Embracing Our Identity as a Royal Priesthood
Summary
### Summary
Good evening, family. May God bless you abundantly. Tonight, we continue our discussion on altars and spiritual warfare, focusing on the concept of priesthood. Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 2:9, describes believers as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's special possession. This identity is crucial for understanding our role in God's kingdom. From the beginning, God's intention was for His people to have direct access to Him without intermediaries. This is evident from the sacrifices made by Cain, Abel, Noah, and Abraham, who built altars and worshipped God directly.
The priesthood system, as seen in the Old Testament, was a temporary measure due to the sinful nature of humanity. God selected the tribe of Levi to serve as priests, mediating between Him and the people. However, this was not God's perfect will. His ultimate plan was for every believer to have direct access to Him, a plan fulfilled through Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn, symbolizing the end of the old priesthood system and the beginning of a new covenant where all believers are priests.
This new priesthood means that we no longer need a human mediator to connect with God. We have direct access to Him through Jesus Christ. This understanding should lead us to a place of full dependency on God, where we can hear His voice and follow His guidance. It is essential for believers to grow in their relationship with God, moving from dependency on others to a place of spiritual maturity where they can minister to others.
Embracing our priesthood means understanding that we are empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices through our prayers, worship, and service to God. We are called to be a royal priesthood, representing God accurately and boldly. This new understanding should lead us to a life of purpose, where we are not just consumers of spiritual blessings but also conduits of God's grace to others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Direct Access to God: From the beginning, God's intention was for His people to have direct access to Him without intermediaries. This is evident from the sacrifices made by Cain, Abel, Noah, and Abraham, who built altars and worshipped God directly. This direct relationship is restored through Jesus Christ, who tore the veil, giving us direct access to the Father. [16:00]
2. Temporary Old Testament Priesthood: The Old Testament priesthood system was a temporary measure due to the sinful nature of humanity. God selected the tribe of Levi to serve as priests, mediating between Him and the people. However, this was not God's perfect will. His ultimate plan was for every believer to have direct access to Him, a plan fulfilled through Jesus Christ. [18:19]
3. Embracing Our Priesthood: As believers, we are called to embrace our identity as a royal priesthood. This means understanding that we are empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices through our prayers, worship, and service to God. We are called to represent God accurately and boldly, moving from dependency on others to a place of spiritual maturity. [24:23]
4. Spiritual Maturity and Independence: Spiritual maturity involves growing in our relationship with God, where we can hear His voice and follow His guidance. It is essential for believers to move from dependency on others to a place of spiritual maturity where they can minister to others. This growth is a sign of true discipleship and understanding of our priesthood. [27:32]
5. Purpose and Empowerment: Embracing our priesthood leads us to a life of purpose, where we are not just consumers of spiritual blessings but also conduits of God's grace to others. We are empowered to intercede, pray, and minister to others, fulfilling the Great Commission and representing God accurately in our daily lives. [29:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[08:23] - Introduction to Altars and Priesthood
[10:24] - Understanding the Beginning
[12:03] - Role of Priests in Altars
[13:21] - Historical Context of Altars
[14:37] - Duties of Old Testament Priests
[16:00] - Direct Access to God
[18:19] - Temporary Old Testament Priesthood
[19:33] - Embracing Our Priesthood
[21:27] - Spiritual Maturity and Independence
[24:23] - Purpose and Empowerment
[27:32] - Personal Testimony of Growth
[29:17] - Call to Embrace Priesthood
[30:24] - Universal Priesthood
[32:06] - Breaking Old Covenant Mindsets
[33:36] - Deliverance from Old Systems
[35:36] - Revival and True Understanding
[36:18] - True Meaning of Revival
[37:42] - Personal Experience of Revival
[39:20] - Spiritual Maturity in Action
[40:37] - Embrace Your Priesthood
[42:23] - Power of Personal Priesthood
[43:10] - Revelation of Identity
[44:37] - Historical Examples of Direct Worship
[46:05] - Breaking Dependency Structures
[48:30] - Prayer and Healing
[50:47] - Encouragement and Prophetic Words
[52:15] - Rejecting False Priesthoods
[53:25] - Believing God's Report
[54:25] - Understanding Personal Priesthood
[55:25] - Encouragement for the Elderly
[56:24] - Breakthrough and Intercession
[57:26] - Conclusion and Blessings
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
2. Hebrews 7 (NIV) - Focus on the change in the priesthood order through Jesus Christ.
3. Genesis 4:3-4 (NIV) - "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what are the four identities given to believers? How do these identities relate to our role in God's kingdom?
