PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS AND THE BIBLE
#847 PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS AND THE BIBLE
Scripture I Peter 2:5, 9; Isaiah 61:5-6 Orig. 5/1/1988
Passage:
I Peter 2:5,9
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Isaiah 61:5-6
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Purpose: Teaching a doctrinal study for Church Training relating the doctrine to scripture.
Keywords: Series, Priesthood Doctrine
Introduction
Pass out cards reflecting chapter one and ask class to comment on them. Volunteers may be asked to read, and other class members will be given opportunity to comment..
Display the overhead cel with the following agree/disagree information. Ask the class to mark their paper “a” or “d.”
D 1) The Old Testament priesthood symbolized the worthiness of the nation Israel.
D 2) Old Testament priests were mediators, not interpreters. (both)
D 3) The priesthood of believers is hierarchical, not hereditary.
A 4) Our priesthood is rooted in Christ.
D 5) Jesus is priest by virtue of Levite origins.
A 6) The phrase “the priesthood of believers” is not found in the Bible.
A 7) Equality of access to God’s grace for salvation is not rooted in human capability.
D 8) To emphasize individualism is to deny community.
A 9) There is no such thing as forced love.
A 10)A person cannot accept salvation without accepting priesthood.
Call attention to the teaching posters. These are for the new chapter. Ask the class if there is a certain one that stands out, and if they will comment upon it.
Have the cel on chapter two on the screen. We want to cover three things.
1. Biblical teachings as priesthood.
2. The priesthood as it relates to Christ.
3. Prepare for next chapter on priesthood of the believer and salvation.
I. The Jewish Priesthood. Exodus 19:4-6, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, . . . if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests.”
a. The above text is not typical. See also Isaiah 61:5-6.
b. Under Moses a representative priesthood emerged.
i. Most of some 700 references.
ii. This priesthood symbolized their covenant.
iii. God gave Moses instructions relative to the priesthood. Exodus 25:1 - 31:18
iv. It was clear that they had some growing to accomplish if they were to reach communal priesthood.
1. Tabernacle was to be a factor.
2. The tent of meeting where they would worship God.
c. The concept of a select priesthood.
i. Theological roots of priesthood.
1. Manifested God’s saving acts on behalf of Israel. (Law was unrequested grace.)
2. God would be with Israel through the priesthood and tabernacle—no philosophical; the certain creator; “Tabernacle” means dwelling place. Exodus 25:8, “Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst.”
3. Priests were living witnesses of that presence.
4. The priesthood symbolized holiness. Exodus 19:6, “. . . A holy nation.” Leviticus 11:44f, “. . . consecrate yourselves, . . . and be holy, for I am holy.”
a. Their dress reflected God’s character.
b. Initial step in ordination had to do with cleansing. Exodus 29:20, “tip of right ear . . . right thumb . . . great toe of right foot.”
ii. Functions of the priesthood.
1. First, they were interpreters.
a. Brought God to the people. Malachi 2:7, “He is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.”
b. Taught them moral, ceremonial law, hygiene, nutrition, medical diagnosis.
2. Secondly, they were mediators.
a. They brought the people to God. Exodus 28:5-4, stones on shoulder piece named tribes.
b. Purpose was atonement for sin.
iii. The structure of the priesthood.
1. The gradations within society were: people, Levites, priests, High Priest.
2. Last three are the spiritual elite. Recall Jesus’ parable. Luke 10:27f.
3. Levites were of tribe of Levi, but not of line of Aaron. Secondary temple duties.
4. Hierarchy was complete with High Priest. Leviticus 22:10, 11, 14 pictures distinctions between priests and people.
5. In addition to this hierarchy, also is a hereditary factor.
a. Ancestry and sex determine.
b. Birth, not worth, blood not gift.
c. Ineptness often occurred.
6. Priesthood ceased with destruction of temple in 70 A.D.
II. The High Priesthood of Jesus.
a. A superior priest.
i. There is a new covenant. I Corinthians 11:25 “this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye.” See Jeremiah 31:31f.
ii. Hebrews directs our attention.
Hebrews 4:14 “great high priest”
Hebrews 2:17 “merciful and faithful high priest”
Hebrews 4:15 “sympathizes with our weaknesses”
Hebrews 7:11f outside the Levitical line (Melchizedek)
Hebrews 6:19 entering the new shrine
iii. Old symbolic of God’s presence, Jesus “bears the stamp of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3)
iv. He is ever alive to intercede (Hebrews 7:24f)
b. A superior sacrifice.
i. Superior because it is irreplaceable.
Hebrews 9:12 “once for all into the high priest.”
ii. Superior because it deals effectively with sin.
1. Thus is His priesthood.
2. Thus, He calls us to be priests.
iii. Class learning activity.
1. Ask class to take pencil/paper and find prophet, priest, king phrases in Hebrews 1:1-4.
III. His Priesthood and Ours.
Hebrews 10:19-25 “Having . . . brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, . . . having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full . . . our hearts sprinkled . . . our bodies washed. . . . Let us hold fast to the profession of our faith . . . And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
a. We are to draw near.
The priest must be near to God and the alienated one to be of help.
b. We are to hold fast.
Clearly, we can do little for others if we are not faithful and upright ourselves.
c. We are to stir up.
Those outside the fold should never be “turned off” but “stirred up” by our ministrations.
IV. The Priesthood of Believers.
a. Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi, and lineage of Aaron. Not a professional priest.
b. Phrase, “Priesthood of Believers,” not found in the Bible.
c. Considering the five New Testament passages.
