A Kingdom of Priests

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture: Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 1:5-6; 5:8-10

I. God is looking for a special people

A. Covenant with the fathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

B. Covenant with the nation—Israel at Mt. Sinai (aka Mt. Horeb)

II. God’s Covenant with Israel

A. Exodus 19:5-6 (NKJV) “‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

B. God brought Israel out of Egypt to form a people for Himself

1. Special treasure above all people

2. Kingdom of priests

3. Holy Nation

C. The conditions of God’s promise

1. Obey My voice

2. Keep My covenant

D. Israel was to take three days to cleanse herself for the Lord’s visitation

E. The nation of Israel was betrothed to the Lord at Mt. Sinai as His own Covenant People through the Mosaic Covenant on the Feast of Shavuot, also known as Pentecost

III. God’s covenant with the church

A. Because of their failure to keep His covenant, the keys of kingdom stewardship were taken from natural Israel and given to the church

1. Parable of the Landowner (Matthew 21:33-44)

2. Parable of the Vineyard Owner (Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-18)

3. Matthew 16:18-19 (NKJV) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

B. On the Day of Pentecost the New Covenant was sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise as the Church was betrothed to Christ

C. Christ has made us a kingdom of priests unto our God

1. Revelation 1:5-6

2. Revelation 5:8-10

3. 1 Peter 2:4-10

IV. Our purpose is to proclaim His praises (1 Peter 2:9)

A. How do we do proclaim His praises?

1. An attitude of grateful humility for God’s acceptance and mercy

2. The mindset of a pilgrim and sojourner in this world

3. Character that abstains from fulfilling fleshly lusts

4. Honorable conduct among the lost

V. Renewing our Commitment (Vows of Betrothal)

A. Let’s recommit our lives to the original vow we made to give our lives to Him and to follow Him as our Lord and Savior.

B. Let’s recommit our lives to being a kingdom of priests unto our God