It has become more and more common to have ID badges in many venues today. Due to heightened security concerns, everyone from concert staff to cleaners, dawn ID badges to access various venues. They are intended to identify someone to enable them to have a particular privileged access.
The dictionary defines privilege as "a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor," which may be "attached specifically to a position or an office." It is a blessing or freedom enjoyed by some people, but which most people cannot take advantage of. Christians are a special class of people who enjoy unique and eternal spiritual favors"granted by God" because of their position in Christ.
There has always been confusion on what that position will be. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on what we now remember, today, as Palm Sunday, there was confusion on the new position through Christ as King:
John 12:12-16[12]The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. [13]So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" [14]And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, [15]"Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!"[16]His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. (ESV)
This King of Israel did enable great privilege and when Peter as a disciple of Christ, reflects on the nature of privilege 1 Pt. 2:4-5, he rearranges the same basic truths into multiple images so that his readers might see the multifaceted glory of what it means to be children of God.
Perhaps you view the Christian life more from the standpoint of spiritual duty rather than spiritual privilege. They tend to be preoccupied with the temporal pressures of what they view as obligations and do not cherish the lasting privileges God has given them to enjoy. But Spiritual duty and spiritual privilege are not mutually exclusive for believers, either in this life or in the life to come. In this passage, the apostle emphasizes the richness of the privileges believers already have in Christ.
We can see: 1) THE INITIATION OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES 2) THE PRIVILEGE OF UNION WITH CHRIST 3) THE PRIVILEGE OF ACCESS TO GOD AS PRIESTS 4) THE PRIVILEGE OF ACCESS TO GOD THROUGH SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES
1) THE INITIATION OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES
1 Peter 2:4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
It is as you come to Christ that believers enter the realm of spiritual privilege. Jesus Himself, with Peter and the other apostles as eyewitnesses, called people to abandon the turmoil of their sin and come to Him in faith and experience true soul rest:
Matthew 11:28-29 [28]Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29]Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (ESV)
-The calling of Christ is rest. This may be surprising with everything I have said about putting off destructive habits and putting on Christ and His righteousness, but this means rest.
-To take Christ’s Yoke in Mt. 11:29 means that through his power and strength, He guides us, comforts us, strengthens us and enables us to do what he expects us to do, in his way and in his time.
-The Jews were a people seeing rest, hessed, from wandering in the wilderness, continual sacrifices, and relief from the oppression of the Romans.
-We look at the events of Palm Sunday and how there is often a misunderstanding of rest. Rest does not come from relief from all our earthly pressures, but we now have someone in the person of Christ, who gives us true rest.
Quote: Frances Ridley Havergal made an interesting comment on this rest:
Begin at once, before you venture away from this quiet moment, ask your King to take you wholly into his service, and place all the hours of this day quite simply at his disposal, and ask him to make and keep you ready to do just exactly what he appoints. Never mind about tomorrow, one day at a time is enough. Try it today, and see if it is not a day of strange, almost curious peace, so sweet that you will be only too thankful when tomorrow comes to ask him to take it also.
FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL (1836-1879)
In 1 Pt 2:5, when Peter talks about coming to Christ, the compound verb to come (proserchomenoi), however, conveys more than a mere drawing close to Christ for salvation. The preposition pros is a prefix to the normal verb erchomai and adds intensity, denoting a drawing near to Christ in intimate, abiding, personal fellowship.
-We can be in Christ in a salvation sense but fail to abide in him in an intimate, personal fellowship.
-In essence we take the yoke of the worlds pressures upon ourselves and not take His yoke upon us.
Peter then used the metaphor of a living stone to identify the One to whom believers come "Jesus Christ" and to launch his discussion of spiritual privilege.
Stone (lithos) sometimes refers to a carved precious stone, but usually it means "building stone." The Old Testament designates God as the only rock (Deut. 32:3-4, 31), the foundation and strength of His people. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the rock (2:8, 1 Cor. 10:4) and the stone on which the church rests.
Here Peter’s image is of a stone that was perfectly designed, shaped, and hewn out to become the cornerstone of the church, the foundational corner stone support.
