1. THE UNBLEMISHED SACRIFICE OF PRAISE HEBREWS 13:14-16

2. Hebrews 13:14-16 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 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. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. We are looking for a city in faith 11:13-16 Belief in God’s work 11:9-10 “foundations” Know and believe God’s love for us 1 John 4:16

3. Hebrews 13:14-16 Through Jesus (the high priest v.11-12; 4:14-15) let us (priests 1 Peter 2:5) offer the sacrifice of praise Psalm 50:14,23 Our sacrifice is to God If must be unblemished Leviticus 22:20 Malachi 1:6-14 do we treat God worse than men? “How boring” A spiritual sacrifice 1 Peter 2:5 Our purpose 1 Peter 2:9 Confessing (statement backed up by action) His name

4. Praise and Confession Praise in confession Rom. 10:9 LORD Jesus v.13 Praise in continual confession Rom. 10:10 literally “confession is being made unto salvation” righteousness of faith (saving faith) is word in heart & mouth In heart, not in mouth does not save John 12:42 In mouth, not in heart does not save Matt. 15:8 Praise in prayer Matt. 6:9-10 Praise in singing Heb. 2:12

5. Wisdom of Singing – Eph. 5:15-21 Memory device Singing scripture Expression of overwhelming emotion 1 Peter 1:6-9 How Beautiful Heaven Must Be What Heaven is like Rev. 4:8-11; 5:11-12 What Heaven will be like Rev. 22:1-5 Rev. 14:1-5 figurative picture Power and Beauty of singing together

6. Singing in Revelation 14:1-5 What Heaven will be like Rev. 14:1-5 Voice from Heaven like the voice of many waters and like the voice of loud thunder 19:6 Power of praise Ps. 22:3; 2 Chron. 20:1-30 Sound of harpists playing their harps Beauty of praise Beauty of unity Ps 133:1 Beauty of holiness 2 Cor. 7:1 Matt. 21:16 purest of hearts -> perfect praise

7. How We Should Sing Sing together Sing with the understanding 1 Cor. 14:15 Sing with the spirit 1 Cor. 14:15 Be filled with the Spirit Eph. 5:18-19 Sing with the whole heart Eph. 5:19 gratitude Be filled with the word of Christ Colossians 3:16-17 Focus on God “Forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship Him” Know God 2 Pet. 1:2-3; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1:22; Acts 2:38