THE BOOK OF REVELATION SAYS WE HAVE BEEN MADE KINGS AND PRIESTS BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
REV 5 :9-10
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
REV.1:5-6
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
HOWEVER THE BIBLE MAKES US TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHILE WE ARE ALL CALLED TO BE PRIESTS BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST A SELECT FEW IS CHOSEN TO OCCUPY THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH PRIEST
THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD BELONGS TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF AND HE CALLS PEOPLE TO THAT OFFICE AS HE WILLS
THIS HONUOR WAS GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD THE FATHER BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS NATURE OF HIS ASSIGNMENT
PSALM 110 :4-7 SAYS The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 ¶ The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
JUST AS WE MAY ALL PROPHESY ,ONLY A FEW OF US REALLY HAVE THE OFFICE OF THE PROPHET
WE CAN ALL HEAL THE SICK,TEACH THE WORD AND EVEN PLANT CHURCHES BUT WE ALL ARE NOT CALLED INTO THE SPECIFIC OFFICES
1COR 12:27-30
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
WE ARE HOWEVER ENCOURAGED TO COVET THESE GIFTS
1COR 12:31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
WHAT IS THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY OF COVETING THESE GIFTS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THESE OFFICES?
IT IS THE GOLDEN WAY OF LOVE. THE GOD KIND OF LOVE AS DEFINED IN 1COR 13 :
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 ¶ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 ¶ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
LOVE THE LOVE OF GOD THE FATHER AND THE LOVE OF MANKIND WAS WHAT QUALIFIED JESUS CHRIST TO BE OUR HIGH PRIEST AND CHIEF SHEPHERD
HE WAS SELFLESS ,HE COULD LAY DOWN HIS LIFE.SO THE FATHER LOVED HIM
JOHN 10:17-18
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
THE FATHER LOVED HIM AND HAS COMMITED ALL THINGS INTO HIS HAND
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
THE FATHER LOVED HIM AND GAVE HIM A NAME THAT IS ABOVE ALL NAMES
THE FATHER LOVED HIM AND HAS GIVEN HIM AUTHORITY OVER ALL THINGS
THE FATHER LOVED HIM AND MADE HIM OUR HIGH PRIEST BECAUSE OF HIS OBEDIENCE,LOVE ,AND WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER FOR THE SALVATION OF MANKIND
HEB 4:15-16
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
HEB 5
1 ¶ For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 ¶ Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
SO WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR US TO MOVE FROM SIMPLE PRIESTHOOD TO HIGH PRIESTHOOD?
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HIGH PRIEST ARE OUT LINED HERE IN HEB 5:
A) THE HIGH PRIEST IS ORDAINED BY GOD THE FATHER TO OFFER GIFTS AND SACRIFICES FOR SINS
B) HE IS CHOSEN FROM AMONG MEN BECAUSE HE CAN IDENTIFY WITH THEIR SHORTCOMINGS AND CAN THEREFORE HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM
C) BECAUSE HE CAN HAVE COMPASSION ON PEOPLE HE IS ABLE TO INTERCEDE FOR THEM AS FOR HIMSELF
D) NO MAN CAN MAKE HIMSELF A HIGH PRIEST
HEB 5 :4-6
“ And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
E) HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE THROUGH SUFFERING.
EVEN FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO BE CALLED INTO THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH PRIEST GOD HAD TO TEST HIS LOYALTY AND HUMILITY OF HEART ,
IT IS GOOD TO COVET THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH PRIEST WE ARE TOLD TO COVET EARNESTLY THE BEST GIFTS 1 COR 12:31
BUT WE SHOULD NOT DEVELOP A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED OR HIGHLY PLACED IN THE CHURCH
JUST BECAUSE WE ARE CALLED PRIESTS AND KINGS.ARE WE EVEN OPERATING AS KINGS AND PRIESTS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
ARE WE REALLY BEHAVING AS REAL PRIESTS?MANY HAVE EXCHANGED THEIR BIRTHRIGHTS FOR THE GOODS OF THIS WORLD LIKE ESAU
GOD JUDGES OUR HEARTS AND WEIGH OUR ACTIONS TOWARDS HIM AND OUR FELLOWMEN
HE ALSO WEIGHS OUR MOTIVES
1 TIMOTHY 3:1-13
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 ¶ Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
ALL THESE CHARACTER TRAITS WILL BE TESTED
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT HERE,GOD MUST CHOOSE US BECAUSE WE PASS THE TESTS
WE MUST DAILY PRAY FOR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
BUT WE MUST HAVE THE SAME MIND AND CHARACTER OF CHRIST TO QUALIFY AS HIGH PRIEST
PHILIPIANS 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
JESUS WAS GIVEN THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY ON EARTH BECAUSE OF HIS HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE
WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL ROLES OR DUTIES OF THE HIGH PRIEST?
