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"With such sacrifices God is well pleased"

Text: Hebrews 13:16

DOING GOOD EQUATED WITH “SACRIFICES”

We have an important insight as to how we ought to view the teaching about “doing good” in the following text.

“But do not forget to do good and to share,
for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16b

1. With such sacrifices

a) The word “sacrifices” (“thusiais”) is the regular word to describe the animals that were offered at the temple of Jerusalem.

b) While believers in Christ do not need to offer anymore sacrifices, their good deeds are deemed “sacrifices”.

2. The concept of sacrificial animals

a) These animals must be good and healthy.

b) Sick animals cannot be offered as sacrifices.

c) The Book of Malachi addressed this problem of making inappropriate sacrifices.

i) These were rejected by the Lord.

ii) Those who offered such sacrifices were rebuked by the Lord.

iii) They were warned of dire consequences if they were to persist in offering sacrifices that were deemed unacceptable by the Lord.

3. God is well pleased

a) It is important to remember God’s role:-

i) He can approve (Abel’s offering).

ii) He can disapprove (Cain’s offering ).

b) The challenge is to do that which would please God.

i) Doing good

ii) Sharing (“fellowship”)