A Royal Priesthood, Pt. 3

Chosen To Testify

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

November 24, 2012

Key Texts: 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Ephesians 5:1-2; Galatians 2:20-21; Exodus 20:7

References: A Solemn Appeal, pg. 143.1

Introduction: Car accident story from age 17.  Discuss lawsuit and the call to testify in regards to the case.  The importance of telling the truth and how it relates to our living testimony as an example of Christ-likeness.

I. Living Unashamed

  1. 2 Timothy 1:8-9a

    a. Paul urges that we not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.

      - Paul suffered for the gospel

      - He was imprisoned

    b. He tells Timothy to share in the sufferings for the gospel according to the POWER of God.

  2. Power = Greek 'Dunamin'

    a. Dunamin comes from the root word Dunamis which is where we derive the word Dynamite.

      - The power of the gospel is explosive!

      - We have no reason to be ashamed

      - Its power will explode in the life of the hearer and seeker to the point of complete change

    b. Paul ties this thought in by reminding Timothy of the HOLY CALLING (this ties back to our

        priestly ministry)

II. It Isn't About Us

  1. 2 Timothy 1:9b-12

    a. Our priestly service isn't contained within our innate ability

      - It is according to Christ's purpose/merit

      - Again we see this plan was laid out before "time began"

    b. God knows end from beginning

      - He didn't create us to not have a purpose

      - No greater calling/purpose than to serve the Master who loves us beyond understanding

  2. Galatians 2:20-21

    a. It is Christ in us that lives and through that new life we testify of Him

    b. We live the new life in Him only by a complete surrender/FAITH & TRUST in Him.

    c. We must never forget that Christ paid the unavoidable penalty of our disobedience.

  3. Ephesians 5:1-2 - Imitators of God…

SOP Reference: "God’s people, above all people in the world, should be patterns of piety, holy in heart and in conversation. The people whom God has chosen as his peculiar treasure, he requires to be elevated, refined, sanctified—partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. If such indulge in sin and iniquity who make so high a profession, their guilt is very great, because they have great light, and have by their profession taken their position as God’s special, chosen people, having the law of God written in their hearts. They signify their loyalty to the God of Heaven by yielding obedience to the laws of his government. They are God’s representatives upon the earth. Any sin or transgression in them separates them from God, and, in a special manner, dishonors his name by giving the enemies of God’s holy law occasion to reproach his cause and his people, whom he has called “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,” that they should show forth the praises of Him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Conclusion: What an awesome and indescribable privilege to be called into this family of royalty.  A priesthood of service to our Creator-God.  We have done nothing to deserve such an invitation.  This just simply shows how important we are to God.  Important enough that Jesus chose to carry the task of redemption all the way to the cross.  The only payment for sin is bloodshed.  And the only way to be restored to God is through sacrifice.  The law cannot save, and that is why Jesus DID NOT died in vain.  The law is immutable, it is eternal, and therefore the price had to be paid.  As his priests we do not have to shed blood, because He has already taken that part out of the way.  Instead we are to be living sacrifices, daily testifying to that which He has done in our stead.  And we testify to that through a visible emulation of Christ's character.  Won't you choose today to raise your heart to heaven and say: "yes Jesus, make me an ambassador of Your character, that I may testify to my position in Your Royal Priesthood."