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new covenant sacrifices

Hebrews 13:15-16 (JDV)

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Hebrews 13:16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, because God is pleased with such sacrifices.

new covenant sacrifices

Under the new covenant, the desire to offer sacrifices does not disappear—it is transformed. The old system of animals, altars, and priests has been fulfilled in Christ, but the instinct to respond to God with tangible devotion remains. Hebrews explains that there are sacrifices believers still offer, but they are not sacrifices for atonement. Christ has already accomplished that once for all. These are sacrifices of gratitude, obedience, and love—acts that reflect a life shaped by the mercy received.

The first sacrifice is praise. Hebrews calls it “the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” This is not mere emotion or sentiment. It is the deliberate, vocal acknowledgment of God’s greatness, goodness, and saving work. Praise becomes a sacrifice because it costs something—time, attention, humility, and the willingness to publicly identify with Christ. It is the offering of a heart that recognizes God’s worth.

The second sacrifice is doing good. Under the old covenant, sacrifices were brought to the altar. Under the new covenant, the altar is carried into daily life. Acts of kindness, generosity, service, and compassion become offerings presented to God. These deeds are not attempts to earn favor; they are expressions of the grace already received. Doing good is a sacrifice because it requires energy, intention, and self‑giving love.

The third sacrifice is sharing what one has. Hebrews highlights this as a distinct offering—using one’s resources, gifts, and blessings to meet the needs of others. This is the sacrifice of generosity. It mirrors the generosity of Christ, who gave Himself for the sake of others. Sharing becomes a sacrifice because it loosens the grip of self‑preservation and reflects the character of the God who gives abundantly.

These sacrifices are pleasing to God not because they complete what Christ lacked—He lacked nothing—but because they flow from hearts transformed by His grace. They are the lived expression of gratitude. They demonstrate that the new covenant has taken root in real life. They show that worship is no longer confined to a temple but is woven into the fabric of everyday obedience.

In these ways—praising God, doing good, and sharing blessings—the people of God continue to offer sacrifices that honor Him, not to secure forgiveness, but to reflect the salvation already given.