Royal Priests: We were made to be with God
Notes
Transcript
1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain,
3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
Main Idea
God has always intended for humanity to be with Him
He created us with him.
He pursued us when we sinned against Him.
He sent Jesus to bring make a way back to Him.
And Jesus will come back to complete God’s plan for us to be with Him.
This concept of being a royal priest is all about that.
A priest is someone who bridges the gap between humans and God.
God intends for His People to do this until he fixes the problem that separates humans from Himself.
The priesthood is meant to be something that points all people to what God wants to do with all of Creation in Christ.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Here are some really cool things that God said to the Israelites regarding this truth about priesthood!
God said…
1. “I brought you to myself.”
1. “I brought you to myself.”
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
God did the work for them
They didn’t defeat the Egyptians. God did.
How did God defeat the Egyptians?
God’s people, whom he says are his Royal Priests, were rescued by Him. Him alone.
This is exactly what Jesus did for us on the cross.
What separated us from God?
How did Jesus take care of this problem?
Who did God defeat on the cross through Jesus?
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
Reconciled = Make right a relationship
Ministry of reconciliation = Serving people by sharing them the way they can have their relationship with God restored… IE: PRIEST
Like the Israelites, Jesus…
Jesus brought us back to God
Jesus brought us back to God
God says…
2. “You shall be my treasured possession”
2. “You shall be my treasured possession”
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
Keeping the Covenant is what guarantees our continued access to God
For them - Law
For us - Jesus
Treasured possession: God actually values us…
We might not value ourselves…
Others might not value you…
But God does!
Consider this:
It says that God own all the earth…
Yet, the one thing that He calls His treasure is YOU!
He treasures you enough to call you His child!
1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
God treasures us because He loves us
God treasures us because He loves us
God says…
3. “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests…”
3. “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests…”
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
“Be to me” = I will consider it this way…
You might believe things that aren’t true…
Whatever God believes is TRUE!
“kingdom of priests” = God established his people to be a part of a kingdom that is eternal and never ending.
“holy nation” = This kingdom and nation is one that is strange. Not like anything known. Holy. Set apart. Perfected. Beautiful.
Everything God’s people do as royal priests from a holy nation will look weird and unnatural to the world they are sent to share God with.
Does anyone know what made the Israelites look strange to every other nation?
What makes Christians look strange to the world?
Jesus…
We show our royalty and holiness by being like Jesus
We show our royalty and holiness by being like Jesus
In closing
I feel like God wants me to remind all of you guys just how much He loves you...
God loves you so much that He actually made you to be with Him!
God is the most perfect and glorious being in all of existence. There is no better thing than to be WITH Him…
And that is what He has offered you. That is what he has worked for you.
Have you received this free gift from Him?