The opportunity to begin again is both a great blessing and a frightening challenge

1
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• What does it mean to be a priest?

2
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• What does it mean to be a priest?
• It means you are fulfilling a high and important
  work in Gods kingdom.

3
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• What does it mean to be a priest?
• It means you are fulfilling a high and important
  work in Gods kingdom.
• God reminded them of this tremendous privilege
  when he sought to restore a fallen nation.
  (Mal 24-7)

4
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Malachi 24-7 (NKJV) - Then you shall know that
  I have sent this commandment to you, That My
  covenant with Levi may continue, Says the LORD
  of hosts. 5 My covenant was with him, one of
  life and peace, And I gave them to him that he
  might fear Me So he feared Me And was reverent
  before My name.

5
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, And
  injustice was not found on his lips. He walked
  with Me in peace and equity, And turned many away
  from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should
  keep knowledge, And people should seek the law
  from his mouth For he is the messenger of the
  LORD of hosts.

6
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• How sad that they once had this privileged
  position and then left it!

7
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• How sad that they once had this privileged
  position and then left it!
• What a merciful God that graciously invited them
  back.

8
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• How sad that they once had this privileged
  position and then left it!
• What a merciful God that graciously invited them
  back.
• Both what he was and the work he did showed how
  much God blessed His priests.

9
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• How sad that they once had this privileged
  position and then left it!
• What a merciful God that graciously invited them
  back.
• Both what he was and the work he did showed how
  much God blessed His priests.
• They were given life, peace, fear and reverence.

10
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• He spoke Gods truth and controlled his tongue.

11
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• He spoke Gods truth and controlled his tongue.
• He always sought out the way of peace and
  fairness.

12
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• He spoke Gods truth and controlled his tongue.
• He always sought out the way of peace and
  fairness.
• In this he was able to turn people from
  iniquity.

13
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• He spoke Gods truth and controlled his tongue.
• He always sought out the way of peace and
  fairness.
• In this he was able to turn people from
  iniquity.
• Have you ever met a priest?

14
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• God has always wanted a kingdom of priests. (Ex
  193-6)

15
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Exodus 193-6 (NKJV) - And Moses went up to God,
  and the LORD called to him from the mountain,
  saying, Thus you shall say to the house of
  Jacob, and tell the children of Israel 4 You
  have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I
  bore you on eagles wings and brought you to
  Myself.

16
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice
  and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special
  treasure to Me above all people for all the
  earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom
  of priests and a holy nation. These are the
  words which you shall speak to the children of
  Israel.

17
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• God wanted these people to see how important they
  were to Him! Where did He bring them from and
  how did He do it?

18
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• He wanted to win the hearts of this people. They
  in turn had to respond by keeping Gods word.

19
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• He wanted to win the hearts of this people. They
  in turn had to respond by keeping Gods word.
• We too have gone from a rejected people to being
  priests to our God. (1 Pt 24-5, 9-10)

20
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• 1 Peter 24-5 (NKJV) - Coming to Him as to a
  living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen
  by God and precious, 5 you also, as living
  stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a
  holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices
  acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

21
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• 1 Peter 29-10 (NKJV) - But you are a chosen
  generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
  His own special people, that you may proclaim the
  praises of Him who called you out of darkness
  into His marvelous light 10 who once were not a
  people but are now the people of God, who had not
  obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

22
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Remember that Jesus too was rejected by the world.

23
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Remember that Jesus too was rejected by the
  world.
• What is the purpose of our priesthood? It is to
  proclaim the praises of Him who called
  you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1
  Pt 29)

24
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• 1 Peter 29 (NKJV) - But you are a chosen
  generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
  His own special people, that you may proclaim the
  praises of Him who called you out of darkness
  into His marvelous light

25
The opportunity to begin again is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• How are we to be priests? What are we to do?

26
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• We are to look to and learn from our High Priest.
  (Heb 31)

27
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 31 (NKJV) - Therefore, holy brethren,
  partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
  Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ
  Jesus,

28
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• How do we learn to do a new job? We look to the
  one with experience!

29
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• How do we learn to do a new job? We look to the
  one with experience!
• This is an exhortation to faithfulness. (Heb
  31-2, 6)

30
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 31-2 (NKJV) - Therefore, holy brethren,
  partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
  Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ
  Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed
  Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

31
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 36 (NKJV) - but Christ as a Son over His
  own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the
  confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to
  the end.

32
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Jesus is a holy high priest. (Heb 726)

33
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 726 (NKJV) - For such a High Priest was
  fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled,
  separate from sinners, and has become higher than
  the heavens

34
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• No one can approach God without being holy.

35
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• No one can approach God without being holy.
• The defeat of Satan is shown in Gods providing
  forgiveness for man. Now we can approach
  God. (Zech 31-10)

36
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Zechariah 31-10 (NKJV) - Then he showed me
  Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel
  of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand
  to oppose him. 2And the LORD said to Satan, The
  LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen
  Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked
  from the fire?

