A message summary of September 10, 2017 from Pastor Gus Brown:
If you are saved, you are a priest of Jesus Christ. You function in exactly that way. A priest is one who stands ready to serve God.
We left off last week in Ezekiel discussing where there may be shortcomings or failures of the priest. For our purposes, sin does not prevent a person to serve Him. God may ask one to do something, and the person responds.
It is important to note that, depending upon the sin, there are certain things that cannot be undone. Some of us will fall, and there will be a scar or a mark, and it can’t be repaired. A believer should always be cautious about the sin that is allowed into one’s life. Satan can render a believer useless if sin takes over.
Ezekiel 44:10-14
Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who strayed from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their sin. Yet they will occupy My sanctuary, serving as guards at the temple gates and ministering at the temple. They will slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices for the people and will stand before them to serve them. Because they ministered to the house of Israel before their idols and became a sinful stumbling block to them, therefore I swore an oath against them”–this is the declaration of the Lord God–“that they would bear the consequences of their sin. They must not approach Me to serve Me as priests or come near any of My holy things or the most holy things. They will bear their disgrace and the consequences of the detestable acts they committed. Yet I will make them responsible for the duties of the temple–for all its work and everything done in it.
The prayer of a believer should be the desire to be used as a vessel for the Lord in service, but there are rights and privileges that are forfeited as a consequence or consequences of the sin. It doesn’t mean that the person is not forgiven of their sin, but it does mean that there should be a reckoning of any detestable practice before God.
Christians are to be the salt of the earth. In order to be this salt, it requires action, and in some cases, correction of those who need it. A priest of God has to be trained to be an effective priest–an ambassador for Jesus Christ. We need to understand that we are consecrated and being made holy before Him and before others. The priests, who are also teachers, are charged to give instruction of God’s Word and encourage others to follow His teaching.
Those who are prepared to serve God with the desire to remain faithful and obedient will be affirmed with God’s presence in their service.
Ezekiel 44:15-16
“But the Levitical priests descended from Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, will approach Me to serve Me. They will stand before Me fat and blood.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “They are the ones who may enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to serve Me. They will keep My mandate.”
Remember that the pastor of a church is nothing more than a priest and a servant. Pastors are human, as well, and also are to continue to render their service to Jesus Christ as they grow in Him. The priest is to live in reverence of Jesus Christ.
Being a priest, a teacher, is not a small thing. It’s a very important thing.
James 3:1-2
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is able to control his whole body.
Romans 2:21a
…you then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself?
The bible doesn’t say, for example, that you can’t drink alcohol. (That is a choice for the individual.) The bible does, however, discourage drunkenness.
If you are teaching others about the truth, are you implementing that same way of living for yourself?
People need good, sound teaching in order to seek God in the proper way and to keep them from going astray.
The priest will be receiving instruction from none other than the Holy Spirit.
2 Chronicles 15:3-7
For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without instruction, but when they turned to the Lord God of Israel in their distress and sought Him, He was found by them. In those times there was no peace for those who went about their daily activities because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every possible distress. But as for you, be strong; don’t be discouraged, for your work has a reward.
Malachi 2:1-2, 7-9
“Therefore, this decree is for you priests: If you don’t listen, and if you don’t take it to heart to honor My name,” says Yahweh of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. In fact, I have already begun to curse them because you are not taking it to heart.
For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. You, on the other hand, have turned from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of Hosts. So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people because you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in your instruction.”
The Word of God has a positive effect and changes the lives of those who believe. A priest must be willing to hear God and follow His direction. Those who do this will be able to demonstrate how to “fight the good fight.”
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 