Let's begin this study in prayer...
Psalm 95:1-7Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.
I. INTRODUCTION
In our previous study we saw that our Lord Jesus Christ desires mercy
and not sacrifice. However, as we read the scriptures we do find that
there is a sacrifice that our God desires and that is the sacrifice
of praise. For what we find through out the scriptures is that no
matter the circumstances we are to praise our God. To see this, let
us look to both the Old and New Testaments.
A. THE OLD TESTAMENT
Let us begin by reading the following,
1. GOD SATISFIES OUR SOUL
Psalm 107:1-9
2. GOD BROKE OUR CHAINS OF DARKNESS
Psalm 107:10-16
3. GOD SAVED US FROM OUR DISTRESS
Psalm 107:17-22
Notice vs 22 sacrifice the sacrifice of
thanksgiving.
Now let us go and read from.
B. THE NEW TESTAMENT
Here we are instructed not to get carried away by strange
teachings and activities but as we consider our Lord Jesus
Christ, offer Him our sacrifice of praise.
Hebrews 13:15
Notice "the sacrifice of praise" and "through Jesus"
And now with this background, let us explore,
II. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
QUESTION: Why is praise or thanksgiving that is offered to God called
a sacrifice?
The answer to this question resides back during the Old Testament
times. So let us begin with,
A. THE MOSAIC LAW
As it turns out the Mosaic Law prescribed an animal and
unleavened cake to be offered for thanksgiving. To see this,
let us read about the Law of the Peace Offering.
Leviticus 7:11-15
And so what we find is that the offering for thanksgiving cost
the offerer:
1. A perfect, i.e. without blemish, male or female lamb
or goat.
Leviticus 3:1-17
(represents life of Jesus)
2. A cake of unleavened bread.
Leviticus 7:12
(represents body of Jesus)
and,
3. Leavened bread.
Leviticus 7:13
(represents joy & thankfulness)
This is all fine for the Old Testament, however,
QUESTION: How does all this relate to me ... the Christian?
Remember, I am not under Law but Grace.
Well, let us look to the scriptures and find out.
B. NEW TESTAMENT INSTRUCTION
Let us begin by reading,
Philippians 4:4-6
Notice vs 4 "always"
6 "in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving..."
This means,
1. IN HAPPINESS ... WHEN WE LIKE TO
For this example, let go and read what the lame man did
after he was healed in the name of Jesus by Peter and John.
Acts 3:1-10
and,
2. IN ADVERSITY ... WHEN WE MAY NOT WANT TO
For this example, let us read about the time when Paul and
Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for delivering a
slave from a spirit of divination.
Acts 16:22-25
Notice that in each case, no matter the circumstances, the
men humbled themselves (i.e. sacrifices their pride) and
gave God thanks and praise to His honor and glory!
To see this, let. us read from,
Psalm 50:23
Notice vs 23(b) "I will show the salvation of God."
As it turns out, what we find when we humble ourselves and
offer God praise and thanksgiving, He promises to give our
hearts peace beyond all understanding. To see this, let us
return and reread,
Philippians 4:4-7
Notice vs 7
QUESTION: What should we be thanking and praising God for?
Obviously we should thank Him and praise Him for answering our prayers,
However, there are just myriads of reasons to give thanks and praise to
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To see this, let us review,
III. SOME REASONS FOR PRAISING GOD
A. FOR OUR NEW BIRTH, INHERITANCE AND SALVATION
This is something we can not thank God enough for. However, by
way of reminder let us read,
1 Peter 1:3-9
B. FOR DELIVERING US OUT OF DARKNESS
As it turns out He has chosen us and made us (the Christian)
into a royal priesthood. To see this, let us read,
1 Peter 2:9-10
we should also thank Him,
C. FOR NOT ONLY SAVING US BUT ALLOWING US TO SERVE HIM
We find this by reading that Paul thanked God for the ministry
that was given to him, Paul,
1 Timothy 1:12-17
In addition to thanking God for saving us and adopting us as His
children, we should also thank God,
D. FOR SAVING OTHERS
As it turns out we always find Paul thanking God for all those He
(the Lord Jesus Christ) has saved. As an example, let us read,
Colossians 1:3-8
We should also be aware that it is God who provides for needs
and that all food is acceptable with thanksgiving and prayer.
Thus we should thank God,
E. FOR OUR FOOD (i.e. SUSTENANCE)
To see this, let us read,
1 Timothy 4:1-5
And finally we should thank God for the privilege,
F. FOR PARTAKING IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS
For this instruction let us begin with Jesus' sermon that He
gave on the mountain.
Matthew 5:11-12
And now let us read,
1 Peter 4:12-16
Notice vs 14(a) wow!
16 do not be ashamed for suffering as a
Christian.
IV. SUMMARY
QUESTION: So what is the point? What is the message of it all?
Well, perhaps it is best summed up in,
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
And now let us close by reading,
Psalm 145:1-21
Let's end this study in prayer...
Revelation 15:2b-4... They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb [Jesus]: "Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed."
Read the book by John Sweet, Jr.
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