Outgoing – Session 9 – 3 November 2011
Priestly People
The Priesthood of Christ
Christ is Man in the presence of God.
We are in that Man.
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Discuss: How do you consider your standing with God?
How do you respond when you’ve sinned?
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Priesthood in Hebrews: 4:14-16; 5:1-3; 6:19-20; 7:24-28
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We’re carried on the heart of our Perfect Priest, through death and into the throne-room of the Father.
Therefore approach God boldly!
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“Christianity is not about rules, it’s a relationship.”
Careful! Don’t make “relationship” the new work!
We’re not saved by faith as though faith is the thing we bring to the table.
It’s not that God dislikes deeds but really likes creeds.
Our faith doesn’t save us!
We’re saved by Christ alone because we bring nothing to the table
When we rest in His work – that is fath.
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Faith is not a thing. Faith is merely receiving the only saving thing – Christ!
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It’s not about my personal relationship with God.
It’s about Christ’s personal relationship with God.
Charles Spurgeon: “It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument–it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.”
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesu’s blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesu’s name.”
The Priesthood of All Believers
John 17:20-26
What is our relationship to...
Jesus
The Father
Each other
The world?
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John 20:19-23
How has the Father sent Jesus?
Eternally – it’s part of who He is!
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The Church does not send missionaries
The Church is the missionary body!
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1 Peter 2:9-12
The Priesthood of All Believers does not mean that we are all individual priests.
My priestliness does not exist in myself.
It exists in Christ and in community.
But in Christ and together with others we bring the world to God.
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The Priesthood of Christ:
I’m not walking a holiness tightrope
The Priesthood of all believers:
We’re moving out together into the world
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What does godliness look like?
Common Objection: I just want to live my life. Why should I shrink my world and become a Christian?
Recommended Reading: Hebrews 6-10
What is the difference between Old and New Covenants?
How might we be tempted to live an Old Covenant Christianity?
Next Week: A Proclamation People
We have a gospel to proclaim. This is our priestly mission to the world. Christians will want to love their neighbours in all kinds of ways but the church is sent into the world to proclaim Christ.
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I love it!
"The good I do won't save me...and the evil I do won't condemn me."
In Christ.
Awesome.
Thanks, Glen.
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