Heb. 13:15-16

15 By [dia] him [autos] therefore [oun] let us offer [anaphero] the sacrifice [thusia] of praise [ainesis] to God [theos] continually [diapantos], that is [toutesti], the fruit [karpos] of our lips [cheilos] giving thanks [homologeo] to his [autos] name [onoma].

16 But [de] to do good [eupoiia] and [kai] to communicate [koinonia] forget [epilanthanomai] not [me]: for [gar] with such [toioutos] sacrifices [thusia] God [theos] is well pleased [euaresteo]. KJV-Interlinear

15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. NASB

Throughout the Old Testament, God required sacrifices. Those sacrifices demonstrated the compliance of the one making the offering, with Gods will. Presumably the person making the sacrifice, knew and understood why he was making the sacrifice.

But, of course we know that everyone making sacrifices did not know what they were doing. More often, the sacrificial rituals were abused and used for devious ends. Like priests, for example, taking advantage of the ritual and its tradition, to maintain and command their position and power over the masses.

But then, every aspect of the Bible, every principle taught in the Bible has its counterfeit principle out there in the world. Volition is offset by intimidation. Marriage is opposed by alternative companion arrangements. Free enterprise is opposed by socialism and such ideologies. Legitimate economics is opposed by abusive regulation. Truth is opposed by deceptions or lies. And so forth.

So the legitimate sacrifices of the Bible were abused and distorted around the world. But the illegitimate sacrifices are not in view here. It is the legitimate sacrifices, which people did for honorable and legitimate purposes to learn, and understand the principles of Gods plan and will for humanity and for ones self, which are in view.

Now since the Old Testament, are there new or replacement sacrifices which we are to follow, or are we now relieved from any form of sacrifice? And the answer to that is yes, we still have sacrificial obligations.

But, you say, I thought that all of the animal sacrifices were now obsolete and that the Levitical offerings were now defunct. And that is correct. We are not to offer sacrifices of animals (or people), but we still have a sacrificial obligation.

And our obligation comes in the form of word and deed. Which by the way, were also required in the Old Testament times too.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His requirements from mankind have never changed. The animal sacrifices were teaching aids and nothing more. People still were obligated to learn the principles of doctrine, to grow up in their spiritual lives, and be faithful to God in their daily lives. That has never changed.

Gen. 17:1-2

Walk before Me, and be blameless. 2 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, NASB

Psa. 7:17

17 I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. NASB

Isa. 58:3

'Why have we fasted and Thou dost not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and Thou dost not notice?' NASB

James 2:26

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. NASB

Our sacrifice today is continual. That is to say, we are to live our life in fellowship, learn doctrine and live by it, on a continual basis day in and day out. That is our obligation to God.

From that, God builds a fortress, a bubble, a wall of fire, the fellowship sphere, of protection around our lives, within which we are safe from this world. But safe in what respect? Does this mean that we will be exempt from working or paying our bills? No. This protection is from the attempts of the world trying to destroy our spiritual lives.

But this protection is more than just protection. It is also Gods provision for every need that we will have in life. Does this mean that we won t get cancer, that we will certainly win the lottery? No. We were not placed on this earth to be wealthy or healthy or perfect in some fashion, but we are here to grow up spiritually.

We will all grow old. We will all have different medical problems throughout our lives. We will all have our financial problems, our ups and downs, and so forth. This is the devils world and as such problems come with living here.

I have called the environment of the world, the jungle, because it is just like living in a real jungle. In a jungle, life is against you. The rules favor the strong ruling the weak. There are the quick and there are the dead, the rich and the poor, the gifted and the, not so gifted.

You can choose to live in the jungle (rejecting God in your life) and you will be controlled by the jungle rules. In the jungle, everyone, sooner or later, loses. No one can control the jungle. Even though the wealthy and the influential might think that they control things they do not.

Or, you can choose to live inside of Gods bubble of protection, inside of Gods fortress. In there, God runs the show. God controls the rules of engagement. God does our fighting and providing.

In the jungle you are on your own. In the jungle everything is uncertain. In the jungle there is only worry, misery, and ultimately, failure.

A mighty fortress is our God. Inside we are safe and provided for. Yes we still have to go school. We still have to go to work. We still have to pay our bills. And we will still be subject to problems that the world will hurl against us. Remember that the world hates anything that has to do with God.

But if we choose to live inside of Gods fortress, then we know for certain the outcome of our life. Our outcome will be heaven, blessing, reward and more.

Therefore, our sacrifice now, is a continual one, a moment by moment sacrifice or worship (studying, learning, thinking doctrine) and good works (applying God principles to our daily lives).

Now is the time to post a prayer.