The Holiness of Priesthood

Bgroup Lesson Jan 13

Big Idea: 1 Peter 2:5 tells us that we are like living stones that are being built up together as a spiritual house and goes on to say that we are a Holy Priesthood that offers up to God Spiritual Sacrifices that are acceptable to Him through Christ. Wow! You might not have ever seen yourself as a priest before but the scriptures tell us that this is how our Father sees us. One of the defining qualities of the priesthood is holiness, being set apart. In the Old Testament the priest dressed differently than everyone else. He had access where others did not. He also wore a plate across the front of his turban that read “Holiness to the Lord”. The priest no longer looked at himself the same. He felt other worldly, elevated, revered. So if God has called us to priesthood, doesn’t it make sense that we are called to be holy as well? Let’s take a look at three attitudes of holiness in the Royal Priesthood. 

Key Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5-9 (NLT) “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

1. Think separate, not same

If you were to take one look at a priest in the Old Testament you would know immediately that they were not the same as everyone else. In fact you would consider them in a totally different league than yourself. His clothing represented holiness. His lifestyle, the ceremonies he participated in were all separate from others. In fact, if there was any part of this presentation that was incorrect, the priest could be disqualified from ministering and possibly even lose their life. The danger of this type of external display of holiness is that it becomes legalism. As royal priests we are called to be separate and not the same as everyone else. We can, however, go through the motions of external holiness but have never had a real heart transformation. 

Discussion Question: What are some examples of external holiness? Is it possible to give the appearance of holiness but still be away from God? Explain.

2. Think impact, not isolation

From all outward appearances, Jesus was just like you and me. Choosing a life of impact instead of isolation opened the door for Jesus to minister to the broken and hurting. However, once people encountered Jesus, they quickly realized that this was no ordinary man. Common on the outside, but otherly on the inside. Even though his outward appearance was like everyone else, when Peter encountered the inner holiness of Christ he said, “depart from me, I'm a sinner” (Luke 5:8). The holiness of Jesus was not just internal but it was impactful. It impacted the leper and he was healed, it impacted the sinner and he was forgiven! This same holiness impacts our lives.   

Discussion Question: Coming out from the world and being separate (2 Corinthians 6:17) and yet not being isolated sounds like a contradiction of terms. Why is this not the case? 

3. Think available, not avoidable

1 Peter 1:13-19 (NLT) “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God”.

In this scripture we can see that God’s standard is holiness. It is not optional but mandated. But how can we as believers live this kind of life? Fortunately, God never gives us a command without empowering us to live it out. There are 4 keys within this scripture that will help us focus on living a life of holiness. 

  • Through our Obedience - “You must live as God’s obedient children”
  • Through our Reverence - “You must be holy because I am holy”
  • Through our Response - “He will judge or reward you according to what you do”
  • Through our New Birth -  “God paid a ransom to save you…It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless spotless Lamb of God”. 

Discussion Question: How does the new birth enable us to live a life of holiness? Explain the contrast between living by the Spirit’s power and trying to live a life of holiness by your own strength. 

Conclusion: 

Unfortunately, many professing believers are so much like the world that it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. A good question for us to ask ourselves as we step into a new year is this: Am I going to live this year the same as everyone else or will I choose a life of separateness? 

Here is a five step process to walking in Holiness as a priest of the Most High God:

  1. Repent - Turn away from your sin and turn to God
  2. Be baptized - As an outward witness of this decision
  3. Receive the Holy Spirit - His job is to make you a holy spirit
  4. Obey Him - Walk in obedience to scripture
  5. Flee from Sin - Remember that God has empowered you to live the life that he has called you to



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