Class 5 from this series was used in GCT Episode 333.<\/p>\n
2
\n00:00:09,320 –> 00:00:13,880
\nOur speaker for this first
\nsession is Brother Everett Muniz<\/p>\n
3
\n00:00:14,280 –> 00:00:17,120
\nfrom the Paris from Paris Ave.
\nOhio. <\/p>\n
4
\n00:00:18,040 –> 00:00:23,480
\nHis theme this week is Be Holy,
\nthe High Calling of God in <\/p>\n
5
\n00:00:23,480 –> 00:00:28,120
\nChrist Jesus.
\nThis is his third class in the <\/p>\n
6
\n00:00:28,120 –> 00:00:33,120
\nsubject for this class is a
\nKingdom of priests, a holy <\/p>\n
7
\n00:00:33,120 –> 00:00:36,640
\nnation.
\nOur reading was taken from first<\/p>\n
8
\n00:00:36,640 –> 00:00:41,280
\nbeat it 2 verses one through 10.
\nBrother Everett. <\/p>\n
9
\n00:00:48,490 –> 00:00:50,250
\nThank you, brother Jason, and
\ngood morning, brothers and <\/p>\n
10
\n00:00:50,250 –> 00:00:58,800
\nsisters.
\nI should begin with just a very <\/p>\n
11
\n00:00:58,800 –> 00:01:01,440
\nbrief apology.
\nI have not quite been myself <\/p>\n
12
\n00:01:01,440 –> 00:01:04,720
\nthese last few days in the way
\nof small families. <\/p>\n
13
\n00:01:04,720 –> 00:01:08,560
\nSometimes illness strikes and
\nthe kids get it and they get <\/p>\n
14
\n00:01:08,560 –> 00:01:12,000
\nover it pretty directly and then
\nthey pass it off to mom and dad <\/p>\n
15
\n00:01:12,000 –> 00:01:15,320
\nand it hangs around.
\nSo yesterday, as a result, I <\/p>\n
16
\n00:01:15,320 –> 00:01:18,360
\nthink we we glossed over a few
\nareas of emphasis that I had <\/p>\n
17
\n00:01:18,360 –> 00:01:21,280
\nreally intended to to dwell on a
\nlittle bit more than we did. <\/p>\n
18
\n00:01:21,280 –> 00:01:24,360
\nAnd so I apologize for that.
\nBut with God’s help, we’ll try <\/p>\n
19
\n00:01:24,360 –> 00:01:27,000
\nto get back on track this
\nmorning. <\/p>\n
20
\n00:01:30,360 –> 00:01:36,080
\nHere’s what we intend to explore
\ntogether in this session, which <\/p>\n
21
\n00:01:36,080 –> 00:01:38,080
\nwe have titled The Kingdom of
\nPriests. <\/p>\n
22
\n00:01:38,960 –> 00:01:42,440
\nWe’re going to start by looking
\nat the theme of priesthood <\/p>\n
23
\n00:01:42,560 –> 00:01:45,000
\ngenerally.
\nThe Levitical priesthood may <\/p>\n
24
\n00:01:45,000 –> 00:01:49,480
\ncome to mind most readily, but
\nthe theme of priesthood is so <\/p>\n
25
\n00:01:49,480 –> 00:01:53,080
\nmuch bigger than that founded in
\nthe line of Aaron. <\/p>\n
26
\n00:01:53,640 –> 00:01:56,200
\nAnd then we’ll turn our
\nattention to some of the ways <\/p>\n
27
\n00:01:56,240 –> 00:02:00,280
\nthat the Levitical priesthood
\nreminded Israel of its national <\/p>\n
28
\n00:02:00,280 –> 00:02:04,600
\ncalling to be a Kingdom of
\npriests, and a few of the <\/p>\n
29
\n00:02:04,600 –> 00:02:07,000
\nlessons that we can take away
\nfrom that. <\/p>\n
30
\n00:02:07,840 –> 00:02:10,360
\nAnd then finally, we’ll look at
\na few lessons that we can take <\/p>\n
31
\n00:02:10,360 –> 00:02:14,520
\naway from the priestly
\nresponsibilities of teaching and<\/p>\n
32
\n00:02:14,520 –> 00:02:18,640
\nsacrifice.
\nAnd then, of course, as we have <\/p>\n
33
\n00:02:18,640 –> 00:02:22,520
\ndone, we’ll take a brief look at
\nwhat we’ll be looking at in our <\/p>\n
34
\n00:02:22,520 –> 00:02:28,160
\nfourth session tomorrow.
\nSo in our last session, we saw <\/p>\n
35
\n00:02:28,160 –> 00:02:32,600
\nthat God redeemed Israel from
\nbondage in Egypt to be a Kingdom<\/p>\n
36
\n00:02:32,600 –> 00:02:37,320
\nof priests and a holy nation.
\nWe saw that God wants to dwell <\/p>\n
37
\n00:02:37,400 –> 00:02:42,920
\namong His chosen people, but to
\ndo that he requires a holy <\/p>\n
38
\n00:02:42,960 –> 00:02:47,240
\nplace.
\nUltimately and wonderfully. <\/p>\n
39
\n00:02:47,800 –> 00:02:52,440
\nThat holy place that God wants
\nto dwell in His habitation <\/p>\n
40
\n00:02:52,440 –> 00:02:56,200
\nthrough the Spirit is us human
\nbeings. <\/p>\n
41
\n00:02:57,160 –> 00:03:01,480
\nBut owing to the fact that we
\nare unholy by nature, God has to<\/p>\n
42
\n00:03:01,480 –> 00:03:06,040
\ntransform us, and that process
\ntakes time. <\/p>\n
43
\n00:03:07,040 –> 00:03:10,200
\nThe Tabernacle was an important
\npart of the process that God put<\/p>\n
44
\n00:03:10,200 –> 00:03:14,640
\nin place to transform the
\nnatural descendants of Abraham <\/p>\n
45
\n00:03:14,640 –> 00:03:19,200
\nand Isaac and Jacob into a holy
\nplace where he could dwell. <\/p>\n
46
\n00:03:20,520 –> 00:03:24,320
\nExodus 29 tells us that the
\nLevitical priesthood was <\/p>\n
47
\n00:03:24,400 –> 00:03:30,920
\ninextricably linked to this
\npurpose as well, as we see here <\/p>\n
48
\n00:03:30,920 –> 00:03:34,800
\nin Exodus 29, verse 44, where
\nGod says, and I will sanctify <\/p>\n
49
\n00:03:34,800 –> 00:03:37,840
\nthe Tabernacle of the
\ncongregation and the altar. <\/p>\n
50
\n00:03:38,040 –> 00:03:43,600
\nI will sanctify also both Aaron
\nand his sons to minister to me <\/p>\n
51
\n00:03:43,840 –> 00:03:49,240
\nin the priest’s office, and I
\nwill dwell among the children of<\/p>\n
52
\n00:03:49,240 –> 00:03:54,280
\nIsrael and be their God.
\nHere our Father describes the <\/p>\n
53
\n00:03:54,280 –> 00:03:58,120
\npriesthood as a critical
\ncomponent of those things <\/p>\n
54
\n00:03:58,120 –> 00:04:02,040
\nnecessary for him to dwell among
\nthe children of Israel and be <\/p>\n
55
\n00:04:02,040 –> 00:04:05,920
\ntheir God.
\nThe Levitical priests were to be<\/p>\n
56
\n00:04:05,920 –> 00:04:10,080
\nagents of Israel’s
\ntransformation into a holy place<\/p>\n
57
\n00:04:10,080 –> 00:04:14,320
\nwhere God could dwell, as we’ll
\nsee, brothers and sisters and <\/p>\n
58
\n00:04:14,400 –> 00:04:17,399
\nyoung people.
\nAs he did with the Levitical <\/p>\n
59
\n00:04:17,399 –> 00:04:21,640
\npriesthood and the tribe of Levi
\ngenerally, God wants to involve <\/p>\n
60
\n00:04:21,800 –> 00:04:26,520
\nus in the work of creating a
\nholy place for him to dwell. <\/p>\n
61
\n00:04:27,320 –> 00:04:30,800
\nIt’s a wonderful insight into
\nthe character of our God. <\/p>\n
62
\n00:04:31,480 –> 00:04:36,800
\nHe doesn’t need our help, but it
\ngives him pleasure to include <\/p>\n
63
\n00:04:36,800 –> 00:04:40,040
\nhis faithful children in the
\nwork that he is doing. <\/p>\n
64
\n00:04:43,600 –> 00:04:46,400
\nSo before we look at a few
\nlessons about Our Calling to be <\/p>\n
65
\n00:04:46,520 –> 00:04:50,120
\nagents of holiness from the
\npriesthood that God established <\/p>\n
66
\n00:04:50,120 –> 00:04:53,080
\nwith Aaron, we’ll take a moment
\nand look at the theme of <\/p>\n
67
\n00:04:53,080 –> 00:04:57,840
\npriesthood generally.
\nNow the first use of the Hebrew <\/p>\n
68
\n00:04:57,840 –> 00:05:01,720
\nword translated priest, as far
\nas I can tell, is in Genesis <\/p>\n
69
\n00:05:01,720 –> 00:05:05,600
\nchapter 14 and verse 18.
\nAnd Melchizedek, king of Salem, <\/p>\n
70
\n00:05:05,600 –> 00:05:10,320
\nbrought forth bread and wine,
\nand he was the priest of the <\/p>\n
71
\n00:05:10,320 –> 00:05:14,160
\nMost High God.
\nNow there are a few more uses of<\/p>\n
72
\n00:05:14,160 –> 00:05:17,920
\nthe word in Genesis, but they’re
\nin relation to Pagan priests of <\/p>\n
73
\n00:05:17,920 –> 00:05:20,600
\nEgypt.
\nAnd then we find a few <\/p>\n
74
\n00:05:20,600 –> 00:05:24,680
\nreferences to this word in
\nExodus chapter 2 and 3, but <\/p>\n
75
\n00:05:25,000 –> 00:05:27,080
\nthey’re in reference to Moses’s
\nfather-in-law. <\/p>\n
76
\n00:05:27,960 –> 00:05:32,920
\nInterestingly, after Genesis 14
\nverse 18, the next use of the <\/p>\n
77
\n00:05:32,920 –> 00:05:38,480
\nword in obvious relation to the
\nMost High God is Exodus 19 <\/p>\n
78
\n00:05:39,040 –> 00:05:43,280
\nverses 5 and 6, as part of God’s
\nintention for the nation of <\/p>\n
79
\n00:05:43,280 –> 00:05:48,200
\nIsrael.
\nIn Exodus 19 verses 5 and 6, God<\/p>\n
80
\n00:05:48,200 –> 00:05:51,520
\nsays, If you will obey my voice
\nindeed, and keep my covenant, <\/p>\n
81
\n00:05:51,920 –> 00:05:55,480
\nthen you shall be a peculiar
\ntreasure unto me above all <\/p>\n
82
\n00:05:55,480 –> 00:05:59,840
\npeople, for all the earth is
\nmine, and you shall be unto me a<\/p>\n
83
\n00:05:59,840 –> 00:06:02,840
\nKingdom of priests and a holy
\nnation. <\/p>\n
84
\n00:06:02,840 –> 00:06:07,400
\nYou know, it’s interesting,
\nthere are 653 verses in the Old <\/p>\n
85
\n00:06:07,400 –> 00:06:13,680
\nTestament where this word
\noccurs. 643 of them come after <\/p>\n
86
\n00:06:14,200 –> 00:06:16,920
\nthis passage.
\nIt’s as if the theme of <\/p>\n
87
\n00:06:16,920 –> 00:06:20,880
\npriesthood takes off after it’s
\nbeen expressed in connection <\/p>\n
88
\n00:06:20,880 –> 00:06:25,560
\nwith Israel’s national calling.
\nAnd because we already know that<\/p>\n
89
\n00:06:25,920 –> 00:06:28,720
\nwhat an important role the
\nLevitical priesthood plays in <\/p>\n
90
\n00:06:28,720 –> 00:06:33,520
\nGod’s work to make Israel a holy
\nplace where he can dwell, they <\/p>\n
91
\n00:06:33,520 –> 00:06:37,800
\nnaturally come to mind when we
\nread Exodus 19, verses 5 and 6. <\/p>\n
92
\n00:06:38,320 –> 00:06:40,440
\nAnd there’s certainly an
\nassociation between the <\/p>\n
93
\n00:06:40,440 –> 00:06:44,720
\npriesthood alluded to in Exodus
\n19 and Levitical priesthood. <\/p>\n
94
\n00:06:46,280 –> 00:06:49,440
\nBut we know that they are not
\none and the same. <\/p>\n
95
\n00:06:50,200 –> 00:06:54,520
\nThe Levitical priesthood was
\npart of the law in Hebrews <\/p>\n
96
\n00:06:54,520 –> 00:06:57,800
\nchapter 10 and verse one tells
\nus that the law was only a <\/p>\n
97
\n00:06:57,800 –> 00:07:02,760
\nshadow of good things to come,
\nand so likewise the Levitical <\/p>\n
98
\n00:07:02,760 –> 00:07:08,040
\npriesthood was only a shadow of
\nGod’s priestly calling expressed<\/p>\n
99
\n00:07:08,040 –> 00:07:14,480
\nhere in Exodus 19.
\nHelpfully, the apostle Peter <\/p>\n
100
\n00:07:14,480 –> 00:07:17,120
\nconfirms this for us in first
\nPeter chapter 2. <\/p>\n
101
\n00:07:17,760 –> 00:07:20,280
\nThe theme of priesthood is
\nintroduced in verse 6 when he <\/p>\n
102
\n00:07:20,280 –> 00:07:24,960
\nsays that believers are lively
\nstones being built up, a <\/p>\n
103
\n00:07:24,960 –> 00:07:27,400
\nspiritual house and holy
\npriesthood. <\/p>\n
104
\n00:07:28,080 –> 00:07:31,400
\nAnd just a few verses later, he
\nexpands on this idea, using the <\/p>\n
105
\n00:07:31,400 –> 00:07:36,880
\nlanguage of Exodus 19, verses 5
\nand 6 to describe us as a chosen<\/p>\n
106
\n00:07:36,880 –> 00:07:41,920
\ngeneration, a royal priesthood
\nand holy nation, a peculiar <\/p>\n
107
\n00:07:41,920 –> 00:07:44,840
\npeople.