Even though Christ is the source of all spiritual privileges, He has been rejected by men. That phrase primarily refers to the Jewish leaders and the Jewish people who followed them in demanding Christ’s crucifixion. But Peter’s words also encompass everyone who has rejected Christ since that time.
Has been rejected (apodedokimasmenon) means "rejected having been examined or tested." Because the Jewish leaders were looking for the Messiah, when Jesus claimed to be the Christ (Matt. 26:63-64, John 1:49-51, 4:25-26, cf. Matt. 16:13-20, Luke 4:14-21) they examined His claim. Based on their blind hearts and false standards (Matt. 12:2, 10, 38, 15:1-2, 16:1, Mark 12:13-34, John 8:12-27), they concluded that He did not measure up, so they rejected Him (John 19:7, 12, 15, cf. 7:41-52, 12:37-38).
-In the entry into Jerusalem, when the crowd shouted Hosanna! They were literally calling for Him to save them from all external oppression now.
-Most people today do not reject the facts about Christ but a misinformed Character of Him. Our job is to be a faithful image bearer of Him and clarify misconceptions.
It is to the unique living stone that has been rejected by men, that everyone must go to receive the spiritual privileges that accompany salvation (cf. Mt. 11:28, Jn. 1:12, 2 Cor. 5:17)
We have seen: 1) THE INITIATION OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES AND NOW:
2) THE PRIVILEGE OF UNION WITH CHRIST
1 Peter 2:5a you yourselves like living stones
Please turn to Eph. 2
When sinners come in faith to Christ, the "living stone," they too become living stones, when someone believes in Christ he shares His life (cf. John 17:21, 23, 2 Cor. 3:18, Eph. 4:15-16, 1 John 3:2). To be living stones means that believers have the eternal life of Christ. They are united with Him, as stones in a spiritual building of which He is the cornerstone.
Paul told the Ephesians:
Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV) .(cf. 1 Cor. 3:9)
Believers, in their union with Christ, have spiritual resources to meet their every need. That is why Paul could pray on behalf of the Ephesians:
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (ESV) (cf. Gal. 2:20, Col. 1:29).
And it is the reason he could tell the Romans:
Romans 15:18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, (ESV).
Paul’s evangelistic effectiveness resulted from the power of Christ working through him (cf. Acts 13:46-48, 1 Cor. 2:1-5, 1 Tim. 2:7, 2 Tim. 4:17). The power of Christ energizes all spiritual service by believers (cf. 1 Cor. 1:30, Phil. 4:13, 2 Tim. 2:21) and is resident in them because of their union with Him (John 15:4-11).
Those who trust Christ for salvation become themselves living stones like their Savior and Lord and are privileged to access the spiritual power that resides in Him.
Illustration: 5641. Reformation’s Two Martins
At the beginning of the Reformation, Martin of Basle came to a knowledge of the truth, but, afraid to make a public confession, he wrote on a leaf of parchment: "O most merciful Christ, I know that I can be saved only by the merit of thy blood. Holy Jesus, I acknowledge thy sufferings for me. I love thee! I love thee!" Then he removed a stone from the wall of his chamber and hid it there. It was not discovered for more than a hundred years.
About the same time Martin Luther found the truth as it is in Christ. He said: "My Lord has confessed me before men, I will not shrink from confessing Him before kings." The world knows what followed, and today it reveres the memory of Luther, but as for Martin of Basle, who cares for him?
Sunday School Times
We have seen: 1) THE INITIATION OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES 2) THE PRIVILEGE OF UNION WITH CHRIST AND NOW:
3) THE PRIVILEGE OF ACCESS TO GOD AS PRIESTS
1 Peter 2:5b are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, (ESV)
Those who know God through Christ have the privilege of full admission into His presence (Ps. 65:4, John 10:9, Rom. 5:2, Eph. 2:18, 3:12, Heb. 4:16, 10:19-22).
As a believing Jew, the apostle Peter realized the New Testament economy was different from the Old in terms of God’s presence with believers (John 1:17-18, Heb. 8:7-13). In the old economy, God’s temple, representing His presence (1 Kings 8:10-11, 2 Chron. 5:13, 7:2-3), was a temporal, material house (Luke 21:5, John 2:20), but in the new, believers are being built up as a spiritual house that supersedes any material building (Eph. 2:20-22, Heb. 3:6).
