Faith In Christ as Priest
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 11/10/2013 AM |
Text: | Hebrews 8:1-13, 9:11-28, 10:11-14; Lord's Day 12 |
Psalters: | 302, 384, 109, 231 |
- The concept
- The idea of priest is heart holiness: separated from sin and sanctified (dedicated) to God Who is the only, perfect good.
- Before the fall into sin man lived a consecrated life of service, because his heart was filled with love for his Creator.
- After the fall man became a priest to the devil, dedicated to living in hatred against God in the service of sin (Romans 8:7).
- God responded by promising to redeem this office in the Christ to come.
- This was pictured and foreshadowed in the priests and especially in the sacrifices.
- And the sacrifice pointed out that thanks is expressed in a self-sacrificing service, given to God for His great goodness.
- The idea of priest is heart holiness: separated from sin and sanctified (dedicated) to God Who is the only, perfect good.
- The reality came in Christ, THE Priest.
- He was appointed and qualified to do everything necessary to lead God's works to the highest glory.
- On earth, Christ redeemed His people by the one sacrifice of His body.
- As the great High Priest He was completely consecrated and dedicated to doing God's will.
- He delivered from the power of sin, restoring the may (privilege), the ability (can), and the will of divine service.
- In heaven Christ makes continual intercession for us.
- He received the Spirit, by which He, as the office-bearer, fulfills His ministry of representing God, and us to God.
- He serves as our Advocate before the Father (Hebrews 7:25), applying His sacrifice to His brothers and sisters.
- In office-bearers.
- The Old Dispensation the priests gave themselves wholly to the service of God and to His worship.
- In the New Dispensation, the deacons convey Christ's priesthood.
- Those who are in Christ are partakers of His anointing and thus are Christians, anointed ones.
- To have the right to be called a Christian is a gift of grace.
- The priesthood of all believers means that we are consecrated to Him, giving ourselves as living sacrifices of thankfulness.
- By nature we want to be our own, but by grace we confess: "All that I am, I owe to Thee."
- We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices of thankfulness (Rom. 12:1,2).
- We serve in our own distinct ways in the normal activities of life.