\nAnd so by applying the language <\/p>\n
108
\n00:07:44,840 –> 00:07:48,600
\nof Exodus 19 to you and to me,
\nPeter confirms that the <\/p>\n
109
\n00:07:48,600 –> 00:07:52,560
\npriesthood that Israel was
\ncalled to was the outworking of <\/p>\n
110
\n00:07:52,560 –> 00:07:56,520
\na better covenant based upon
\nbetter promises than the one <\/p>\n
111
\n00:07:56,520 –> 00:07:58,720
\nthat God made with the people at
\nSinai. <\/p>\n
112
\n00:07:59,800 –> 00:08:04,880
\nIt’s a marvelous example, isn’t
\nit, of the continuity of God’s <\/p>\n
113
\n00:08:04,880 –> 00:08:08,640
\npurpose.
\nWhat a comfort to realize that <\/p>\n
114
\n00:08:08,640 –> 00:08:14,200
\nthere is an infinitely wise hand
\ninvolved in events both great <\/p>\n
115
\n00:08:14,200 –> 00:08:17,680
\nand small, the events upon the
\nworld stage and events in our <\/p>\n
116
\n00:08:17,680 –> 00:08:22,280
\nlives to realize a truly
\nglorious purpose. <\/p>\n
117
\n00:08:23,240 –> 00:08:27,000
\nThe work that God has undertaken
\nisn’t haphazard. <\/p>\n
118
\n00:08:27,800 –> 00:08:31,840
\nIt’s meticulously planned and
\nexecuted with the greatest care <\/p>\n
119
\n00:08:32,280 –> 00:08:37,200
\nand attention to detail.
\nNow in verses four to six of <\/p>\n
120
\n00:08:37,200 –> 00:08:40,440
\nfirst Peter chapter 2, he he, he
\ndoes this beautiful thing that <\/p>\n
121
\n00:08:40,440 –> 00:08:43,080
\noften happens in the Scriptures
\nwhere two metaphors that we may <\/p>\n
122
\n00:08:43,080 –> 00:08:46,120
\nnot normally think of as as
\npulling together are pulled <\/p>\n
123
\n00:08:46,120 –> 00:08:47,680
\ntogether.
\nAnd he he does so. <\/p>\n
124
\n00:08:47,680 –> 00:08:51,360
\nHe uses the metaphor of a
\nbuilding in connection with the <\/p>\n
125
\n00:08:51,360 –> 00:08:53,720
\npriesthood.
\nAnd in effect, Peter says that <\/p>\n
126
\n00:08:53,840 –> 00:08:58,840
\nJesus is the foundation of the
\npriestly order of which <\/p>\n
127
\n00:08:58,840 –> 00:09:06,280
\nbelievers become a part.
\nHe is the stone which the <\/p>\n
128
\n00:09:06,280 –> 00:09:09,760
\nbuilders rejected, that has
\nbecome the chief of the corner. <\/p>\n
129
\n00:09:10,400 –> 00:09:15,320
\nAnd upon him God is building a
\nholy temple, his habitation <\/p>\n
130
\n00:09:15,320 –> 00:09:18,080
\nthrough the Spirit.
\nAnd this aligns beautifully, <\/p>\n
131
\n00:09:18,080 –> 00:09:20,200
\ndoesn’t it, with what we’ve
\nalready seen about God’s <\/p>\n
132
\n00:09:20,200 –> 00:09:23,520
\nintention to dwell among his
\nchosen people. <\/p>\n
133
\n00:09:26,440 –> 00:09:29,960
\nThe letter to the Hebrews has
\nmuch to say about Jesus role as <\/p>\n
134
\n00:09:29,960 –> 00:09:33,720
\nhead of this holy priesthood
\ntouched on in first Peter <\/p>\n
135
\n00:09:33,720 –> 00:09:37,800
\nchapter 2.
\nWhereas the law, the Tabernacle <\/p>\n
136
\n00:09:37,800 –> 00:09:40,360
\nand the priestly order
\nassociated with them were a <\/p>\n
137
\n00:09:40,360 –> 00:09:44,560
\nshadow of good things to come,
\nJesus is the High priest of <\/p>\n
138
\n00:09:44,920 –> 00:09:49,920
\nthose very good things.
\nThe Tabernacle from which he <\/p>\n
139
\n00:09:49,920 –> 00:09:54,480
\nministers is a greater and more
\nperfect Tabernacle, not made <\/p>\n
140
\n00:09:54,480 –> 00:09:58,680
\nwith hands, that is to say, not
\nof this building as we have here<\/p>\n
141
\n00:09:58,680 –> 00:10:01,000
\nin Hebrews Chapter 9 and verse
\n11. <\/p>\n
142
\n00:10:05,960 –> 00:10:09,360
\nHebrews chapters 5 to 7 take us
\nback to the first mention of <\/p>\n
143
\n00:10:09,360 –> 00:10:13,920
\npriesthood in in Genesis chapter
\n14 and verse 18 when they tell <\/p>\n
144
\n00:10:13,920 –> 00:10:18,440
\nus that Jesus is a high priest
\nafter the order of Melchizedek <\/p>\n
145
\n00:10:18,840 –> 00:10:21,040
\nas we have here in Hebrews
\nchapter 5. <\/p>\n
146
\n00:10:21,480 –> 00:10:24,680
\nSo also Christ glorified not
\nHimself to be made in high <\/p>\n
147
\n00:10:24,680 –> 00:10:29,200
\npriest, but he that said unto
\nhim, Thou art my Son today have <\/p>\n
148
\n00:10:29,200 –> 00:10:33,360
\nI begotten thee as He hath also
\nin another place thou art a <\/p>\n
149
\n00:10:33,360 –> 00:10:36,640
\npriest forever.
\nAfter the order of Melchizedek, <\/p>\n
150
\n00:10:37,640 –> 00:10:42,480
\nthis is the priesthood referred
\nto in Exodus 19, verses 5 and 6,<\/p>\n
151
\n00:10:42,480 –> 00:10:46,920
\nand in First Peter chapter 2.
\nThis is the priesthood of the <\/p>\n
152
\n00:10:46,920 –> 00:10:53,440
\nKingdom Age.
\nThe immortalized Saints, God’s <\/p>\n
153
\n00:10:53,600 –> 00:10:57,480
\nholy ones, shall be priests of
\nGod and of Christ, and shall <\/p>\n
154
\n00:10:57,480 –> 00:11:03,600
\nreign with Him 1000 years.
\nOur High Priest has redeemed us <\/p>\n
155
\n00:11:03,600 –> 00:11:08,480
\nto God by His blood out of every
\nkindred and tongue and people <\/p>\n
156
\n00:11:08,480 –> 00:11:13,680
\nand nation, and has made us unto
\nour God, kings and priests, that<\/p>\n
157
\n00:11:13,680 –> 00:11:17,480
\nwe should reign with Him in the
\nearth, a fact that has not yet <\/p>\n
158
\n00:11:17,480 –> 00:11:20,880
\nbeen fully realized.
\nBut in our pursuit of holiness <\/p>\n
159
\n00:11:20,880 –> 00:11:23,400
\nwe are journeying to this
\nreality. <\/p>\n
160
\n00:11:29,320 –> 00:11:33,000
\nWhen we put First Corinthians
\nchapter 15 verses 25 to 28, <\/p>\n
161
\n00:11:33,000 –> 00:11:37,880
\ntogether with Revelation chapter
\n20 verses 6 to 15, the 1st 2 <\/p>\n
162
\n00:11:37,880 –> 00:11:40,560
\ncolumns that you see on the
\nslide that’s currently <\/p>\n
163
\n00:11:40,560 –> 00:11:45,160
\ndisplayed, we see that Jesus and
\nthose that have a part in the <\/p>\n
164
\n00:11:45,160 –> 00:11:49,440
\nfirst resurrection who will be
\npriests of God and of Christ, <\/p>\n
165
\n00:11:49,840 –> 00:11:54,840
\nreigning 1000 years until all
\nenemies have been conquered, the<\/p>\n
166
\n00:11:54,840 –> 00:11:58,960
\nlast of which is death.
\nThe great high priest and his <\/p>\n
167
\n00:11:58,960 –> 00:12:01,920
\npriestly brethren will work
\ntogether to prepare the earth, <\/p>\n
168
\n00:12:02,520 –> 00:12:08,400
\nthe earth for a time when God
\ncan be All in all. <\/p>\n
169
\n00:12:09,160 –> 00:12:12,880
\nWhen, as it says in Revelation
\nchapter 21 verses one to four, <\/p>\n
170
\n00:12:13,240 –> 00:12:16,800
\nthe Tabernacle of God is with
\nmen, and He will dwell with <\/p>\n
171
\n00:12:16,800 –> 00:12:21,800
\nthem, and they shall be his
\npeople, and God himself shall be<\/p>\n
172
\n00:12:21,800 –> 00:12:27,360
\nwith them and be their God.
\nAnd this work is certainly <\/p>\n
173
\n00:12:27,360 –> 00:12:29,920
\nforeshadowed in the role
\nappointed to the Levitical <\/p>\n
174
\n00:12:29,920 –> 00:12:34,160
\npriesthood.
\nThey were meant to be God’s <\/p>\n
175
\n00:12:34,240 –> 00:12:38,800
\nagents of holiness in the nation
\nof Israel, to prepare the people<\/p>\n
176
\n00:12:38,800 –> 00:12:42,000
\nto be a holy place where God
\ncould dwell. <\/p>\n
177
\n00:12:44,360 –> 00:12:47,160
\nSo hopefully what we’ve seen is
\nthat the theme of priesthood <\/p>\n
178
\n00:12:47,280 –> 00:12:53,200
\nruns right through the Bible,
\nand it’s absolutely central to <\/p>\n
179
\n00:12:53,200 –> 00:12:57,080
\nGod’s overall purpose.
\nThe priestly calling that Israel<\/p>\n
180
\n00:12:57,080 –> 00:13:01,080
\nreceived in Exodus 19 has its
\nroots in the same priestly order<\/p>\n
181
\n00:13:01,080 –> 00:13:04,520
\nof which Melchizedek was a
\nmember and over which our Lord <\/p>\n
182
\n00:13:04,520 –> 00:13:09,720
\nand Savior Jesus Christ is head.
\nPeter tells us that we, brothers<\/p>\n
183
\n00:13:09,720 –> 00:13:15,000
\nand sisters and young people, we
\nhave received this very same <\/p>\n
184
\n00:13:15,000 –> 00:13:19,440
\ncalling.
\nBut here’s the thing. <\/p>\n
185
\n00:13:20,320 –> 00:13:25,440
\nWe have to live our lives today
\nin active preparation for our <\/p>\n
186
\n00:13:25,440 –> 00:13:28,280
\nfuture membership in this holy
\npriesthood. <\/p>\n
187
\n00:13:29,280 –> 00:13:32,520
\nMembership in the priesthood to
\ncome will be for those who <\/p>\n
188
\n00:13:32,520 –> 00:13:36,600
\ncooperate with God’s efforts to
\nprepare them for it now. <\/p>\n
189
\n00:13:50,180 –> 00:13:52,660
\nWhile the priesthood that God
\nestablished back in Exodus with <\/p>\n
190
\n00:13:52,700 –> 00:13:55,580
\nAaron and his sons is only a
\nshadow of good things to come <\/p>\n
191
\n00:13:55,580 –> 00:13:59,700
\nand not the very substance of
\nthose things, it still has a <\/p>\n
192
\n00:13:59,700 –> 00:14:03,740
\ngreat deal to teach us about the
\ngreater priesthood to which we <\/p>\n
193
\n00:14:03,740 –> 00:14:06,680
\nhave been called.
\nThe Levitical priesthood was a <\/p>\n
194
\n00:14:06,680 –> 00:14:11,120
\nkind of model for Israel.
\nThe nation couldn’t afford to <\/p>\n
195
\n00:14:11,120 –> 00:14:13,840
\nlose sight of their priestly
\ncalling. <\/p>\n
196
\n00:14:14,800 –> 00:14:17,560
\nThough the people couldn’t do
\nthe work of the priests and <\/p>\n
197
\n00:14:17,560 –> 00:14:21,520
\nLevites, they were meant to
\nidentify with their calling, <\/p>\n
198
\n00:14:22,440 –> 00:14:25,960
\nwith their service.
\nSo God provides them with a <\/p>\n
199
\n00:14:25,960 –> 00:14:29,760
\nnumber of reminders that the
\nwhole nation had received a <\/p>\n
200
\n00:14:29,760 –> 00:14:33,720
\npriestly calling.
\nEven as we have brothers and <\/p>\n
201
\n00:14:33,720 –> 00:14:36,160
\nsisters, these principles hold
\ntrue today. <\/p>\n
202
\n00:14:36,720 –> 00:14:40,520
\nWe can’t afford to lose sight of
\nour priestly calling. <\/p>\n
203
\n00:14:41,400 –> 00:14:46,840
\nLike Israel, we need to identify
\nwith the work of priestly <\/p>\n
204
\n00:14:46,840 –> 00:14:49,600
\nservice.
\nThe lessons that they needed to <\/p>\n
205
\n00:14:49,600 –> 00:14:52,640
\nlearn are no less relevant to
\nus. <\/p>\n
206
\n00:14:53,520 –> 00:14:56,480
\nAnd so we’d like to spend a few
\nmoments looking at a few of the <\/p>\n
207
\n00:14:56,600 –> 00:15:00,360
\nways that the Levitical
\npriesthood reminded Israel of <\/p>\n
208
\n00:15:00,360 –> 00:15:05,560
\ntheir greater priestly calling.