They constitute God’s spiritual temple (cf. Acts 17:24, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 2 Cor. 6:16), which Paul called:
1 Timothy 3:15 (if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in) the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. (ESV)
-Believers therefore have access to God "as living stones," and they commune with Him as His spiritual dwelling.
Believers also function as a holy priesthood. Unfortunately, many people associate "priesthood" with the unbiblical model found in the Roman Catholic Church. But when the Bible speaks about believers being "priests," it does not refer to the Roman Catholic system, nor to the old covenant priesthood in which only a single tribe of priests could officially serve God in sacred ceremonies.
Please turn to Lev. 8
In the Old Testament only the high priest could actually go into the Holy of Holies once a year (Lev. 16:2, 29-34, Heb. 9:1-10, 25). Exodus 28-29 lays out God’s commands regarding the priesthood, such as the standards and principles for the office, as well as the functions of the office. Leviticus 8-9 describes the inauguration of men into the priestly office. Malachi 2 contrasts an apostate priesthood to the legitimate, God-ordained priesthood. From those passages flow six basic characteristics of the Old Testament priesthood that have great relevance to New Testament believers spiritual privileges as priests.
1) Exodus 28 first of all reveals that God sovereignly chose the priests.
He commanded Moses:
Exodus 28:1"Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests--Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. (ESV)
Likewise, the New Testament priesthood of believers is an elect privilege. Jesus told His disciples:
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (ESV)
2) The second characteristic of the Old Testament priesthood is that God cleansed them from sin before they embarked on their duties. Leviticus 8:6-36 says:
Lev. 8:6-10 says: [6]And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. [7]And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band. [8]And he placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. [9]And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as the LORD commanded Moses. [10]Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. (ESV)
Paul provided insight into Christ’s cleansing work:
Titus 2:14 (He) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (ESV)
If God has saved you from Wrath, cleansed you from sin, do you ever wonder why?
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (ESV)
Jesus cleansed His people by His blood (Mark 14:24, Acts 20:28, Rom. 3:25, 5:9, Eph. 1:7, 2:13, Heb. 9:11-15, 1 John 1:7, Rev. 1:5) and by His Spirit (John 3:5, Eph. 1:13-14, cf. Matt. 3:11, Acts 11:16) so they could become His priests.
3) Third, God clothed the priests for service.
Exodus 28 gives a detailed account of the priests garments, the purpose of which verses 40-43 summarize:
Exodus 28: [40]"For Aaron’s sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. [41]And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. [42]You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs, [43]and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him. (ESV) (cf. Lev. 8:7-9)
The "linen breeches," or undergarments, symbolized sexual purity, and the other special garments symbolized the priests unique call to righteousness, virtue, and godliness. God set them apart and wanted them to appear distinct from the people so everyone would know they uniquely belonged to Him (cf. Ps. 132:9, 16).
Believers today are also priests whom God has clothed in righteousness:
Romans 4: [5]And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, [11]He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, [22]That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." (ESV) (cf. Ps. 24:5, Isa. 61:10).
4) Fourth, God through Moses anointed the Levitical priests for service.
Lev. 8:30 Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron and his garments, and also on his sons and his sons garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments, and his sons and his sons garments with him. (ESV)
-That anointing identified God’s power and presence as resting on the priesthood, it symbolized empowerment from the Holy Spirit (cf. Ex. 30:23-25, 29, 40:13-15, 1 Sam. 16:13).
In similar fashion, new covenant believers are priests who have received a divine anointing (cf. John 7:38-39, 14:26, 16:13, Acts 1:5, 8, Rom. 15:13, 1 Cor. 12:13, Titus 3:5-6). The apostle John reminded the recipients of his first letter:
1 John 2:20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (ESV)
-God has anointed His own with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence.
Because God had granted them His special authority, Israel’s priests had privileges none of the other people had: they could go where no one else was allowed to go and do things no one else was permitted to do. Christians today have the similar but far greater spiritual advantage of entering God’s holy presence at any time, a privilege that unbelievers never have.
5) A fifth characteristic of the priesthood is that God prepared its members for service.
