A Royal Priesthood, Pt. 1

Chosen To Exemplify

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

October 27, 2012

Key Texts: 1 Peter 2:9-10 & 11-12; Leviticus 10:8-11; 1 Peter 1:15-16

References: SDA Bible Commentary 7, pg. 939.11

Introduction: I remember as a child, whenever I'd behave in a silly manner or act a little goofy, my grandfather would always say, "Boy, you sure are a character."  I always wondered what this meant.  What is a character, I'd think to myself.  I'd heard the word used in describing my favorite cartoon personalities.  They too were characters.  I'd even heard it used in the format of a question: "What kind of character is he?"

Turns out, a character is the very description/definition of who a person is.  It is the sum of one's personality, lifestyle, viewpoints, ideology, background…even intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge play a vital role in one's character.

Question: How should our characters be defined?  What do you want folks to see as you display your character?  What kind of character are you?

Opening: 1 Peter 2:9-10

I. A Chosen Generation

  1. We have been chosen to live in the Light, and to come out of darkness

     a. 1 John 1:5-7 - Can darkness exist in light, or vice versa? Where does the Light come

          from?

     b. Ephesians 5:8 - God called us, we are His…we are to shine forth with His light.

  2. Why did God choose Israel out of all the people on earth?

     a. Deuteronomy 7:6-11 - We are chosen because we return our love to God who first

         loved us. Israel was to be His light! Shining Truth in a dark world.

     b. There is nothing arbitrary in God's choice.  He chooses they which choose Him!

II. A Royal Priesthood

  1. What is a priest?

     a. Webster's definition - A priest is one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion.

          A Mediator between man and God.

     b. We don't need a mediator these days, as Christ is the only mediator…however, God still

         charges His "priests" (you and me) to work on His behalf in bringing others out of

        darkness and into the light.

     c. Can we fulfill this calling if we choose to assimilate to the world?

  2. Priestly Conduct

     a. We must choose to abstain from the pressure the enemy puts on us constantly to sin.

     b. We must remember we are pilgrims here on a journey to our true home. We are to be

         peculiar in the eyes of the world. Don't expect to "fit-in."

     c. 1 Peter 2:11-12 - Episkope = Overseer/Oversight - Now is our Day of Visitation where

         we are called to be Christ's examples to the world.  And we must pick up others on our

         way home.

     d. We are the priesthood that is preparing to meet our Lord.

        - He gives us strength to carry out this calling

        - We must remember it is His light and not anything from ourselves

        - We are all called into the priesthood; success lies only when our eyes are fixed on our

           High Priest!  He is the One who ministers on our behalf in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

In Conclusion: Are you prepared to be holy and set apart?  Have you accepted the covenant with your High Priest, Jesus, that promises to prepare you for this most treasured calling?  Search your heart today, have you been the example God set you up to be?  Or do you need to renew your experience with Him?

Appeal: Will you raise your hand with me just now as to express your desire to exemplify a character which says: "Lord Jesus, I accept your call into this Royal Priesthood!"