Week 5: Y’all are the Priests too!
TODAY’S BIG IDEA: EVERY DISCIPLE OF JESUS HAS A UNIQUE MINISTRY THEY ARE CALLED TO FULFILL
1. BEFORE JESUS, GOD BLOCKED PEOPLE FROM HIS PRESENCE
“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it… 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. (See also 2 Chronicles 3:14) –Exodus 26:31, 33
2. BUT JESUS’ DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION GAINED PERMANENT ACCESS TO GOD’S PRESENCE FOR BELIEVERS
And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. –Mark 15:37–38
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption… 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. –Hebrews 9:11–12, 24
3. YOUR ACCESS TO GOD MEANS YOU HAVE A PRIESTLY ROLE
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. –Hebrews 10:19–25
4. AS A PRIEST, YOU ARE CALLED TO WORK AND KEEP THE “TEMPLE”
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work (עָבַד, “abad”) it and keep (שָׁמַר, “shamar”) it.” –Genesis 2:15
“They shall keep (שָׁמַר, “shamar”) guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister (עָבַד, “abad”) at the tabernacle. 8 They shall guard (שָׁמַר, “shamar”) all the furnishings of the tent of meeting and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister (עָבַד, “abad”) at the tabernacle.” –Numbers 3:7-8
SO WHAT? HOW ARE YOU LEVERAGING YOUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES AND ABILITIES TO “ABAD” AND “SHAMAR” GOD’S TEMPLE?
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. –1 Peter 2:4–5
How do I give to 1MSO?
The people of One Missoula Church give tangible resources back to God in order to suffocate greed in our own lives and amplify the impact of the Gospel in the lives of others. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues for this act of devotion:
- Sunday Morning – offering boxes on the communion tables at the back
- Snail Mail – postage-paid envelopes available
- Text “1MSO” to 406-631-3323
- Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
- Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab
