Royal Priesthood #5

Meeting with God

1. Introduction:

1 Peter 2:9  “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who called you …”

· This is who we are – Now! – We need to speak and act to what God says we are.

· Show forth = 1804 = exaggello = to publish abroad, act as a messenger.

· Priesthood ð offered sacrifices, entered the presence of God.

· We must learn how to enter the presence of God and carry His presence to the community.

· Tabernacle in the Old testament – dwelling place of God ð  a pattern or picture of how to approach God.

· Furniture of Tabernacle ð Focal points for prayer.

2. Meeting with God:

Exodus 25:17-22  “There I will meet with you and commune with you from above the mercy seat”.

· Meet = 3259 = yaad = to meet by appointment, to engage for marriage.

· Commune = 1696 = to answer, talk, promise, pronounce, subdue, teach.

· The mercy seat was the place of meeting with God – place of intimacy.

· The Mercy Seat:

a)  Natural: v 17-18

· Plate of solid gold covering the ark.

· Two cherubim were attached to it with wings outstretched, faces looking towards one another and down to the mercy seat.

· The presence of God manifested supernaturally – shining shekinah glory.

b) Spiritual Significance:

· Romans 3:25  Christ - whom God has set forth to be a mercy seat through faith in His blood.

· 1 John 4:10  Herein is love – not that we loved god but that He loved us and sent his Son to be a mercy seat for our sins.

· Mercy seat = place of reconciliation where two people where two people have been separated are brought back into harmony again.

· Atonement = to cover, to cancel, to forgive, to reconcile.

· The work that Jesus Christ did for us - has made a way for us to become reconciled to God – to come home to our Father.

· Note:  Matthew 27-51  When Jesus died the veil was torn from top to bottom.

c) Moses met with God and Communed with Him:

Exodus 33:11  “The Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speak to his friend”.

· Friend  = 7462 = brother, lover.

· The heart of God is always been for relationship that gives pleasure.

· Exodus 34:29  Moses did not know the skin of his face shone while he  talked to him.

· Supernatural encounters with God change us – it leaves a tangible impact.

3. Patterns for Approaching God:

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need”.

· Protocol = the way of going about doing something.

· Come boldly ð  (a) Present yourself – open up your heart to connect spirit to spirit.

                                       (b) Full of faith – expectant to access the presence of God.

                                       (c)   Full of confidence – no uncertainty, shame, low esteem.

· Throne of Grace ð  (a) Throne =  seat of authority of a King, place   he rules.

                                                            = place a king governs, makes decrees.

                                         (b) Grace  = council, direction, support, power to change.

· It is a throne of grace, not judgement.

· God can be approached day and night, every nation, all people can approach God and find acceptance and “well timed help”.

· There are two major functions fulfilled when we enter the presence of God:

(a) Intimacy:

· Come as a Child to his Father for intimacy and affirmation.

· Intimacy ð   (i) Worship– Sharing innermost feelings and   

                                  concerns.

John 4:24  “God has a Spirit - - worship in    

    spirit and in truth”.

· Worship = 4352 = proskuneo = to kiss towards like a dog licks its master.

· Expressing affection and love with words.

· “Spirit” = 4154 = preuma = breath – from innermost love.

· Truth = 225 = not concealing or hiding anything.

· Psalm 95:6 “Come and let us worship, bow down before the Lord”.

(ii)  Listening – Opening heart for impressions of the Holy Spirit.

· Psalm 95:7 “Today if you will hear His voice don’t harden your heart”.

· The Holy Spirit speaks in gentle impressions.

· Journaling can help you focus on what the Holy Spirit is saying.

· Meditation in the Word can help focus your attention.

· NB.  Luke 3:22  “Words of love and affirmation”.

(b) Commission:

· Come as an Ambassador to the King on Government Business.

· 2 Corinthians 5:4  We are ambassadors for Christ.

· Ambassador = to act as a spokesman or representative for God.

· Isaiah 6:1-7  Isaiah encountered God and heard His voice.

i)   Apostolic Commission – “Whom shall I send?”.

ii) Governmental Prayer = Prayer that alters spiritual  atmosphere.