Sermons on Exodus 19:5-6
The various sermons below interpret Exodus 19:5-6 by exploring the theme of believers as a "kingdom of priests" and a "holy nation." They collectively emphasize the special access to God that believers have, drawing parallels between the Old Testament priesthood and the New Testament calling of all believers. A common thread is the idea that believers are called to be a bridge between God and others, similar to the role of priests in the Old Testament. The sermons also highlight the continuity of God's purpose from the Old Testament to the New Testament, where through Jesus, believers are restored to their priestly role. Interesting nuances include the use of metaphors such as the Garden of Eden as the first temple and Jesus as the cornerstone, illustrating God's desire to dwell with His people and build a spiritual house.
In contrast, one sermon emphasizes the intentionality required to access God's presence, likening it to the Nazarite vow, while another sermon introduces the theme of non-expendability, challenging societal norms and emphasizing the value of every believer in God's kingdom. A different sermon focuses on the believer's identity as a royal priesthood, highlighting that this identity is based on Jesus' work as the perfect high priest and the anointing of the Holy Spirit as essential for fulfilling the priestly role. This sermon uniquely emphasizes the anointing as a divine enablement for believers to minister to God and serve others.
Exodus 19:5-6 Interpretation:
Intentional Access: Embracing Our Priesthood in Christ (Movement Church RVA) interprets Exodus 19:5-6 by emphasizing the concept of special access to God. The sermon draws a parallel between the Garden of Eden and the role of priests, suggesting that Adam and Eve were the first priests with special access to God. The sermon highlights the unique nature of Israel as a kingdom of priests, not just a kingdom with priests, and connects this to the Nazarite vow as a way for individuals to seek more of God. The sermon uses the original Hebrew term "Nazarite" to explain the concept of being set apart for God, similar to the high priest's role.
Understanding Our Identity and Context in Scripture (Harbor Point Church) interprets Exodus 19:5-6 by focusing on the identity of believers as a chosen people and a royal priesthood. The sermon connects this identity to the larger biblical narrative, emphasizing that believers are called to be a bridge between God and others, similar to the role of priests in the Old Testament. The sermon uses the metaphor of a cornerstone to describe Jesus and believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house.
Embracing Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood (The Father's House) interprets Exodus 19:5-6 by emphasizing the concept of believers being a "kingdom of priests" and a "holy nation." The sermon draws a parallel between the Old Testament priesthood and the New Testament calling of all believers to be priests. It highlights that God's original intent was for all of Israel to be a kingdom of priests, but due to their disobedience, this was limited to a select few. The sermon uses the analogy of the Garden of Eden as the first temple where God dwelt with humanity, illustrating God's desire to dwell with His people and work with them. This interpretation underscores the continuity of God's purpose from the Old Testament to the New Testament, where through Jesus, believers are restored to their priestly role.
Exodus 19:5-6 Theological Themes:
Intentional Access: Embracing Our Priesthood in Christ (Movement Church RVA) presents the theme of intentionality in accessing God's presence. The sermon emphasizes that while access to God is available through Jesus, it requires intentional effort and commitment, similar to the Nazarite vow, to fully experience this access.
Understanding Our Identity and Context in Scripture (Harbor Point Church) introduces the theme of non-expendability, emphasizing that in God's kingdom, no one is expendable. This theme challenges societal norms of valuing people based on status or appearance and calls believers to see themselves and others as chosen and valuable in God's eyes.
Embracing Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood (The Father's House) presents the theme of the believer's identity as a royal priesthood. It emphasizes that this identity is not based on personal merit but on the work of Jesus as the perfect high priest. The sermon introduces the idea that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is essential for believers to fulfill their priestly role, which involves ministering to God and serving others. This theme is distinct in its focus on the anointing as a divine enablement that empowers believers to live out their calling.
Exodus 19:5-6 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Intentional Access: Embracing Our Priesthood in Christ (Movement Church RVA) provides historical context by explaining the role of priests in the Old Testament and the significance of the Nazarite vow. The sermon highlights how the Nazarite vow allowed ordinary Israelites to experience a level of priestly access to God, which was otherwise reserved for the Levites and high priests.
Understanding Our Identity and Context in Scripture (Harbor Point Church) offers historical context by discussing the Roman Empire's social structure and the contrast between Caesar's rule and the early Christian community. The sermon explains how the early church provided a sense of identity and belonging to those considered expendable by society.
Embracing Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood (The Father's House) provides historical context by explaining the Old Testament priesthood system, including the process of sanctification involving sacrifices, washings, and anointing with oil. It describes the tabernacle as the place where God's presence dwelt and the Holy of Holies as the restricted area where only the high priest could enter once a year. This context highlights the contrast between the limited access to God's presence in the Old Testament and the open access provided through Jesus in the New Testament.
Exodus 19:5-6 Cross-References in the Bible:
Intentional Access: Embracing Our Priesthood in Christ (Movement Church RVA) references Genesis 1:28 to discuss the blessing given to Adam and Eve and connects it to the priestly role of Israel. The sermon also references Psalm 84 to illustrate the longing for God's presence and Numbers 6 to explain the Nazarite vow.
Understanding Our Identity and Context in Scripture (Harbor Point Church) references 1 Peter 2:9 to connect the identity of believers as a royal priesthood to Exodus 19:5-6. The sermon also references Isaiah 28 and Psalm 118 to discuss the metaphor of Jesus as the cornerstone.
Embracing Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood (The Father's House) references several New Testament passages to expand on the meaning of Exodus 19:5-6. It cites 1 Peter 2:1-10 to emphasize the believer's identity as a royal priesthood and a holy nation, drawing a parallel between the Old Testament calling of Israel and the New Testament calling of the church. Hebrews 4 and 9 are referenced to explain Jesus as the perfect high priest who provides access to God's presence. Matthew 27:51 is used to illustrate the tearing of the temple curtain, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity.
Exodus 19:5-6 Christian References outside the Bible:
Intentional Access: Embracing Our Priesthood in Christ (Movement Church RVA) references Dallas Willard, emphasizing that grace is not opposed to effort but to earning. This reference supports the sermon's theme of intentionality in accessing God's presence.
Embracing Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood (The Father's House) references Pastor Dave's definition of anointing as "divine enablement to accomplish a God-given task." This reference is used to emphasize the necessity of the Holy Spirit's anointing for believers to fulfill their priestly role. The sermon also quotes Pastor Dave's statement, "No anointing, no ministry," to highlight the importance of the anointing in empowering believers for ministry.
Exodus 19:5-6 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Intentional Access: Embracing Our Priesthood in Christ (Movement Church RVA) uses the analogy of special access in first-class flights and sporting events to illustrate the desire for special access to God. The sermon also uses the example of a box ticket at a raceway to emphasize the value of special access.
Understanding Our Identity and Context in Scripture (Harbor Point Church) uses the analogy of reading one side of a text message to explain the challenge of interpreting biblical letters. The sermon also uses the example of a Letterman jacket with Philippians 4:13 to illustrate the importance of context in understanding scripture.
Embracing Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood (The Father's House) uses the story of wrestler John Peterson as an analogy to illustrate the potential for growth and transformation when placed in the right environment. The sermon compares Peterson's journey from a junior college wrestler to an Olympic gold medalist to the believer's journey of stepping into their God-given potential. This analogy is used to encourage believers to recognize the greater purpose and potential that God has for their lives.