‘instructions For Priests’

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Don’t Become Unclean (21:1-15)

(2). Don’t Have Imperfections (21:16-24)

(3). Don’t Defile the Priest’s Food (22:1-16)

(4). Don’t Corrupt the Lord’s Offerings (22:17-33)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Question: What is the common link with these jobs?

• A Lector, A Knocker upper, A Gandy dancer, A Caddy butcher

• A Pinsetter, A Lamplighter, A Leech collector. A Scissors grinder.

• An Elevator operator. A Switchboard operator. A Video rental associate.

• Answer is they are all jobs that don't exist anymore.

• They are jobs that came and went, they have no relevance to our modern times.

• TRANSITION: When it comes to the title of today’s sermon, ‘Instructions for priests’

• There will be many Christians as well as UnChurched friends,

• Who might say, “What is the point at looking at that?”

• Like that list of jobs, Old Testament priests don’t exist anymore!

• It is just not relevant.

But studying any part of God’s Word is always relevant.

• It will help us appreciate the blessings that we have ‘in Christ.’

• And there are always principles or examples that we can learn from.

Ill:

• We have already noted in our communion time.

• That that the Old Testament system of approaching God is over, it is finished.

• We approach God the Father by, “a new and living way”.

• We come with confidence/boldness through our Jesus Christ our Lord.

• (Hebrews chapter 10 verse 20)

• We no longer need any animal sacrifice,

• Because Jesus Christ, “sacrificed himself, once and for all.”

• (Hebrews chapter 7 verse 27).

• And the book of Hebrews teaches that,

• Jesus is both our perfect High Priest as well as our perfect sacrifice!

• (Hebrews chapter 7 verses 26-28 & chapter 10 verses 1-4)

• So, these rituals are types and shadows in the book of Leviticus,

• Are to prepare us and teach us about the Messiah who was to come.

• And they all find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

Note:

• Although the old system is finished or rather fulfilled.

• There are many parallels for us as Christians today.

Ill:

• If I asked you for an alternative term to the name, ‘Christian?’

• What would you say?

• Disciple,

• Believer (2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 15)

• Nazarene (Acts chapter 24 verse 5)

• Follower of the way (Acts chapter 24 verse 14)

• Saint (Ephesians chapter 1 verse 1)

• The Elect (Colossians chapter 3 verse 12).

• Another description in the New testament is Priest.

• (1 Peter chapter 2 verse 5)

• In fact, the New Testament says every Christian is also a priest.

e.g. 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 5 the apostle Peter reminds his readers,

“…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices (Note our sacrifices are, ‘spiritual’ not ‘physical’) acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

e.g. 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9 the apostle Peter reminds his readers,

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

e.g. Revelation chapter 1 verses 5-6 the apostle John reminds his readers,

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

• TRANSITION: In Christ we are called priests.

• Salvation is not merely “fire insurance,” an escape from hell.

• Salvation is also a call to serve him, like an Old Testament priest served him!

• As Evangelical Christians,

• We are keen to point out and highlight nobody is saved by good works,

• But don’t fall into the trap of being saved and then not doing good works!

• i.e. As priests we serve one another in the Church using our spiritual gifts and talents.

• Every Christian is called to service!

• We looked at this recently in our teaching series on the Church.

• i.e. And as priests we remind those outside the Church of how to be reconciled to God.

• And every Christian is called to evangelise!

• We care given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians chapter 5 verses 17-20).

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”