Intentional Access: Embracing Our Priesthood in Christ
Summary
In the divine tapestry of our faith, we recognize a profound truth: God has designed us with an innate desire for special access to Him. This desire is not a mere longing for privilege or status, but a deep-seated yearning for a close, personal relationship with our Creator. From the very beginning, God established this connection by placing Adam and Eve in the garden, a sacred space where they enjoyed unhindered communion with Him. They were, in essence, the first priests in God's temple garden, tasked with the holy work of stewarding and multiplying His presence on earth.
However, sin disrupted this perfect access, introducing death, separation, and chaos into the world. Yet, God, in His mercy, did not abandon His plan for a kingdom of priests. He called Abraham and Sarah to form a new family, a lineage through which He would restore the blessing of access to Himself. This family grew into a nation, and through Moses, God reaffirmed His intention to create a kingdom of priests, not just a kingdom with a few priests.
The Levitical priesthood, with its intricate system of sacrifices and tabernacle service, was a temporary measure. It pointed to something greater: the desire of every believer for more of God's presence. The Nazarite vow, detailed in Numbers 6, was God's provision for those who yearned for a deeper experience of the Holy. It was an invitation for any man or woman to consecrate themselves to God, to enjoy priestly access and experience.
Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the high priest, radically transformed the landscape of our access to God. By His sacrifice, He opened the door to a kingdom of priests, decentralizing the Spirit and making every believer a walking temple of God. Yet, this access is not automatic; it requires intentionality. The Nazarite vow teaches us the importance of intention over mere desire. It calls us to mix our longing for God with a plan of action, to be distinct and set apart for Him.
As we consider the ancient blessing given to Aaron and his sons, we are reminded that God's intention is to bless all His people, not just those making special commitments. This blessing is a declaration of God's protection, favor, and peace over us. It is a call to live in the reality of being blessed, regardless of our circumstances.
Now, let us reflect on the key takeaways from this message:
- God has embedded within us a desire for special access to Him, a reflection of His original design for humanity to live in close communion with Him. This desire is not for earthly privileges but for a deep, personal relationship with our Creator. [49:33]
- The Nazarite vow serves as a powerful example of how intentionality can lead us into a deeper experience of God's presence. It is not enough to desire more of God; we must take deliberate steps, guided by the Holy Spirit, to set ourselves apart for Him.
- Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the priesthood, granting every believer the potential to live an abundant life in Him. However, this life is invitational, not mandatory, and we must choose to step into it with intentionality.
- The ancient blessing spoken over the Israelites by Aaron and his sons is a reminder that God's desire is to bless all His people. This blessing is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality for those who are in Christ.
- As we consider our own lives, we must ask whether we are living in the fullness of the access that Christ has granted us. Are we content with the outer courtyard, or do we yearn for a deeper, more experiential knowledge of God? The choice to live a life marked by priestly proximity is ours to make.
In conclusion, let us embrace the call to be a kingdom of priests, living in the blessed reality of God's presence and favor. Let us be intentional in our pursuit of Him, knowing that through Christ, we have been given the most extraordinary access of all: direct communion with the living God. Amen.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:28 - "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"
2. Exodus 19:5-6 - "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
3. Numbers 6:1-2, 21 - "The Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to the Israelites and say to them: If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite... These are the regulations for the Nazirite who vows offerings to the Lord in accordance with their dedication, in addition to whatever else they can afford. They must fulfill the vows they have made, according to the law of the Nazirite.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What special access did God grant Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? ([22:29])
2. How did the rebellion of Adam and Eve affect their access to God? ([24:31])
3. What was the purpose of the Nazarite vow according to Numbers 6? ([32:04])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus in transforming our access to God? ([39:02])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be a "kingdom of priests" as described in Exodus 19:5-6? How does this concept apply to believers today? ([27:01])
2. How does the Nazarite vow illustrate the importance of intentionality in our spiritual lives? ([40:06])
3. In what ways does the ancient blessing given by Aaron and his sons (Numbers 6:24-26) reflect God's desire for His people? ([47:01])
4. How does the sermon suggest that believers can move from merely desiring more of God to intentionally pursuing a deeper relationship with Him? ([41:01])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are you living in the fullness of the access that Christ has granted you, or are you content with the outer courtyard? What steps can you take to pursue a deeper relationship with God? ([43:38])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of intentionality over mere desire. What is one specific action you can take this week to set yourself apart for God? ([41:01])
3. Consider the ancient blessing spoken over the Israelites. How can you live in the reality of being blessed, regardless of your circumstances? ([47:01])
4. The Nazarite vow was a voluntary commitment to a deeper experience of God's presence. Is there a specific area in your life where you feel called to make a similar commitment? ([54:01])
5. How can you incorporate the practice of blessing others into your daily life, beyond just saying "bless you" when someone sneezes? ([47:01])
6. Think about a time when you felt particularly close to God. What were the circumstances or actions that led to that experience? How can you recreate those conditions in your current spiritual journey? ([44:01])
7. The sermon challenges us to mix our longing for God with a plan of action. What is one thing you can stop doing and one thing you can start doing to open up more focus on God? ([45:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Yearning for Divine Communion
Our hearts are woven with threads that pull us toward a relationship with our Creator, a yearning that echoes the original design for humanity. This intrinsic desire is not for earthly accolades but for an intimate, personal connection with God. In the beginning, Adam and Eve enjoyed this communion in the garden, a sacred space free from barriers. This design was for humanity to live in close fellowship with God, serving as stewards of His creation and presence. Yet, sin introduced a chasm that disrupted this perfect union, but the divine narrative did not end there. The longing within us is a testament to our purpose and calling to seek and foster a deep relationship with the Divine.
