Following Christ: Sacrifices and Faithful Leadership

Devotional

Day 1: Imitate Leaders Who Live and Speak God’s Word

The Christian journey is shaped by those who have faithfully spoken the word of God into our lives and modeled a life in step with that word. We are called to remember such leaders—not because they were perfect, but because their faith was genuine and their lives reflected the truth they proclaimed. Their example points us to a life ordered by God’s word, whether that leads to places of comfort or challenge, and encourages us to walk in obedience wherever God calls us. As you reflect on those who have influenced your faith, consider how their devotion to God’s word has shaped your own walk and how you might become such an example for others. [03:37]

Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Reflection: Who is one leader or mentor whose faith and obedience to God’s word has shaped your life, and how can you honor their example by living out what you have learned from them today?

Day 2: Trust in the Unchanging Christ

In a world where leaders come and go and teachings shift with the times, Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. This unchanging nature of Christ is the anchor for our faith, ensuring that the gospel we believe is as true and powerful now as it was in the first century. We are warned not to be led astray by new or strange teachings that add to or distort the gospel, but to test everything by the unchanging truth of Christ and his word. Let your heart be strengthened by grace, not by external rules or trends, and hold fast to the ancient gospel that never changes. [11:39]

Hebrews 13:8-9
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

Reflection: What is one “new” teaching or cultural trend you’ve encountered that challenges your faith, and how can you test it against the unchanging truth of Christ today?

Day 3: Step Outside the Camp for Christ Alone

Following Jesus sometimes means leaving behind old identities, comforts, or sources of security—stepping “outside the camp” to bear his reproach. For the early Christians, this meant leaving the familiar practices of the old covenant; for us, it may mean letting go of anything we are tempted to add to Christ or trust in alongside him. The sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice means we bring nothing to the table but our need, and we are called to identify with him even if it costs us reputation, comfort, or acceptance. What matters most is not what we lose, but what we gain in Christ—his righteousness, his presence, and the hope of the city to come. [18:24]

Hebrews 13:12-14
So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to cling to old securities or blend your faith with something else, and what would it look like to step “outside the camp” for Christ alone today?

Day 4: Offer the Sacrifice of Praise

Because of Christ’s perfect atonement, the sacrifices we bring are not to earn God’s favor but to respond in gratitude and worship. We are called to continually offer a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly acknowledge Jesus’ name. This means praising God not only in private or among fellow believers, but also before those who do not know him, even if it brings misunderstanding or reproach. Let your words today reflect your allegiance to Christ, making it known that every good thing you have comes from him, and let your praise be as natural and joyful as any other celebration in your life. [25:38]

Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Reflection: In what setting today—at home, work, or among friends—can you intentionally speak words of praise or gratitude to God, making your faith in Christ known?

Day 5: Serve Others as a Pleasing Sacrifice

Alongside the sacrifice of praise, we are called to offer the sacrifice of service—doing good and sharing what we have with others. These acts of love and generosity are pleasing to God, not as a means of earning his acceptance, but as a response to his grace. Whether serving within the church, in the community, or in daily acts of kindness, every act of service is a way to bless the Lord and reflect his love to others. Consider how God has gifted you and where he might be calling you to serve, knowing that even the smallest act done in his name is a fragrant offering to him. [28:40]

Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve or share with someone in need this week, offering it as a sacrifice pleasing to God?

Sermon Summary

Hebrews 13:7-16 calls us to examine the direction of our lives by asking three crucial questions: Who are you following? What tent or city do you need to leave? And what sacrifice will you bring? The journey of faith is not about moving faster or busier, but about following the right path—one illuminated by God’s Word. We are reminded to remember and imitate those leaders who have faithfully spoken the Word of God to us, not because of their perfection, but because their lives were in step with the truth they proclaimed. Their faithfulness points us to the unchanging Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In a world of shifting values and new teachings, we are warned not to be led astray by anything that adds to or distorts the gospel. The truth of Christ does not evolve with culture; it remains steadfast, and so must our allegiance to Him.

The text draws a vivid contrast between the old covenant, with its rituals and sacrifices, and the new covenant established by Jesus’ sacrifice outside the city gate. Just as the high priest would take the sin offering outside the camp, Jesus suffered outside the gate to sanctify us through His blood. This calls us to leave behind whatever “camp” or “city” we might be tempted to cling to—whether it’s religious tradition, reputation, or self-reliance—and to go to Christ, bearing His reproach. The cost of following Jesus may include misunderstanding, rejection, or loss, but these are fleeting compared to the eternal city we seek.

In response to Christ’s finished work, we are invited to bring sacrifices—not for atonement, which is already complete in Him, but as acts of praise and service. Continually offering the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name, and sharing what we have with others, are sacrifices pleasing to God. This is not about earning favor, but about living in gratitude and allegiance to the One who gave everything for us. The call is to step out in faith, to make Christ known in every sphere of life, and to serve others as an expression of our devotion to Him. Our journey is toward deeper relationship with Christ, guided by His Word, and marked by lives of praise and sacrificial love.

