PRIESTS OF THE KINGDOM
Rev. 5:6-10
Sermon Objective: The Church serves as “Priests of the Kingdom” offering reconciliation to all.
INTRO
Last week we began looking at the two identifying marks of the church given in Rev. 5:10.
We discovered that this was not the first time they were mentioned in the book (see Rev. 1:5-6); nor will it be the last; and such repetition is a clue helping us grasp primary themes and emphasis.
We also talked about how these identifying marks would help the second century church of Asia Minor cope with the dark times to come. And that these marks would be unpacked and utilized throughout the remainder of The Revelation.
We only got as far as the first mark last week. We looked at what it means to be a KINGDOM.
We looked at the danger of living on a horizontal plane.
• I suggested that the Kingdom of God is expected to transcend the Kingdoms of this world.
• That our message of Good News is more compelling than the earth-bound Kingdoms’ messages proclaimed on the national news.
• That it is idolatry to have an allegiance to this world … there is something authentic and motivating about having “No King but Jesus.”
We also discovered that being God’s Kingdom means we will reign and rule. However, as we took a sneak peak at this week’s identity mark, we reminded ourselves what God means when he says we will reign.
Jesus said “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” (Luke 22:25-26)
That, of course, brings us to your next identity mark … you are … we are … PRIESTS.
REV. 5:6-10
6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
PRIESTS
It has always been God’s design and desire for His people to serve the nations. From the very beginning birth pangs of a people, God has made this clear. While speaking to the nomadic Israelites through Moses (Exodus 19:5-6) YHWH said, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation …” (emphasis added).
This desire of God’s was well known by His covenant people.
Some from the Jewish tradition would suggest that this is the underlying meaning of the story of Jonah as well. That Jonah represents Israel and God’s call to the nations, the big fish represents Israel’s exile for their refusal to obey, and that even after the exile they still did not get it or own their calling as priests.
A quick review of the latter third of Isaiah informs us that, after the exile, it was still God’s design and desire (c.f. Isaiah 42:5-7 and Isaiah 60:2-3).
Jesus’ sermon on the Good Samaritan also drove home the objective of God and the disobedience of His people.
• And then we turn to The Revelation.
• Has God’s design and desire changed?
• Does He now wish for his people to be something other-than priests to the nations?
The answer is no.
Rev. 20:6 ties the priesthood of the church and the kingdom together. It reads: “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”
We, Jesus’ church, are priests.
Claiming your identity as God’s priest carries specific implications and powerful expectations doesn’t it?
It has the potential of altering how we understand ourselves as a church doesn’t it?
It has the potential of transforming your personal identity and behavior doesn’t it?
Being a priest implies:
SERVING
The office of priest and serving others go hand in hand don’t they?
Do you think the world might look at the church a bit different if they saw us as servants rather than separatists who are quick to condemn and slow to help?
It is possible to serve out of a purely horizontal posture but as believers we have more to offer than mere humanitarian aid. Our service is motivated by perfected love and a Gospel of grace.
The two core values of Jesus certainly fill this imagery of priesthood with significance. Jesus said, "The most important one is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 'The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
A church that does not serve the world is pushing the definition of Church .
A Christian who does not serve others should call himself / herself by another term – it is at the very core of what it means to be a Christ-follower.
Being a priest implies:
A “MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION”
The priests were the only ones who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of His people. Today’s priests (the church) need not offer a sacrifice ... that has been completed. But we do get to offer the pardon and reconciliation that the sacrifice of the slaughtered Lamb provides. The Bible calls this “The Ministry of Reconciliation.” Paul speaks of it in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
Is there any calling on earth with more urgency than sharing the Good News?
Do you really believe that?
• When was the last time you shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with some one?
• Have you ever had the privilege of leading someone to Jesus?
I was given a challenge a few weeks back that I want to pass on to you. I give you permission to hold me accountable … I want you to hold me accountable but ONLY if you, too, take up the challenge.
I am asking God to give me the names of three NEW people who need to know Him as Savior and to allow me to bring them to faith.
Can I give you that challenge today too?
• What could happen if God gave us each 3 NEW names?
• Do you think God knows 3 more people, estranged from Him, that he loves enough that he could place them in your charge?
A couple of weeks ago I told you that over 50% of St. Lawrence County does not profess any religious affiliation. It isn’t like you’ll have to look very hard for God to give you opportunities!
If you will seek God for this with me then you can ask me how my list is coming. I will, each time you ask, tell you and in return ask you. But remember … we are talking about NEW names – new friends.
Being a priest implies:
A MINISTRY OF HEALING
Do you know the story of Clara McBride Hale, also known as “Mother Hale”? She founded the Hale House in Harlem; it was a home for unwanted children and children who were born addicted to drugs.
She originally opened her house as a day-care to make a living; however, this eventually led her to find her life calling. Hale became known as a mother to those who did not have one. She began taking children in who were born addicted to their mother’s drug habits during pregnancy. She, along with her daughter Lorraine, and sons Nathan and Kenneth, gave themselves tirelessly to the task of healing the lives of addicted children and parents in Harlem. Mother Hale kept the frailest of the infants in her own bedroom; cradling them and walking the floors all night when necessary to comfort each one through the painful experience of detoxification. This lovely Baptist woman once said, "When I get to heaven, I'm going to rest," but she knew that, for the moment, she had a nobler task.
Clara eventually purchased a larger building and devoted her life to caring for needy children. She took them in … free of charge and would raise them as if they were her own. Once they were healthy she would help to find families interested in adoption. She took it upon herself to make sure the families were a correct fit and even in some cases turned families down if she thought they could not provide a good enough home for the child.
Clara Hale spent 52 years helping over 1,000 drug-addicted babies, young children, and mothers.
Do you think God might want to use you to bring healing to another person?
In the book, “The Empowered Communicator” Calvin Miller says that most people we come in contact with are silently thinking:
• I am loneliness waiting for a friend
• I am weeping in want of laughter
• I am a sigh in search of consolation
• I am a wound in search of healing
The Church is God’s salve for their healing. We are “the balm of Gilead.” God’s Spirit uses to bring healing and wholeness to humankind– to give them life to the full.
That is why it is important for us to grasp our identity – our calling – our mission. As priests we are to step away from our own agendas and comfort zones and serve. Understanding that calling can genuinely transform your life’s purpose and, through you, the lives of others.
We do not want to be like Jonah (or Israel); chasing our own preferences and being ruled by our prejudices.
Wrap-Up
In 1Peter 2, Peter says, “5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9… you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
The Levitical priests were anointed with oil as they began their life-long ministry. You were too. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is for you, as it was for Jesus, the anointing (and empowerment) for service.
You see, the office of priest is by nature an office of service and an office of representation.
Serving others and representing God’s Kingdom go hand in.
The world cannot always understand your profession of faith, but it can understand service.
Everybody can be great in the manner that Jesus described greatness ... because everybody can serve.
• You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.
• You don’t have to be certified or licensed to serve.
• You only need a heart full of grace – a soul generated by love.
The question is not whether we can (or should) serve as priests of the kingdom.
It is not whether we can be His instruments of reconciliation and healing.
It is, rather, WHEN will we take up the calling and be faithful to it.
• In Christ you are: A Kingdom
• In Christ you are: A Priest
THESE IDENTIFYING MARKS ARE NOT JUST POSITIONS WE HOLD THEY ARE DEFINITIONS OF OUR MISSION IN THE WORLD.
These identity marks told the Church of John’s day (and the church of our day) that they had work to do. They set the table for how and what the church did in the midst of a chaotic and dangerous time.
They still do.
Let’s pray.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
