17th June 2007 PM

The Church – A Kingdom of Priests! Pastor Colin Meadows

Exodus 19:1-6, 1 Peter 2:5-10, Revelation 1:4-6

Ø Destined for priesthood! I don’t know about you but I have mixed messages that come to my mind when I think of priests. As a small child I remember my parents talking about things that were happening with next door neighbors. This family had decided that their eldest son, who was a little older than me at the time, was to go into the priesthood. He had been ‘given’ to the church. As the discussion continued, I listened and tried to understand. What was being said suggested to me that this boy was being condemned to a life of pain and misfortune and that we all should feel great sorrow for him!

Perhaps you may have that picture in your mind of being a priest. The Bible however has quite a different story and we will explore that this evening. For we indeed as God’s people are called to be a kingdom of priests, a holy or royal priesthood.

We have been examining over past weeks different metaphors that speak of the church. We have looked at the church as the people of God, the flock of God, a Holy Nation, the Vine, the Temple of God, God’s family, and the Body of Christ. Today we look at the metaphor of the church being a Kingdom of Priests. Just when did the role of priest first come to be mentioned in God’s Word?

Ø Melchizedek – Priest and King! We first find mention of priests in the Bible when referring to Melchizedek in Genesis 14. The story of this man is intriguing to say the least. He was king of the city of Salem, which was later to be called Jerusalem but he also acted as priest of God Most High.

Genesis 14:18 “Then Melchizedek, king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High…”

Melchizedek was a Caananite king who thus reigned in Jerusalem and acted as priest. The role of the priest in those days was to offer sacrifices to God and to intercede before God for the people. He was to lead in worship, reminding the people of their need before a holy God. In this role, Melchizedek was thus to be a blessing to others. In Genesis 14:19 he poured out a wonderful blessing on Abram, while at the same time blessing God as the mighty Creator God. Yes, as priest he was to be one who blessed!

Later the city of Salem (Jerusalem) was conquered by David and he settled there. King David also took the role of a priest, continuing the tradition established by Melchizedek.

Ps 110:4 “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’”

David and his descendants were thus to perform vitally important priestly roles. As chief representatives of God’s rule on earth they were to perform many worship focused activities, oversee the work of the priests and Levites, build and oversee the temple and even oversee the work of the High Priest. Their role was to ensure that worship was directed to God Most High, the judge of all the earth.

2 Samuel 8:18 “…and David’s sons were royal advisers (lit. priests).”

They thus supervised the Levite priests. The Levite priesthood had been delegated specific priestly functions but these were to be subservient to that of the order of Melchizedek. Descendants of King David were thus to carry out these vitally important roles until one came who would fulfill completely the role of priest and king.

Ø Jesus – High Priest of the order of Melchizedek! Jesus was to be the fulfillment of the promise concerning Melchizedek. The book of Hebrews helps us in our understanding of these truths.

Heb 7:21-22 “…but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: ’The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever.’ Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”

How did Jesus become such a High Priest? It was not because he was of the Levite priestly line. Rather, just like David he was from the tribe of Judah, a son of David. As such he was both king of Jerusalem and priest of his people. He thus came to minister as high priest, interceding before the Father on our behalf, and as king. There was no need now for the Levite priesthood for Jesus had fulfilled the Law in every way through his sacrifice on the cross. The sacrifice that he offered was himself! There is now no need for any further sacrifice. All was fulfilled.

But the story becomes even more exciting. Not only is Jesus our great High Priest and King but he has called us into his priestly service. We are to be his priests, offering our lives in submission to him.

Ø We are a holy, royal priesthood! When it comes to priests, the Apostle Peter had some amazing things to say about who we are as God’s people.

1 Peter 2:5,9 “You also like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praise of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

We need to go back to the book of Exodus to get an understanding of what is being said here. In Exodus the entire nation of Israel was to be a kingdom of priests.

Exodus 19:6 “You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Peter thus sees the church now as fulfilling this role, the role of being holy, royal priests. How is this possible? How could Gentile believers be considered for instance to be priests? Remember David’s sons who served as priests, a priesthood based on the authority delegated from their father the king? We now have authority to serve as priests under Jesus our king. Just then as David’s sons served in a royal priesthood, so too we are called to serve as priests under our king, Jesus.

Ø As priests we have privileges and responsibilities! What an incredible privilege to be a priest of God most high. We have been chosen to serve God, and to act on behalf of Him before the world. WE have access to God, to the most Holy of Holies through the shed blood of Christ. But with the privilege goes an incredible responsibility. We are to offer sacrificial service to God.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”

We are to follow in the steps of Christ. Just as he offered up himself, so too we are to do likewise. We are to live in such a way that shows we are a holy and royal priesthood. How can we possibly do that? By being transformed by the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Allow God’s Holy Spirit to quietly work out his purposes, beginning in our minds. Saturate your minds with God’s Word, and be a person of prayer who seeks out God’s direction for your life. Godly living does not happen by chance. We need to seek after God, putting aside time to quietly listen to his voice. Take care what you let near your minds. What you take in will express itself eventually. The Apostle Paul has some helpful advice in this regard.

Phil 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

If you take in junk you will produce junk. If you take in good food then the Holy Spirit will use this to produce godly outcomes. But to live such a life is an incredible challenge! How can we possibly live like that?

Ø Feeling inadequate as a priest? You are in good company if you feel that way. There are plenty of us who are struggling, feeling inadequate, falling short. In fact, if we are honest, we are all in this category. The Apostle Paul certainly felt this way at times. As he struggled at one time with opposition and setbacks and personal struggles, he cried out to God for help. He wanted things to go smoother, to be set free from some of the hassles he was experiencing. Instead Christ said to him:

2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

When confronted by failure and obstacles in our lives as priests of Jesus, remember this wonderful promise. His grace is sufficient. It is not about us being strong and tough and able to overcome. It is about his strength and love and mercy. Submit to him, acknowledging your helplessness and desperate need for his presence. Allow God to work through your weaknesses for his glory. Paul knew that when he was weak, then he was strong for his weakness provided the opportunity for Christ to work.

Let’s remember the essentials of what we have discussed

It is not about us - it is about Him, our great High Priest, Jesus!

We are a holy royal priesthood, empowered by the living Christ.

We offer up ourselves as living sacrifices, lives dedicated for his glory.

We offer lives that are weak and fragile for Jesus to fill with his power

and to use for his purposes.

Let us thus seek to be priests of God Most High!!

Back to Sermons Index Back to Home Page