Following the ceremonies described earlier in Leviticus 8, Moses commanded Aaron and his sons,
Leviticus 8:33 [33]And you shall not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for it will take seven days to ordain you. (ESV)
-Although outwardly everything was in order by the conclusion of Leviticus 8, before Aaron and his sons could function as priests (cf. Lev. 9:2-4, 22-23), God required them to spend a time of heart preparation (cf. Ezra 7:10, Ps. 10:17), represented by the seven days.
-This preparation is the reason we are spending 40 days in prayer and reflection, to consider who we are and what we can do.
Paul’s life illustrates for New Testament believers the principle of priestly preparation:
Galatians 1:15-17 [15]But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, [16]was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone, [17]nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. (ESV). (Gal. 1:15-17, cf. Heb. 10:22)
- Any Ministry must not be entered into prematurely or naively (cf. the principle in 1 Tim. 3:6, 5:22). This suggests the need for preparation before service.
6) Sixth, God called the priests to obedience.
The prophet Malachi emphasized these traits as he looked back to the early days of the priesthood:
Malachi 2:6-7 [6]True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. [7]For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. (ESV)( cf. Deut. 33:10)
Malachi’s portrait of the godly priest also serves as an excellent parallel for Christians:
Colossians 2:6 [6]Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, (ESV) (cf. Acts 1:8, Col. 2:6, 1 John 2:6, Jude 3).
The New Covenant priesthood finds it pattern in Old Covenant priesthood and embodied by Christ himself enabling the faithful priest to have access to God.
We have seen: 1) THE INITIATION OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES 2) THE PRIVILEGE OF UNION WITH CHRIST 3) THE PRIVILEGE OF ACCESS TO GOD AS PRIESTS AND FINALLY:
4) THE PRIVILEGE OF ACCESS TO GOD THROUGH SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES
1 Pt 2:5c to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(ESV).
The primary function of the Old Testament priests, as they ministered in the tabernacle and then the temple, was to offer animal sacrifices to God (Ex. 29:10-19, 2 Chron. 35:11). But when Christ inaugurated the new covenant, animal sacrifices were no longer necessary (Heb. 8:13, 9:11-15, 10:1-18). Now the only sacrifices remaining for the priesthood of believers to offer, according to Peter, are spiritual sacrifices. Believers are to carry or bring up spiritual sacrifices on the altar of their hearts (R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of the Epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude [reprint, Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1966], 90)
The Old Testament priests were to offer sacrifices that met God’s requirements. The animals they offered were to be the best"blameless, spotless, and without defect (Ex. 12:5, Lev. 9:2-3, 22:19, Num. 6:14, Deut. 15:21, 17:1). They also were to offer the animal sacrifices and use incense consistent with God’s requirements. (Failure to strictly follow the divine requirements cost Nadab and Abihu their lives.) New Testament priests have a corresponding responsibility. Even though they enjoy the privilege of unrestricted access to God’s presence (Heb. 10:19-22), Christians still have the serious responsibility of offering spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Christ alone is the mediator (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5-6), the One who gives believers true access to the Father (Heb. 4:14-16, 9:11-15).
How is something acceptable to God?
During His Upper Room Discourse, Jesus told His disciples:
John 14:13-14 [13]Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14]If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)
-Whatever His followers ask, consistent with His person, will, and kingdom plan, He will accomplish it. (1:15-16, 2:21-22, 1 John 2:6).
-All such offerings must be pure acts of sacrifice, deriving from pure motives, and focusing on the pure goal of honoring God.
The New Testament sets forth seven basic, acceptable spiritual sacrifices for Christians: their bodies, their praise, their good works, their possessions, their converts, their love, and their prayers.
The apostle Paul’s familiar and practical exhortation to the Romans says:
Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2]Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
God-honoring spiritual sacrifice begins when believers offer God all their human faculties, including their minds and every part of their bodies. The unregenerate yield the members of their bodies to sin, but the redeemed yield their members as instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:13).
-When we offer up holy spiritual sacrifices, God expects the first of our time, talent and all our resources, not just whatever we have left after work and play.