37
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• 3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and
  was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered
  and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying,
  Take away the filthy garments from him. And to
  him He said, See, I have removed your iniquity
  from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.

38
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• 5And I said, Let them put a clean turban on his
  head. So they put a clean turban on his head,
  and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of
  the LORD stood by. 6 Then the Angel of the LORD
  admonished Joshua, saying,

39
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• 7Thus says the LORD of hosts If you will walk
  in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then
  you shall also judge My house, And likewise have
  charge of My courts I will give you places to
  walk Among these who stand here.

40
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• 8 Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, You and your
  companions who sit before you, For they are a
  wondrous sign For behold, I am bringing forth My
  Servant the BRANCH. 9 For behold, the stone That
  I have laid before Joshua Upon the stone are
  seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its
  inscription, Says the LORD of hosts, And I will
  remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

41
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• 10 In that day, says the LORD of hosts,
  Everyone will invite his neighbor Under his vine
  and under his fig tree.

42
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Jesus has access to God. (Heb 81-2)

43
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 81-2 (NKJV) - Now this is the main point
  of the things we are saying We have such a High
  Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the
  throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a
  Minister of the sanctuary and of the true
  tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

44
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Jesus offers an acceptable sacrifice to God. (Heb
  726-27 925-26 1011-12)

45
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 726-27 (NKJV) - For such a High Priest
  was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless,
  undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become
  higher than the heavens 27 who does not need
  daily, as those high priests, to offer up
  sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for
  the peoples, for this He did once for all when
  He offered up Himself.

46
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 925-26 (NKJV) - not that He should
  offer Himself often, as the high priest enters
  the Most Holy Place every year with blood of
  another26 He then would have had to suffer often
  since the foundation of the world but now, once
  at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put
  away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

47
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 1011-12 (NKJV) - And every priest stands
  ministering daily and offering repeatedly the
  same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
  12 But this Man, after He had offered one
  sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right
  hand of God,

48
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• When God is pleased it is often describes as a
  sweet-smelling aroma. (Eph 52)

49
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Ephesians 52 (NKJV) - And walk in love, as
  Christ also has loved us and given Himself for
  us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
  sweet-smelling aroma.

50
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Not just any sacrifice will please God!

51
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Not just any sacrifice will please God!
• Jesus continues to teach and help those who come
  to Him.

52
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• He acts as our intercessor. (Heb 723-25)

53
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 723-25 (NKJV) - Also there were many
  priests, because they were prevented by death
  from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues
  forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25
  Therefore He is also able to save to the
  uttermost those who come to God through Him,
  since He always lives to make intercession for
  them.

54
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• He pleas with us to bring our burdens to Him.
  (Heb 217-18 414-15)

55
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 217-18 (NKJV) - Therefore, in all
  things He had to be made like His brethren, that
  He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest
  in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation
  for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He
  Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able
  to aid those who are tempted.

56
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Hebrews 414-15 (NKJV) - Seeing then that we
  have a great High Priest who has passed through
  the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
  fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High
  Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
  but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
  without sin.

57
We look to and learn from Jesus as our high priest

• Do you understand your role as a priest?

58
Priests must know how to approach God

• We must learn how to be holy. (1 Pt 115-16 Heb
  1214)

59
Priests must know how to approach God

• 1 Peter 115-16 (NKJV) - but as He who called you
  is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16
  because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy.

60
Priests must know how to approach God

• Hebrews 1214 (NKJV) - Pursue peace with all
  people, and holiness, without which no one will
  see the Lord

61
Priests must know how to approach God

• The root idea of holy is to be set apart with
  the idea of perfection and purity.

62
Priests must know how to approach God

• The root idea of holy is to be set apart with
  the idea of perfection and purity.
• God is the standard of holiness.

63
Priests must know how to approach God

• Holy is the way God is. To be holy he does not
  conform to a standard. He is that standard. He is
  absolutely holy with an infinite,
  incomprehensible fullness of purity that is
  incapable of being other than it is. Because he
  is holy, all his attributes are holy that is,
  whatever we think of as belonging to God must be
  thought of as holy. - A. W. Tozer

64
Priests must know how to approach God

• Our holiness is a result of justification. We
  then seek to live a holy life because we maintain
  a living faith.

65
Priests must know how to approach God

• We must find and keep a good conscience. (Heb
  914 1021-22 1 Pt 321)

66
Priests must know how to approach God

• Hebrews 914 (NKJV) - how much more shall the
  blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
  offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your
  conscience from dead works to serve the living
  God?

67
Priests must know how to approach God

• Hebrews 1021-22 (NKJV) - and having a High
  Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near
  with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
  having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
  conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

68
Priests must know how to approach God

• 1 Peter 321 (NKJV) - There is also an antitype
  which now saves usbaptism (not the removal of
  the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
  conscience toward God), through the resurrection
  of Jesus Christ,

69
Priests must know how to approach God

• We find a good conscience when our bodies are
  washed with pure water.

