Royal Priesthood #2

Ministering to the Lord

1. Introduction:

• Revelations 4:1  “You were created for Gods pleasure”
• The Bible use illustrations from the Old Testament, natural events, people practices that help us understand the spirit.
• 1 Peter 2:9 “You are a - - - royal priesthood”.
• Priest = a person who enters the presence of God on behalf of himself, others and offers sacrifices.
• Royal = kingly by nature e.g. we have been born again into a “Royal Family”.
• 1 Peter 2:5 “ - - - a royal priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices”.

· The natural sacrifices reveal insights to the spiritual realities.

· There were 5 offerings – see Leviticus 1 – Leviticus 5

· Sin                  - compulsory– killed by sinner–Jesus or sin offering

      (Romans 10:9)

· Trespasses     - compulsory – killed by priest

                                                    – Jesus or trespasses off

                                                       (1 John 1:19)

· Burned          - voluntary    - Fulfilled by Jesus

· Meat              - voluntary    - Fulfilled by Jesus

· Peace                       - voluntary    - fulfilled by Jesus

2.  The Priest were called to minister to the Lord:

Exodus 29:1 “ - - set them apart to minister to me in the priests office”.

• All of Israel activities centered around the tabernacle and the offerings.
• The Priest were set apart: hallow = to appoint, consecrate, dedicate.
• Their most important task – minister to the Lord.
• Our first call is to worship and have intimate relationship with the Lord.

e.g.  Exodus 5:22  “I will meet with you and commune with you”.

· meet = 3259 = appointment, engagement for marriage, meet by agreement.

· commune = 1696 = speak, answer, command, teach, promise, declare.

· Old  Testament – God meet with one man – now all can meet with him.

e.g.    1 Samuel 3:1  The child Samuel ministered unto the Lord.        

            e.g.   Acts 13:2  “ They ministered to the Lord and fasted, to hear what the Holy Ghost say.

· ministered = 3008 = Leitungo => liturgy to fulfill priest office.

 e.g.    Luke 10:41,42  “One thing is needful and many has chosen that  good part”.

· Martha was disturbed, anxious, burdened by affairs of life.

· Many chose to spend time waiting upon Jesus – listening to His Words.

· Highest priority is the personal relationship with Jesus.

3.  How to Draw near to God:

· James 4:8  “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you”.

· Initiative lies  with us to approach God – He promises to respond.

· Drawing near to God is your priestly role.

E.g.  Old Testament example of the Priest:

· Leviticus 16:12-14  “Take a censer full of burning coals fire – incense – and blood”.

· God required certain things of the priest.

1. Blood      - sin must be dealt with or be cut off from God.

2. Incense  - Prayer and Praise.

3. Burning coals    - Fire of love, ignited by the Holy Spirit.

· Hebrews 10:19-22  “Having boldness to enter the holiest – let us draw near.

· Holiest Þ that part of the tabernacle where the presence of God dwelled.

· The Word of God tells us how we should approach God – Attitude.

1. Faith – “full assurance”  = entirely confident, no doubt of acceptance.

2. Boldness = 3954 = liberty, speaking all that is in the heart.

3. Genuine = true heart = 228 = not concealing, no hypocrisy, genuine.

4. Humility = Hebrews 14:16 = aware of our vulnerability to sin, need of Lord.

5. Expectant = Hebrews 4:16 – to obtain all the help we need.

6. Respect = Psalm 24:12

· This is not some weak or insincere prayer – it is strong and confident of meeting with the living God and hearing from Him!

· God looks at our attitude of heart. (Psalm 66:18  “don’t hold iniquity”)

4.  Ministering to the Lord:

• God first looks at the attitude of heart we have in drawing near.
• The Word of God describes many ways of how to minister to the Lord.
• The key issue is to Surrender!

Romans 12:1  “Present your bodies a living sacrifice”.

· Surrender  = let go control and yield to what God wants.

· Your body – How you express who you are in the world.

· When surrendered to the Lord all our activities are done as unto Him.

· Serving the Lord is a Lifestyle – Surrender (Psalm 51:17 Broken and contrite heart)

· Example:

                     Luke 7:38,47 Woman with Alabaster bottle – extravagant love.

· Many ways can express extravagant love to the Lord:

· Joyful noise   - Psalm 100 = 7321 = to split the ears with sound, show.

· Singing           - Psalm 100 = 7445 = shout for joy, triumph.

· Thanksgiving - Psalm 100 = 8426 = extend the hands.

· Praise             - Psalm 100 = 8116 = to rave, celebrate.

· Tongues         - 1 Corinthians 14:2,14  - Speak and bless Him.

· Tears              - Luke 7:37  - weeping, washing his feet.

· Serving people       - Hebrews 13:16  - do good, share.

· Confess Word           - Hebrews 13:15  - Giving thanks = honologeo = speak 

                                                             such as God’s Word.

· Gaining financially - Philippians 4:18  - a sweet smell, sacrifice, accepted,

                                                            well pleasing to God. 

· Waiting on God          - Psalm 130:5   - I wait for the Lord, in His word I do hope.