Clothed in Righteousness: Our Role as a Royal Priesthood

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Community and Prayer

Our spiritual journey is not meant to be walked alone. Being part of a church family provides us with the support and encouragement we need through prayer and fellowship. This communal aspect is vital, especially as we pray for our leaders who seek to discern God's will for our community. Our unity in prayer strengthens our bond and aligns us with God's purposes. When we come together in prayer, we are reminded that we are part of something greater than ourselves, and our collective prayers can have a powerful impact.

In our church, we have seen the importance of praying for our elders and leaders as they make decisions that affect our community. This practice not only supports them but also helps us to stay connected and invested in the well-being of our church. By lifting each other up in prayer, we create a strong, supportive network that reflects the love and unity that God desires for His people. [01:28]

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Reflection: Think of a church leader or elder who could use your prayers today. How can you commit to praying for them regularly and supporting them in their role?

Day 2: The Symbolism of Priestly Garments

The detailed instructions for the high priest's garments in Exodus 28 highlight the importance of holiness and beauty in worship. These garments, designed by God, symbolize the weight and responsibility of representing the people before God. The high priest's attire included an ephod, a breastpiece, a robe, a turban, and other items, each with specific materials and designs that carried deep spiritual significance. The ephod and breastpiece, adorned with precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolized the high priest carrying the people's burdens and having them close to his heart.

These garments remind us that our worship and service should be marked by reverence and dedication. Just as the high priest's garments were designed to reflect God's glory and beauty, our lives should also reflect His holiness and love. When we approach worship with a heart of reverence and dedication, we honor God and create an atmosphere where His presence can dwell. [44:05]

Exodus 28:2-3 (ESV): "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood."

Reflection: How can you bring a sense of reverence and dedication to your worship and service this week? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's holiness and beauty in your daily life?

Day 3: Bearing Each Other's Burdens

The high priest carried the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders and heart, symbolizing the responsibility to bear the people's burdens. As believers, we are called to support and pray for one another, carrying each other's burdens in love and compassion. This reflects Christ's love and care for us. When we bear each other's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate the unity and love that should characterize the body of Christ.

In our daily lives, we encounter many opportunities to support and uplift those around us. Whether it's through prayer, a listening ear, or practical help, we can make a significant impact on the lives of others. By being attentive to the needs of those around us and responding with love and compassion, we become instruments of God's grace and mercy. [52:01]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is currently facing a challenge. How can you support them and help carry their burden this week? What practical steps can you take to show them Christ's love and care?

Day 4: Guidance Through God's Word

While the high priest used the Urim and Thummim to discern God's will, we now rely on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit for guidance. Studying and understanding God's Word is crucial for making decisions and living according to His will. This practice keeps us grounded in truth and aligned with God's purposes. The Bible provides us with the wisdom and direction we need to navigate the complexities of life and make choices that honor God.

In a world filled with conflicting messages and opinions, it is essential to have a solid foundation in God's Word. By regularly reading and meditating on Scripture, we can discern God's will and receive the guidance we need for our daily lives. The Holy Spirit also plays a vital role in illuminating the Scriptures and helping us apply them to our specific situations. [59:47]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: How can you make time for regular Bible study and meditation this week? What specific steps can you take to seek God's guidance through His Word and the Holy Spirit?

Day 5: Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood

As believers, we are part of a royal priesthood, called to live holy lives and represent God in the world. Our consecration comes from Christ's sacrifice, and we are clothed in His righteousness. This identity calls us to live with integrity, reflecting God's holiness and love in all we do. Being part of a royal priesthood means that we have a unique role and responsibility to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with those around us.

Our identity in Christ gives us the confidence and strength to live out our faith boldly. We are called to be a light in the darkness, showing the world the transformative power of God's love. By living with integrity and purpose, we can make a positive impact on those around us and draw others to Christ. [01:08:51]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How can you live out your identity as a member of the royal priesthood this week? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's holiness and love in your interactions with others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to worship and celebrate communion, reflecting on the significance of being part of a church family. We were reminded of the importance of prayer, especially for our church elders who are discerning God's will for our community. We also celebrated the return of some members who had been unwell and prayed for those still facing challenges, both locally and globally.

