I. “Our ministry TO the Lord”

1.  “WAITING” 
   1.  The Bible teaches us that part of the priest’s occupation was to go into the temple and wait upon the Lord. We are in such a hurry so our prayers are always “on the run.” 
   2. Those who “wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.” Here are two  New Testament examples of people who were occupied with the priesthood: 
   3. Peter said, “Be self-controlled and sober-minded.” 
   4. We must slow down and “wait” upon Him.
   5. No one can pray when their mind is fearful and distracted. CALM DOWN.
2. “WORSHIPPING” 
   1.  “When the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the PRIESTS COULD NOT STAND to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” (2 Chron. 5: 13-14) 
   2. Priesthood is about worship. 
   3. Wake up before anybody else, kneel down in reverence, lift up your holy, priestly hands, and start worshipping the Lord. “My Savior (I thank you for cleansing me.)” 
      1. My Healer
      2. My Deliverer 
      3. My Provider
3. “WARRING” 
   1.  The priests “blew the trumpet” of warfare: “And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies.”
   2. As New Testament priests, we can sprinkle the blood of Jesus on everything in our home, our family, our children, our business, and our ministry. 
   3. You need to WAIT like a priest, WORSHIP like a priest, WAR like a priest. 
      1. Get out of your BED and get on the BATTLEFIELD of prayer. 
      2. Turn off the NEWS and get on your KNEES and war against the enemy. 
      3. Get off of FACEBOOK and get your FACE IN THE BOOK and tell the devil to get out of your family.

II. “Our ministry FOR the Lord”

1. “WE MINISTER RECONCILIATION”—“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 3: 8) 
   1.  “Love one another earnestly” means “love when it stretches you!” It is used of the tight muscles of an athlete straining to finish a race. 
   2. SOME PEOPLE STRETCH YOU. 
   3. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” 
   4. Can you forgive when it’s hard? 
2. “WE MINISTER GRACE”: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good STEWARDS of God’s varied grace: whoever SPEAKS, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever SERVES, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies.” (1 Pet. 4: 10-11) 
   1. STEWARDS: “WE MINISTER GRACE.” 
   2. SPEAKING GIFTS: 
   3. SERVING GIFTS: 
      1. “Hospitality” (providing meals and shelter) 
      2. “Visitation” (prisons and hospitals) 
      3. “Supporting” (finances and practical assistance) 
      4. “Leading” (small groups and outreaches) 
      5. “Helps” (skills and talents for building, technology, business, security, etc.) 
      6. “Mercy” (Good Samaritan)

CONCLUSION:

• “YOU are an end-time priest.” 
• YOU have two functions: “ministry to God” and “ministry to people.” 
• YOU are qualified to “minister to God.” 
• YOU are qualified for: “waiting, worship, and warfare.” 
• YOU are qualified to “minister to people:”