"The Priesthood for God’s Temple"
In the Old Testament, God’s people had a priesthood.
In the New Testament, God’s people are the priesthood.
In the Old Testament, the priest offered sacrifices in the Temple.
In the New Testament, the priest offer sacrifices from the Temple.
In the Old Testament, the priests brought sacrifices.
In the new Testament, the priests are the sacrifices.
I. Who Are the Priests?
The main Scriptures about priests in the OT: Exodus 28-29, Leviticus 8-9 and Malachi 2
A. Priests were chosen Exodus 28:1 I Corinthians 1: 26-29
B. Priests had to be cleansed Leviticus 8: 6-30 ending with blood on their right ear (to ear God), on their right thumb (to work for God) and right toe (to walk with God).
I Peter 1:2 and Titus 2:14, 3:5 - we have been washed and sprinkled with blood
C. Priests were specially clothed
Cleansed from sin – clothed for service
Exodus 28:42; Lev. 8
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
D. Priests are anointed Lev. 8: 12, 30
I John 2:20 You have an anointing from the Holy One
I John 2:27 The anointing which abides in you.
E. Priests were specially prepared Lev 8:33
F. Priests were ordained to be obedient Lev 10: 1-3; I Peter 1:14
G. Priests loved God’s Word Malachi 2: 1-8 Deut 33: 10
H. Priests walked with God Malachi 2: 6
I. Priests had an impact on sinners Malachi 2:6
J. Priests are God’s messengers Malachi 2:7
II. What does the Priest do?
According to Leviticus 9, he offers sacrifices.
A. Sacrifices are offered by the priest – vs. 5
1. Yourself
Romans 12: 1 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.
Romans 6: 13 , 18 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Vs. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
2. Praise
Hebrews 13:15 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.
I Peter 2:9 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;
3. Good works
Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
4. Giving
Hebrews 13:16 Philippians 4: 10-20 vs. 18 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.
5. The Lost
Romans 15:16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
6. Love
Ephesians 5:2 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.
7. Prayers
Revelation 8:3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
B. Sacrifices are offered for the Lord – vs. 5