasing to God because they reveal His character in action through His people. They show that worship is not merely verbal but lived out in tangible ways that benefit others and glorify God.

4. How do these verses redefine worship compared to Old Testament practices?
Answer:
In the Old Testament, worship was centered on ritual sacrifices offered at the temple. Hebrews 13:15–16 redefines worship as a continual, spiritual practice made possible through Jesus. Instead of bringing animals to an altar, believers now bring praise, good works, and generosity as offerings. Worship becomes a daily lifestyle rather than a periodic ritual, emphasizing a personal and ongoing relationship with God through Christ.

5. What role does Jesus play in our ability to offer these sacrifices?
Answer:
The passage emphasizes that these sacrifices are offered “through Him,” meaning through Jesus Christ. He is the mediator who made access to God possible through His perfect sacrifice. Because of Him, believers are able to approach God with confidence and offer acceptable worship. Without Christ, these acts would lack the necessary foundation for acceptance before God. Through Him, our praise and good works become meaningful and pleasing offerings.

6. How can believers practically live out these commands today?
Answer:
Believers can live out these commands by intentionally cultivating gratitude and expressing it regularly, through prayer, conversation, and worship. They can also look for opportunities to serve others, give generously, and meet needs within their communities. This may include acts such as encouraging someone, helping those in need, supporting ministry work, or showing hospitality. When done consistently, these actions form a lifestyle of worship that honors God in both word and deed.

7. Why is it important that both praise and good works are included together in this passage?
Answer:
Including both praise and good works highlights the completeness of true worship. Praise without action can become empty words, while good works without praise can become mere human effort. Together, they demonstrate a balanced faith, one that honors God with both lips and life. This unity reflects a genuine relationship with God, where inner devotion and outward behavior are aligned, making the believer’s life a holistic offering to Him.