Continuing on with our study of the Law, we've come to a monumental conclusion that as important as sacrifice is in identifying, participating in, and receiving the grace of God, there are limits to which the average person may participate. A remorseful spirit and a spotless animal sacrifice are great and necessary, but unless a priest is present, the offering is useless. God has appointed priests, or mediators, to be the communicators of both the pleas of man and the verdict of God. Without the priests, there can be no effective communication with God.
Title: Man's Work of Reconciliation through the Priesthood
Text: Exodus 19:5-6 and Leviticus 8
I. Necessity of the Priesthood
A. God holiness demands that those in harmony with God be Holy
B. God's desire is that all who dwell in covenant with Him be holy and serve as His priests (Exodus 19:5-6)
C. While God's intention is for a Nation of priests, He begins with one man and his sons (Exodus 28:1 and Leviticus 8)
II. The Ordination and Exclusivity of the Priesthood (Leviticus 8:1-36)
A. Priests must be elected by God, not appointed my man. (v.2)
B. The community must acknowledge and accept the role & appointment of God's priests. There is no alternative system. (v.3)
C. Priests must be physically different from the average person. (v.6-9)
D. Priests are tethered to the ministry that God has given them. They cannot minister wherever they like to whomever they like. (v.12)
E. Priests must be pure and forsake sin (v.15)
F. Priests must embrace the fullness of the covenant (v.18)
G. The Priesthood is identified with the altar of God; therefore, the priest needs to address the sins of the people. (v. 22-24)
H. Priest must be humble and see themselves as equals with man, not God. (v.26-28)
I. Priests must live in complete harmony and submission to the complete ministry of God. In both the good times and bad, in regards to the needs of both man and God, the priests must serve. (v. 30)
J. The priesthood is a lifestyle that should not be added to or taken away from. Only in this will the priest be fit for service and offer acceptable ministry for God and man. (v.33-34)
III. Application of the Priesthood
A. God's priests were called to share the holiness of God in a gracious, elected state of active participation in the covenant. Their holiness and privilege came through grace alone.
B. Priest are only effective when they live in complete obedience to God. The problem is that even priests sin and need atonement (Lev. 10:1-7 and 16:6)
C. The priesthood calls for a Priest greater than any man. The priesthood points to the ministry of God, fulfilled through His Son, Jesus.
