Power Priestly Power

Power 

Priestly Power

Under the Old Covenant the family of Levi were Priests

Under the New Covenant made by Christ Jesus

We become family

A Royal Priesthood

In our weaknesses we serve as priest

Lead people to Jesus Christ because He is the only High Priest that can “Completely Save” 

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:23-25

Priestly Power

God had made the descendants of Levi priests.

 

They were responsible for taking care of

all the holy articles at the place of worship.

They were also responsible for offering sacrifices

for their sins, as well as, the sins of the people.

As a pastor, I was very aware of my responsibility

 to keep myself holy, that is set apart, for God’s

service, not contaminated by the things of this world.

I had to keep watch that the house of worship

was not compromised, but kept holy.

Because people who lived their life outside of Christ

 were coming to the church, there was continually

thoughts and ideas that did not line up with the Word of God.

Most of the time these things came from well-meaning

people who needed time to grow in the things of Christ.

 

We all have needs, and as a pastor, the needs of the

people small and great were very important to me.

The responsibility of meeting those needs had

to be handled with the needs of my own family.

As hard as I tried to meet the needs of the people, with

my time, resources, prayers, study of God’s Word

and everything else God had given me lacked.

I warned the sinner that didn’t listen.

I prayed for the sick and they died.

I spoke the truth and still people

would rather believe a lie.

I loved and still love being a pastor.

But being a pastor is frustrating.

Because I could not give the

people everything they needed.

I am sure you have had spiritual leaders

in your life that had let you down.

Some of us have had great leaders in our lives but

their leadership ended as they died like all of us will do.

God is still raising up a Royal Priesthood.

 1 Peter 2:9

But we of that priesthood have limits.

As a pastor, and one of the royal priesthood,

I know I am not the end of people’s needs.

I am one who is to lead others to

the One who can meet all needs.

One who has the power to give wisdom,

heal the sick, raise the dead,

and pray for us like no one else.

One who is without sin and who has

been tempted in the same ways as us.

One who overcame all the evils of

Satan and the corruption of the world.

As much as I love people

this One loves so much more.

Who is this one?

The One who gave us a better covenant than

the priest of old ministered under.

Who is this one?

The One whose office of priest is permanent because

death could not stop Him from living forever.

Who is this one?

The One who completely saves unlike

the band aids I give to people.

Who is this one?

The One who lives every second

and forever to intercede for you.

Jesus Christ is the HIGH PRIEST

who can meet ALL our needs.

Because He is…

 HOLY, BLAMELESS, PURE,

SET APPART FROM SINNERS.

He is EXALTED ABOVE THE HEAVENS.

 Jesus has already paid the

price for everything you need.

He does not need to work for it, He already

has what you need for life and godliness.

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:23-25

That is power to completely save you and I.

If you belong to Christ you are

a part of God’s holy priesthood.

You and I lack the power to

meet the needs of others…

But we have Jesus.

Our job as priests is to lead and intercede for

others that they may find the High Priest Jesus Christ.

Because only through Him is the power we all need.

Don’t forget…

You have freely received so freely give.

And give back to God all the glory.  

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 7:22-8:1 NIV

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.