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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: As a pastor I am addressed with different titles. Most often “Pastor”, sometimes “Rev,”
“Preacher.” Once while pastoring in Illinois and driving a bus, a little girl was explaining who I was to a friend of
hers “And see the bus driver, he is a priest, and after he takes us to school, he goes to church.”
We Baptists, and most denominations don’t refer to our pastors as Priests.
In the OT the nation of Israel had priests who served as religious leaders who mediated between God and man, who offered up the sin
and worship sacrifices for the people. In the NT Jesus became our High Priest who offered up the perfect and final sacrifice. No
church leaders were called Priests. In fact, in the book of Revelation, 2 of 3 times Apostle John says about believers:
1:6 “He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father”
20:6 “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
Then the Apostle Peter twice in his first book tells Christians they are part of the “priesthood.” - the average
believer is a Priest. Those two references of 1 Peter 2:5, 9 are the texts I want to encourage you with
today.
Timely Truths that Transform Us, Church Statement of Faith:
We believe in THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS: that Christ is our Great High Priest and through Him every born-again person
has direct access into God’s presence without the need of a human priest; that the believer has the right and
responsibility to personally study and interpret the Scriptures guided by the Holy Spirit. John 14:6; Hebrews 4:16; 2
Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 2:1, 5, 9. (I would ADD: The privilege of prayer, praise and service)
1. A Holy Priesthood 1 Peter 2:5
- In the nation of Israel, a priest was a Somebody. A VIP. A highly esteemed and essential position for the spiritual
life of the people of God.
- They interceded for the people, they offered the sacrifices.
ILLUS: Read Exodus/Leviticus. Priests were in charge of the spiritual life of the community - 5 types of offerings,
specific laws of purity, 7 different annual feasts, Sabbath regulations. Only the priests has the power to offer
acceptable sacrifices. High Priest could enter Holy of Holies once a year. Bloody job Lev. 4:1-12. Like a
worship at the Mingo Locker.
- The only true Priest in the NT is Christ, He is the High Priest and He is the sacrifice offering for us all -
Heb. 4:14-16 We don’t need perpetual sacrifices of blood anymore. Christ has done everything -
Heb. 7:24-27
- Therefore, 1 Peter 2:5 states that through Christ all believers can offer up spiritual sacrifices which will
be acceptable to God, “you...a holy priesthood.”
- We have two offices in the church elders and deacons - not called Priests. Leadership gifts of apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors teachers - but not called Priests. The “you” = is 2nd person
plural = you all, all you all.
- What are the sacrifices you as a believer can offer? - “spiritual.” The whole body of Christians
offer “spiritual sacrifices” Heb. 13:15-16
- My God given responsibility as Pastor of this church, or Pastor Jeriah either, is not to offer up sacrifices for you -
you can do it yourself.
ILLUS: Some traditions still have Priests - Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox - the leader is offering up a sacrifice
for the people, he is believed to be interceding to God for the people. Unnecessary and unbiblical.
- Believers not only make up the body of Christ, but we have equal privilege before God to live, worship and serve. You
are a holy priesthood!
2. A Royal Priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9
- A people of God who bare the dignity of kings and the sanctity of priests.
- Christians are special people who God has set apart for Himself, and sanctified in Christ - And we are royalty -
children of the King of Kings.
- As royal priests we display the “excellencies” or glories of Christ, the One who called us
"from darkness into His marvelous light."
- Excellencies, are the high qualities, the best of the best. We are personal witnesses of the glory of God, we can
personally testify of how great God is in us and in the church and in the world. Through Christ, we as royal priests
bring light and hope to a dark and dying world.
Barnes: “Believer-priests should live so that their heavenly Father’s qualities are evident in their
lives. They are...witnesses of the glory and grace of God.”
- Examples of what Christ has done for us - 1 Peter 1:1-5
- If you are a believer, you are a royal priesthood. A Somebody...
So we are holy priests - set apart to God so that we each can offer acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. We are royal
priests - proclaiming the majestic grace and glory of God through Christ to a dark world.
SO WHAT?
Here is a job description for each of you priests. If you are a born again child of God, here is a listing of things you can do all
by yourself. The unsaved can’t do these, but you can - effectively, powerfully, and simply with results.
- Pray directly to God in Jesus name. Nice to have others pray with and for you, but you can pray
yourself. James 5:16 “effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” John 14:13-14
- Personalize the Bible, read, and apply God’s word to your life.
ILLUS: Morning Prayer Meeting Psalm 119:41-48 word “I.”
- Praise. Worship. In private, singing in the shower or in the car. In public here. Sacrifices of
praise - Heb. 13:15.
- Practice goodness. Do good, share your life with others. Heb. 13:16
ILLUS: From giving a cup of cold water Mark 9:41. Good Samaritan - who is my neighbor? Anybody I can
help. Luke 10:36-37 Christians are the leaders in meeting needs.
- Present your bodies as living sacrifices Romans 12:1 Live in obedience to the Word and Will
of God. Make sacrifices of convenience, time, and resources to do what is right. Our body is a living instrument that
can glorify God and show the grace of God.
- Proclaim. Talk to others how great God is in your life, our church, world. Phil 2:17 example
of Paul who proclaimed the gospel.
- Any one here a priest? If Jesus is your Savior - you are a Priest
- These are all privileges of being a priest, holy and royal. You don’t need someone else to do your ministry, such
as me or the Deacons. You are gifted and empowered yourself by Christ.
- Anything on this Job Description list you need to improve?
- Maybe you don’t have direct access to God through Christ, please choose Christ today?
CONCLUSION
How to help the people in the Parkersburg tornado: Phone: 319-347-2311; website
www.nabconference.org
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