The Sacrifice Which is Acceptable to God! - Hebrews 13:15-19

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Hebrews 13:15-19
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Today we end our journey through the letter to the Hebrews.  A big theme for the whole letter has been the penultimate sacrifice Jesus has made, which puts an end to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament.  The writer says there is a sacrifice you can make in response to what Jesus has done for you.  You can give a "sacrifice of praise".  Our lips give sacrifice to Jesus when we profess his name.  Today it is harder to openly profess Jesus' name in public.  When we do it is a sacrifice of our allegiance to him.
We also can "give sacrificially".  Remember we don't offer these sacrifices to get God's forgiveness, but because we have it.  Sharing what we have with those in need is in response to the grace and mercy we have been given which is of inestimable value.  Earlier in the chapter, the author tells them to show hospitality to strangers.  As we give to strangers we show God's love for the whole world. 
Finally, the author tells them to submit to their leaders who have been given authority by God to lead and guide them. The author knows that one of the quickest ways to hinder God's mission in the world is for a church to be embroiled in a divisive split with their leader(s).  Notice it says "leaders".  The model in the New Testament never gives the authority in the church to just one person.  
As we read verses 18 and 19, I can't help but think these verses sound so much like the apostle Paul writings in other books. Though it will never be proven who is the author of this letter, it seems at the very least that he contributed to it in some way.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

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