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But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
message summary
Scripture: Hebrews 13:15-16, Romans 12: 10-13
When we hear the word priest, our minds usually jump to either:
A catholic priest / pastor or An old testament priest offering sacrifices
So when the bible describes the church as a kingdom of priests, we really aren’t sure of what it means. Our best guess is generally, that somehow we are supposed to be different from the rest of the world. What this often results in is that we try to shape ourselves as a morally upright community that doesn’t get drunk, doesn’t smoke and that will only have sex once we’re married.
When we look at the biblical picture of the priesthood we will discover that to be a priest is to be a human as God intended. The first priests, Adam & Eve show us that humanity was created to be a mediator of God’s goodness to all off creation. And through the lives of Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Melchizedek & David we see God continuously looking for people that he can use to bless the world.
This is ultimately what Jesus does. Through his actions of work, service and worship, he becomes a priest for us, he makes it possible for us to once again walk with God like Adam & Eve. He allows us to become priests once again. Our worship to him now is to live sacrificial lives, in service and hospitality because it is through this, that the world can experience his goodness once again.
the biblical picture of the church as a royal priesthood is of a community who
- in humility, continuously acknowledges their dependence on generous God -
- in gratitude, receives the blessings that God has for them -
- in worship, looks for ways to share their blessings with others -
Christian generosity & hospitality are two priestly practices that give the world a glimpse of God
Spiritual practice - Generosity
a word on generosity:
Tim Keller provides the following advice to those who ask - how much should I give?
"you aren't giving generously until your giving impacts how you live your life"
- that you can't go out to eat or drink as often as you would like -
- that you can't go on holidays as often as you would like -
- that you can't buy those luxury items -
step 01: reflection
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13: 15-16
In a small group:
Share some ways that God has blessed you and the impact that these blessings have had on you.
Suggest a few people in our church community who you think best reflect Hebrews 13:15? Discuss if you believe God deserves more praise from our church family and what it would look like for us to praise him continually?
Discuss how you think this church family can respond to Hebrews 13:16
Explore how the practice of generosity could bring joy to God.
step 02: response
Take 10-15 minutes on your own:
To decide on an amount of time or money (or other resource) that you would need to give to others for it to "impact on how you want to live you life" and start a "giving plan" of how you could begin to live generously.Take 10-20 minutes as a group:
To explore how we as a church family, could take on our identity as a Royal Priesthood and what it looks like for us together to be generous.
step 03: pray
Spiritual practice - Hospitality
a word on hospitality:
Rosario Butterfield describes Christian hospitality as:
"turning strangers into neighbours and turning neighbours into family"
step 01: discussion
Share what you understand hospitality to mean.
Describe a time where you experienced hospitality that surprised you, either because it was unexpected or because you were impressed by how you were welcomed.
Discuss what hospitality as described by Rosario Butterfield looks like.
step 02: reflection
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12: 9-12
In a small group:
Share some stories in the bible where you see hospitality being described.
We all have limits to our love for one another, to our willingness to be hospitable. Confess the situations that compromise and limits to; your love for others or your willingness to be hospitable.
Discuss the impact Christian hospitality would have on this church family and how the practice of hospitality can be a way of giving the world a taste of heaven.
step 03: response
Take 10-20 minutes as a group:
To explore how we as a church family, could take on our identity as a Royal Priesthood and what it looks like for us together to be hospitable. End by coming up with a plan that puts your thoughts into action.
step 04: pray
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