Make Your Move Part 3: Let The Laity Move Up Series

B. Holy Priests

-What is a priest? Someone who offers something to God. In the Old Testament it was sacrificing animals. In the New Testament, we offer our lives as a living sacrifice. As lay priests we are offering ourselves, consecrating our life, our gifts, our future, everything to God. When Peter says that we are “holy priests” it means that we give ourselves completely to Him.

C. A Chosen Race

-I love this phrase. How awesome it is to realize that God has chosen to use us. Because of His great love and mercy and grace, God has chosen the “unchooseable.” I’m not even sure that’s a word, but I do know this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He chose to die for us when we were unlovable, unwilling, rebellious, and sinful. I remember back when Mandy and I first started dating, I use to ask her all the time, “How in the world are you not married yet? You’re beautiful, intelligent, funny, Godly…you could have any guy you want!” And then I would ask her, “Why on earth are you with me?!? One of the best moments of my life so far was when she turned to me and said, “Because I want you, Stephen.” You know an even greater feeling: that God wants you. He has chosen you to be His own.

D. God’s Own Possession

-I think that’s one of the greatest phrases in the Bible that describes true stewardship. We are people who are God’s property. We belong to Him. Everything we have, everything we are, belongs to Him for Him to do with what He pleases. He’s the owner. He has you as a steward of the life He’s loaned to you. And He expects you to use those for His glory.

 The titles Peter uses in this Scripture raise all believers to the status of minister!

-Now just that one reason ought to be enough for all of us to get off of our spiritual duffs and do something for God, amen? But just in case you need a little more motivation, let’s go on to #2:

2. Spiritual growth will never happen unless we use our gifts.

-You need to hear this loud and clear, this morning: you will never grow spiritually like you need to unless you use the spiritual gifts God has given you. There’s no spiritual bailout plan if you don’t use your gifts. You won’t grow. Period.

-You see, a lot of Christians think that they’re supposed to be like Christmas ornaments. You know sparkling and looking good and out on display for everyone to see. I know a pastor who taught on spiritual gifts when he first went to a new church. And he gave out a questionnaire out to the members asking them how they were using their spiritual gifts. He said that one lady responded that she used her spiritual gifts in 3 ways: she came to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. And she was serious.

-Hey you know what? I run into Christians who think that they should get the Purple Heart just for showing up. Hey listen, you need to be here on Wednesday nights for Bible study. And you should be here Sunday nights. But at the same time, we’ve got to understand the difference between being a passenger on a ship and being a member of the crew. Some of you need to get that into your hearts and minds this morning. As a Christian, your role in this church isn’t a paid passenger. It’s a crew member who does their part in service.