\nFirstly, prior to the <\/p>\n
209
\n00:15:05,560 –> 00:15:08,440
\nestablishment of the Levitical
\npriesthood, the priest of the <\/p>\n
210
\n00:15:08,440 –> 00:15:10,960
\nfamily would have been the first
\nborn son. <\/p>\n
211
\n00:15:11,680 –> 00:15:16,640
\nHowever, when God establishes
\nthe Levites as priests and the <\/p>\n
212
\n00:15:16,640 –> 00:15:21,840
\nremainder of the tribe to assist
\nthem in their service, the men <\/p>\n
213
\n00:15:21,840 –> 00:15:26,440
\nof the tribe of Levi are taken
\nin exchange for all the first <\/p>\n
214
\n00:15:26,440 –> 00:15:30,440
\nborn sons of the other tribes.
\nAnd then God gives the Levites <\/p>\n
215
\n00:15:30,440 –> 00:15:34,320
\nto Aaron and his sons to do the
\nservice of the children of <\/p>\n
216
\n00:15:34,320 –> 00:15:37,560
\nIsrael in the Tabernacle of the
\ncongregation and to make an <\/p>\n
217
\n00:15:37,560 –> 00:15:39,440
\natonement for the children of
\nIsrael. <\/p>\n
218
\n00:15:39,440 –> 00:15:44,960
\nAs it says in Numbers chapter 8
\nand verse 19, this is one of the<\/p>\n
219
\n00:15:44,960 –> 00:15:49,240
\nways that the nation was meant
\nto identify with the service of <\/p>\n
220
\n00:15:49,240 –> 00:15:53,040
\nthe priests and Levites.
\nTheir representative status <\/p>\n
221
\n00:15:53,040 –> 00:15:57,120
\nwould have been driven home by
\nthe man for man exchange. <\/p>\n
222
\n00:15:57,120 –> 00:15:59,960
\nThat’s described there in
\nNumbers Chapter 3. <\/p>\n
223
\n00:16:03,360 –> 00:16:07,520
\nThis next slide shows the
\nsimilarity between the process <\/p>\n
224
\n00:16:07,520 –> 00:16:11,520
\nof consecration both of the
\nnation of Israel and of the <\/p>\n
225
\n00:16:11,520 –> 00:16:14,680
\npriesthood particularly.
\nAnd there seems to be a very <\/p>\n
226
\n00:16:14,680 –> 00:16:18,800
\ninteresting similarity in the
\nprogression that the nation went<\/p>\n
227
\n00:16:18,800 –> 00:16:21,800
\nthrough and that the priesthood
\nitself went through. <\/p>\n
228
\n00:16:23,440 –> 00:16:26,120
\nThe Brown Driver Briggs lexicon
\nsays that the Hebrew word <\/p>\n
229
\n00:16:26,120 –> 00:16:30,720
\ntranslated consecration in
\nExodus 29 and Leviticus 8 and 9 <\/p>\n
230
\n00:16:30,920 –> 00:16:34,920
\nin reference to the priesthood
\ncarries the idea of <\/p>\n
231
\n00:16:35,240 –> 00:16:37,520
\ninstallation.
\nAnd I found that I found that <\/p>\n
232
\n00:16:37,520 –> 00:16:42,120
\nhelpful to think of Israel being
\nas it were installed as a <\/p>\n
233
\n00:16:42,120 –> 00:16:46,960
\nnation, as the priesthood was
\nbeing installed later on. <\/p>\n
234
\n00:16:48,840 –> 00:16:54,000
\nIt’s the same word that’s used
\nin Exodus 25 and 35 in reference<\/p>\n
235
\n00:16:54,040 –> 00:16:58,280
\nto the stones that were
\ninstalled upon the priests, <\/p>\n
236
\n00:16:58,360 –> 00:17:04,480
\nephod and the breastplate.
\nAnd there seems to be, as we’ve <\/p>\n
237
\n00:17:04,480 –> 00:17:08,960
\nsaid, a close similarity between
\nthis process that Israel went <\/p>\n
238
\n00:17:08,960 –> 00:17:12,119
\nthrough nationally and that
\nAaron and his sons went through <\/p>\n
239
\n00:17:12,119 –> 00:17:18,800
\nindividually washing, followed
\nby an application of the Spirit <\/p>\n
240
\n00:17:18,800 –> 00:17:22,960
\nword, either in fact or type, as
\nin the case of the priests. <\/p>\n
241
\n00:17:23,680 –> 00:17:27,920
\nThe blood of the burnt and peace
\nofferings in the case of Israel <\/p>\n
242
\n00:17:27,920 –> 00:17:30,960
\nsprinkled upon them and upon the
\nbook of the covenant in the case<\/p>\n
243
\n00:17:30,960 –> 00:17:34,200
\nof Aaron and his sons, touched
\nupon the right ear and the right<\/p>\n
244
\n00:17:34,200 –> 00:17:38,280
\nthumb and the right big toe.
\nAnd then finally this process <\/p>\n
245
\n00:17:38,280 –> 00:17:43,920
\ncoming to its fruition, coming
\nto a crescendo, as it were, with<\/p>\n
246
\n00:17:43,920 –> 00:17:48,080
\nthe glory of the Lord appearing
\nand a devouring fire. <\/p>\n
247
\n00:17:49,880 –> 00:17:55,320
\nOne of the lessons that seems to
\nbe embedded in this similarity <\/p>\n
248
\n00:17:58,360 –> 00:18:01,680
\nis that God would only come into
\nthe presence of his priestly <\/p>\n
249
\n00:18:01,680 –> 00:18:05,960
\npeople after they had been
\nsanctified by submitting <\/p>\n
250
\n00:18:05,960 –> 00:18:09,280
\nthemselves to the process that
\nHe provided. <\/p>\n
251
\n00:18:10,240 –> 00:18:12,880
\nAnd of course, the same
\nprinciple applies to us. <\/p>\n
252
\n00:18:13,440 –> 00:18:16,600
\nWe have to submit ourselves to
\nthe process that God has <\/p>\n
253
\n00:18:16,600 –> 00:18:21,640
\nprovided for our preparation
\nbefore He will draw near and <\/p>\n
254
\n00:18:21,640 –> 00:18:28,200
\nreceive us.
\nIt’s also interesting that God <\/p>\n
255
\n00:18:28,200 –> 00:18:33,200
\nrequired the whole nation to be
\nwitness to the process of the <\/p>\n
256
\n00:18:33,200 –> 00:18:36,760
\npriests consecration.
\nIn Leviticus chapter 8, <\/p>\n
257
\n00:18:36,760 –> 00:18:39,920
\nbeginning at verse 2, it says,
\nTake Aaron and his sons with <\/p>\n
258
\n00:18:39,920 –> 00:18:42,960
\nhim, and the garments, and the
\nanointing oil, and the Bullock <\/p>\n
259
\n00:18:42,960 –> 00:18:46,840
\nfor the sin offering, and two
\nRams, and a basket of unleavened<\/p>\n
260
\n00:18:46,840 –> 00:18:51,840
\nbread.
\nAnd after thou excuse me, and <\/p>\n
261
\n00:18:51,840 –> 00:18:55,000
\ngather thou all the congregation
\ntogether unto the door of the <\/p>\n
262
\n00:18:55,000 –> 00:19:00,480
\nTabernacle of the congregation.
\nAnd Moses did as the Lord <\/p>\n
263
\n00:19:00,480 –> 00:19:03,720
\ncommanded him, and the assembly
\nwas gathered together unto the <\/p>\n
264
\n00:19:03,720 –> 00:19:06,200
\ndoor of the Tabernacle of the
\ncongregation. <\/p>\n
265
\n00:19:06,720 –> 00:19:10,280
\nAnd Moses said unto the
\ncongregation, This is the thing <\/p>\n
266
\n00:19:10,280 –> 00:19:12,560
\nwhich the Lord commanded to be
\ndone. <\/p>\n
267
\n00:19:13,120 –> 00:19:17,160
\nAnd so the the nation is brought
\ntogether to witness the process <\/p>\n
268
\n00:19:17,440 –> 00:19:20,640
\nof the consecration of the
\npriests, and they’re told very <\/p>\n
269
\n00:19:20,640 –> 00:19:24,160
\nexplicitly, this process that
\nyou are about to witness is a <\/p>\n
270
\n00:19:24,160 –> 00:19:27,480
\nprocess that God himself has
\nestablished. <\/p>\n
271
\n00:19:29,160 –> 00:19:32,680
\nIt seems likely that the people
\nwere required to witness this <\/p>\n
272
\n00:19:32,680 –> 00:19:36,720
\nprocess in part to reinforce the
\nnation’s priestly calling. <\/p>\n
273
\n00:19:41,560 –> 00:19:44,960
\nAnother way that Israelites
\ngenerally could more intimately <\/p>\n
274
\n00:19:45,000 –> 00:19:49,200
\nidentify with the nation’s
\ngreater priestly calling was <\/p>\n
275
\n00:19:49,200 –> 00:19:52,560
\nthrough the Nazarite vow.
\nThere are at least three <\/p>\n
276
\n00:19:52,560 –> 00:19:55,280
\nsimilarities between the
\nrequirements of the Levitical <\/p>\n
277
\n00:19:55,280 –> 00:19:59,120
\npriesthood and the requirements
\nof the Nazarite vow, and they’re<\/p>\n
278
\n00:19:59,120 –> 00:20:03,000
\nshown here on the slide
\nSeparation on the Head, <\/p>\n
279
\n00:20:03,880 –> 00:20:09,080
\nAbstention from Wine and Strong
\nDrink, and Avoidance of <\/p>\n
280
\n00:20:09,080 –> 00:20:13,720
\nDefilement from the Dead.
\nThe word Nazarite is is <\/p>\n
281
\n00:20:13,720 –> 00:20:15,480
\ninteresting to me.
\nIt’s essentially a <\/p>\n
282
\n00:20:15,480 –> 00:20:18,960
\ntransliteration of a Hebrew
\nword, which the theological word<\/p>\n
283
\n00:20:18,960 –> 00:20:24,160
\nbook of the Old Testament says
\nmay be similar in context to the<\/p>\n
284
\n00:20:24,160 –> 00:20:28,880
\nEnglish word distinction, which
\nnot only bears the connotation <\/p>\n
285
\n00:20:28,880 –> 00:20:32,520
\nof difference, but also
\neminence. <\/p>\n
286
\n00:20:33,000 –> 00:20:38,240
\nSo it isn’t simply that it’s
\nseparate, but that it’s <\/p>\n
287
\n00:20:38,640 –> 00:20:43,080
\nsuperior.
\nThis concept is more nuanced <\/p>\n
288
\n00:20:43,080 –> 00:20:47,400
\nthan simply separation.
\nIt’s separation to a superior <\/p>\n
289
\n00:20:47,400 –> 00:20:51,200
\nstatus.
\nEven though the average non <\/p>\n
290
\n00:20:51,200 –> 00:20:53,880
\nLevite was barred from
\nparticipation in Levitical <\/p>\n
291
\n00:20:53,880 –> 00:20:59,120
\npriesthood, they could choose
\nfor a time to take a path of <\/p>\n
292
\n00:20:59,120 –> 00:21:03,640
\ndistinction emulating the
\nlifestyle and dedication <\/p>\n
293
\n00:21:03,840 –> 00:21:06,080
\nintended for the Levitical
\npriesthood. <\/p>\n
294
\n00:21:07,440 –> 00:21:12,600
\nIn fact, in at least two ways,
\nthe Nazarite vow was superior to<\/p>\n
295
\n00:21:12,920 –> 00:21:17,360
\nthe Levitical priesthood.
\nFirstly, it was open both to men<\/p>\n
296
\n00:21:17,360 –> 00:21:20,240
\nand women, whereas we know that
\nthe Levitical priesthood was <\/p>\n
297
\n00:21:20,240 –> 00:21:22,480
\nlimited to the men of that
\ntribe. <\/p>\n
298
\n00:21:24,640 –> 00:21:30,000
\nIt was also chosen voluntarily
\nas an expression of love for God<\/p>\n
299
\n00:21:30,680 –> 00:21:35,720
\nout of a desire to live in
\nholiness before Him, whereas the<\/p>\n
300
\n00:21:35,720 –> 00:21:39,880
\nLevitical priests served as a
\nmatter of hereditary duty. <\/p>\n
301
\n00:21:48,100 –> 00:21:50,740
\nAnother interesting point that
\nis at least worth noting in <\/p>\n
302
\n00:21:50,740 –> 00:21:54,860
\npassing comes out of a closer
\nlook at Numbers. <\/p>\n
303
\n00:21:54,860 –> 00:21:59,060
\nChapter 6.
\nThere are 24 occurrences of this<\/p>\n
304
\n00:21:59,300 –> 00:22:04,140
\nword that’s associated with
\nNazarite, Nazar. <\/p>\n
305
\n00:22:04,460 –> 00:22:11,280
\nNazir and Nazar taken together
\nappear 24 times in Numbers <\/p>\n
306
\n00:22:11,280 –> 00:22:15,240
\nchapter 6, and this is a number
\nthat we find on a few different <\/p>\n
307
\n00:22:15,240 –> 00:22:18,720
\noccasions associated with the
\npriesthood there in First <\/p>\n
308
\n00:22:18,720 –> 00:22:22,840
\nChronicles 24.
\nIt’s a bit hidden in that it it <\/p>\n
309
\n00:22:23,120 –> 00:22:26,120
\nit lists the number 16 and the
\nnumber 8, but it’s clear that <\/p>\n
310
\n00:22:26,120 –> 00:22:29,200
\nthey’re intended to be to be
\ngrouped together and then in <\/p>\n
311
\n00:22:29,200 –> 00:22:32,920
\nNumbers rather in First
\nChronicles 25 and also in <\/p>\n
312
\n00:22:32,920 –> 00:22:35,640
\nRevelation chapters 4:00 and
\n5:00. <\/p>\n
313
\n00:22:49,760 –> 00:22:53,440
\nAnother way that the priesthood
\nwas representative of the nation<\/p>\n
314
\n00:22:53,440 –> 00:22:56,760
\nas a whole was through the
\noffice of the high priest. <\/p>\n
315
\n00:22:58,400 –> 00:23:01,960
\nWe already alluded to the stones
\nthat were upon the ephod and <\/p>\n
316
\n00:23:02,120 –> 00:23:05,240
\nupon the breastplate.