I Peter 2:5 “Like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
I Peter 2:9 “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
d. The character of the priesthood
i. Holiness
ii. Royalty
e. The vocation of the priesthood.
i. Priests worship.
ii. Priests witness.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
#542 THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
Scripture James 1:15; Daniel 12:1-13; II Thessalonians 1:6-9, NIV Orig. 1/19/1969
Rewr. 8/15/1985
Passage:
James 1:15
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Daniel 12:1-13
12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise[a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.[b] When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. 11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. 13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
II Thessalonians 1:6-9
6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might[.]
Purpose: To share with my people for a deeper understanding that there are grievous consequences to sins.
Keywords: Death Hell Judgment Sin
Timeline/Series: Deeper Life
Introduction
Someone has said that “Death is the most democratic institution on earth. It comes to all men, regardless of color, education, wealth, or rank. It allows no discrimination, tolerates no exceptions. The mortality rate for mankind is the same the world over: one death per person.”
There are two questions for which answers are needed. The first is rhetorical. It asks: “Why do we die?” The second, for the believer, is redemptive. It asks: “What happens after death?”
All literature is full of pithy statements of death. From Shakespeare’s “The weariest and most loathed worldly life that age, ache, penury, and imprisonment can lay on nature is a paradise To what we fear of death.” Measure for Measure, III 1 127. to John Donne’s “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved with mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” (Devotions XVII)
But these two questions continue to haunt us: “Why do we die?” and “What happens after death?” Searching for answers, we discover that both questions are related to our topic for this morning, “The Consequences of Sin.” Why do we die? Because death is a consequence of sin. What happens after death? Judgment, and heaven and hell are the result of death.
I. First, We Must Appraise Death. James 1:15 “Then, when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.” (RSV).
Judge rightly that sin and death go hand in hand. Paul gave a strong reminder to the Roman Christians. Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” Used in plan of salvation; Explain “wages”—pay, or substitute for pay, [or] the fruit of our labor.
Thus the discovery that before Adam and Eve’s sin, no knowledge of death. In the garden were two trees. Tree of knowledge; tree of life; invited to tree of life, denied tree of knowledge; warning: “Lest you die,” which Satan challenged, “You shall not die.” Their disobedience was their sin.
After their sin a moral directive was given. Genesis 3:22 “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—therefore the Lord God sent him out of the Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.”
Let it be clear, the first consequence of sin is death. Story of unnamed. ____ requested a visit. Her brother was involved. Took 6 to 8 weeks to get courage. Talked for over an hour. Open, seemed interested and concerned. That night she died in a drunken stupor with the man. She was dead before the fire.
The scripture so warns us. Ezekiel 18:2 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” James 1:15 “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
II. We Must Then Be Warned about Judgment. II Thessalonians 1:7f “To give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those . . . who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is a universal judgment. No distinction of religious culture; the wealthy hold no favoritism with God; education will not be considered as positive or negative factor; time of life, or length of life, will gain no advantage.
Too many of us have a distorted view of such judgment. When Amos was sent to prophesy, Amaziah (Amos 7:10) “priest of Bethel” confronted him because he had spoken against the royal family. Amaziah justified their actions by who they were. It still happens. We loathe the pervert who molests children, but put him in a $400 suit and a $30 tie, let him drive up in a BMW—he becomes something else, an unfortunate man needing help.
It is a judgment on deeds done in flesh. A judgment on opportunities—Matthew 7:19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.” What are we doing with our opportunities?
A judgment on our activities—II Corinthians 5:10 “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in the body.” We think of Dante’s Inferno and his Divine Comedy, and John Milton’s Paradise Lost. This awful picture of death and hell is only literature. To the person in hell, they haven’t half pictured it.
It is a judgment concerning Christ. II Thessalonians 1:8 “In flaming fire taking [vengeance on them that know not God].” Imagine chaos of social order without law. Consider a mechanical world without predictable guidelines. Mull over where the farmer would be without defined limits on seed, chemicals, and fertilizer. How can we even tolerate a world without moral and spiritual limits.
Revelation 20:12f “I saw vengeance on them that know not God the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened . . . . Whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
III. Judgment Must Remind Us that There is a Hell as There is a Heaven. See Revelation 20:12 above.
Reason bears witness that there is a judgment, and if judgment then hell also. What is a court of law without a jail cell for the guilty? What good comes to the child in the remonstrance of wrong without a rod of correction?
Even more important than reason is what the Bible says. Psalm 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Isaiah 5:14 “Hell hath enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure.” Revelation 21:18 “The fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Closing
The two questions remain. “Why do we die?” Because death is the fertile ground through which we pass to that for which we have labored. “What happens after death?” Through Christ we pass to eternal life. Life forever spent in the joy of oneness with God. Without Christ, we pass to eternal death. Imagine a forever spent with the pains and hurts of death and dying.
He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 128
Text: Joseph H. Gilmore, 1834-1918
Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868
Tune: HE LEADETH ME, Meter: LM with Refrain
1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
by waters still, o'er troubled sea, still 'tis his hand that leadeth me.
(Refrain)
3. Lord, I would place my hand in thine, nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
(Refrain)
4. And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the victory's won,
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me.
(Refrain)
Shakespeare: https://shakespeare.mit.edu/measure/measure.3.1.html
Donne: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23772/23772-h/23772-h.htm
Gilmore/Bradbury: http://www.HymnSite.com