Hebrews 13:15-16

DISCOURSE: 2349
THE SACRIFICES TO BE OFFERED BY CHRISTIANS

Hebrews 13:15. 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. But to do good, and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

THE Jewish yoke was very heavy; and the observance of the Mosaic rites was burthensome in the extreme. From that we are happily delivered. Yet have we an altar upon which we are to attend, and sacrifices which we are bound to offer. Our altar indeed is very different from that of the Jews: as the Apostle has said in the preceding context; “We have an altar, of which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle [Note: ver. 10.].” Of their own altar they did partake; the greater part of all the sacrifices being allotted them for their support [Note: Numbers 18:12.]. But even under that dispensation, an intimation was given them, that, when the great offering, which their sacifices typified, should be presented, they could have no part in it. The offerings which were presented by them for the expiation of sin, were burned without the camp; no part of them being appropriated to the use of the priests [Note: Leviticus 6:30; Leviticus 16:27.]. And such is the sacrifice which was offered by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sins of the whole world, when he suffered without the gates of Jerusalem; of which therefore they who continued under that dispensation could not participate. We alone, who renounce all dependence on the works of the law, and found all our hopes on the atonement which Christ has offered, can eat of this altar, and enjoy the benefits which by his meritorious death and passion he has purchased for us. Again, though of other sacrifices the priests might eat, they might on no account eat the blood: that must be poured out even to the last drop [Note: Deuteronomy 12:23]. But of our sacrifice, we both eat the flesh and drink the blood: and it is only by so doing that we can obtain eternal life. Indeed on that body and blood we are to feed continually: it is the daily feast of our souls: as our Lord has said, “My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed [Note: John 6:53.].” Having been offered by our Lord Jesus Christ himself on the altar of his Deity, (for he is at once the Altar, the Sacrifice, and the Priest,) it is accepted for us: and it is both our duty and our privilege to eat of it. But whilst we thus partake of this altar, we must ourselves offer sacrifices upon it, even “our whole selves, as living sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ [Note: Romans 12:1.].” To present these is,

I. Our duty—

Two kinds of sacrifices we are to offer: those,

1. Of praise to God—

[Praise is most justly due to Him from all his creatures; but more especially from those who have been favoured with a revelation of his will, and with the ordinances of his grace. The Jews, dark as their dispensation was, were infinitely indebted to God for it [Note: Romans 3:2.]. But infinitely greater are our obligations to him for the fuller manifestations of his mercy to us in Christ Jesus, and for that better covenant of which Jesus is the Surety and the Mediator — — — “We therefore should offer to our God the sacrifices of praise continually.” We should do it, not only at the appointed seasons of morning and evening, which in a lax sense may be called “continually [Note: Exodus 29:42.],” but throughout the whole day: not indeed in the way of a formal service, but in the frame and habit of our minds [Note: 1 Thessalonians 5:16.]. This by the prophet is called “the calves of our lips [Note: Hosea 14:2.],” and, in our text, “the fruit of our lips;” because, as calves and first-fruits of the earth were offered in sacrifice under the law, so are praises under the Gospel dispensation. Under both dispensations, the duty of acknowledging our obligations to God, and our dependence on him, is the same: and therefore, as the Jews confessed both the one and the other by their offerings, so are we to do in ours, “giving thanks to his name [Note: ὁμολογούντων.].”

But it is by Christ only that our offerings can come up with acceptance before God: for, as the Jews were not at liberty to offer sacrifice any where but upon the altar in Jerusalem [Note: Deuteronomy 12:13.], so neither can we present to God any sacrifice but on this altar, the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can sanctify our gifts, and render them in any respect worthy of God’s acceptance [Note: John 14:6.]. Of this it becomes us to have as distinct a conception as the Jews themselves had; and never for a moment to approach our God without a deep conviction upon our minds, that in Christ only can either our persons or our services be ever pleasing in the sight of our God [Note: 1 Peter 2:5.]

