Gospel

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Hebrews 13:15-16
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.

In the old dispensation, you can not come to the presence of God for blessing or cleansing without bringing along a form of animal sacrifice. These animal sacrifices were offered to God for thanksgiving or for sin atonement.
Noah offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving:
Genesis 8:20-21a:
“And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; …”

There is also the sacrifice for sin:
Exodus 29:36
“And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement…”

Basically, the animal sacrifices its life, for the benefit of the person bringing the sacrifice.
The theological term here is atonement. In the English language, "atone" was formed from the words "at one". This means that in order for them to be "at one" with God, they had to perform the sacrifice.

Beloved, we don’t have to bring animals any longer for any form of sacrifice. That’s because Jesus became the Ultimate Sacrifice.
He paid the price of our sin.
He made atonement on our behalf.
He died and shed His blood so that we could enjoy a right relationship with God.
Hebrews 13:12 (NIV) says:
“…so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood"
But today, we don’t bring animals to sacrifice. Jesus has already died for our sins. There’s a special sacrifice that is expected of us to bring before the Lord. This is the sacrifice of praise!
What is Sacrifice?
A religious act belonging to worship in which offering is made to God in order to attain, restore, maintain or celebrate friendly relations with God. Sacrifice expresses praise and adoration with the main purpose to please God and to secure His favor.
In every sacrifice, an offering is made.
In Hebrews 13:15, we are asked to offer the sacrifice of praise with the fruits of our lips.
Friends! Praise is a sacrifice when it is offered in faith with your whole heart.
The praise sacrifice can not be complete until you say it with your lips. Our God is a speaking God. He made the earth with the power of His Words. God knows the power of words when He says in Proverbs 18:21 that:
“…Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”
He understands the power of words.
God wants you to open your mouth! Tell your neighbor – ‘open your mouth!’

The one thing the devil will like to take away from you is the power of your words through praise.
He does not mind if you clap your hands.
He is comfortable if you are jumping up and down.
It’s okay for him if you are standing or seating on the pew provided you do not open your mouth and praise God.
God knows our thoughts, so He knows when we appreciate something He has done for us without us ever saying a word. But He still wants our verbal praise! He wants you to open your mouth and praise Him!
Praise is God’s place of abode. He lives in it. Therefore, offer Him the sacrifice of praise.
Psalms 22:3 says that He inhabits the praises of Israel.
Folks, you need the presence of God, offer Him the sacrifice of praise!
Praise ushers you into His courts.
Psalms 100:4 says:
“…Enter into … his courts with praise…”

You need the presence of God all the time irrespective of where you are. You therefore need to praise Him always.
Praise Him when you are in the bedroom.
Praise Him when you are in the kitchen.
Praise Him while you are driving.
You may be in the hair dressing salon, praise him!
While in the shopping mall, praise Him.
Friends! This is a full-time job!
Give someone a high five and say to the person – ‘It’s a full-time job’.

Now, I can assure you, it is easy to praise the Lord when ...all the kids are healthy...the Lord is blessing...and the bills are paid...
But, how do we respond when...a loved one is sick...or perhaps we feel abandoned by God...or our bills are mounting up.
Do we praise the Lord then?
That’s a SACRIFICE of praise.
He wants you to praise Him no matter the circumstance.
Praise Him when you loose your job.
Praise him when that sickness is yet to leave you.
Praise Him when your account is in red.
Praise Him when the immigration is after you.
Praise Him in the morning, afternoon and night. It is a continuous affair!

One thing the enemy can not stand is when you praise the Lord in the midst of afflictions.
Ask Paul and Silas. (Acts 16)
Praise produces an earthquake!
It shakes prison houses!
Praise opens doors!
It loosens the bands of the devil!
Most of all, it causes your oppressors to destroy themselves.

Where are you today? What is going on in your life? May be you are not at your best. It could be that your life and circumstances seem to be turned upside down.
Beloved, you need to open your mouth! Offer Him the sacrifice of praise!

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