Let the Thanks Come Out #27

In my sermons the last two Sundays, we have touched on the fact that we as followers of Christ have even more reason to be thankful than those in the Old Testament - that Christ has exceeded the sacrificial system in every way. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way as he wraps up his letter in chapter 13:

 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 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. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

With all the deep theology the preacher has shared, he says it comes down to this: We are outsiders, sojourners to this world, just like Jesus was. Because of that we will be misunderstood, mistreated, and misrepresented. How should we respond? With a life of thanksgiving. We need to live differently, as we are citizens of Christ's kingdom. Secondly, we should let our lips tell of Him, give thanks to Him, praise Him for all He has done for us. Thirdly, true thankfulness shows itself in generosity; it remembers to do good and share. So as we go out into the world today, to do whatever we have planned, let's remember what God has planned for us: to think differently than the world, focusing on what matters for eternity; to talk differently, giving Him thanks, and to live differently, wondering: "what can I do for someone else?"