The Year of the Priesthood
Notes
Transcript
Tomorrow, we begin a new year, 2024. Do any of you think about what a number means. Numbers are important to God. Numbers are so important that He wrote a book about numbers called Numbers. It is the fourth book in the Bible. Today I want to give you a look into what the number 24 means.
First, all of us know that there are 24 hours in a day. That is probably what most of us think about the number 24. It is probably where most of us stop thinking about the number 24. Some of you may remember that there was a tv show that came out several years ago called 24.
But for today I want us to look a little deeper into the number 24. Like I said earlier numbers are important to God. There is meaning behind each number. And God placed certain numbers in the Bible for us. The number 24 represents the priesthood. Let me explain.
When they would write the number 24 in Hebrew they wrote two Hebrew letters:
kaph-daleth
kaph-daleth
These signify the open palm in the act of opening a door, signifying an open hand showing and offering to us the door of priesthood and access into the Sanctuary of God.
So, twenty-four is the number of priesthood. The number twelve is a division of 24. The number 12 is the number of governmental perfection, its multiple 24 is the number of priesthood, wherein lies the call to spiritual government. This is a heavenly government of priesthood, rather than a political government of kings.
We read in scripture that God gives David the blueprints that his son Solomon are to build for the new temple. Among these patterns was a change in priesthood from 12 to 24 courses of priests. In Revelation 4:4
4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
we read about 24 elders around the throne. People believe that this is a representation of the church. The twelve tribes in the Old Testament representing the Old Testament church and the 12 Apostles in the New Testament representing the New Testament church coming together to create the complete church. Christ’s personal sacrifice secured the redemption of God’s people of all time. So, twenty four is the number of the Priesthood. I believe that as we are quickly approaching 2024, this new year will be the year of the priesthood. So, what does that mean for us.
If you have your Bibles this morning, go with me to the book of 1 Peter chapter 2. I want to begin reading at verse 1.
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9 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.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
I want to give you two things that you are to do for 2024. I know you will hear these and say shouldn’t we do these things always and yes you are correct, but i truly believe that this message was meant for today and if we are true believers then we are to take this message to heart this morning. Write these down.
1. Desire More of God
1. Desire More of God
Look at verse 1 and 2 again.
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
The first year of a babies life they drink almost exclusively milk, either through breastfeeding or formula. They crave this milk. It is their source of nourishment that they need to begin their growth process.
We as believers need to crave the things of God so that we can get the spiritual nourishment that we need to grow in our salvation.
As a believer, how often do you read your bible? I like the digital bibles that we can carry on our phone, but if you don’t have a physical copy then you need to get one. Don’t be afraid to mark up the bible. Underline important scriptures to you. I have a bible that I use to carry and I would mark when my pastor would preach from that text. I have places in my bible where I took sermon notes. You need to be able to personalize a bible. It is hard to do that with a digital copy. The digital bible is great for convenience that you can take it with you easier but you need a physical copy of a bible and if you can’t afford to get yourself one. Let me know and I will get you one.
As believers we need to hunger for the word of God we need to crave the things of God.
How much time do you spend in prayer with God?
I believe that God is telling us that we need to get back in His word more and spend more time with God. We need to work on our relationship with the Father.
And the second thing that I believe God is telling us to do in 2024 is.
2. Know Your Role as a Part of the Priesthood of God.
2. Know Your Role as a Part of the Priesthood of God.
Look at verse 5 again.
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Does anyone want to guess what family line the priesthood came from in the Old Testament?
The priesthood came from the tribe of Levi. In the Old Testament, the priesthood was restricted to a qualified minority. Only the descendants of Aaron from the Israelite tribe of Levi. And their unique responsibility was to offer sacrifices to God on behalf of His people and to make communication between God and His people possible.
1 “Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests.
Now, through Jesus Christ, every true Christian has been made a priest to God.
6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Us being a part of the priesthood means this.
We have direct access to God through Christ.
We have direct access to God through Christ.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
When Christ died upon the cross the vail that separated the Holy of Holies to the rest of the temple was torn. That created access for us to go to the thrown of God. As believers we have direct access to God because of what Christ did upon the cross.
When we became a part of the priesthood…
We are Obligated to live Holy lives.
We are Obligated to live Holy lives.
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
Does this mean that we will be perfect? No. We will never reach perfection while we are here on this imperfect world. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to live the best life we can live in Christ. Will we make mistakes? you bet. But I still want to strive for Holiness because if I desire to be holy then my life will be better for it. It is when we get out of God’s plan that we begin to mess up our lives.
Also as a part of the priesthood
We Must Offer “Spiritual Sacrifices” to God.
We Must Offer “Spiritual Sacrifices” to God.
How do we do this? Does this mean that we need to learn how to sacrifice animals? Definitely not.
We live in obedience to God. We refuse to conform to the pattern of the world
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We develop a prayer life to God. We learn how to praise God.
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
We learn to serve God with our whole heart and willing hands.
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children
2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
We perform good works and we give of our material possessions.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
We present our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness. We need to do what is right according to God’s standards and plans.
Have you ever got to a band concert or a symphony? Before the concert ever begins the band or symphony will warm up on their own and it sounds like nothing. It doesn’ make since. But when they begin to perform they make a beautiful melody and harmony. That is what it is like when we present our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.
13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
These are just a few ways that you can offer “spiritual sacrifices” to God.
What are some of your other roles as part of the priesthood?
You are to Intercede.
You are to Intercede.
An intercessor is someone that prays for other peoples needs and concerns. You spend time praying for each other and for people that you don’t even know.
On our app, we have a place where people can post prayer needs. One thing that we ask is could you be specific when putting a request on that prayer wall. Maybe add a last name initial so we don’t think it is someone that it isn’t.
But you can look at this app and see those that are in need and then you can pray for them.
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
Defend God’s Word, Spread Christ’s Message and Pray for its effect on People.
Defend God’s Word, Spread Christ’s Message and Pray for its effect on People.
Time is short and we have to get the word out about who Jesus is. That is a job for each of us believers to do.
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
If you are a true believer then you are a part of the priesthood of God. These several things that I have listed is your responsibility to do. It is important that you make these a practice in 2024. 2024 is the year of the priesthood. You need to take up the position that you have been given as a part of the priesthood of God.
The time to sit back and watch everyone else go to work is over. It is time that we rise up and become whom God has called us to become. We are going to be a church that is moving forward for the kingdom of God. And we want all of you to be a part of this church and the steps that God is ordering us to take.
So, here is what I am asking each of you to do this morning. I want each of you to step out in the aisle and come to the altar. If there is anything that is keeping you from moving forward in Christ, I want you to leave it behind in 2023. I want you to start the new year off on the right foot. I want you to make a new commitment to God this morning.
Here is something else that is interesting about the number 24.
The numbers 16 and 8, as you know, equals 24.
The number 16 speaks of Love, while the number 8 speaks of New Beginnings. The number 24, then, which signifies priesthood, cannot be understood without the context of a new beginning (8) of spiritual rebirth and Love as the foundation of their character.
Also, the 24th time the name of Jesus is mentioned in the book of John it is found in John 3:3
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
This is about a new beginning in one’s life, and it connects the number 8 with the priesthood.
Today, what better way to go into 2024 then with a new relationship with Jesus. It’s time to start some new beginnings today.
Can we stand?