A second spiritual sacrifice that is acceptable to God is praise, or worship:
Hebrews 13:15 [15]Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (ESV)
-Offering praise to God involves much more than merely mouthing the words "Praise the Lord." It more completely entails gratefully declaring God’s attributes (e.g., Pss. 83:18, 86:5, 10, 90:2, 92:15, 99:9, 102:26-27, 117:1-2, 119:68, 139:1-7, 145:1-9, Isa. 44:6, Rom. 11:33, 1 Tim. 1:17) and His works (e.g., Ex. 15:1-18, 20-21, Judg. 5:1-31, 1 Sam. 2:1-10, 2 Sam. 22:1-51, 1 Chron. 16:7-36, 29:10-15, Pss. 8:1-9, 19:1, 4, 30:1-7, 33:1-22, 66:1-20, 96:1-13, 103-107, 111:1-10, 121:1-8, 135-136, 145:10, 148-150).
Hebrews 13 commends a third and fourth acceptable sacrifice:
Hebrews 13:16 [16]Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (ESV)
Please turn to Phil. 4
"Doing good" involves doing what is righteous and what honors God (cf. 2 Cor. 9:8, Titus 3:8, James 3:17). Any good work whether it is reproof that restores a brother, loving and helpful action toward someone, studying God’s Word, listening to the Word preached, or speaking a righteous word "is a spiritual sacrifice in Christ’s name that glorifies God (2:12, Matt. 5:16, Col. 1:10, 3:17, Heb. 13:21, cf. 2 Thess. 3:13).
"Sharing," or generosity, is a specific good work the writer of Hebrews names. It involves sacrificially giving up one’s resources to meet someone else’s need (Mark 12:42-44, Acts 2:45, 4:36-37, 2 Cor. 8:1-4, 9:6-7, cf. Luke 12:33, Phil. 2:30).
The apostle Paul illustrated for the Philippians many of the aspects of genuine sharing and commended them for their example of true sacrificial generosity to him:
Philippians 4:10-19 [10]I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11]Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12]I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13]I can do all things through him who strengthens me. [14]Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. [15]And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. [16]Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. [17]Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. [18]I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. [19]And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
Fifth, converts"reconciled sinners"constitute another sacrifice offered to God. Paul described this spiritual sacrifice to the Romans:
Romans 15:15-16 [15]But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God [16]to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (ESV)
-He saw the souls of those God had enabled him to influence savingly for Christ as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.
Christ’s sacrificial death, stemming from His love for sinners, suggests a sixth spiritual sacrifice for believers" their own sacrificial love for one another (4:8, Matt. 22:37-39, Mark 12:33, John 13:34-35, Rom. 12:10, 1 Cor. 10:24, 13:4-7, Gal. 5:13, 1 Thess. 4:9, Heb. 6:10, 2 Peter 1:7, 1 John 4:7, 21, 5:1).
Paul encouraged the Ephesians:
Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. [2]And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (ESV)
-Love demonstrated in selfless humility toward one another is well pleasing to God.
Finally, the New Testament portrays prayers as suitable spiritual sacrifices (4:7, Matt. 6:6, Mark 1:35, Eph. 6:18, Phil. 4:6, 1 Tim. 2:1-2, 8, James 5:16).
The apostle John, at the beginning of his vision of the seventh seal, identified the saints prayers as offerings:
Revelation 8:3-4 [3]And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, [4]and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. (ESV)( cf. Luke 1:8-10)
-Those offerings, supported by divinely supplied incense, demonstrate that God honors the properly offered prayers of believers.
Quote: A.W. Tozer said something quite insightful in terms of overall service:
Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will not be judged by how much I have done but by how much of me there is in it. No man gives at all until he has given all. No man gives anything acceptable to God until he has first given himself in love and sacrifice. A. W. TOZER (1897-1963)
When Jesus entered Jerusalem the people misunderstood his Kingdom he was inaugurating and the priests that would serve in the Kingdom. It would demand a lot but have great privileges. Believers spiritual privileges begin the moment the Holy Spirit draws them into a saving union with Jesus Christ. They then have access to the very presence of God as priests who are privileged to offer up a variety of spiritual sacrifices, which are really just the essential characteristics of the Christian life. One of the primary functions in the church’s mission to advance God’s kingdom is to stimulate its members to fulfill their priestly duties. That fulfillment, above any external representations, is the divine measure of the church’s success.