\nUpon those stones were written <\/p>\n
317
\n00:23:05,240 –> 00:23:08,080
\nthe names of the children of
\nIsrael according to their birth.<\/p>\n
318
\n00:23:08,080 –> 00:23:12,880
\nThe stones, the Onyx stones upon
\nthe ephod, and they were on the <\/p>\n
319
\n00:23:12,880 –> 00:23:17,600
\nhigh priest shoulders for a
\nmemorial, and he also bore the <\/p>\n
320
\n00:23:17,600 –> 00:23:21,080
\nnames of the children of Israel
\naccording to the 12 tribes in <\/p>\n
321
\n00:23:21,080 –> 00:23:28,000
\nthe breastplate for a memorial.
\nHe also wore a gold plate upon <\/p>\n
322
\n00:23:28,120 –> 00:23:32,440
\nhis turban on which was written
\nholiness to the Lord, <\/p>\n
323
\n00:23:32,840 –> 00:23:36,720
\nsymbolizing what God requires
\nfrom all those that would draw <\/p>\n
324
\n00:23:36,720 –> 00:23:40,520
\nnear to him.
\nA sanctification of mind who’s <\/p>\n
325
\n00:23:40,560 –> 00:23:45,600
\noutworking is sanctification of
\nspeech and action, and this <\/p>\n
326
\n00:23:45,600 –> 00:23:49,040
\nsanctification of mind is one of
\nthe defining features of the <\/p>\n
327
\n00:23:49,040 –> 00:23:53,120
\npriesthood in the Kingdom Age
\nand seems to be symbolized in <\/p>\n
328
\n00:23:53,360 –> 00:23:57,880
\nRevelation 14 and in Revelation
\n22 by having the Father’s name <\/p>\n
329
\n00:23:58,360 –> 00:24:02,840
\nwritten in their foreheads,
\nwhich certainly calls to mind <\/p>\n
330
\n00:24:02,840 –> 00:24:05,480
\nthis golden plate worn by the
\nhigh priest. <\/p>\n
331
\n00:24:06,600 –> 00:24:11,120
\nThe thoughtful Israelite would
\nlook on and see this aspect of <\/p>\n
332
\n00:24:11,120 –> 00:24:14,760
\nrepresentation as well.
\nHe or she would look on the high<\/p>\n
333
\n00:24:14,760 –> 00:24:19,480
\npriest and see their own
\npriestly calling to the pursuit <\/p>\n
334
\n00:24:19,840 –> 00:24:23,640
\nof holiness.
\nThe New Testament seems to <\/p>\n
335
\n00:24:23,640 –> 00:24:27,600
\nemphasize the representative
\naspect of the high priest by <\/p>\n
336
\n00:24:27,600 –> 00:24:31,080
\nlinking that office to none
\nother than our Lord and Savior <\/p>\n
337
\n00:24:31,120 –> 00:24:35,840
\nJesus the Christ through His
\npriesthood, though His <\/p>\n
338
\n00:24:35,840 –> 00:24:39,840
\npriesthood is of the order of
\nMelchizedek rather than of <\/p>\n
339
\n00:24:39,840 –> 00:24:42,240
\nAaron.
\nAs the office of the Levitical <\/p>\n
340
\n00:24:42,240 –> 00:24:45,360
\nhigh priest represented what God
\nwanted from each and every <\/p>\n
341
\n00:24:45,360 –> 00:24:50,240
\nIsraelite, Jesus as a greater
\nhigh priest, represents what God<\/p>\n
342
\n00:24:50,240 –> 00:24:54,240
\nwants from all those that he
\ncalls to membership in His <\/p>\n
343
\n00:24:54,240 –> 00:24:59,800
\nfamily.
\nSo, brothers and sisters, if it <\/p>\n
344
\n00:24:59,800 –> 00:25:04,000
\nwas this important for Israel to
\nidentify with their priestly <\/p>\n
345
\n00:25:04,000 –> 00:25:08,560
\ncalling, if God saw fit to
\nremind them time and again in <\/p>\n
346
\n00:25:08,560 –> 00:25:13,040
\nvarious ways that they too were
\nmeant to be a Kingdom of <\/p>\n
347
\n00:25:13,040 –> 00:25:18,400
\npriests, it was not a service
\nthat could be farmed out, so to <\/p>\n
348
\n00:25:18,400 –> 00:25:22,080
\nspeak, to the Levites, but
\nrather the Levites served as a <\/p>\n
349
\n00:25:22,080 –> 00:25:25,880
\nmodel for the development of a
\npriestly character throughout <\/p>\n
350
\n00:25:25,880 –> 00:25:28,720
\nthe nation.
\nIf this was true for them, can <\/p>\n
351
\n00:25:28,720 –> 00:25:36,520
\nit be any less so for us?
\nDo we think of ourselves as <\/p>\n
352
\n00:25:36,560 –> 00:25:43,480
\npriests in training?
\nAre we attentive to the teaching<\/p>\n
353
\n00:25:43,480 –> 00:25:48,520
\nand example of our high priest,
\nthe head of our order? <\/p>\n
354
\n00:25:50,200 –> 00:25:52,920
\nOur journey on the way of
\nholiness is a journey, among <\/p>\n
355
\n00:25:52,920 –> 00:25:58,200
\nother things, to priesthood.
\nThat is the character of the <\/p>\n
356
\n00:25:58,200 –> 00:26:03,880
\nwork that God has in mind for
\nthose who become holy as He is <\/p>\n
357
\n00:26:03,880 –> 00:26:07,080
\nholy.
\nIt will be our great privilege <\/p>\n
358
\n00:26:07,080 –> 00:26:11,200
\nto work alongside our high
\npriest to transform the whole <\/p>\n
359
\n00:26:11,200 –> 00:26:17,040
\nearth into a place, a holy
\nplace, where God can dwell. <\/p>\n
360
\n00:26:18,360 –> 00:26:21,760
\nSo let’s look briefly at a few
\nlessons that we can take away <\/p>\n
361
\n00:26:21,760 –> 00:26:24,840
\nfrom the responsibilities of the
\npriesthood. <\/p>\n
362
\n00:26:26,840 –> 00:26:29,880
\nIn his Blessing on the Tribe of
\nLevi at the end of Deuteronomy, <\/p>\n
363
\n00:26:29,880 –> 00:26:34,600
\nMoses describes the work of the
\nLevitical priesthood this way. <\/p>\n
364
\n00:26:34,920 –> 00:26:39,200
\nThere are two things that he
\nmentions in Deuteronomy chapter <\/p>\n
365
\n00:26:39,200 –> 00:26:42,760
\n33 and verse 10.
\nHe says, They shall teach Jacob <\/p>\n
366
\n00:26:42,760 –> 00:26:46,840
\nthy judgments and Israel thy
\nlaw, and they shall put incense <\/p>\n
367
\n00:26:46,840 –> 00:26:50,240
\nbefore thee, and Holbert
\nsacrifice upon thine altar. <\/p>\n
368
\n00:26:52,040 –> 00:26:55,480
\nPardon me.
\nThese two aspects of priestly <\/p>\n
369
\n00:26:55,480 –> 00:26:59,960
\nresponsibility provide a helpful
\nindex into a few lessons that we<\/p>\n
370
\n00:26:59,960 –> 00:27:03,880
\ncan draw from the work and the
\nservice of the Levitical <\/p>\n
371
\n00:27:03,880 –> 00:27:08,080
\npriesthood.
\nNow, some of you may be teachers<\/p>\n
372
\n00:27:08,080 –> 00:27:11,200
\nby profession, and you will know
\nthis much better than I. <\/p>\n
373
\n00:27:12,080 –> 00:27:16,520
\nTo be an effective teacher, one
\nhas to have a good grasp of the <\/p>\n
374
\n00:27:16,520 –> 00:27:19,440
\nsubject and be a competent
\npractitioner. <\/p>\n
375
\n00:27:20,760 –> 00:27:24,200
\nAnd as we are confronted with or
\nas we confront the Law of Moses,<\/p>\n
376
\n00:27:24,480 –> 00:27:28,760
\nall of the the minute detail
\nthat is contained there, it’s <\/p>\n
377
\n00:27:28,800 –> 00:27:31,200
\neasy to lose sight of its
\noverarching goal. <\/p>\n
378
\n00:27:31,480 –> 00:27:36,840
\nIt was a tool to affect holiness
\namong the chosen people of God. <\/p>\n
379
\n00:27:37,560 –> 00:27:41,560
\nAll of this instruction and
\nholiness hung on two precepts as<\/p>\n
380
\n00:27:41,560 –> 00:27:44,680
\ndescribed by the Lord in Matthew
\nchapter 22. <\/p>\n
381
\n00:27:45,680 –> 00:27:49,520
\nLove God with one’s whole being,
\nand love our neighbor as <\/p>\n
382
\n00:27:49,520 –> 00:27:53,760
\nourselves.
\nThis timeless essence of the law<\/p>\n
383
\n00:27:53,760 –> 00:27:57,200
\ncontinues to be the foundation
\nof holiness today. <\/p>\n
384
\n00:27:57,480 –> 00:28:01,080
\nUnless we’re well schooled in
\nwhat it means to love God with <\/p>\n
385
\n00:28:01,080 –> 00:28:05,400
\nour whole being and our neighbor
\nas ourselves, we’ll be ill <\/p>\n
386
\n00:28:05,400 –> 00:28:07,800
\nequipped for priesthood in the
\nage to come. <\/p>\n
387
\n00:28:08,880 –> 00:28:10,360
\nAnd of course, we know, don’t
\nwe? <\/p>\n
388
\n00:28:10,640 –> 00:28:14,760
\nWe know that the only place we
\ncan gain this vital education is<\/p>\n
389
\n00:28:14,760 –> 00:28:18,320
\nthe Word of God.
\nBut as Peter says in Second <\/p>\n
390
\n00:28:18,320 –> 00:28:21,600
\nPeter chapter 1, it would be
\nnegligent if we did not remind <\/p>\n
391
\n00:28:21,600 –> 00:28:27,400
\none another, even though we know
\nthese things and be established <\/p>\n
392
\n00:28:27,400 –> 00:28:31,760
\nin the present truth.
\nGod’s Word is a lamp unto our <\/p>\n
393
\n00:28:31,760 –> 00:28:35,360
\nfeet and a light unto our path
\nto teach us how to distinguish <\/p>\n
394
\n00:28:35,720 –> 00:28:39,960
\nbetween a step along the way
\nthat leads to life and a step <\/p>\n
395
\n00:28:40,040 –> 00:28:44,400
\ntowards destruction.
\nOnly God’s Word can make men and<\/p>\n
396
\n00:28:44,400 –> 00:28:48,880
\nwomen wiser than our enemy and
\nkeep our feet from the evil way.<\/p>\n
397
\n00:28:50,040 –> 00:28:52,600
\nAnd This is why the psalmist
\nsays that the Word of God was <\/p>\n
398
\n00:28:52,600 –> 00:28:57,760
\nhis meditation all the day.
\nThis is why he had developed, as<\/p>\n
399
\n00:28:57,760 –> 00:29:05,000
\nit were, a taste for truth.
\nThrough Isaiah, God promises <\/p>\n
400
\n00:29:05,160 –> 00:29:09,200
\nIsrael teachers who would direct
\nthem back to the way of holiness<\/p>\n
401
\n00:29:09,200 –> 00:29:11,240
\nwhen they turn to the right hand
\nor to the left. <\/p>\n
402
\n00:29:11,840 –> 00:29:16,000
\nAnd those with ears to hear can
\nbenefit from this incredible <\/p>\n
403
\n00:29:16,000 –> 00:29:19,920
\nblessing right now if we’re
\nattentive to God’s Word. <\/p>\n
404
\n00:29:20,760 –> 00:29:24,000
\nThrough consistent and prayerful
\nreading and meditation on His <\/p>\n
405
\n00:29:24,000 –> 00:29:29,360
\nWord, God equips us to
\ndistinguish between thoughts <\/p>\n
406
\n00:29:29,360 –> 00:29:32,520
\nthat are consistent with His
\ncharacter and purpose and those <\/p>\n
407
\n00:29:32,520 –> 00:29:35,960
\nthat run counter to them.
\nJust as the law was a <\/p>\n
408
\n00:29:35,960 –> 00:29:39,280
\nschoolmaster to bring the people
\nof Israel to Christ, the <\/p>\n
409
\n00:29:39,280 –> 00:29:43,400
\nfullness of God’s Word is a
\nschoolmaster to keep our feet on<\/p>\n
410
\n00:29:43,400 –> 00:29:47,440
\nthe way of holiness, bringing us
\nat last among the redeemed to <\/p>\n
411
\n00:29:47,440 –> 00:29:50,640
\nZion with everlasting joy upon
\nour heads. <\/p>\n
412
\n00:29:51,760 –> 00:29:54,920
\nIn short, if we want to be
\npriestly teachers in the Kingdom<\/p>\n
413
\n00:29:54,920 –> 00:29:59,080
\nage, then we have to be God’s
\npupils today. <\/p>\n
414
\n00:30:01,920 –> 00:30:04,760
\nAnother important aspect of
\neffective teaching is putting <\/p>\n
415
\n00:30:04,760 –> 00:30:07,760
\nwhat we teach into practice
\nourselves. <\/p>\n
416
\n00:30:08,040 –> 00:30:11,360
\nIt turns out that this is
\nabsolutely essential for those <\/p>\n
417
\n00:30:11,520 –> 00:30:15,720
\nwho want to be part of the
\npriestly of the priesthood. <\/p>\n
418
\n00:30:15,720 –> 00:30:19,520
\nGod is assembling.
