Embracing Our Priesthood: Living as God's Ambassadors
Summary
In our journey with Christ, we must embrace our identity as priests, a calling that transcends our daily occupations and personal interests. As priests, we are not mere attendees or bystanders in the kingdom of God; we are active participants in His divine plan. This calling is not based on our merit but is a gift from God, bestowed upon us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our priesthood is not a title to be taken lightly; it is a responsibility that compels us to live consecrated lives, dedicated to serving God and others.
As priests, we are called to live holy lives, reflecting the holiness of God Himself. This holiness is not about being self-righteous but about being set apart for God's purposes. It means that our actions, words, and thoughts should align with God's will, whether we are in the church, at home, or in the workplace. Our priesthood is not confined to a specific location or time; it is a constant state of being, a life lived in service to God and His people.
We must also bring our offerings to God, not just in terms of financial resources but in the form of our time, talents, and hearts. Our worship should be genuine, our service heartfelt, and our ministry to others a reflection of God's love. As priests, we are ambassadors of Christ, carrying His presence wherever we go and declaring His praises to a world in need of hope.
Engaging with God and others daily is essential to our priesthood. We cannot take our access to God for granted. Regularly reading the Bible, praying, and leaning into our relationship with God are vital practices that sustain us. Additionally, we must rage against the cultural invitation to isolate and instead actively participate in the community of believers, serving and leading as God has called us.
Lastly, we must take the presence of God with us in all that we do. Our lives should be a testament to the reality of God's presence, a declaration that He is alive and active in the world. We must not stop declaring His goodness, even when faced with discouragement, fatigue, or overwhelming circumstances. Our royal identity as priests chosen by God empowers us to carry His presence and proclaim His praises in every aspect of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace your identity as a priest in God's kingdom, understanding that this is not a passive title but an active calling to live a life dedicated to serving God and others. Your priesthood is a gift from God, rooted in the sacrifice of Christ, and it calls you to a life of holiness and consecration. [01:13:10]
- Live a consecrated life, reflecting the holiness of God in all areas of your life. Your actions and choices should align with God's will, demonstrating that your priesthood extends beyond the walls of the church and into every moment of your existence. [01:15:11]
- Bring your offerings to God in the form of time, talents, and heartfelt worship. Engage in ministry with a genuine heart, understanding that your service is an act of worship to God and a demonstration of His love to others. [01:16:45]
- Engage with God and others daily, recognizing the importance of maintaining a vibrant relationship with the Lord through scripture reading, prayer, and community involvement. Resist the cultural push towards isolation and instead build meaningful connections within the body of Christ. [01:19:04]
- Carry the presence of God with you in all that you do, and do not cease to declare His praises. Your life as a priest should be a continuous proclamation of God's goodness, regardless of the challenges you face. Remember that your royal identity empowers you to make a difference in the world. [01:20:30]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 9:1-15
2. 1 Peter 2:9-10
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 9:1-15, what were the roles and responsibilities of the priests under the old covenant?
2. In 1 Peter 2:9, what titles and roles are given to believers in Christ?
3. The sermon mentioned that our priesthood is a gift from God, rooted in the sacrifice of Christ. How does Hebrews 9:11-12 illustrate this concept? [49:11]
4. What does it mean to live a consecrated life as described in the sermon? [01:13:10]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the priesthood of all believers, as described in 1 Peter 2:9, change the way we view our daily lives and responsibilities? [51:00]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of bringing our offerings to God in various forms. How can we practically offer our time, talents, and hearts in our daily lives? [01:16:45]
3. What are some ways we can engage with God and others daily to maintain a vibrant relationship with the Lord? [01:19:04]
4. How can we carry the presence of God with us in all that we do, as encouraged in the sermon? [01:20:30]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of your identity as a priest in God's kingdom. How does this identity influence your actions and decisions in your daily life? [51:00]
2. The sermon calls us to live consecrated lives. Identify one area of your life where you can better align your actions and choices with God's will. What steps will you take to make this change? [01:13:10]
3. Think about the talents and gifts God has given you. How can you use these to serve others and bring glory to God in your community or church? [01:16:45]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of engaging with God through scripture reading and prayer. What is one practical way you can improve your daily devotional time this week? [01:19:04]
5. Consider the cultural push towards isolation mentioned in the sermon. How can you actively participate in building meaningful connections within the body of Christ? [01:19:04]
6. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt discouraged or overwhelmed. How can you remind yourself of your royal identity and continue to declare God's goodness in such moments? [01:20:30]
7. Identify one specific way you can carry the presence of God into your workplace, home, or community this week. How will you ensure that your actions reflect God's love and presence? [01:20:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Priestly Identity
Our identity as priests in God's kingdom is a profound calling that requires us to live lives that are not only dedicated to God but also to serving others. This identity is not something we earn; it is a gift, rooted in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As priests, we are called to a life of holiness, to be set apart for God's purposes. This means that our everyday lives—our decisions, our interactions, and even our thoughts—should reflect our dedication to God. We are to be holy, as God is holy, and this holiness should permeate every aspect of our lives, demonstrating that our priesthood extends beyond the walls of the church and into every moment of our existence [07:40].
