Who is a Believer-Priest?

O. T. "Who is a Believer-Priest?"
Feb. 17, 2014
Exodus 28-Part 1
There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.  1 Tim. 2:5

LET IT GLOW

Do you consider yourself a believer-priest?
As this chapter focuses on the clothing of the priests of Israel, the next chapter focuses mainly on the consecration of the priests. As believers in Jesus Christ, our High Priest that intercedes for us to God,
we are priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9) (We no longer need a priest to go to for confessing our sins.) We have direct access to the Father through Jesus. It is in His name that we pray to our God.
Before discussing Aaron's priestly wardrobe, let's talk about the position.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary shows the comparison of the Old Testament priests and the New Testament believer-priests.

 Both are: 

                      *elected by privilege (verse 1; John 15:16)
                      *cleansed from sin (Lev. 8:6-36; Titus 2:14)
                      *clothed for service (verse 42; Lev. 8:7)
                      *anointed for service (Lev. 8:12; 1 John 2:20, 27)
                      *prepared for service (Lev. 8:33; Gal. 1:16; 1 Tim. 3:6)
                      *ordained to obedience (verse 4; Lev. 10:1)
                      *to honor God's Word (verse 2; Mal. 2:7)
                      *to walk with God (Mal. 2:6; Gal. 5:16, 25)
                      *to impact sinners (Ma. 2:6; Gal. 6:1)
                      *to be messengers of God (Ma. 2:7; Matt. 28:19,20).

Are we fulfilling our duties as a New Testament believer-priest?
Do we take seriously our privilege to enter the heavenly throne room because of the blood of Jesus?
How are we clothed-differently from the world?
Is our service for the glory of God or self?
Do we honor His Word, studying and applying it?
Is our walk with God throughout each day?
Are we impacting sinners, showing them the way a Christian is to live, act, speak?
Will we be a messenger for God today?
(So much for me to think about as these apply to me personally.)


LET IT GROW

Studying the Aaronic priesthood can teach us much about the privileges and obligations we have as God's priests. Our Lord's priesthood comes from the order of Melchizedek and not the order of Aaron. See Heb. 7-8.)   (Wiersbe)

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament explains the duties of the priests:

• Minister first to the Lord and serve Him; (verses 1, 3,4,41)
• Represent the people before God;
• Minister at the altar.

The law clearly defined priests' duties for worship and sacrifices in the tabernacle and for the individual worshiper and the nation's covenantal relationship to God. (MacArthur)

A believer-priests in Jesus, are we serving our Lord faithfully? Do we seek His agenda for our day? Are we asking Him what He wants us to do and how He wants us to do it? Or are we living for our self? How are we representing Him to others? Do we minister to God at the altar of sacrifice with praise and prayer?

LET IT GO

Let go of the world and cling to Jesus.

Set aside time and a place especially for worshiping and ministering to the Lord daily.

As a believer-priest, serving-Jesus and others.

Study His Word and apply it in my life.