LET US FIRST CONSIDER THE BASIC ROLE OF THE PRIEST
1) TO OFFER PRAISES AND SACRIFICES TO GOD
1 PET 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2) TO OFFER SACRIFICES TO GOD FOR SINS
3)TO TEACH THE UNDILUTED WORD OF GOD
MAL 2:7
For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
4) THE PRIEST IS A CONSTANT INTERCESSOR WHO MUST CONSTANTLY INVITE THE PRESENCE OF GOD BY CONSTANT PERSONAL CONSECRATION , SACRIFICE AND PRAYERS
LEVITICUS 6:8–13 NIV
The Lord said to Moses: “Give Aaron and his sons this command: ‘These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar. The priest shall then put on his linen clothes, with linen undergarments next to his body, and shall remove the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed on the altar and place them beside the altar. Then he is to take off these clothes and put on others, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a place that is ceremonially clean. The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
LOOK AT THE COMMAND THAT GOD IS GIVING TO THE PRIESTS. THE FIRE ON THE ALTAR MUST BE KEPT BURNING. IT MUST NOT GO OUT.
ALTHOUGH GOD IS WRITING TO THE LEVITICAL PRIESTS AND HOW THEY ARE TO DO THEIR DUTIES, THERE IS A LOT HERE ON HOW OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED AND EXPRESSED.
OUR LIFE MUST BE A CONTINUAL BURNING FIRE FOR THE LORD
THIS IS A GREAT CHALLENGE FOR US ALL, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOTHING ELSE WILL SATISFY THE LORD.
FOCUSSING ON LIVING ENTIRELY FOR CHRIST HAS BEEN A TROUBLESOME ISSUE FOR BELIEVERS FOR A LONG TIME.
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU ARE YOUNGER OR OLDER.
IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT GENERATION YOU GREW UP IN.
IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW RICH OR POOR YOU ARE.
YOU HAVE MOST LIKELY WRESTLED WITH THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF YOU REALLY DESIRE MOR OF HIS PRESENCE AND POWER.
THE QUESTION WE OFTEN ASK OURSELVES OR ONE ANOTHER IS “HOW DO I KEEP A LIFESTYLE THAT IS CONTINUOUSLY BURNING FOR JESUS?”
“HOW DO I KEEP GROWING IN MY SPIRITUAL WALK?
HOW WILL I STOP WAVERING FROM MONTH TO MONTH OR YEAR TO YEAR OR WEEK TO WEEK?”
“DAVID’S PSALMS IS FULL OF THE CRY OF SOMEONE WHOSE SOUL WAS ALWAYS SEEKING AFTER GOD
THEY ALSO RING OUT WITH SHOUTS OF FINDING HIM WHENEVER HE WAS VICTORIOUS IN HIS WALK WITH GOD.
PAUL CONFESSED THAT HIS ONLY DESIRE IN LIFE WAS THE BURNING DESIRE TO HAVE MORE OF CHRIST.
“THAT I MAY KNOW HIM,” WAS THE GOAL OF HIS HEART, AND TO THIS HE SACRIFICED EVERYTHING.
HE SAYS “YEA DOUBTLESS, AND I COUNT ALL THINGS BUT LOSS FOR THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD: FOR WHOM I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, AND DO COUNT THEM BUT REFUSE, THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST.” – PHIL 3:10-12
THE QUESTION WE CAN ASK IS THIS. CAN MY LIFE TRULY BE A LIFE THAT IS CONSTANTLY FULL OF DESIRE FOR A GREATER SPIRITUAL HEIGHT IN CHRIST?
THE BIGGEST KILLER TO OUR SPIRITUAL PASSION FOR CHRIST IS THIS THING CALLED “CHURCH PROGRAM”.
IT HAS BECOME SO NORMAL AND NATURAL FOR US TO JUST COME REGULARLY TO CHURCH AND WORSHIP THE LORD
EVEN THEN IT IS JUST TO LISTEN TO THE WORD,COLLECT OUR MIRACLES GIVE OUR OFFERINGS,INTERCEDE FOR OTHERS OR JUST BRING OUR PERSONAL REQUESTS TO GOD AND GO HOME TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT SERVICE
IT IS EVEN WORSE IF WE HAVE A PERSON WHO IS DOING THE WORK OF SEEKING GOD FOR US
WE JUST SHOWER THEM WITH PRAISE AND KEEP THANKING GOD FORTHEIR LIVES
WHEN WILL SOMEONE THANK GOD FOR YOUR LIFE TOO.WHEN WIL YOU OVERCOME YOUR COMPLACENCY AND START TO REALLY SEEK GOD FOR HIS PRESENCE AND POWER IN YOUR LIFE?
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF COMPLACENCY?
DEFINITION OF COMPLACENCY 1: SELF-SATISFACTION ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY UNAWARENESS OF ACTUAL DANGERS OR DEFICIENCIES
SYNONYMS ,
ego,
WE HAVE LOST OUR PASSION FOR SEEKING GOD BECAUSE WE LOVE HIM.WE JUST LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS BLESSED US WITH AND THINK WE HAVE ARRIVED
LUKEWARMNESS AND FAKE REST COMES IN REMEMBER THE RICH YOUNG RULER,?REMEMBER THE RICH FOOL?
REV 3:14-22
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
LET US JUST PRAY IN TONGUES WITHOUT ANY PRAYER POINTS TONIGHT