We have known people who are all talk and no action.

• They promise to pay you back.
• They promise to help you out.
• They promise to come to work on time.
• They promise to love, honor and cherish.
• They promise to put God first.

Unfortunately, they can not (or will not) deliver.

The writer of Hebrews argues the superiority of Christ over the Old Testament order. Faith is the only way to please God. Hope is the province of every believer.

The deacons should praise the Lord. Open your mouth, lift up your hands and say, "Thank You Jesus!" We cannot have dried up and stuck up deacons. You should say, "Thank You Jesus, Hallelujah!" If the deacons cannot take worship seriously, the congregation will not either. You cannot sit there looking lost in space. Get serious about giving God praise.

Praise and worship are not all that God requires. In out main text, verse 16, we see that God also desires the sacrifice of good works. Do not forget to do good and share with others. God is pleased with that. We not only praise God with our mouths, but also with our actions. Some people testify for an hour, they prance about like an angel, then they go home and live like the devil all week. They shout in church and do the butterfly in the nightclub. God is not pleased with this. We mess up our testimonies by what we do outside the church. When we leave here, we lay our religion down and people se us as holy. If you are holy, if you are saved, if you are following Jesus, you must live holy, saved and following Jesus out there.

The ministry of the deacons started as a ministry of service. The deacons are not to be over the pastor. We need to go back to the Biblical foundation. It is not what we do in church, but outside of the church.

James 1:22 tells us to be doers of the word, not just hearers.

James 2:17 tells us that faith without works is dead.

Paul tells us in Romans 6:1 that we cannot continue in sin to make grace abound.

Actions speak louder than words. However, actions are not a substitute for praise. God demands them both. We must praise God. Open your months and thank Him. But don’t stop there... we must also help the poor and needy, help wayward Christians find the way and gather the lost sheep. Some people love to praise God, but their spiritual life is a lie.

It is faith and works... praise and obedience... hallelujah and helping the needy... celebration and service... worship and works... testimony and not being a phony. It is not one or the other... it is "both, and."

Serve God seven days a week in your actions.

One preacher had an international reputation. Large crowds followed him. He died and stood before God. God asked, "Why should I let you in." He said, "I preached to tens of thousands of people... lead millions to Christ, pastored three large churches, drew large crowds." God asked, "Did you love the people?" He said, "No." Jesus said, "Depart from Me."

A little woman also died. God asked, "Why should I let you in." She replied, "I raised my family the best I could. I went to church every chance I could. I gave to the Lord when I could." Jesus said, "Did you lift up your voice and praise Me with your mouth as often as you could?" She said, "No." Jesus said, "Depart from Me."

A deacon also died. God asked, "Why should I let you in." The deacon said, "Only one good reason... one day Jesus came into my life. He saved me, sanctified me, gave me a new walk, a new name, a new way of life. I’ve worked for God and I also testified for God." Jesus said, "Well done... enter in."