Sing, Serve, Share

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Hebrews 13:15, 16 Sing, Serve, Share Sermon Outline for July 9, 2006 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri I. 1:1-4 The Father’s Final Word - The Bright and Shining Son LINK TO II. – 1:4 “having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. II. 1:5-2:18 A Better Name Than Angels - Son of God and Son of Man LINK TO III. – 2:17 “that He might be  a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God” III. 3:1-5:10 A Better High-Priest: Source of Faithfulness, Rest, Compassion LINK TO IV. – 5:9,10 “And  having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest  “  according to the order of Melchizedek,  ” IV. 5:11-10:39 Christ, A Priest Like Melchizedek, High Priest of Good Things  to Come Link to V – 10: 10:36 -39 “You have need of endurance …,the just shall live by faith ” V. 11:1-12:13 We should live with faith and endurance. Link to VI – 12:13 “Make Straight Paths” (VanHoye - 12:28 ,29) VI. 12:14-13:19 Strong Hands, Straight Paths - Living in Heavenly Community on Earth (VanHoye - Serving God Acceptably) VII. 13:20-25 Benediction: Completeness Unto Every Good Work Overview of Chapter 13 (See Attached) Today’s Text: 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips , giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Notes: 1. It is difficult to over-estimate the importance of this text in the sermon to the Hebrews. v. 10-14 are a set-up for verses 15 an 16. “These verses constitute the theological and practical synthesis of Hebrews.” 2. The necessary pre-condition for today’s mission is the work of Jesus as articulated in this sermon to the Hebrews. Gospel-Response See 13:11 (i.e., through Jesus, as presented in this sermon, exclusively) Heb. 7:27; 9:28 ; 1Pet. 2:5 3. At the heart of the text is the kind of ongoing sacrifice which is well-pleasing to God. 4. This consists of actions towards two recipients – God and men. 5. Our duty to God is summed up here in singing praises of thanksgiving to Him. “offer the sacrifice of praise” Ps. 50:13,14 “continually” Ps. 50:8; Num. 28:10-29 (14x in LXX) “fruit of our lips” Hos. 14:1,2 (LXX); Prov. 12:14 ; 13:2, etc. 2 Mac. 10:7; Psalms of Solomon 15:2,3; Heb. 2:12; 13:6 6. Our duty to man is summed up in two activities: A. Doing Good (Serving) -- Heb. 13:1-3, see 2a Christian Service – Formal and Informal Honoring God and Doing Good on the Lord’s Day Embracing Peer Pressure! B. Being Generous (Sharing) Rom. 15:26,27; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:13 ; Poland and Russia 7. Very encouraging and reassuring words to us! Heb. 12:28,29 8. But potentially very sobering ones as well. Conclusion Ps. 50:23 Hebrews 13 [See Heb. 12:28,29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a con8ing fire.] 1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them— those who are mistreated— since you yourselves are in the body also. 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” --- 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow , considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. ----- 18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience , in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I specially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. ---------------------- 20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. 24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen. Questions from Hebrews 13:15,16 for Young Hearers 1. Verse 10 of this chapter said we have an ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 2. Verse 12 said that we are sanctified to ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ at it. 3. Verses 15 and 16 tells us what sort of ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ please God. 4. We are able to ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ God acceptably. ( 12:29 ) 5. Only through ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ can we serve at God’s altar. 6. Jesus is ___ ___ ___ the Son. 7. Jesus is priest and ___ ___ ___ ___. 8. Jesus ___ ___ ___ ___ ___! 9. We serve at God’s altar by ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 10.We should sing on Sunday, and every ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ and evening, and other times too! 11. We sing because we have been ___ ___ ___ ___ __ from hell. 12. We sing because God is so ___ ___ ___ ___! 13. We also serve the altar by doing ___ ___ ___ ___. 14. Did you do a good deed for someone yesterday or today? 15. We can do good to others by helping them not to ___ ___ ___. 16. We also serve the altar by ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 17. The missionaries in ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ need our help.