"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." - Psalm 107:9
Reflection: How does your daily life reflect a pursuit of a closer relationship with God, and what steps can you take to deepen this communion? [49:33]
Day 2: Intentionality in Spiritual Pursuit
The Nazarite vow exemplifies the profound impact of intentionality in our spiritual journey. It is not sufficient to merely desire a deeper connection with God; one must take deliberate actions to set oneself apart. This vow was an open invitation for any individual to consecrate themselves and experience a level of holiness typically reserved for priests. It serves as a reminder that our longing for God must be coupled with a plan of action, a conscious decision to live a life that is distinct and dedicated to Him. By doing so, we can move beyond the outer courts and into a more profound experience of God's presence.
"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." - Micah 7:7
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can set yourself apart for God this week, and how can you incorporate these practices into your daily routine?
Day 3: Universal Priesthood through Christ
Jesus Christ, as the ultimate high priest, has redefined our access to God, inviting every believer into a life of abundance and spiritual priesthood. His sacrifice tore the veil, decentralizing the Spirit and empowering us to become living temples of God. This access, however, is not automatic; it is invitational and requires our active participation. We must choose to embrace this life with intentionality, stepping into the fullness of what it means to be a kingdom of priests. Through Christ, we have the most extraordinary access of all: direct communion with the living God.
"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
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your role as a member of the holy priesthood in your community and personal life?
Day 4: Living in the Reality of Blessing
The ancient blessing pronounced over the Israelites by Aaron and his sons serves as a timeless reminder that God's intention is to bless all His people. This blessing encompasses God's protection, favor, and peace, and it is not confined to a single moment but is an enduring reality for those in Christ. We are called to live in the awareness of this blessing, recognizing that our circumstances do not define the favor we have in God. This understanding should shape our identity and influence how we interact with the world around us.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26
Reflection: How can you cultivate an awareness of God's blessing in your life, even in the midst of challenging circumstances?
Day 5: Choosing Priestly Proximity
The choice to live a life marked by priestly proximity to God is ours to make. We must ask ourselves whether we are content with a superficial connection or if we yearn for a deeper, more experiential knowledge of God. The invitation to draw near to Him is always open, but it requires a conscious decision to pursue this closeness. As we consider our own lives, we must evaluate our level of intentionality in seeking God's presence and the fullness of the access that Christ has granted us.
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." - James 4:8
Reflection: What are the barriers that prevent you from drawing closer to God, and what practical steps can you take to overcome them?
Quotes
1) "There's something that God designed, a desire for us to have special access. In the beginning, God created a people, Adam and Eve, and He gave them special access more than any other created being." [22:45] (Download | )
2) "The Nazarite vow is not limited to the high priest, it's not limited to the priest or the Levites, or even just men, which would have been common in that day. This is opening the door to full access to everyone who wants it." [33:12] (Download | )
3) "The Nazarite vow is a man or a woman wanting to make a special commitment, a special season of consecration to the Lord, and what would this Nazarite vow, if I signed my own Nazarite vow in that day, what would that grant me? It would afford priestly access to the Holy." [34:18] (Download | )
4) "Jesus fulfills the Nazarite vow. The Nazarite vow points to that reality that God wanted a kingdom of priests. Not a kingdom with a few priests, but a kingdom of priests. Jesus opened the door of access to more." [39:56] (Download | )
5) "The biggest thing the Nazarite vow does for us today is it shows the importance of intention. Intention has an action plan embedded in it. Otherwise, you and I can want all that we want, but how come nothing ever changes? Because we don't intend to live for more." [41:16] (Download | )
6) "You and I are as close to the Lord as we intend to be. This life is not mandatory. This is invitational. The Nazarite vow was totally voluntary. It had to do with those who wanted it, those who intended for it." [44:28] (Download | )
7) "Aaron's blessing that we're about to read is God's gift to all of His people, not just those who are making special commitments to Him. May the Lord bless you and protect you and may the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you." [47:16] (Download | )
8) "When he speaks blessings into your life, just be ready because dead things come alive when he starts blessing. When he starts blessing, broken things get fixed. When he starts blessing, hurt gets comforted, injustices get made right." [49:29] (Download | Download cropped video)
9) "May the Lord bless you and keep you, protect you. May he make his face shine on you. May he make his favor rest on you. Who needs to receive the blessing of the Lord? This morning we're going to do just that, we're going to receive a blessing." [54:46] (Download | )
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