"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." - 1 Peter 2:5 ESV
Reflection: How can you embody your priestly identity in your workplace or home today?
Day 2: Living a Consecrated Life
A consecrated life is one that mirrors the holiness of God in every area, showing that our priesthood is not limited to a specific place or time. It is a constant state of being, where our actions and choices are in harmony with God's will. This consecrated life is not about self-righteousness but about being distinctively aligned with God's purposes, whether in the church, at home, or in the workplace. It is about making our entire lives an offering to God, reflecting His holiness through our conduct and commitment to His calling [07:40].
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV
Reflection: What is one specific way you can set your life apart for God's purposes this week?
Day 3: Offering Our All to God
Our offerings to God go beyond financial contributions; they encompass our time, talents, and hearts. Worship should be an authentic expression of our love for God, and our service should come from a place of genuine care and commitment. As priests, we are to minister to others as a reflection of God's love, understanding that our service is an act of worship and an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to those around us. Our ministry should be a testament to the transformative power of God's love in our lives [07:40].
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." - Hebrews 13:16 ESV
Reflection: What is one talent you can offer to God's service this week, and how will you do it?
Day 4: Engaging with God and Community
Our daily engagement with God and the community of believers is crucial to our priesthood. We must cherish our access to God, nurturing our relationship with Him through scripture, prayer, and fellowship. This engagement sustains us and equips us to serve effectively. The cultural trend towards isolation must be resisted; instead, we should actively seek to build meaningful connections within the body of Christ, serving and leading as God has called us. Our involvement in the community is a reflection of our commitment to God and His people [07:40].
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community this week to foster spiritual growth in yourself and others?
Day 5: Proclaiming God's Presence Everywhere
As priests, we are to carry the presence of God with us in all that we do, continuously declaring His goodness to the world. Our lives should be a living testament to the reality of God's active presence. Despite discouragement, fatigue, or overwhelming circumstances, we must not cease to proclaim His praises. Our royal identity as chosen priests empowers us to make a difference in the world, to be bearers of hope and agents of change, reflecting God's glory in every aspect of our lives [07:40].
"For 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." - 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
Reflection: In what situation can you be a bearer of God's presence today, and how will you demonstrate His goodness?
Quotes
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood. You don't like it? Great. You can walk out and you can choose not to follow Jesus, but there's no in between. You either are a priest or you're not a believer." [01:00:52]
"God called you before you felt called. God saw you before you even breathed your first breath. He's called you. He loves you. And it is His perfect work that made a way for you to come in." [01:16:12]
"God and his relationship with you is the most important thing in your life. Why? Because everything else flows out of that." [01:19:56]
"You are a priest unto God and to one another. This is why living in isolation, not showing up for church, not doing anything to serve others, it is going against your title." [01:01:15]
"God is saying, you're a priest. Don't be subject to that. That's subject to you when you understand your title." [01:20:25]
"God picked you. He called you out. He brought you in. He made you distinct from the world." [01:00:00]
"You are a priest and you need to understand this because if you don't, you will forego your most important responsibility on this earth." [58:17]
"The priesthood of all believers. It's the calling of every believer in Christ to minister to God and to minister to one another." [57:14]
"Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you'd received mercy, not received mercy, but now you have." [50:57]
"God has set me apart. He's sanctifying me. He has justified and is justifying me. He has redeemed and is redeeming me. He has made me whole and is making me whole." [01:22:37]
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