Senior Sunday 2022

“The Priesthood of All Believers”

How many of y’all have tried your cap and gown on? Do y’all like your cap and gown?

Some may find it noble and distinguished

Others (I may or may not fall into this camp) find it rather ridiculous and silly

These caps catch wind really easy

Most likely fall somewhere in between… “Eh, just gimme that diploma”

I don’t know about you- but the traditional graduation gitty-up reminds me of priestly garments priests wore in Old Testament.

Much like a grad gown, they wore an adorned robe

Much like a grad cap with a tassle, they wore a linen turban

Much like a sash or honor cord, they wore ephod shoulder straps

It is interesting to think about the similarities and difference

Continuing this parallel of graduation and Biblical priesthood, did you know that those who have accepted Jesus are all considered royal priests?

I’m not talking the Catholic kind, ya follow?

In the Old Testament, before Jesus, only a select few were given the honor to work unto the Lord as priests. Tabernacle, rope on the ankle, etc.

1 Peter 2:9 CSB

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

This royal priesthood isn’t something you graduate into. No- you are adopted into God’s family through Jesus (Galatians 4:5-7). By adoption, you are bestowed the honor of priesthood.

That’s good news!

Today, as we honor and recognize you as a high school graduate, there isn’t a better charge to give you than to remind you that you are a royal priest before the One True King

We pray this reminder of your calling will give you clarity and purpose as you enter into the next chapter of your life (& the entirety of your life)

Rather than launching off by immediately focusing on who you will become or where you are headed “DREAM BIG “WORK HARD” “GO FORTH AND PROSPER” (you’ll hear plenty of that), let’s remind ourselves of who you already are. What do I mean?

Stop. Breathe. Rest in and find strength from who you already are in Christ.

Remember your wonderful purpose and worth as a priest before God.

Let this be your point of origin. Your foundation.

After you have remembered, rested, and strengthened yourself as a royal priest before God who is graduating high school, remember who and what you have been called to. Four things- GOWN:

GOD

The High Priest was the only one allowed to go into the Holy of Holies once a year. The most intense place of God’s Presence

These all changed with Jesus. In the very moment of His death on the cross, the curtain was torn in two

Hebrews 10:19–20 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—

We have direct access to God! We can know Him directly and belong to Him.

Romans 14:8 CSB

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

God bought you at a price.

You belong to Him!

You are secure with Him.

1 John 2:28 CSB

So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

OTHERS

Priests lived among the people of God. They were not only People of God, but they were People of the People.

The Levites were the tribe from which priests would be selected from. All Levites were to be servants of the House of God.

Here’s the thing- Levites were also the only tribe to not receive an inheritance of land

bummer!

Why’s this?? Because they were to be scattered among all the tribes of people.

How beautiful! The Priestly people of God were ordained by God to live scattered amongst all His nations and tribes.

They were scattered to gather

Wherever you may be scattered to (out from the HS to the community of Canyon), to LBK, to Arkansas, etc… remember that you have been called to others, to care for others, and to bring others to Him.

WORK

As described in Exodus, priests were to have the tribes of Israel inscribed upon their shoulders

Indicative that the priest worked for God under God.

Also, indicative he worked for and with the people of God.

What is inscribed upon your shoulders? Whatever it may be, know that you ultimately work for God to honor and glorify Him.

Know that you work to serve others to bring good to them. That others would be blessed and flourish through your work.

It not only matters what work you do- it matters how you do the work!

Colossians 3:23 CSB

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,

Priests also had the tribes of Isreal on their breastplate over their heart

It is not enough to work for God and others. Do you love God? Do you love those around you as you work mightily for their good and flourishing?

NOBLE CAUSE

Remember and prioritize the noble cause you have been called to.

You have not been called to pursue happiness, money, or fame. You have not been called to pursue a lucrative, fulfilling, 401k career

These things will come and go. They’re temporary and fleeting.

YOU, as a royal priest, have been called to an eternal, unshakable, noble cause through the gospel of Jesus Christ

Your cause is to abide in Him (John 15) as you have trusted in Him

Your cause is to remember that you have a role that has implications for eternity (Matthew 28:19-20)

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Your cause is to remember your Great High Priest ever before you

Jesus had no beautiful ephod, no precious gems, no breastplate, no seamless robe (only one that was stripped away as He was mocked and nailed to a cross), no delicate bells adorning Him, no fine linen tunic, and no headplate… He endured such humility and scorn so you and I could be invited into God’s royal priesthood