70
Priests must know how to approach God

• We find a good conscience when our bodies are
  washed with pure water.
• What approach do we take to our daily decisions
  when we are determined to keep a good
  conscience? (Acts 2416)

71
Priests must know how to approach God

• Acts 2416 (NKJV) - This being so, I myself
  always strive to have a conscience without
  offense toward God and men.

72
Priests must know how to approach God

• The word "exercise" means " take pains, labour,
  strive. Old word in Homer to work as raw
  materials, to adorn by art, then to drill. Our
  word ascetic comes from this root, one who seeks
  to gain piety by rules and severe hardship." -
  Robertson's Word Pictures.

73
Priests must know how to approach God

• Notice the time element "always." A good
  conscience is often lost by the "small"
  compromises!

74
Priests must know how to approach God

• We must approach God through our High Priest.
  (Heb 725 Eph 218 Col 317)

75
Priests must know how to approach God

• Hebrews 725 (NKJV) - Therefore He is also able
  to save to the uttermost those who come to God
  through Him, since He always lives to make
  intercession for them.

76
Priests must know how to approach God

• Ephesians 218 (NKJV) - For through Him we both
  have access by one Spirit to the Father.

77
Priests must know how to approach God

• Colossians 317 (NKJV) - And whatever you do in
  word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
  Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
  Him.

78
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Our entire life is to be a sacrifice. (Rom
  121-2)

79
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Romans 121-2 (NKJV) - I beseech you therefore,
  brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
  your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
  to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And
  do not be conformed to this world, but be
  transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
  you may prove what is that good and acceptable
  and perfect will of God.

80
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• It must however be a holy one.

81
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• In a sense we offer ourselves as a sacrifice to
  God. (Phil 217-18)

82
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Philippians 217-18 (NKJV) - Yes, and if I am
  being poured out as a drink offering on the
  sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad
  and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason
  you also be glad and rejoice with me.

83
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• This is a sacrifice of joy!

84
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• We carefully walk in the word the high priest has
  given. We show reverence to Him!

85
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• We carefully walk in the word the high priest has
  given. We show reverence to Him!
• We do not want to offer sacrifices like Nadab and
  Abihu! (Lev 101-3)

86
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Leviticus 101-3 (NKJV) - Then Nadab and Abihu,
  the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put
  fire in it, put incense on it, and offered
  profane fire before the LORD, which He had not
  commanded them. 2So fire went out from the LORD
  and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

87
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• 3 And Moses said to Aaron, This is what the LORD
  spoke, saying By those who come near Me I must
  be regarded as holy And before all the people I
  must be glorified. So Aaron held his peace.

88
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• This is why we must become a people of the book!

89
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• This is why we must become a people of the
  book!
• Our very worship is viewed as an offering made in
  the presence of God.

90
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Our singing and prayer is viewed this way. (Heb
  1315 Acts 104)

91
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Hebrews 1315 (NKJV) - Therefore by Him let us
  continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
  that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to
  His name.

92
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Acts 104 (NKJV) 4And when he observed him, he
  was afraid, and said, What is it, lord? So he
  said to him, Your prayers and your alms have
  come up for a memorial before God.

93
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Are we offering an acceptable sacrifice? What
  kind of priest are you?

94
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Are we offering an acceptable sacrifice? What
  kind of priest are you?
• Our serving others in their needs is an
  acceptable sacrifice.

95
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Are we offering an acceptable sacrifice? What
  kind of priest are you?
• Our serving others in their needs is an
  acceptable sacrifice.
• Remember how Paul described his life. (Phil
  217-18)

96
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Philippians 217 through Philippians 218 (NKJV)
  17Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink
  offering on the sacrifice and service of your
  faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18For
  the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with
  me.

97
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Our support of men as they teach the gospel is a
  sacrifice to God! (Phil 418)

98
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Philippians 418 (NKJV) - Indeed I have all and
  abound. I am full, having received from
  Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a
  sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice,
  well pleasing to God.

99
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• How do you view your efforts to help others? (Heb
  1316)

100
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Hebrews 1316 (NKJV) 16But do not forget to do
  good and to share, for with such sacrifices God
  is well pleased.

101
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• As priests we can draw near to God with
  assurance. (Heb 1021-22)

102
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• As priests we can draw near to God with
  assurance. (Heb 1021-22)
• Do you now see the importance our assemblies?
  (Heb 1023-25)

103
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• As priests we can draw near to God with
  assurance. (Heb 1021-22)
• Do you now see the importance our assemblies?
  (Heb 1023-25)
• Those who remember where they came from do.

104
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Those who want to offer God acceptable sacrifices
  do.

105
Priests must have acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 25)

• Those who want to offer God acceptable sacrifices
  do.
• Does you life proclaim the praises of Him who
  called you out of darkness into His marvelous
  light. (1 Pt 29)