2. Of beneficence to man—

[This also is a duty incumbent on us. God has so ordered in his providence, that there shall always be some who shall stand in need of assistance, and others, who, as his almoners, shall be enabled to dispense the benefits which are required [Note: Deuteronomy 15:11.]; that by a free exercise of benevolent affections there may be such a measure of equality produced, as may best subserve the interests of the whole [Note: 2 Corinthians 8:14. with Exodus 16:16.]. Hence, “to do good, and to communicate,” is an employment in which we should be daily occupied, each of us according to our ability. The poorest, as well as the richest, should, as far as God has enabled him, find delight in this duty [Note: 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12.]. Nor should we ever be so engaged in exercises of devotion, as to forget that we have duties to our fellow-creatures, which, in their place, are of equal importance with devotion itself. We may find it good to be on Mount Tabor: but we must not protract our stay there, when there is work to be done by us in the plains below [Note: Matthew 17:1.]. The duties of the second table must not be overlooked, any more than those of the first: nor can any measure of delight in God ever justify us in neglecting the offices of love to man. Liberality to the poor, especially when offered upon this altar, the Lord Jesus Christ, is as pleasing to God as any other offering whatever. Such was St. Paul’s view of the succours which he had received from the Christians at Philippi; which he represents as “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, and well-pleasing to God [Note: Philippians 4:18.].” But this also must be offered only through the Lord Jesus Christ: if presented as in itself good and acceptable, it would be rejected of God with as much abhorrence as the bribe of Simon Magus was by the Apostle Peter [Note: Acts 8:18.]. The direction given by God himself, and which must never in any case be forgotten, is this; “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God and the Father by him [Note: Colossians 3:17.].”]

But that which in one view is our duty, in another view is,

II.

Our privilege—

In this view the injunction in our text is introduced: “We have an altar, of which the Jews, whilst so continuing, have no right to eat:” “therefore” let us enjoy our high privileges, and offer our sacrifices continually upon this altar. And truly, to offer these sacrifices is a most inestimable privilege: for,

1. We may all present them in our own person—

[This the Jews could not do: they must come to the priest, and put their sacrifices into his hands: and he alone could offer them upon the altar. But we who believe in Christ, are “a kingdom of priests:” amongst us there is “no distinction of male or female, bond or free; but we are all one in Christ Jesus [Note: Galatians 3:28.];” “we are all kings and priests unto our God [Note: Revelation 1:6.]:” “the vail of the temple was rent in twain;” we all “have access unto God through Christ [Note: Ephesians 2:18.],” “even into the holiest of all, by that new and living way which he hath opened for us [Note: Hebrews 10:20.].”

Now let us only conceive what were the feelings of the Jews when they saw their high-priest on the day of annual expiation go within the vail into the presence of Jehovah, even to his mercy-seat, on which he dwelt in the Shechinah, the symbol of his more immediate presence: how highly privileged would they consider him! and how happy would they have accounted themselves, if that honour had been vouchsafed to them! But you, beloved, need not envy even the angels themselves: for through Christ you may go, every one of you for himself, “unto God as your exceeding joy,” and may “lay hold of him,” and commune with him, and hear his voice, and taste his love, and receive into your souls the communications of his grace and peace. It was not of himself alone, but of all the godly without exception, that St. John affirmed, “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ [Note: 1 John 1:3.].”

Learn then, brethren, to appreciate this privilege aright: and let the thought of it encourage you to draw nigh unto your God continually, and to present to him such sacrifices as the occasion may require.]

2. We may be perfectly assured of God’s acceptance of them—

[There is an excellency in our sacrifices which there was not in those which were offered by the Jewish priests: theirs were of no value at all, but as “shadows of good things to come:” in themselves they were “carnal ordinances,” deserving of no better name than “weak and beggarly elements [Note: Galatians 4:9 and Hebrews 7:9.]:” and, if not offered with a suitable frame of mind, they were altogether hateful to God, even as hateful as the cutting off of a dog’s neck, or the offering of swine’s blood [Note: Cite at length both Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 66:3.] — — — But where does God ever speak in such degrading terms of our sacrifices? “Whoso offereth me praise,” says he, “glorifieth me [Note: Psalms 50:23.];” and, “a cup of cold water offered to a disciple for his sake, shall in no wise lose its reward [Note: Matthew 10:42.].” The two are by God himself brought into a comparison thus: “Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High [Note: Psalms 50:13.]:” “to obey is better than sacrifice; and to hearken, than the fat of rams [Note: 1 Samuel 15:22.].”

