(outline) A Priesthood for the Good of Mankind and the Glory of God

Title: A Priesthood for the Good of Mankind and the Glory of God

Text: Leviticus 9:1-7, 22-24

Series: Life in the Presence of God

Introduction:

What is the Importance of God’s Presence? (Q of Importance)   

Having seen the burnt, sin, and peace offerings, we now come to the goal of these offerings and this book. In Leviticus 9:4-6, the scriptures mention that preparation must finally be made because the Lord will appear to the people[MF1] . This is the goal – God’s presence; and when we consider God’s presence we should think of His glory and the blessing that accompanies his presence.

Illustration: In the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Gandolf falls with a powerful demonic creature called a Balrog. To lose Gandolf was to lose wisdom, direction, and power. To lose the presence of God was to lose blessing and to reap judgment.   [MF2] 

Are the Offerings Enough? (Q of Sufficiency)

Having begun Leviticus, we see that offerings are made so that mankind can have access to God’s presence and continue to live in God’s presence. Are the offerings enough for God to come and dwell among His people? The answer is, “No”. [MF3] There must be someone who is able to offer up the sacrifices without being killed. If he is not worthy, then the outcome would not be good for him. If he is worthy, then God would be glorified and the outcome would be good for him and the people. 

Illustration: What good is it if Frodo has the ring but he gets killed before he can get it to Mt. Doom? What good is it if you have the football but get stopped at the goal line and time runs out?  

God is glorified and man is blessed if you have both the right offering and the right offering giver.

How does this fit into the story of Eternity? (Q of Relevance)

Who can go back towards the Garden of Eden, satisfy the payment for sin, and open a way for God’s presence to dwell among God’s people? What does he need to be/do in order to be acceptable so that God’s presence can dwell among God’s people? These questions are what Leviticus 8 & 9 are about – the Ordination (setting apart) of the High Priest. One important note: these priests are not what the Catholic priests became. There is no direct lineage here.

Prop: You and I require a high priest so that we can receive the blessing of God’s presence without compromising God’s glory.

What kind of person is this High Priest?

Leviticus 8:1-4 introduces us to a few responses to this question.

(1)  The Prospective high priest is created by means of a mediator (Leviticus 8:1-30)

A. not self-appointed [Moses is a key figure]

App: No one comes into God’s presence apart from God’s appointed means. YHWH is holy. Good people are not qualified by their goodness. Oppressed people are not qualified by their oppression. Humility!

B. IS sanctified

Moses had to bathe them, clothe them, anoint them and offer sacrifice for them.

b.i. Bathe & Clothe (v. 5-9)

Water purification

Elaborate adornment

b.ii. Anoint (v. 10-13)

Consecration

Holy Spirit (divine wisdom)

b.iii. Offer Sacrifice: sin, burnt, and consecration (v. 14-29)

Blood / Oil Ceremony (v. 23-24).

Head, Hands, Feet

Illustration: Helpless babies

Nothing less than complete reliance was required.

App #1 - On what are you relying upon for your worship to be accepted? 

App #2 - God can purify you, clothe you and qualify you better than you can yourself (You can’t).

(2)  The Prospective High Priest is created to live in the Garden by faith in God’s Command (8:31-36)

What kind of person is this High Priest?

A. A Rewarded Person (good) (v. 31-32)

Provision & fellowship

B. A New Adamic Priest (v. 33-36)

Keep (v. 35) 

Cultivate the garden (expand the borders)

Increase worshippers

A representative in God’s presence, and a Mediator of God’s rule/blessing to Creation.

App: Your blessed life is only when lived in God’s presence by His prescribed means/Mediator.

He alone can clean you up and turn your around.

[Ill: Paul on Damascus]

(3)  The High Priest is created to make the glory of God known to all people (v. 1-6)

A. Aaron offers sacrifices for self/people (8-14)

B. Aaron offers publicly (Transparent Confession)

After his sanctification, he still has to offer for himself.

App: No Diplomatic Immunity

App: Before we pick at the gnat in the eyes of others, we should address the beam in our own eye.  

C. No Confession without Celebration (v. 15-21)

two offerings on behalf of the people – the sin offering and the peace offering.

App: It is good to confess, but it is also good to celebrate God’s faithful forgiveness.

D. The Climax: Good of Mankind and Glory of God (v. 22-24)

App: Would to God that we could get a fresh glimpse of the glory of God!

E. Why? The High Priest was to make a kingdom of priests to the world. Exodus 19:5-6 (for the glory of God and good of mankind)

Conclusion:

Jesus Christ is the Prophetic Mediator who came to create a royal priesthood. (I Peter 2:9) - w/out him - no access (no self-appt.); in him - all priests (Gospel)

The Christian Priesthood are known as:

Confessors of sin - ?

Celebrators of God’s faithfulness - ?

Mediator’s (Ambassadors) of God’s blessing - ?

Preachers of the good news (all families blessed in Abraham)

Adorning Christ - Romans 13:12-14 (...the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.)

Jesus, as our High Priest, was for the glory of God and the good of mankind.

You, as the priesthood of Christ, are for the glory of God and the good of mankind.

Illustrations: One of the best characters in the Lord of the Rings is the faithful friend of Frodo — Sam. On one occasion Sam finds out that Frodo is secretly plotting to leave the group and go on the journey by himself. Sam figures that this is what Frodo is thinking and catches Frodo in the act. Tolkien does not say this, but it’s as if Sam is saying throughout the entire book,

“Frodo, I am as you are. Where you go, I will go. If you die, I will die beside you.” Sam is moved by love and devotion to Frodo.

As you look at Jesus Christ, our Mediator, would you not look at him the same way? I cannot be Jesus, but may God help us to say that same, “I am as you are. Where you go, I will go. What you reflect, I will reflect. What you mediate, I will mediate. If you are for the glory of God and the good of mankind, I too shall be.”