\nThe Levitical priests couldn’t <\/p>\n
419
\n00:30:19,520 –> 00:30:24,040
\njust know and understand the
\nprinciples of holiness, they had<\/p>\n
420
\n00:30:24,040 –> 00:30:28,000
\nto be experienced at applying
\nthem in their own lives to have <\/p>\n
421
\n00:30:28,080 –> 00:30:31,480
\nany hope of effectively helping
\nothers to the same end. <\/p>\n
422
\n00:30:32,760 –> 00:30:35,280
\nWhen the priests were not
\npersonally committed to <\/p>\n
423
\n00:30:35,280 –> 00:30:40,040
\nholiness, it had a particularly
\ndestructive effect on Israel’s <\/p>\n
424
\n00:30:40,040 –> 00:30:43,800
\nholiness generally.
\nFor example, we’re told that the<\/p>\n
425
\n00:30:43,800 –> 00:30:48,080
\nsin of Eli’s sons Hofnai and
\nPhineas was very great before <\/p>\n
426
\n00:30:48,080 –> 00:30:50,440
\nthe Lord.
\nWhy? <\/p>\n
427
\n00:30:51,520 –> 00:30:54,480
\nBecause men abhorred the
\noffering of the Lord. <\/p>\n
428
\n00:30:56,040 –> 00:30:59,480
\nSuch is the impact of priests
\nwho refuse to apply the <\/p>\n
429
\n00:30:59,480 –> 00:31:02,360
\nprinciples of holiness in their
\nown lives. <\/p>\n
430
\n00:31:03,720 –> 00:31:06,880
\nLeviticus chapter 10, verses 8
\nto 11, tells us that it was the <\/p>\n
431
\n00:31:06,880 –> 00:31:10,040
\npriest responsibility to use
\ntheir understanding of God’s <\/p>\n
432
\n00:31:10,040 –> 00:31:14,400
\ncommandments and judgments to
\ndistinguish between holy and <\/p>\n
433
\n00:31:14,400 –> 00:31:17,320
\nunholy, and that they were
\nsupposed to teach the children <\/p>\n
434
\n00:31:17,320 –> 00:31:19,360
\nof Israel how to do that same
\nthing. <\/p>\n
435
\n00:31:20,200 –> 00:31:22,720
\nIt says beginning in Leviticus
\nchapter 10 and verse 8. <\/p>\n
436
\n00:31:23,040 –> 00:31:25,960
\nAnd the Lord spake unto Aaron,
\nsaying, Do not drink wine, nor <\/p>\n
437
\n00:31:25,960 –> 00:31:28,520
\nstrong drink thou, nor thy sons
\nwith thee. <\/p>\n
438
\n00:31:29,320 –> 00:31:32,560
\nWe now go into the Tabernacle of
\nthe congregation, lest ye die. <\/p>\n
439
\n00:31:32,880 –> 00:31:36,360
\nIt shall be a statute forever
\nthroughout your generations, and<\/p>\n
440
\n00:31:36,360 –> 00:31:40,160
\nthat ye may put a difference
\nbetween holy and unholy, and <\/p>\n
441
\n00:31:40,160 –> 00:31:43,800
\nbetween unclean and clean, and
\nthat ye may teach the children <\/p>\n
442
\n00:31:43,800 –> 00:31:48,280
\nof Israel all the statutes which
\nthe Lord had spoken unto them by<\/p>\n
443
\n00:31:48,280 –> 00:31:51,960
\nthe hand of Moses.
\nNow the impetus for this <\/p>\n
444
\n00:31:51,960 –> 00:31:56,040
\ninstruction seems to be the
\ndeath of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and<\/p>\n
445
\n00:31:56,040 –> 00:31:59,520
\nAbihu, for offering strange fire
\nbefore the Lord. <\/p>\n
446
\n00:32:00,040 –> 00:32:05,320
\nThey failed to put a difference
\nbetween holy and unholy, and <\/p>\n
447
\n00:32:05,320 –> 00:32:08,760
\nthey were consumed by the fire
\nof God’s judgement. <\/p>\n
448
\n00:32:10,440 –> 00:32:13,240
\nAfterward, God sends word to
\nAaron through Moses. <\/p>\n
449
\n00:32:14,320 –> 00:32:17,760
\nI will be sanctified in them
\nthat come nigh me, and before <\/p>\n
450
\n00:32:17,760 –> 00:32:19,760
\nall the people, I will be
\nglorified. <\/p>\n
451
\n00:32:21,160 –> 00:32:24,080
\nThis is an incredibly important
\npoint for those of us called to <\/p>\n
452
\n00:32:24,080 –> 00:32:28,360
\nthis priesthood.
\nIt is not an introduction to <\/p>\n
453
\n00:32:28,360 –> 00:32:31,520
\nsome form of license or over
\nfamiliarity with our Heavenly <\/p>\n
454
\n00:32:31,520 –> 00:32:34,120
\nFather.
\nThough God wants His people to <\/p>\n
455
\n00:32:34,240 –> 00:32:38,600
\ndraw near, it must be according
\nto the method that He has <\/p>\n
456
\n00:32:38,600 –> 00:32:42,200
\nprescribed.
\nMany years later, God finds <\/p>\n
457
\n00:32:42,200 –> 00:32:45,520
\nfault with the priests of
\nEzekiel’s day for the same <\/p>\n
458
\n00:32:45,520 –> 00:32:49,280
\nreason.
\nIn Ezekiel 22 verse 26, we find <\/p>\n
459
\n00:32:49,280 –> 00:32:52,600
\nthat those priests profaned
\nGod’s holy things. <\/p>\n
460
\n00:32:52,600 –> 00:32:57,440
\nThey put no difference between
\nthe holy and profane. <\/p>\n
461
\n00:32:58,000 –> 00:33:00,600
\nNeither have they showed
\ndifference between the unclean <\/p>\n
462
\n00:33:00,600 –> 00:33:05,760
\nand the clean.
\nOn the other hand, some chapters<\/p>\n
463
\n00:33:05,760 –> 00:33:09,800
\nlater God reveals that this will
\nnot be so for the priests of the<\/p>\n
464
\n00:33:09,800 –> 00:33:13,960
\nKingdom age, of whom God says,
\nthey shall teach My people the <\/p>\n
465
\n00:33:13,960 –> 00:33:17,640
\ndifference between the holy and
\nprofane and cause them to <\/p>\n
466
\n00:33:17,640 –> 00:33:20,640
\ndiscern between the unclean and
\nthe clean. <\/p>\n
467
\n00:33:21,720 –> 00:33:25,800
\nThis priestly discernment is the
\nproduct of a sanctified mind. <\/p>\n
468
\n00:33:26,360 –> 00:33:29,160
\nAnd so if we hope to be among
\nthe king priests of the future <\/p>\n
469
\n00:33:29,160 –> 00:33:33,320
\nage, our minds have to be well
\neducated in holiness today. <\/p>\n
470
\n00:33:33,840 –> 00:33:37,360
\nWhat’s more, we have to become
\nproficient at putting a <\/p>\n
471
\n00:33:37,360 –> 00:33:40,440
\ndifference between holy and
\nunholy. <\/p>\n
472
\n00:33:40,920 –> 00:33:44,640
\nAnd that can only happen if
\nwe’re actively engaged in doing <\/p>\n
473
\n00:33:44,640 –> 00:33:47,160
\nit.
\nCertainly God wants us to <\/p>\n
474
\n00:33:47,160 –> 00:33:51,400
\nunderstand his will and purpose.
\nHe wants us to understand the <\/p>\n
475
\n00:33:51,400 –> 00:33:55,880
\ntruth that he has revealed.
\nBut then he wants us to put that<\/p>\n
476
\n00:33:55,880 –> 00:33:59,840
\ntruth into action.
\nKnowledge and understanding of <\/p>\n
477
\n00:33:59,840 –> 00:34:04,400
\nGod’s truth is a essential
\nbeginning, but it isn’t an end <\/p>\n
478
\n00:34:04,400 –> 00:34:09,679
\nin itself.
\nWe must continue on to do truth.<\/p>\n
479
\n00:34:10,600 –> 00:34:13,679
\nThe truth that teaches us to
\ndistinguish between holy and <\/p>\n
480
\n00:34:13,679 –> 00:34:18,199
\nunholy is not a thing to be kept
\nin a case, as it were, like a <\/p>\n
481
\n00:34:18,199 –> 00:34:23,320
\ntrophy, but rather to be an ever
\npresent companion to guide and <\/p>\n
482
\n00:34:23,320 –> 00:34:25,920
\nto encourage us along the way of
\nlife. <\/p>\n
483
\n00:34:28,719 –> 00:34:31,159
\nThe writer to the Hebrews tells
\nus that the ability to <\/p>\n
484
\n00:34:31,159 –> 00:34:36,000
\ndistinguish good from evil is a
\nmark of spiritual maturity. <\/p>\n
485
\n00:34:36,760 –> 00:34:40,239
\nEveryone that useth milk is
\nunskillful in the word of <\/p>\n
486
\n00:34:40,239 –> 00:34:43,560
\nrighteousness, for he is a babe.
\nBut strong meat belongeth to <\/p>\n
487
\n00:34:43,560 –> 00:34:47,760
\nthem that are of full age, even
\nthose who by reason of use have <\/p>\n
488
\n00:34:47,760 –> 00:34:54,679
\ntheir senses exercised to
\ndiscern both good and evil. <\/p>\n
489
\n00:34:54,679 –> 00:34:57,120
\nAnd the word discern here is
\nreally a word that means to <\/p>\n
490
\n00:34:57,160 –> 00:35:00,800
\njudge, to judge between good and
\nevil. <\/p>\n
491
\n00:35:01,840 –> 00:35:05,240
\nAnd becoming proficient at
\njudging between good and evil <\/p>\n
492
\n00:35:05,480 –> 00:35:13,320
\nrequires exercise.
\nI find it very, very hard to <\/p>\n
493
\n00:35:13,320 –> 00:35:18,640
\nexercise myself, find it
\ndifficult to work up the the <\/p>\n
494
\n00:35:18,880 –> 00:35:23,480
\nsense of necessity to get out
\nand and physically move my body.<\/p>\n
495
\n00:35:23,880 –> 00:35:27,760
\nAnd there’s some part of me that
\nwants to just remain sedentary, <\/p>\n
496
\n00:35:28,240 –> 00:35:30,920
\nyou know, it requires a measure
\nof effort to get up and get <\/p>\n
497
\n00:35:30,920 –> 00:35:33,360
\ngoing.
\nAnd yet, don’t we always, at <\/p>\n
498
\n00:35:33,360 –> 00:35:34,840
\nleast usually.
\nThis has been the case for <\/p>\n
499
\n00:35:34,840 –> 00:35:37,840
\nSister Amanda myself.
\nWe feel better when we’re done. <\/p>\n
500
\n00:35:38,400 –> 00:35:40,360
\nWe know that we feel better when
\nwe’re done. <\/p>\n
501
\n00:35:40,520 –> 00:35:44,800
\nAnd yet we still find it
\ndifficult to put the time and <\/p>\n
502
\n00:35:44,800 –> 00:35:49,880
\nthe effort in to the process.
\nSo too at times with the <\/p>\n
503
\n00:35:49,880 –> 00:35:52,800
\nexercise we so desperately need
\nin the Word of God. <\/p>\n
504
\n00:35:53,520 –> 00:35:57,880
\nThis word exercise here implies
\nrigorous training. <\/p>\n
505
\n00:35:59,120 –> 00:36:05,040
\nIt comes from the same word that
\nthe word gymnasium is taken <\/p>\n
506
\n00:36:05,040 –> 00:36:08,080
\nfrom, which was the place that
\nGreek men would go to train. <\/p>\n
507
\n00:36:08,800 –> 00:36:12,080
\nAnd like the physical athlete
\nwho invest time and effort in <\/p>\n
508
\n00:36:12,080 –> 00:36:17,640
\ndifficult training, a regimen of
\ntraining in the interest of <\/p>\n
509
\n00:36:17,640 –> 00:36:21,800
\nobtaining a prize, those who
\nwish to obtain the prize of the <\/p>\n
510
\n00:36:21,800 –> 00:36:26,840
\nhigh calling of God in Jesus
\nChrist have to be willing to <\/p>\n
511
\n00:36:26,880 –> 00:36:32,240
\ninvest time and effort studying
\nand applying God’s Word. <\/p>\n
512
\n00:36:32,920 –> 00:36:36,440
\nThis kind of training requires
\ndetermination and endurance <\/p>\n
513
\n00:36:36,920 –> 00:36:40,760
\nbecause even though much good
\ncomes from it and it is <\/p>\n
514
\n00:36:40,760 –> 00:36:46,160
\nincredibly rewarding, it is as
\ndifficult and uncomfortable as <\/p>\n
515
\n00:36:46,160 –> 00:36:54,280
\nit is necessary to our success.
\nIn Romans chapter 12, verses 1 <\/p>\n
516
\n00:36:54,280 –> 00:36:57,560
\nand 2, Paul tells us that the
\nability to distinguish between <\/p>\n
517
\n00:36:57,560 –> 00:37:02,480
\nwhat is and is not the will of
\nGod is the intended effect of <\/p>\n
518
\n00:37:02,480 –> 00:37:05,800
\nthe mental transformation that
\nGod is affecting through His <\/p>\n
519
\n00:37:05,800 –> 00:37:09,320
\nWord, the agent of our
\nsanctification. <\/p>\n
520
\n00:37:09,920 –> 00:37:12,800
\nBe not conformed to this world,
\nbut be transformed by the <\/p>\n
521
\n00:37:12,800 –> 00:37:16,680
\nrenewing of your mind that you
\nmay prove what is that good and <\/p>\n
522
\n00:37:16,680 –> 00:37:18,840
\nacceptable and perfect will of
\nGod. <\/p>\n
523
\n00:37:21,040 –> 00:37:24,200
\nHave you ever noticed and the
\ntendency that we have to <\/p>\n
524
\n00:37:24,640 –> 00:37:29,240
\npractice putting a difference
\nbetween holy and unholy in other<\/p>\n
525
\n00:37:29,240 –> 00:37:33,200
\npeople?
