Reed Mueller

The passage for my message last weekend was Hebrews 13:15-16 (download/podcast feed/iTunes). In these two verses, the writer encourages us to bring a pleasing sacrifice of praise to God. Given who he is, it is the least we can do (see Hebrews 12:28-29). In light of this, the question that seems obvious to me is “What exactly would please him with regard to praise?” After all, when we love or are inspired by someone, we are motivated to bring our best to them.

So what is praise at its best? Is it singing? Is it praying? Is it receiving His word? Is it fellowship? It could be any of those things … or none of them, for praise isn’t a matter of form.

So what is it? We find that answer in verse 15, where praise that is pleasing is defined as “the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.”

And what, exactly does that mean? It means that whatever you’re doing can be an act of praise, so long as you do it in a manner that acknowledges who he is (i.e., He is Lord and we are not, He is one who’s character is holy, loving, and just) and what he’s done! In fact, I read an example of this just today. After Jesus had calmed a storm, the disciples worshiped him. You know how? Not by singing some song, but rather by acknowledging him (Matthew 14:33). So be like the disciples! Don’t wait for music or church to praise; instead, go about praising wherever you’re at, because pleasing praise doesn’t require a band or a song leader, it merely requires the fruit of lips that acknowledge who he is!

And remember, the cool thing about fruit is that it contains seeds that one day grow into something else. When the fruit of our lips is rotten – when we break down those around us, ourselves, or God – we plant a future crop of sadness. Yet, when the fruit of our lips is sweet – when we love others and acknowledge the Lord through words – we plant a future crop of joy. The seeds for tomorrow are planted from the fruit of our lips today. When that fruit builds others up, seeds are planted for better relationships tomorrow. And when that fruit acknowledges that he is Lord, an eternity of tomorrows are given to you as a gift (see Romans 10:9 and this note).

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