Our main focus was on the detailed instructions God gave for the priestly garments in Exodus 28. These garments, designed by God Himself, were not just about aesthetics but symbolized holiness, glory, and beauty. The high priest's attire included an ephod, a breastpiece, a robe, a turban, and other items, each with specific materials and designs that carried deep spiritual significance. The ephod and breastpiece, adorned with precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolized the high priest carrying the people's burdens and having them close to his heart.

We also discussed the Urim and Thummim, mysterious objects used by the high priest to discern God's will, and how today, we rely on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit for guidance. The high priest's role and garments prefigured Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who perfectly fulfills this role by bearing our burdens and interceding for us.

As believers, we are called to be a royal priesthood, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Our holiness and consecration come from His sacrifice, enabling us to stand before God. This was beautifully symbolized in our communion, where we remembered Christ's body and blood given for us. We are reminded that our value and holiness come from Him, and we are called to live as His holy representatives in the world.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Community and Prayer: We are not alone in our spiritual journey. Our church family supports us through prayer and fellowship. This communal aspect is vital, especially as we pray for our leaders who seek to discern God's will for our community. Our unity in prayer strengthens our bond and aligns us with God's purposes. [01:28]
2. Symbolism of the Priestly Garments: The detailed instructions for the high priest's garments in Exodus 28 highlight the importance of holiness and beauty in worship. These garments, designed by God, symbolize the weight and responsibility of representing the people before God. They remind us that our worship and service should be marked by reverence and dedication. [44:05]
3. Bearing Each Other's Burdens: The high priest carried the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders and heart, symbolizing the responsibility to bear the people's burdens. As believers, we are called to support and pray for one another, carrying each other's burdens in love and compassion. This reflects Christ's love and care for us. [52:01]
4. Guidance Through God's Word: While the high priest used the Urim and Thummim to discern God's will, we now rely on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit for guidance. Studying and understanding God's Word is crucial for making decisions and living according to His will. This practice keeps us grounded in truth and aligned with God's purposes. [59:47]
5. Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood: As believers, we are part of a royal priesthood, called to live holy lives and represent God in the world. Our consecration comes from Christ's sacrifice, and we are clothed in His righteousness. This identity calls us to live with integrity, reflecting God's holiness and love in all we do. [01:08:51]
### [68:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Communion Celebration
[01:28] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
[03:03] - Preparing for Worship
[05:12] - Call to Worship
[06:21] - Hymn: "Great is Thy Faithfulness"
[20:46] - Prayers for the Congregation
[22:31] - Confession and Assurance
[24:10] - Prayers for Global and Local Needs
[25:51] - Offering and Doxology
[28:08] - Children's Church
[34:22] - Sermon: Exodus 28 - Priestly Garments
[50:07] - The Significance of the Ephod and Breastpiece
[59:47] - Urim and Thummim: Seeking God's Will
[68:51] - Our Role as a Royal Priesthood
[72:17] - Communion
[87:17] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific items were included in the high priest's garments as described in Exodus 28? ([36:00])
How were the names of the twelve tribes of Israel represented on the high priest's garments? ([37:16])
What was the purpose of the Urim and Thummim, and how were they used by the high priest? ([58:12])
According to 1 Peter 2:9, what is the identity and purpose of believers in Christ?

Interpretation Questions

What is the significance of the high priest carrying the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders and heart? How does this relate to the concept of bearing each other's burdens? ([52:01])
How do the detailed instructions for the priestly garments in Exodus 28 reflect the importance of holiness and beauty in worship? ([44:05])
In what ways does the role of the high priest in the Old Testament prefigure the role of Jesus Christ as our ultimate High Priest? ([01:07:45])
How does the concept of believers being a "royal priesthood" in 1 Peter 2:9 challenge and inspire you in your daily life?

