“Priestly Living"

In Revelation the Word tells us:

(Rev 1:6)  and made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(Rev 5:10)  And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth.

(Rev 20:6)  Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.

 Exactly what does it mean to be a priest unto God?

(1Pe 2:4-10)  For having been drawn to Him, a living Stone, indeed rejected by men, but elect, precious with God;  you also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  Therefore also it is contained in the Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner Stone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him shall never be ashamed."  Therefore to you who believe is the honor. But to those who are disobedient, He is the Stone which the builders rejected; this One came to be the Head of the corner, and a Stone-of-stumbling and a Rock-of-offense to those disobeying, who stumble at the Word, to which they also were appointed.  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;   you who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied then, but now pitied.

Through coming to Christ we are being built up for the purpose of fulfilling our God-given design.

 I.           REFLECT GOD’S PRESENCE - 2:5

“Spiritual house”

I Kings 8:11   Psalm 26:8    I Cor. 3:16   Eph. 2:22

II.        EXTOL GOD’S WORTH - 2:5

“Offer up spiritual sacrifices”

Hebrews 13:15,16    I Thess. 5:17,18   Psalm 141:2

III.       PROCLAIM GOD’S EXCELLENCIES - 2:9,10

Mark 5:19         Isaiah 12:4-6       Ephesians 3:8

Priestly Living

 I Peter:2:4-10

Role of the priest:

·       Go to God on behalf of men

 ·       Go to men on behalf of God

Upward and outward ministry

Reflect God’s Presence

·       “spiritual house”

·       “Lord I have loved the habitation of Your house, even the place where Your glory dwells.” Ps.26:8

 ·       “In Whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Eph.2:22

Reflect God’s Presence

·       “God’s intention is that through the true church the world might see Jesus Christ at work.”  Ray Stedmand

 ·       “It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. Their first legislator has put it into their heads that they are brethren.” Lucian- 2nd century Greek writer

Extol God’s Worth

 “to offer up spiritual sacrifices”

Kinds of “sacrifices” -

•     our body - Rom.12:1

•     our money - Phil.4:18

 •     our praise - Heb.13:15

•     our tangible helping of others - Heb.13:16

Spiritual Sacrifices

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.” Heb.13:15

Worship that is:

•      Spirit-energized - Eph. 5:18-20

•    Personally costly - II Sam.24:24

•      God focused - II Sam.6:16,17,21

Our Cornerstone

Jesus Christ:

•     Sets the foundation

•     Determines the direction

•     Precious to God

•     Rejected by men

 •     Treasure of believers

•     Downfall of unbelievers

•     Ps.118:22; Is.28:16; Is.8:14

Proclaim God’s Excellencies

·       “proclaim” - make known by praising

·       “Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing” Ps.107:22(LXX)

·       Because of who they now are.

·       Because of what they have now received.

Proclaim God’s Excellencies

 ·       “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mk.5:19

·       “…I do not know. One thing I know; that though I was blind, now I see.” Jn.9:25