Key Takeaways

1. Faithful leaders are worth remembering and imitating, not because of their status or charisma, but because their lives align with the Word of God. Their example is valuable only insofar as it points us to Christ and encourages us to walk in obedience to Him. The true measure of a leader is not where they go, but how they go—ordered by the Word and centered on Jesus. [07:36]
2. Jesus Christ is the unchanging center of our faith. In a world where teachings and trends constantly shift, our anchor is the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Any teaching or practice that does not align with the unchanging gospel of Christ must be tested and, if necessary, rejected, for truth does not adapt to culture but remains constant in Him. [11:39]
3. The call to “go outside the camp” is a call to leave behind anything that competes with Christ for our allegiance—whether religious systems, personal achievements, or social acceptance. True faith means trusting in the sufficiency of Jesus alone, not Jesus plus anything else. This may mean bearing reproach or loss, but what we gain in Christ far surpasses anything we leave behind. [18:24]
4. Bearing the reproach of Christ is not merely a historical reality for first-century believers; it is a present challenge for all who would make Him their first love. In every “camp” we inhabit—work, family, community—we are called to make our allegiance to Christ known, even if it means misunderstanding or rejection. The city we seek is not here, but the one to come, and that hope frees us to live boldly for Him. [23:35]
5. Our sacrifices to God are not about earning His favor, but about responding to His grace. The continual sacrifice of praise—acknowledging Christ with our lips—and the sacrifice of service—doing good and sharing with others—are pleasing to God. These acts flow from gratitude for what Christ has done and are the aroma of a life lived in worship and love. [25:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - The Danger of Strange Teachings
[01:37] - God’s Word as Our Map
[03:37] - Remembering Faithful Leaders
[07:36] - Discipleship: Hearing and Doing the Word
[09:55] - Christ: The Unchanging Center
[11:39] - Testing Teachings by the Word
[13:10] - Leaving the Old Tent
[14:20] - The Day of Atonement Fulfilled
[16:22] - Jesus’ Sacrifice Outside the Gate
[18:24] - The Sufficiency of Christ Alone
[19:25] - Bearing the Reproach of Christ
[22:37] - What Does It Mean to Step Outside the Camp?
[23:35] - Seeking the Lasting City
[24:30] - Sacrifices of Praise and Service
[25:38] - Continual Praise and Acknowledging Christ
[26:54] - Living as a Public Witness
[28:40] - Serving Others as Sacrifice

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 13:7, what are believers told to remember about their leaders, and what are they encouraged to imitate?
In verse 8, what does the author say about Jesus Christ, and why is this significant for the rest of the passage?
What does the passage mean when it talks about Jesus suffering “outside the gate” and what is the connection to the Old Testament sacrifices? [16:22]
What two kinds of sacrifices are mentioned in verses 15-16, and how are they different from Old Testament sacrifices?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the author emphasize remembering and imitating leaders whose lives align with God’s Word, rather than just their status or charisma? [07:36]
What does it mean that Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” and how does this truth help believers resist “strange teachings”? [11:39]
The sermon talks about “leaving the camp” or “city.” What are some modern examples of “camps” or “cities” that might compete with our allegiance to Christ? [18:24]
Why is it important to understand that the sacrifices we bring now (praise and doing good) are not for atonement, but a response to what Christ has already done? [24:30]

Application Questions

Who are the leaders in your life—past or present—who have helped you walk according to God’s Word? What specific qualities or actions made their example worth following? [07:36]
The sermon warns against being led away by teachings that add to or distort the gospel. Are there any “new” or “popular” teachings you’ve encountered that you need to test against Scripture? How do you do that in practice? [11:39]
Is there a “camp” or “city” in your life—such as a tradition, reputation, or comfort zone—that you sense God is calling you to leave behind in order to follow Christ more fully? What holds you back from stepping out? [18:24]
The passage says we may have to bear the “reproach” of Christ. In what areas of your life (work, family, community) is it hardest for you to make your allegiance to Jesus known? What fears or concerns do you have about being misunderstood or rejected? [23:35]
The sacrifice of praise means acknowledging Christ with your lips. When was the last time you openly gave credit to Jesus for something good in your life, especially around those who don’t share your faith? What would it look like to do this more regularly? [25:38]
Doing good and sharing with others are called “sacrifices pleasing to God.” What is one practical way you can serve or share with someone this week as an act of worship? [28:40]
The sermon says our journey is toward deeper relationship with Christ, guided by His Word. What is one step you can take this week to grow in your knowledge of God’s Word or your devotion to Jesus?

Sermon Clips

For God is drawing you closer to himself in step with his word. And that's the movement that you want to be about. And so the word says, remember those, follow those, imitate those who help you to walk according to the word. And as you do so, that is honoring to former leaders, but much more significantly, it's honoring to the Lord, honoring to Christ. And that's where the passage takes us next, verse 8. We go from the written word to the incarnate word to Jesus. Verse 8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Aren't you thankful? And as leaders come and go, and sometimes we grieve as leaders go on from us. But Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. And good leaders, leaders worth following, are always leaders who preach Christ faithfully and walk in step with him. That doesn't change because he doesn't change. [00:08:55] (60 seconds) Edit Clip

And so what kind of leaders did the early church need living in the Roman Empire, first century, and the unique challenges they faced then? What kind of leaders does the church need today? And the unique challenges that we face in the places, the times that God has called us to. And the answer is the same as those who preach Christ and who live Christ. [00:09:54] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

Test it by the truth that we have revealed to us all that we need in the scriptures. Test it by that. Truth does not change. Truth does not evolve. It doesn't adapt with culture. Methods change. Approaches can be adaptive and can accommodate culture. We can be all things to all. [00:11:45] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

And what was clarifying or should have been clarifying then for the first century believers being very familiar with that, but it would also should be clarifying for us now as we see all this, is that there has been a final day of atonement. [00:16:06] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

There no longer are days of atonement. Final day of atonement has already come. Jesus Christ has been crucified and he was taken outside of the city to be crucified. Outside of this tent, outside of the city to be crucified. He was taken to the place of the skull, Golgotha, really a place of reproach. [00:16:22] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

And so you trust in the sufficiency of Christ or you don't. And when it comes to bridging this gap between us and God that is there because of our sin, there is nothing we bring to the table, nothing we do to even inch our way closer to him. [00:19:05] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

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