(Hebrews 13:15) Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God.

Throughout the Old Testament, the worship of Israel included many different kinds of sacrifices at the Jerusalem temple, including bloody animal sacrifices. It was a very complex and detailed pattern of sacrifices performed on behalf of the people by special priests. The exact details of these sacrifices had to be followed exactly. When one reads the details of these sacrifices in the Old Testament, it can make one’s head spin. 

The beautiful good news is that the live and death of Jesus Christ fulfilled all the detailed requirements of the Old Testament sacrifices. Jesus fulfills all of them. As Hebrews 7:27 tells us, “Jesus Christ has no need to offer sacrifices day after day—first for his sins and then for the sins of the people. For he became the ultimate sacrifice once for all when he offered himself up on the cross for our sins.” 

Now, in the new covenant of Jesus, the church is the new temple of the presence of God, and our sacrifice is Spirit-led praise to God. 

No longer is there complex patterns of Old Testament worship, now our praise and worship to God is simple (not simplistic) and heart-felt. 

We can praise God—in music, singing, adoration, and declarations—anywhere and at anytime.  

Hebrews 13:15 exhorts us to continually offer praise to God, meaning praise should be our lifestyle. It is not a religious duty; it is an expression of thanksgiving and joy. It is interesting that this verse uses the word “sacrifice” related to praise. 

It seems to imply that we are to praise God even when we do not feel like it; our praise is a sacrifice. Our call to praise God must not depend on our ups and downs in life. 

In fact, it is when we sacrificially enter into pray and praise to God that we are lifted out of our downs in life. 

Praise God with thanksgiving, for our lives are the product of God’s grace, forgiveness, and healing.

Do you just praise God when you are in a good mood?

Do you just praise God as a lifestyle?

Do you praise God out of thanksgiving or out of a religious duty?

Do you praise God as a weapon of spiritual warfare?