\nThis is something I’ve, I’ve <\/p>\n
526
\n00:37:33,200 –> 00:37:36,600
\ncertainly noticed in myself.
\nIt is much. <\/p>\n
527
\n00:37:36,760 –> 00:37:38,840
\nI feel I’m much better at it
\nwith other people. <\/p>\n
528
\n00:37:39,320 –> 00:37:42,440
\nLike I can see their faults.
\nThey’re so glaring, right? <\/p>\n
529
\n00:37:42,440 –> 00:37:44,960
\nWe look at others, we, we see
\nthe difference where they’ve <\/p>\n
530
\n00:37:44,960 –> 00:37:46,840
\ngone astray in some fashion,
\nright? <\/p>\n
531
\n00:37:47,040 –> 00:37:51,360
\nWe can look at others and we can
\nwe can imagine that we’re well <\/p>\n
532
\n00:37:51,360 –> 00:37:55,120
\nequipped to make these
\nassessments in other people, and<\/p>\n
533
\n00:37:55,120 –> 00:37:59,640
\nwe can become preoccupied at
\ntimes with doing so because it’s<\/p>\n
534
\n00:37:59,640 –> 00:38:04,680
\nmuch easier and it’s much less
\nuncomfortable to scrutinize <\/p>\n
535
\n00:38:04,680 –> 00:38:07,800
\nsomeone else.
\nBut this scrutiny is really <\/p>\n
536
\n00:38:07,800 –> 00:38:11,320
\nsomething that we should be most
\nconcerned with applying to <\/p>\n
537
\n00:38:11,400 –> 00:38:16,440
\nourselves.
\nOur own lives, not the lives of <\/p>\n
538
\n00:38:16,440 –> 00:38:21,120
\nothers, are the primary training
\nground for this vital priestly <\/p>\n
539
\n00:38:21,160 –> 00:38:26,880
\ncharacteristic.
\nNow there’s an interesting <\/p>\n
540
\n00:38:26,880 –> 00:38:30,920
\nconnection in purpose between
\nthe priestly and the angelic <\/p>\n
541
\n00:38:30,920 –> 00:38:34,560
\nroles in Malachi chapter 2,
\nverse 7. <\/p>\n
542
\n00:38:34,560 –> 00:38:38,600
\nIt describes the priest as the
\nmessenger of the Lord of hosts, <\/p>\n
543
\n00:38:38,600 –> 00:38:42,120
\nand the word used here for
\nmessenger is the same word used <\/p>\n
544
\n00:38:42,120 –> 00:38:45,040
\nthroughout the Old Testament.
\nThat’s translated Angel. <\/p>\n
545
\n00:38:46,240 –> 00:38:48,600
\nAnd while it’s applied generally
\nto priests here, it’s also <\/p>\n
546
\n00:38:48,600 –> 00:38:51,600
\napplied to the prophet Haggai.
\nAnd we know that this is a word <\/p>\n
547
\n00:38:51,600 –> 00:38:55,160
\nwhose breadth of usage
\nencompasses more than just <\/p>\n
548
\n00:38:55,400 –> 00:38:57,760
\ndivine representatives of our
\nheavenly Father. <\/p>\n
549
\n00:38:58,560 –> 00:39:01,280
\nBut how interesting that the
\nword should be applied to the <\/p>\n
550
\n00:39:01,280 –> 00:39:04,240
\npriests.
\nAs far as I could tell, all the <\/p>\n
551
\n00:39:04,240 –> 00:39:08,760
\nother cases of malloc, which is
\nthat word Angel followed by <\/p>\n
552
\n00:39:08,760 –> 00:39:12,040
\nGod’s memorial name as we have
\nit here in Malachi chapter 2 and<\/p>\n
553
\n00:39:12,040 –> 00:39:16,240
\nverse 7, seem to be translated
\nAngel of the Lord. <\/p>\n
554
\n00:39:17,960 –> 00:39:21,720
\nHebrews chapter 1 and verse 14
\ntells us that angels are <\/p>\n
555
\n00:39:22,120 –> 00:39:26,640
\nministering spirits sent forth
\nto minister to the heirs of <\/p>\n
556
\n00:39:26,640 –> 00:39:29,720
\nsalvation.
\nAnd the same word that’s <\/p>\n
557
\n00:39:29,720 –> 00:39:33,080
\ntranslated ministering in
\nHebrews chapter one, verse 14, <\/p>\n
558
\n00:39:33,080 –> 00:39:37,440
\nin reference to angels is
\napplied later on in Hebrews in <\/p>\n
559
\n00:39:37,440 –> 00:39:41,600
\nchapter 8, verse 2 and in
\nchapter 10, verse 11 to the work<\/p>\n
560
\n00:39:41,960 –> 00:39:45,160
\nof the priests.
\nThe priests of God, like his <\/p>\n
561
\n00:39:45,160 –> 00:39:49,360
\nangels, are meant to be
\nministers to the heirs of <\/p>\n
562
\n00:39:49,360 –> 00:39:50,960
\nsalvation.
\nAnd what an apartment <\/p>\n
563
\n00:39:51,160 –> 00:39:55,000
\ndescription of the purpose of
\nthe Levitical priesthood, who <\/p>\n
564
\n00:39:55,160 –> 00:40:00,320
\nministered to the natural heirs
\nof the promises to Abraham and <\/p>\n
565
\n00:40:00,360 –> 00:40:07,240
\nIsaac and Jacob.
\nAnother connection between the <\/p>\n
566
\n00:40:07,240 –> 00:40:10,440
\npriests and the angels is that
\nthe immortalized Saints are <\/p>\n
567
\n00:40:10,440 –> 00:40:13,360
\ndescribed.
\nAs both kings and priests in <\/p>\n
568
\n00:40:13,360 –> 00:40:20,160
\nrevelation, and as equal to the
\nangels by our Lord, how <\/p>\n
569
\n00:40:20,240 –> 00:40:23,560
\nincredible it will be, brothers
\nand sisters and young people, to<\/p>\n
570
\n00:40:23,640 –> 00:40:30,040
\nengage in priestly service as
\nthe angels do now, in perfect <\/p>\n
571
\n00:40:30,040 –> 00:40:33,640
\nharmony with our Heavenly Father
\nand without the impediment of <\/p>\n
572
\n00:40:33,640 –> 00:40:43,560
\nour flesh.
\nNow, as we practice priestly <\/p>\n
573
\n00:40:43,560 –> 00:40:46,560
\nteaching in our natural and
\necclesial families, it’s so <\/p>\n
574
\n00:40:46,560 –> 00:40:51,960
\nimportant to remember that
\nsalvation, not condemnation, is <\/p>\n
575
\n00:40:51,960 –> 00:40:55,840
\nthe goal of our ministry.
\nGod sent not his Son into the <\/p>\n
576
\n00:40:55,840 –> 00:40:59,280
\nworld to condemn the world, but
\nthat the world through him might<\/p>\n
577
\n00:40:59,400 –> 00:41:04,160
\nbe saved.
\nMen may and certainly do condemn<\/p>\n
578
\n00:41:04,160 –> 00:41:07,760
\nthemselves by refusing to
\nbelieve in Him or refusing to <\/p>\n
579
\n00:41:07,760 –> 00:41:13,040
\nobey God’s commandments, but the
\nfact remains, the Son of Man <\/p>\n
580
\n00:41:13,040 –> 00:41:17,000
\ncame to seek and to save that
\nwhich was lost. <\/p>\n
581
\n00:41:18,480 –> 00:41:21,600
\nIf that’s the spirit of our High
\nPriest, then it ought to be our <\/p>\n
582
\n00:41:21,600 –> 00:41:25,440
\nspirit as well.
\nAs we promote the principle of <\/p>\n
583
\n00:41:25,440 –> 00:41:29,840
\nholiness that allow the faithful
\nto enter into the holiest by a <\/p>\n
584
\n00:41:29,840 –> 00:41:34,680
\nnew and living way, we can’t
\nforget that God wants men and <\/p>\n
585
\n00:41:34,680 –> 00:41:38,800
\nwomen to draw near to Him.
\nHe wants to dwell with us and to<\/p>\n
586
\n00:41:38,800 –> 00:41:42,040
\nbe our Father.
\nAnd so the focus of the priest <\/p>\n
587
\n00:41:42,040 –> 00:41:46,800
\nministry is not keeping people
\naway from God, but rather <\/p>\n
588
\n00:41:46,800 –> 00:41:51,840
\nteaching people how to recognize
\nand to address unholiness in <\/p>\n
589
\n00:41:51,840 –> 00:41:55,160
\nthemselves so that they can draw
\nnear to Him. <\/p>\n
590
\n00:41:56,840 –> 00:42:01,040
\nAs God told Aaron, after the sin
\nof Nadab and Abihu, he must be <\/p>\n
591
\n00:42:01,040 –> 00:42:03,600
\nsanctified in those that come
\nnear him. <\/p>\n
592
\n00:42:04,280 –> 00:42:09,760
\nWe can never forget that God can
\nonly be approached on His terms.<\/p>\n
593
\n00:42:11,160 –> 00:42:15,080
\nBut even when the Levitical
\npriest had to admonish or reject<\/p>\n
594
\n00:42:16,800 –> 00:42:21,520
\nunholiness, he had an incredible
\nopportunity, did he not, to <\/p>\n
595
\n00:42:21,520 –> 00:42:25,800
\naffirm God’s care and provide
\ncounsel and encouragement about <\/p>\n
596
\n00:42:25,800 –> 00:42:30,840
\nhow things could be put right.
\nAnother important aspect of our <\/p>\n
597
\n00:42:30,840 –> 00:42:34,160
\nefforts to promote the will and
\npurpose of God is that God wants<\/p>\n
598
\n00:42:34,160 –> 00:42:39,480
\nmen and women to enter the way
\nof holiness willingly, and He <\/p>\n
599
\n00:42:39,480 –> 00:42:44,080
\nwants them to continue on that
\nway willingly in anticipation of<\/p>\n
600
\n00:42:44,080 –> 00:42:46,760
\nreceiving the prize of our high
\ncalling. <\/p>\n
601
\n00:42:47,720 –> 00:42:52,080
\nCertainly He could forcibly
\nimpose holiness upon humanity, <\/p>\n
602
\n00:42:52,760 –> 00:42:55,200
\nbut he has chosen not to do
\nthat. <\/p>\n
603
\n00:42:55,720 –> 00:42:58,320
\nIt isn’t the kind of obedience
\nthat God wants. <\/p>\n
604
\n00:42:59,600 –> 00:43:03,640
\nThe priest role was not to
\nforcibly impose legal observance<\/p>\n
605
\n00:43:03,640 –> 00:43:07,440
\nthroughout Israel, but rather to
\nteach and to provide unbiased <\/p>\n
606
\n00:43:07,440 –> 00:43:10,760
\nand expert consultation in
\nmatters of particular <\/p>\n
607
\n00:43:10,760 –> 00:43:13,720
\ndifficulty.
\nAnd it’s, it’s really beautiful <\/p>\n
608
\n00:43:13,720 –> 00:43:16,480
\nto see when we look at an
\nexample like Deuteronomy chapter<\/p>\n
609
\n00:43:16,480 –> 00:43:23,120
\n17, that both the priest and the
\npeople had a responsibility in <\/p>\n
610
\n00:43:23,120 –> 00:43:25,480
\nthis effort to learn the ways of
\nholiness. <\/p>\n
611
\n00:43:25,480 –> 00:43:28,600
\nThe priest to keep knowledge and
\nto faithfully dispense it <\/p>\n
612
\n00:43:28,800 –> 00:43:34,080
\nwithout bias, and the people to
\nseek knowledge at the priest’s <\/p>\n
613
\n00:43:34,080 –> 00:43:38,240
\nlips.
\nAnd only if there arise a matter<\/p>\n
614
\n00:43:38,240 –> 00:43:40,920
\ntoo hard for thee in judgement
\nwere they to bring it to the <\/p>\n
615
\n00:43:40,920 –> 00:43:46,120
\npriests or the judge.
\nSo the goal of the priest was <\/p>\n
616
\n00:43:46,120 –> 00:43:51,040
\nthat those that he was teaching
\ntook ownership of these <\/p>\n
617
\n00:43:51,040 –> 00:43:54,360
\nprinciples and learned to apply
\nthem themselves. <\/p>\n
618
\n00:43:54,560 –> 00:43:59,120
\nNot that they should always rely
\nupon the priests for all matters<\/p>\n
619
\n00:43:59,120 –> 00:44:01,520
\nof judgement, but they should
\nlearn independently, <\/p>\n
620
\n00:44:01,520 –> 00:44:06,880
\nindividually, to apply God’s
\nWord proficiently to His glory. <\/p>\n
621
\n00:44:08,320 –> 00:44:11,160
\nAnd of course, we know that the
\npriests were required to apply <\/p>\n
622
\n00:44:11,160 –> 00:44:14,160
\ntheir understanding of God’s
\nwill to the execution of their <\/p>\n
623
\n00:44:14,160 –> 00:44:18,080
\nministry at the sanctuary, which
\ncould look like forcible <\/p>\n
624
\n00:44:18,080 –> 00:44:21,440
\nimposition of legal observance.
\nAnd in one sense it certainly <\/p>\n
625
\n00:44:21,440 –> 00:44:24,000
\nwas.