2. In Genesis 4:3-4, what actions did Cain and Abel take to worship God directly? How does this reflect God's original intention for direct access to Him? [12:03]
3. What significant event in Hebrews 7 signifies the change in the priesthood order? How does this relate to the tearing of the veil in the temple? [18:19]
4. How did the Old Testament priesthood system function as a temporary measure due to humanity's sinful nature? [14:37]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for believers to be a "royal priesthood" as described in 1 Peter 2:9? How does this identity empower us in our daily lives? [19:33]
2. How does the tearing of the veil in the temple symbolize the end of the old priesthood system and the beginning of direct access to God through Jesus Christ? [16:00]
3. In what ways does embracing our priesthood lead to spiritual maturity and independence? How can this growth impact our ability to minister to others? [27:32]
4. How does understanding our identity as a royal priesthood change our perspective on prayer, worship, and service to God? [24:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you feel you have direct access to Him, or do you rely on intermediaries? How can you deepen your direct connection with God this week? [16:00]
2. Think about a time when you depended on someone else for spiritual guidance. How did that experience shape your faith? What steps can you take to grow in spiritual maturity and independence? [19:33]
3. In what ways can you embrace your identity as a royal priesthood in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to offer spiritual sacrifices through prayer, worship, or service. [24:23]
4. How can you move from being a consumer of spiritual blessings to a conduit of God's grace to others? Identify one person you can minister to this week and plan a specific way to support them spiritually. [29:17]
5. Consider the areas in your life where you may still be dependent on others for spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take to become more spiritually mature and independent? [27:32]
6. How can you accurately and boldly represent God in your community? Think of one situation where you can demonstrate your priesthood identity and share God's love with others. [24:23]
7. Reflect on the concept of spiritual maturity. What does it mean to you personally, and how can you pursue it in your daily walk with God? Identify one area of your spiritual life that needs growth and create a plan to address it. [27:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Direct Access to God
From the beginning, God's intention was for His people to have direct access to Him without intermediaries. This is evident from the sacrifices made by Cain, Abel, Noah, and Abraham, who built altars and worshipped God directly. This direct relationship is restored through Jesus Christ, who tore the veil, giving us direct access to the Father. [16:00]
Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt distant from God. How can you embrace the truth that you have direct access to Him today through Jesus Christ?
Day 2: Temporary Old Testament Priesthood
The Old Testament priesthood system was a temporary measure due to the sinful nature of humanity. God selected the tribe of Levi to serve as priests, mediating between Him and the people. However, this was not God's perfect will. His ultimate plan was for every believer to have direct access to Him, a plan fulfilled through Jesus Christ. [18:19]
Hebrews 7:23-25 (ESV): "The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Jesus being our eternal High Priest. How does this change your understanding of your relationship with God?
Day 3: Embracing Our Priesthood
As believers, we are called to embrace our identity as a royal priesthood. This means understanding that we are empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices through our prayers, worship, and service to God. We are called to represent God accurately and boldly, moving from dependency on others to a place of spiritual maturity. [24:23]
1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you offer spiritual sacrifices to God in your daily life? How can you represent Him more boldly and accurately?
Day 4: Spiritual Maturity and Independence
Spiritual maturity involves growing in our relationship with God, where we can hear His voice and follow His guidance. It is essential for believers to move from dependency on others to a place of spiritual maturity where they can minister to others. This growth is a sign of true discipleship and understanding of our priesthood. [27:32]
Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: Identify an area in your spiritual life where you need to grow in maturity. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and become more independent in your faith?