Besides, the altar on which we present our offerings sanctifieth every thing that is put upon it. Leaven was expressly forbidden to be offered on the Jewish altar [Note: Leviticus 2:11.]: yet in a sacrifice of thanksgiving, or of the first-fruits, it might be offered [Note: Leviticus 7:11; Leviticus 23:17.]. So shall “the fruit of our lips,” and “the first-fruits of our substance” be accepted [Note: Proverbs 3:9.], notwithstanding any imperfection with which they are offered, if only they be presented through Christ with an humble and contrite spirit: for Christ, our great High-priest, who is our altar, is also “our Advocate with the Father;” and “the incense of his prayers ascendeth with every sacrifice which we offer, and ensures the acceptance of it before God [Note: Revelation 8:3.].”

Who with such an assurance as this would not wish to present his sacrifices unto God daily, and without ceasing?]

3. We all have liberty to eat of our own sacrifices—

[This liberty, in reference to some sacrifices, was conceded to the offerers under the Jewish law [Note: Deuteronomy 12:5.]: but to us it is conceded in every offering which we can present. Do we offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving? “our mouth shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, whilst we praise our God with joyful lips [Note: Psalms 63:5.].” Do we offer our mite for the relief of his indigent and distressed people? hear how he speaks of it: “If thou deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the poor that are cast out to thy house; if, when thou seest the naked, thou cover him, and hide not thyself from thine own flesh; then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” And again; “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon-day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not [Note: Isaiah 58:7.].” I appeal with confidence to all: When did you ever present any offering, whether of gratitude to God or love to man, upon this altar, and not feed richly on it yourselves? When did not fire descend from heaven into your soul, to testify of God’s acceptance of your offering? or when did you not, after such an offering, depart, “filled and satisfied with the fatness of his house [Note: Psalms 36:8.]?” At no period did he ever dismiss you, without “satiating your weary soul, and replenishing your sorrowful soul [Note: Jeremiah 31:25.].” Abound then in these sacrifices, and it shall be well with you; for you shall eat of them richly both in time and eternity [Note: Isaiah 3:10; 1 Timothy 6:17.]

Address—
1.

To the poor votaries of this world—

[What a wretched and worthless altar have you! and what costly offerings are you daily presenting upon it! Your time, your talents, your very souls, are you sacrificing upon that altar! You would weep over the devotees who cast themselves under the wheels of the car of Juggernaut: why do ye not weep over yourselves, when, with all your light and knowledge, you are acting a part not less infatuated than they? Compare your state with that of the true Christian. He lives only to serve, and honour, and exalt his God: but you live only to please the world, and to gratify yourselves. He accounts nothing too great to sacrifice unto Jehovah: you will not sacrifice one lust, or interest, for him. To the world, and to self, do you devote your every hour, your every thought. And whilst you have eaten of your altar, which of course you have done, what have you done but “fed upon ashes, whilst a deceived heart hath turned you aside, so that you could not deliver your soul, or say, Is there not a lie in my right hand [Note: Isaiah 44:20.]?” And do you suppose, that, whilst you are partaking thus of the world’s altar, you can partake of the Lord’s also? Assuredly not: “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils [Note: 1 Corinthians 10:21.]:” “ye cannot serve God and Mammon [Note: Matthew 6:24.].” I call you then to consider what will be the issue of a worldly life: for “if ye love the world, whatever you may imagine, the love of the Father is not in you [Note: 1 John 2:15.].” Let me entreat you then to go to your God, and to present to him that prayer of David, “Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with them that work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties [Note: Psalms 141:4.].” For be assured, that, if ye devote not yourselves to God through Christ in this world, ye can never dwell with him in the world to come.]

2. To the friends and worshippers of the Lord Jesus Christ—

[What a blessed employment is yours! A life of praise to God; and a life of love to man! What can you wish for more? What can add to your happiness, except it be an increase of grace to live more than ever unto God? Look at the angels around the throne: methinks, you have already invaded their office, and entered upon their bliss. Are they ever praising God? That is your employment day and night. Are they “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister unto them that shall be heirs of salvation [Note: Hebrews 1:14.]?” That also is your daily work, who are “doing good unto all men, and especially unto them that are of the household of faith [Note: Galatians 6:10.].” Go ye on then in this blest career: and abound daily more and more. And know that, as by the neglect of your duties “you may suffer loss in heaven [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:15.],” so by abounding in all the fruits of righteousness, ye may augment your blessedness in heaven, and obtain through Christ “an abundant entrance” into the realms of bliss [Note: 2 Peter 1:10.]