\nHowever, I think this was less a<\/p>\n
626
\n00:44:24,000 –> 00:44:28,000
\nmatter of the priest imposing
\nobservance upon the people than <\/p>\n
627
\n00:44:28,000 –> 00:44:33,520
\nit was a matter of the priest
\npracticing obedience themselves.<\/p>\n
628
\n00:44:34,360 –> 00:44:38,560
\nThe priest had responsibility
\nfor preserving holiness, the <\/p>\n
629
\n00:44:38,560 –> 00:44:41,800
\nholiness of the sanctuary.
\nIn the execution of their <\/p>\n
630
\n00:44:41,800 –> 00:44:46,160
\noffice, God prescribed the
\ncharacter of their service, and <\/p>\n
631
\n00:44:46,160 –> 00:44:50,120
\ntheir conformance to that
\nprescription was a vital part of<\/p>\n
632
\n00:44:50,120 –> 00:44:54,440
\nthe way in which they taught the
\npeople, in that case by example.<\/p>\n
633
\n00:44:55,800 –> 00:44:58,400
\nSo how do we see these
\nprinciples then reflected in the<\/p>\n
634
\n00:44:58,400 –> 00:45:01,680
\nhead of our priesthood?
\nWhat spirit characterized the <\/p>\n
635
\n00:45:01,680 –> 00:45:05,080
\nministry of the greatest
\nmessenger that God has sent to <\/p>\n
636
\n00:45:05,080 –> 00:45:07,840
\nmankind?
\nThe anti typical High Priest <\/p>\n
637
\n00:45:08,400 –> 00:45:12,160
\nJesus of Nazareth in whom the
\nprinciple of holiness was so <\/p>\n
638
\n00:45:12,160 –> 00:45:16,480
\nperfectly manifest.
\nWhat was the focus of his <\/p>\n
639
\n00:45:16,480 –> 00:45:20,760
\nteaching?
\nWas his focus on excluding the <\/p>\n
640
\n00:45:20,760 –> 00:45:23,920
\nunholy or forcibly compelling
\nholiness? <\/p>\n
641
\n00:45:24,960 –> 00:45:28,840
\nDoesn’t seem to be.
\nDid he ignore the need for <\/p>\n
642
\n00:45:28,840 –> 00:45:32,760
\nholiness or even slightly
\ndiminish its importance? <\/p>\n
643
\n00:45:33,800 –> 00:45:38,240
\nCertainly not.
\nHe was the embodiment of <\/p>\n
644
\n00:45:38,240 –> 00:45:41,720
\nholiness.
\nHe had stern warnings for those <\/p>\n
645
\n00:45:41,720 –> 00:45:45,080
\nwhose responsibility it was to
\nunderstand and promote the <\/p>\n
646
\n00:45:45,080 –> 00:45:49,240
\nprinciples of holiness, but who
\ninstead sought their own profit.<\/p>\n
647
\n00:45:50,040 –> 00:45:53,800
\nAt the same time, he discerned
\nbetween those that were actively<\/p>\n
648
\n00:45:53,800 –> 00:45:57,440
\nhostile or complacently
\ninattentive to the way of <\/p>\n
649
\n00:45:57,440 –> 00:46:00,560
\nholiness and those who were
\nignorant of it or strayed from <\/p>\n
650
\n00:46:00,560 –> 00:46:03,600
\nit due to some spiritual or
\nphysical weakness. <\/p>\n
651
\n00:46:04,200 –> 00:46:08,680
\nAnd in the latter case, our
\ngreat High Priest affirmed God’s<\/p>\n
652
\n00:46:08,800 –> 00:46:12,280
\ncare and provided admonition
\nalong with compassionate <\/p>\n
653
\n00:46:12,320 –> 00:46:16,160
\neducation and encouragement
\nabout how holiness could be <\/p>\n
654
\n00:46:16,160 –> 00:46:18,920
\naffected in order to draw near
\nto God. <\/p>\n
655
\n00:46:20,000 –> 00:46:22,880
\nIt seems to me that this spirit
\nis beautifully captured in <\/p>\n
656
\n00:46:22,880 –> 00:46:26,560
\nGalatians chapter 6 in the 1st 2
\nverses where Paul says, <\/p>\n
657
\n00:46:26,560 –> 00:46:30,480
\nBrethren, if a man be overtaken
\nin a fault, ye which are <\/p>\n
658
\n00:46:30,480 –> 00:46:33,560
\nspiritual restore such an one in
\nthe spirit of meekness, <\/p>\n
659
\n00:46:33,880 –> 00:46:38,280
\nconsidering thyself, lest thou
\nalso be tempted, bear ye one <\/p>\n
660
\n00:46:38,280 –> 00:46:40,960
\nanother’s burdens, and so
\nfulfill the law of Christ. <\/p>\n
661
\n00:46:41,360 –> 00:46:45,480
\nFor if a man think himself to be
\nsomething when he is nothing, he<\/p>\n
662
\n00:46:45,480 –> 00:46:50,320
\ndeceiveth himself.
\nThere’s a a beautiful symmetry <\/p>\n
663
\n00:46:50,320 –> 00:46:52,800
\nhere to this idea of being
\novertaken in a fault. <\/p>\n
664
\n00:46:52,840 –> 00:46:55,480
\nIn our our journey towards
\nholiness. <\/p>\n
665
\n00:46:55,480 –> 00:46:58,720
\nThere’s sort of an image that at
\nleast comes to my mind of, of a <\/p>\n
666
\n00:46:58,720 –> 00:47:03,680
\nperson walking along away and
\nthey’re being stalked by a <\/p>\n
667
\n00:47:03,680 –> 00:47:06,720
\nravenous beast.
\nThey’re walking along that way <\/p>\n
668
\n00:47:06,720 –> 00:47:10,640
\nand they are overtaken by that
\nravenous animal which is <\/p>\n
669
\n00:47:10,640 –> 00:47:15,800
\nstalking them.
\nAnd certainly we know that we <\/p>\n
670
\n00:47:15,800 –> 00:47:19,720
\nare in this precise situation.
\nWe are being stalked by our <\/p>\n
671
\n00:47:19,720 –> 00:47:23,760
\nnature as we walk along the way
\nof holiness and and too often we<\/p>\n
672
\n00:47:23,760 –> 00:47:27,240
\nare overtaken.
\nBut the goal that’s expressed <\/p>\n
673
\n00:47:27,240 –> 00:47:30,520
\nhere in Galatians Chapter 6 is
\nrestoration. <\/p>\n
674
\n00:47:30,720 –> 00:47:35,200
\nRestore such a one, not
\ncondemnation. <\/p>\n
675
\n00:47:35,480 –> 00:47:39,480
\nAnd the requisite spirit is
\nmeekness, not judgmental self <\/p>\n
676
\n00:47:39,480 –> 00:47:42,560
\nrighteousness.
\nAnd this spirit is so important <\/p>\n
677
\n00:47:42,760 –> 00:47:45,240
\nto the priesthood that God is
\npreparing us for. <\/p>\n
678
\n00:47:45,720 –> 00:47:52,440
\nIn fact, Paul says that to do so
\nis to fulfill the law of Christ.<\/p>\n
679
\n00:47:53,800 –> 00:47:55,840
\nNow there are certainly
\noccasions where the behaviour of<\/p>\n
680
\n00:47:55,840 –> 00:48:00,200
\nothers makes it necessary,
\nbecause we love them to witness <\/p>\n
681
\n00:48:00,200 –> 00:48:03,640
\nto the difference between holy
\nand unholy and warn of the <\/p>\n
682
\n00:48:03,640 –> 00:48:06,480
\nconsequences of continuing in an
\nunholy way. <\/p>\n
683
\n00:48:07,160 –> 00:48:10,240
\nBut our primary focus should be
\non applying these principles to <\/p>\n
684
\n00:48:10,520 –> 00:48:13,560
\nourselves.
\nIf we would judge ourselves, we <\/p>\n
685
\n00:48:13,560 –> 00:48:16,560
\nwould not be judged.
\nAnd when we do have cause to <\/p>\n
686
\n00:48:16,560 –> 00:48:20,520
\nwitness to and to warn others in
\nGod’s family, we have to do it <\/p>\n
687
\n00:48:20,520 –> 00:48:24,800
\nwith reverence and respect for
\nthe fact that God gave his Son. <\/p>\n
688
\n00:48:24,800 –> 00:48:30,320
\nHe redeemed them too, not just
\nus. <\/p>\n
689
\n00:48:30,920 –> 00:48:34,520
\nThat God cares deeply for every
\none of His children and He wants<\/p>\n
690
\n00:48:35,160 –> 00:48:38,240
\nfrom each of us our willing
\nobedience. <\/p>\n
691
\n00:48:38,880 –> 00:48:43,360
\nWe too easily forget the value
\nthat God places upon all of His <\/p>\n
692
\n00:48:43,360 –> 00:48:48,320
\nchildren, even those who have
\ngone astray. <\/p>\n
693
\n00:48:49,000 –> 00:48:51,640
\nHe doesn’t abandoned them at the
\nfirst sign of infidelity. <\/p>\n
694
\n00:48:51,960 –> 00:48:55,560
\nHe works in love to seek and to
\nsave that which is lost. <\/p>\n
695
\n00:48:56,160 –> 00:49:02,520
\nCertainly He reproves us for our
\nsin while affirming His earnest <\/p>\n
696
\n00:49:02,520 –> 00:49:06,440
\ndesire to receive us if we will
\nonly return to Him. <\/p>\n
697
\n00:49:07,480 –> 00:49:10,200
\nTrying to force someone back
\nonto the way of holiness is <\/p>\n
698
\n00:49:10,200 –> 00:49:13,840
\ncounter to God’s desire.
\nHe wants willing submission in <\/p>\n
699
\n00:49:13,840 –> 00:49:17,840
\nlove rather than compliance
\ncompelled out of obligation, <\/p>\n
700
\n00:49:18,120 –> 00:49:21,960
\nfear, or a misplaced sense of
\nexchange. <\/p>\n
701
\n00:49:25,760 –> 00:49:28,920
\nSo as we bring this session to a
\nclose, we’ll just touch on a few<\/p>\n
702
\n00:49:28,920 –> 00:49:33,160
\nlessons from the priestly
\nresponsibility of sacrifice. <\/p>\n
703
\n00:49:35,480 –> 00:49:38,480
\nEarlier we noted that the two
\naspects of priestly <\/p>\n
704
\n00:49:38,480 –> 00:49:42,640
\nresponsibility Moses mentioned
\nin Deuteronomy 33 verse 10 are <\/p>\n
705
\n00:49:42,640 –> 00:49:45,480
\nteaching and officiating over
\nthe offerings prescribed by the <\/p>\n
706
\n00:49:45,480 –> 00:49:48,560
\nlaw.
\nPassages like First Samuel 15 <\/p>\n
707
\n00:49:48,560 –> 00:49:53,640
\nverse 22 and Hosea 6 and verse 6
\nand Psalm 40 make it clear that <\/p>\n
708
\n00:49:53,640 –> 00:49:57,840
\nthese offerings were not an end
\nin themselves to Saul. <\/p>\n
709
\n00:49:58,040 –> 00:50:02,680
\nIn First Samuel 15 verse 22,
\nSamuel says to obey is better <\/p>\n
710
\n00:50:02,680 –> 00:50:06,040
\nthan sacrifice and to hearken
\nthan the fat of Rams. <\/p>\n
711
\n00:50:06,400 –> 00:50:10,120
\nAnd in Hosea chapter 6 and verse
\n6 we read for I desired mercy <\/p>\n
712
\n00:50:10,280 –> 00:50:14,320
\nand not sacrifice and the
\nknowledge of God more than burnt<\/p>\n
713
\n00:50:14,320 –> 00:50:18,640
\nofferings.
\nAnd Psalm 40, verses 6 to 10 <\/p>\n
714
\n00:50:19,040 –> 00:50:21,360
\nseems particularly helpful in
\nthis regard. <\/p>\n
715
\n00:50:23,440 –> 00:50:26,520
\nSacrifice and offering Thou
\ndidst not desire. <\/p>\n
716
\n00:50:26,840 –> 00:50:30,440
\nMy ears hast thou opened burnt
\noffering and sin offering Thou <\/p>\n
717
\n00:50:30,440 –> 00:50:33,800
\nhas not required.
\nThen said I, Lo, I come in the <\/p>\n
718
\n00:50:33,800 –> 00:50:35,480
\nvolume of the book.
\nIt is written of me. <\/p>\n
719
\n00:50:35,680 –> 00:50:39,520
\nI delight to do Thy will.
\nOh my God, yeah, Thy law is <\/p>\n
720
\n00:50:39,520 –> 00:50:42,520
\nwithin my heart.
\nI have preached righteousness in<\/p>\n
721
\n00:50:42,520 –> 00:50:45,200
\nthe great congregation.
\nLo, I have not refrained my <\/p>\n
722
\n00:50:45,200 –> 00:50:48,360
\nlips.
\nO Lord, Thou knowest I have not <\/p>\n
723
\n00:50:48,360 –> 00:50:51,960
\nhid Thy righteousness within my
\nheart, I have declared Thy <\/p>\n
724
\n00:50:51,960 –> 00:50:55,640
\nfaithfulness and Thy salvation.
\nI have not concealed Thy loving <\/p>\n
725
\n00:50:55,640 –> 00:50:59,000
\nkindness and Thy truth from the
\ngreat congregation. <\/p>\n
726
\n00:51:00,800 –> 00:51:04,560
\nCommentators have pointed out
\nthat the language of Psalm 40 <\/p>\n
727
\n00:51:04,560 –> 00:51:09,840
\nand verse 6 is suggestive of the
\nentire sacrificial system under <\/p>\n
728
\n00:51:10,200 –> 00:51:13,240
\nrather the entire system of
\naltar offerings under the Law. <\/p>\n
729
\n00:51:13,560 –> 00:51:16,920
\nAnd there are 6 basic altar
\nofferings, the sin offering, the<\/p>\n
730
\n00:51:16,920 –> 00:51:19,480
\ntrespass offering, the burnt
\noffering, the peace offering, <\/p>\n
731
\n00:51:19,800 –> 00:51:21,360
\nthe meal offering, and the drink
\noffering. <\/p>\n
732
\n00:51:21,360 –> 00:51:24,880
\nBut they they can be combined
\ndue to the way in which the sin <\/p>\n
733
\n00:51:24,880 –> 00:51:27,680
\nand the trespass offering are
\nclosely associated. <\/p>\n
734
\n00:51:28,000 –> 00:51:31,440
\nAnd the meal and the drink
\noffering are also closely <\/p>\n
735
\n00:51:31,440 –> 00:51:35,520
\nassociated.