Day 5: Purpose and Empowerment
Embracing our priesthood leads us to a life of purpose, where we are not just consumers of spiritual blessings but also conduits of God's grace to others. We are empowered to intercede, pray, and minister to others, fulfilling the Great Commission and representing God accurately in our daily lives. [29:17]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: How can you be a conduit of God's grace to someone in your life today? What specific actions can you take to fulfill your role as an ambassador for Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Ignorance is it's something that we we have to deal with through acquiring knowledge you overcome ignorance through acquiring knowledge um no one will cast out ignorance out of you the cure to ignorance is is knowledge and true knowledge as the bible says the power of knowledge is in liberation." [08:23] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God wants you and want direct contact with you. And I believe that's what Christ did. When what Christ restored on the cross was exactly what God wanted from the beginning, from the very full, full and direct fellowship with the father to those that believe he gave them power to become sons of God." [18:19] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Any human being, other male or female, black or white or colored or Indian or Asian or Arabs or whatever they are, as long as they come to Jesus, as long as they give their life to Jesus, the moment they surrender their life to Jesus at that particular time, as their spirit have been renewed, they all are priests for the Almighty." [23:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Revival is not when you're falling or rolling on the floor. No. Revival is when you have a full revelation of who Christ is, when you have a full revelation of what the kingdom is all about. It's when your understanding is open, when darkness is lifted over you, when the power of God comes into your spirit man and gives you boldness to walk in the truth that you have found." [36:18] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you know who you are, you can never walk in bondage again. When you know what you carry, you're no more scared of Pharaoh. Moses was scared all these years, 40 years he was in exile. God said go back and you didn't just go back. You went and stand before Pharaoh himself. Where he got that boldness from? He got an illumination. He got an understanding. He got an understanding. He got a revelation on not just Jehovah himself, but who he is in the plan of God." [43:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So that means from the beginning, the heart of God has always been that the people that are worshiping come by themselves and worshiping, not go through a middle man or a middle woman. I hope you got what I'm trying to say. In the beginning, everyone would see that in the Garden of Eden when God himself was the one that was what? Connecting. Having a direct relationship. Relationship with Adam and Eve. Direct relationship with his creation. That was his heart. And always been his heart. And it's still his heart till today." [16:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And that's the same principle. That's what discipleship is all about. And we have to understand this powerful principle of priesthood, this new altar that we have today in Christ. This new altar that have been given to us. I mean, that which access have been given to us from the day Jesus died on that cross. This altar doesn't require special priest, doesn't require special calling. This altar is open to everyone. That's why Apostle Paul will say, come boldly, come boldly to that throne. Come boldly to that altar. Don't ever think you are not clean enough." [22:37] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I believe God want to send so many of us that we have sat down for so many. For so long, we have been consuming for so long when it's time for us now to be able to what? To give also out there, to bless people out there, bless them with the word, bless them with the, with the Holy ghost, bless them with impartation. We receive impartation every month. I receive, I receive, I receive. No, you must also be able to release because you are called to be a real priest. You are from. Royal please would, and I challenge you to read Hebrew chapter seven." [29:17] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And I believe that's where God is taking us. Where we depend on God for ourself. Not in a selfish way. No, not in a way that we don't want to hear. We don't want to listen to nobody. No, no, no, no, no. But it is a sign of maturity. It is a sign of people that have no, that have discovered. That have grown into who they are in Christ. And got to a point where they can not just relate with him, but they can represent him. They can speak on his behalf with boldness and assurance." [39:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And that's the mistake, you know, the community of believers have been making since the first apostle died, the went back and brought back the old order. When now men have to be a mediator where we have to go to man to get forgiveness of God. You have to go to man to confess some of the things that we do. You have to go to man to get stuff that we need from God. Like I say, at the early stage, yes. When you come to the Lord, the first, somebody needs to guide you, lead you. But he can't be like that forever. God is reaching for you. We are in it in a season with God one his children to rise up, rise up to go out there." [30:24] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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