Priesthood of all Believers

(This message has been taken and adapted from the book “Worship The King” by Zach Neese)

In the world people earn, derive and gain their identity by what they achieve or by what they do. e.g. doctor, engineer, IT Professional, house wife, painter, musician, artist, etc…

That’s what you do – But that is not who you really are!

To know you are, you must know and grow in the understanding of the Gospel. Our understanding of…

Who God is? What He has done for you? Who you are in Jesus Christ?

When you continually grow in the understanding of these three fundamental truths you will grow in the revelation of – Who you really are!

The understanding of our identity will determine our function and destiny

The Bible gives much detail to reveal to us who we are. Some of these words have a literal meaning and some are metaphors:

Literal

Child of God – John 1: 12                                       Disciple of Jesus – John 8: 31

Temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 3: 16; 1 Corinthians 6: 19

Citizen of heaven – Philippians 3: 20                  Witnesses of the truth – Acts 1: 8

Ambassador of Christ – 2 Corinthians 5: 20

Saints of God - Romans 1: 7                                Soldier in Christ – 2 Timothy 2: 3 - 4

Holy Nation – 1 Peter 2: 9

Royal Priesthood – 1 Peter 2: 9

Metaphors

Sheep & flock – John 10: 14 - 15             Living Stones – 1 Peter 2: 5

Salt & light of the earth – Matthew 5: 13 - 14

For now, we will focus on - Royal Priesthood!

You are a Royal Priest of the Most High God!

Who is a priest?

One who worships God and help others worship God!

In the Old Testament, God chose Israel to be a nation of priests – Exodus 19: 5 – 6
But their disobedience led to only the house of Aaron and the tribe of Levi being chosen as priests. – Exodus 32: 25 – 29

In the New Testament, everyone who receives Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour and Lord, becomes a priest of God.

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 2: 2 - 5

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  – 1 Peter 2: 9 - 10

And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  – Revelation 1: 5 - 6

You are a priest because you are a child of God!

What does a priest do?

Steward the meeting place for God and His people:

For the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

"Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle.

When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony." Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. – Numbers 1: 49- 53

Only the Levites were given the responsibility to set up, dismantle, transport, guard and attend to the ministry of the tabernacle. Because that’s what priests do…they steward the tabernacle!

Tabernacle = tent (tent of meeting or tent of congregation)

Set apart as the meeting place for God to meet with His people. It’s the place where God manifested His presence and His glory. It was the place of worship and prayer.

And priests were given the responsibility to set up this place where God would meet His people! Here, is the amazing thing. Today, in the new covenant you are not only the priest – but you and me are the tabernacle!  You and me have are the meeting place for God to meet with people! You are ordained to carry the presence of God with you.

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  - 1 Peter 2: 5
In other words, every place you go becomes an opportunity for people all around you to meet with the God who tabernacles (dwells) in you. Now, it makes so much more sense for Jesus telling us to – GO! 

Ask God where does He want you to go this week. View the circumstances and appointments of your days as opportunities for God to reach out and touch people through your life.
In other words, when you are a priest and a temple, every place you go becomes a spot where people have an opportunity to meet with God.

Remember, it is not doctors, engineers, IT Professionals, house wives, painters, musicians, artists, who can help people connect with God – It is only the priests of God!

And God uses our work or vocation in this world to manifest Himself through us to the people all around.

So get ready, because once you embrace your identity, God is going to begin to open up opportunities for you to host meetings between His Son and the people He loves!