\nAnd with these two groupings we <\/p>\n
736
\n00:51:35,520 –> 00:51:39,120
\nend up with a list of four
\nrather than of six. <\/p>\n
737
\n00:51:39,680 –> 00:51:42,760
\nAnd if it’s reasonable to
\ncombine the offerings this way, <\/p>\n
738
\n00:51:43,120 –> 00:51:46,520
\nthen all four of them seem to be
\nmentioned in Psalm 40, verse 6. <\/p>\n
739
\n00:51:47,120 –> 00:51:50,880
\nThe words sacrifice and offering
\nat the beginning of the verse <\/p>\n
740
\n00:51:50,880 –> 00:51:54,720
\nare closely associated with the
\npeace offering and the meal <\/p>\n
741
\n00:51:54,720 –> 00:51:57,760
\noffering, respectively.
\nAnd then we have burnt offerings<\/p>\n
742
\n00:51:57,760 –> 00:52:00,520
\nand sin offerings mentioned
\nexplicitly as the verse <\/p>\n
743
\n00:52:00,520 –> 00:52:04,160
\ncontinues on.
\nSo this passage suggests that <\/p>\n
744
\n00:52:04,160 –> 00:52:08,160
\nthe true goal of the basic altar
\nofferings under the Law is the <\/p>\n
745
\n00:52:08,160 –> 00:52:12,160
\ndevelopment of a character, a
\ncharacter that delights to do <\/p>\n
746
\n00:52:12,160 –> 00:52:15,480
\nthe will of God, to preach
\nrighteousness, and to declare <\/p>\n
747
\n00:52:15,480 –> 00:52:20,120
\nGod’s faithfulness, salvation,
\nloving kindness and truth <\/p>\n
748
\n00:52:21,400 –> 00:52:23,400
\nforward.
\nProgress on the way of holiness <\/p>\n
749
\n00:52:23,400 –> 00:52:27,480
\ndepends upon the grace of God
\nand our ever present awareness <\/p>\n
750
\n00:52:28,000 –> 00:52:30,200
\nof His sovereignty over our
\nlives. <\/p>\n
751
\n00:52:30,960 –> 00:52:34,320
\nSins against Him must be
\nconfessed, forgiveness <\/p>\n
752
\n00:52:34,320 –> 00:52:38,760
\nrequested, and restitution made.
\nThe 1st and best of our energy <\/p>\n
753
\n00:52:39,080 –> 00:52:42,440
\nand strength must be dedicated
\nto His service. <\/p>\n
754
\n00:52:43,480 –> 00:52:47,280
\nJoyful Thanksgiving should be
\ngiven regularly and sincerely, <\/p>\n
755
\n00:52:48,080 –> 00:52:52,480
\nalong with our desire expressed
\nto share in true and lasting <\/p>\n
756
\n00:52:52,480 –> 00:52:56,640
\nfellowship with God.
\nAll of this and more are bound <\/p>\n
757
\n00:52:56,640 –> 00:53:00,440
\nup in the system of offerings
\nthat were prescribed by the Law.<\/p>\n
758
\n00:53:01,920 –> 00:53:05,080
\nIn this way, the offerings were
\nan essential part of Israel’s <\/p>\n
759
\n00:53:05,080 –> 00:53:08,560
\njourney on the way of holiness.
\nThey were meant to develop a <\/p>\n
760
\n00:53:08,560 –> 00:53:11,280
\nspirit that delights to do the
\nwill of God, to preach <\/p>\n
761
\n00:53:11,280 –> 00:53:15,720
\nrighteousness, to declare God’s
\nfaithfulness, salvation, loving <\/p>\n
762
\n00:53:15,720 –> 00:53:19,000
\nkindness, and truth.
\nAnd though believers today are <\/p>\n
763
\n00:53:19,000 –> 00:53:21,480
\nno longer required to make the
\nofferings that the law <\/p>\n
764
\n00:53:21,480 –> 00:53:25,560
\nprescribed, the principles of
\nthat system are still very much <\/p>\n
765
\n00:53:25,560 –> 00:53:28,440
\nin force.
\nPaul describes the offering that<\/p>\n
766
\n00:53:28,440 –> 00:53:31,720
\nGod wants from believers today
\nthis way in Romans 12. <\/p>\n
767
\n00:53:32,360 –> 00:53:34,920
\nI beseech you, therefore,
\nbrethren, by the mercies of God,<\/p>\n
768
\n00:53:34,920 –> 00:53:41,560
\nthat you present your bodies a
\nliving sacrifice, holy, <\/p>\n
769
\n00:53:42,600 –> 00:53:45,640
\nacceptable unto God, which is
\nyour reasonable service. <\/p>\n
770
\n00:53:46,880 –> 00:53:49,760
\nThe offering that God wants from
\nyou and me is a life lived <\/p>\n
771
\n00:53:49,760 –> 00:53:53,160
\nwillingly and joyfully in
\nholiness. <\/p>\n
772
\n00:53:53,920 –> 00:53:56,680
\nIf we want to be members of the
\npriesthood that will officiate <\/p>\n
773
\n00:53:56,680 –> 00:54:00,120
\nover the offerings of the coming
\nage, then we have to learn to <\/p>\n
774
\n00:54:00,120 –> 00:54:03,560
\noffer our own lives in holiness
\ntoday. <\/p>\n
775
\n00:54:04,560 –> 00:54:08,720
\nAnd contrary to what we might
\nthink, this isn’t accomplished <\/p>\n
776
\n00:54:08,720 –> 00:54:13,960
\nin a few extraordinary acts of
\nself denial or self sacrifice <\/p>\n
777
\n00:54:15,800 –> 00:54:22,680
\nthrough which we somehow managed
\nto sacrifice ourselves. <\/p>\n
778
\n00:54:23,320 –> 00:54:27,360
\nIt’s the accumulation of many
\nsimple, seemingly unremarkable <\/p>\n
779
\n00:54:27,360 –> 00:54:30,840
\nacts of faithful obedience
\nthrough which we cooperate with <\/p>\n
780
\n00:54:30,840 –> 00:54:34,000
\nthe work of transformation that
\nGod has begun in each one of us.<\/p>\n
781
\n00:54:34,680 –> 00:54:37,720
\nAnd if we focus on faithful
\nobedience in the day-to-day <\/p>\n
782
\n00:54:37,720 –> 00:54:42,320
\nexperiences of life, then we can
\nbe sure that he which has begun <\/p>\n
783
\n00:54:42,320 –> 00:54:46,560
\na good work in US will perform
\nit until the day of Jesus <\/p>\n
784
\n00:54:46,560 –> 00:54:50,080
\nChrist, when that work will be
\ncompleted once and for all. <\/p>\n
785
\n00:54:50,920 –> 00:54:54,080
\nSo as we bring this session to a
\nclose, it’s worth considering <\/p>\n
786
\n00:54:54,080 –> 00:54:59,000
\nagain the apostle and high
\npriest of our profession, Christ<\/p>\n
787
\n00:54:59,160 –> 00:55:02,920
\nJesus, who is the greatest
\nexample of being well schooled <\/p>\n
788
\n00:55:02,960 –> 00:55:06,600
\nin the will of God, teaching it
\nfaithfully without bias, and <\/p>\n
789
\n00:55:06,760 –> 00:55:11,960
\napplying it in every aspect of
\nhis own life to distinguish holy<\/p>\n
790
\n00:55:12,240 –> 00:55:16,840
\nfrom unholy and to make in
\nhimself a place for God to <\/p>\n
791
\n00:55:16,840 –> 00:55:19,960
\ndwell.
\nHe willingly offered his life to<\/p>\n
792
\n00:55:19,960 –> 00:55:23,280
\nGod in complete obedience, and
\nhis pursuit of holiness has <\/p>\n
793
\n00:55:23,280 –> 00:55:25,640
\nbrought him to the right hand of
\nGod. <\/p>\n
794
\n00:55:25,640 –> 00:55:28,640
\nHe is the first born among many
\nbrethren. <\/p>\n
795
\n00:55:29,880 –> 00:55:33,640
\nThat’s us by God’s grace,
\nbrothers and sisters and young <\/p>\n
796
\n00:55:33,640 –> 00:55:39,120
\npeople, which gives us assurance
\nthat if we are conformed to his <\/p>\n
797
\n00:55:39,120 –> 00:55:43,160
\nimage today, we can be led by
\ngrace through faith into <\/p>\n
798
\n00:55:43,160 –> 00:55:46,640
\neverlasting life.
\nAnd so we have good reason to <\/p>\n
799
\n00:55:46,640 –> 00:55:51,200
\nlive our lives today in act of
\ncooperation with our Heavenly <\/p>\n
800
\n00:55:51,200 –> 00:55:55,360
\nFather’s efforts to prepare us
\nfor membership in this holy <\/p>\n
801
\n00:55:55,360 –> 00:55:58,520
\npriesthood shortly to be
\nestablished by our Lord and the <\/p>\n
802
\n00:55:58,560 –> 00:56:02,000
\nearth.
\nSo tomorrow we are going to look<\/p>\n
803
\n00:56:02,000 –> 00:56:05,960
\nat this idea of two ways.
\nWe know, of course, that there <\/p>\n
804
\n00:56:05,960 –> 00:56:08,680
\nis another way.
\nThere is the way of holiness, <\/p>\n
805
\n00:56:08,840 –> 00:56:10,920
\nthe way of life, but there is a
\nway of death. <\/p>\n
806
\n00:56:10,920 –> 00:56:14,040
\nAnd we’re going to look at those
\ntwo ways and the two masters <\/p>\n
807
\n00:56:14,040 –> 00:56:16,760
\nthat are associated with them.
\nWe’re going to spend a little <\/p>\n
808
\n00:56:16,760 –> 00:56:19,040
\ntime looking at the war in our
\nmembers. <\/p>\n
809
\n00:56:20,720 –> 00:56:23,680
\nWe’re going to look at this
\nconcept of the world and, and <\/p>\n
810
\n00:56:23,680 –> 00:56:28,440
\ntry to come to A, to a more
\nimmediate sense or a sense of <\/p>\n
811
\n00:56:28,440 –> 00:56:31,880
\nthe immediate urgency that that
\nthis idea has for our lives. <\/p>\n
812
\n00:56:31,880 –> 00:56:36,000
\nIt isn’t simply something that’s
\nout there apart from us, but <\/p>\n
813
\n00:56:36,000 –> 00:56:39,240
\nthat the world has an embassy
\ninside of every one of us. <\/p>\n
814
\n00:56:39,240 –> 00:56:42,440
\nAnd then we’re going to look at
\na couple of tactics that God has<\/p>\n
815
\n00:56:42,440 –> 00:56:46,280
\nprovided to resist our nature
\nand the world. <\/p>\n
816
\n00:56:46,800 –> 00:56:49,240
\nAnd so with that, I will say
\nthank you and I will turn things<\/p>\n
817
\n00:56:49,240 –> 00:56:50,440
\nback over to brother Jason.\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Class 5 from this series was used in GCT Episode 333. 1 00:00:03,600 –> 00:00:08,360 This…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":786,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/s\/8765608\/podcast\/play\/97877493\/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-1-1%2F394106413-44100-2-a3256fd78ad69.m4a","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:56:52","filesize":"52.64M","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"tags":[],"series":[18],"class_list":["post-1256","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","series-gct-ext"],"aioseo_notices":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1319730-1546836077275-ad9b1fa65b482-scaled.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/1319730-1546836075997-e4feb369d8bf.jpg?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1","download_link":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/podcast-download\/1256\/everett-muniz-be-ye-holy-class-3-a-kingdom-of-priests-a-holy-nation","player_link":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/podcast-player\/1256\/everett-muniz-be-ye-holy-class-3-a-kingdom-of-priests-a-holy-nation","audio_player":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/podcast-player\/1256\/everett-muniz-be-ye-holy-class-3-a-kingdom-of-priests-a-holy-nation<\/a>","episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"anchor":{"key":"anchor","url":"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/gct-extended","label":"Anchor","class":"anchor","icon":"anchor.png"},"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/good-christadelphian-talks-extended\/id1451458376?mt=2&uo=4","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"breaker":{"key":"breaker","url":"","label":"Breaker","class":"breaker","icon":"breaker.png"},"castbox":{"key":"castbox","url":"https:\/\/castbox.fm\/channel\/id1440738","label":"CastBox","class":"castbox","icon":"castbox.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84NzY1NjA4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"overcast":{"key":"overcast","url":"https:\/\/overcast.fm\/itunes1451458376\/good-christadelphian-talks-extended","label":"Overcast","class":"overcast","icon":"overcast.png"},"pocketcasts":{"key":"pocketcasts","url":"https:\/\/pca.st\/s6u6","label":"PocketCasts","class":"pocketcasts","icon":"pocketcasts.png"},"podbean":{"key":"podbean","url":"","label":"Podbean","class":"podbean","icon":"podbean.png"},"radio_public":{"key":"radio_public","url":"https:\/\/radiopublic.com\/good-christadelphian-talks-extend-8X4LpA","label":"Radio Public","class":"radio_public","icon":"radio-public.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/572NtU94bGKGknHF4gmlM6","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/anchor-podcasts\/good-christadelphian-talks-extended","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/GoodChristadelphianTalksPodcast","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/feed\/podcast\/gct-ext","embedCode":"Everett Muniz – Be Ye Holy – Class 3 – A Kingdom Of Priests – A Holy Nation<\/a><\/blockquote>