Application Questions

Reflecting on the importance of community and prayer, how can you actively support and pray for your church leaders this week? ([02:19])
The high priest's garments were designed to symbolize holiness and beauty. How can you incorporate a sense of reverence and dedication into your personal worship practices? ([44:05])
Bearing each other's burdens is a key aspect of Christian community. Can you think of someone in your church or community who is struggling? How can you practically support and pray for them this week? ([52:01])
The high priest used the Urim and Thummim to discern God's will. Today, we rely on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. How can you make studying and understanding God's Word a more integral part of your decision-making process? ([59:47])
As a member of a "royal priesthood," what specific actions can you take to live a holy life and represent God in your workplace, family, or community? ([01:08:51])
During communion, we remember Christ's body and blood given for us. How does this reminder of Christ's sacrifice influence your understanding of your own value and holiness? ([01:12:17])
The sermon emphasized the importance of living with integrity and reflecting God's holiness. Identify one area of your life where you feel challenged to live with greater integrity. What steps can you take to address this? ([01:28:46])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We know that our God hears us. We know that our God loves us. We know that our God, he seems to hear our prayers and do what we ask him to do. And you know, it's amazing. Jesus said, you have not because you ask not. And so don't ever be afraid to just ask God what you want. And he may say no and he may not give us what we think we want, but he may actually give us what we really need." [20:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God calls his priests. He clothes them in garments of glory and beauty, and he consecrates them for holy service. And all of this, it prefigures Christ. It prefigures Jesus, the Christ who comes not just as a human, but as a holy human who did not need to atone for his own sins in order to go and minister before the Lord. He was perfectly holy." [47:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You and I are priests. Now, we have not been given instructions to make these incredibly expensive outfits for you and I to wear. Maybe we're kind of like the sons of Aaron, and we get the holy underwear and the sashes and the minor things. But even those other priests were to be holy before the Lord. Our clothing is to be holiness. We're to pursue holiness." [01:08:51] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We do not consult these different people across the street. We consult the word of the Lord. And yes, the word of the Lord doesn't always just say, this is who you're going to marry. This is exactly what you should eat on Tuesday. But we go to the word of the Lord. We seek to study and understand his word, and that is where we hear from God." [01:01:19] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are clothed with the blood of Christ. Our sins are washed away. We are made holy. The Lord sets us apart. And as we come to this table, we celebrate the work that the Lord has done to clothe us with his righteousness. You see, it's not our holiness or our righteousness that gets us to be able to go before the Lord. It's the holiness, the righteousness of Christ that clothes us." [01:08:51] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breast piece of judgment in his heart to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. He was to constantly have the people of God on his mind. As your pastor, one of my responsibilities is to carry some of your burdens to have you on my heart, to be in prayer for you." [01:02:02] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God, the garment maker, he calls his priests. And so these priests are not volunteers. They didn't come here. They didn't take a census of the people of Israel and said, who wants to serve as a priest of God most high? No, the Lord chose his people. He chose his priests. And he chose, he called Aaron and his sons." [45:06] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus is our great high priest. All of this is just foreshadowing of Jesus. But here's the deal. You and I are also called to be priests. In 1 Peter 2.9, it says this. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people. A people for his own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light." [01:07:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have a priest that is called and chosen by God. You have a clothing for this priest. And at the end, we're going to see that he is to be consecrated. And really next week we're going to look some more at consecration. But one of my favorite things is that this is some alliteration here for us. All of those words start with the letter C. So that gets me a little bit excited." [50:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The people of God were to be on the heart of the priest. He was to carry their burdens. He was to care for them. He was to value them. He was to be remembering the people of God as he went in to minister before the Lord. Now then there was this other thing that we're not quite exactly certain what they were, or what they looked like, or how exactly they were used. It was called the Urim and the Thumim." [57:16] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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