A Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-10)

A Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-10)

 

 9. 그러나 너희는 택하신 족속이요 왕 같은 제사장들이요 거룩한 나라요 그의 소유가 된 백성이니 이는 너희를 어두운 데서 불러 내어 그의 기이한 빛에 들어가게 하신 이의 아름다운 덕을 선포하게 하려 하심이라

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;

 

10. 너희가 전에는 백성이 아니더니 이제는 하나님의 백성이요 전에는 긍휼을 얻지 못하였더니 이제는 긍휼을 얻은 자니라

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

 

1. Just about everyone here is probably familiar with the story, “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen. It is about a young duckling that looks different and is uglier than his fellow baby ducks. The duckling runs away, hoping to escape the ridicule from his duck family, but is mocked and teased by other animals wherever he goes.

 

Seasons pass and the miserable duckling sees a flock of beautiful swans on a lake. He swims over to join them, thinking it would be better to die among them than to live as he had. The now fully grown duckling finally sees his reflection in the lake and realizes he isn’t a duck but rather one of the beautiful swans he yearns to join. With this new realization, the swan spreads his new wings and joins the welcoming flock of swans.

 

2. Does anyone know the lesson in this popular children’s story? It is the importance of recognizing, knowing, and acknowledging one’s true self-identity. Is is about knowing who you are. If you don’t know or forget who you truly are, you end up living a foolish, idle life and waste away. How sad and pitiful is it that the swan lived most of its life miserable, thinking it was a deformed duck, when in fact it was a perfectly normal baby swan?

 

3. We experience similar circumstances in our life of faith. There are people who are children of God, yet they live like people of the world. only when we recognize and acknowledge who we are can we live a true life of true faith.

 

I hope that everyone here takes today’s sermon as a chance to check or revive their true identity and position of faith.

 

A) The Duality of Identity and Position: Privilege and Duty

 

There are two sides to all titles of status; each position entitles you to different privileges and duties. For example, possessing the status and identity of a Korean citizen brings you all the privileges granted to Korean citizens. At the same time, you are given the duties of tax payments, national defense, and education.

 

If someone seeks a certain position for the privileges, but rejects the duties that come with it, they are criticized for being selfish, shameless, and a brat and rightfully so. Sometimes acting this way brings severe repercussions such as incarceration. It is the same with faith.

 

As Christians, we too have the privilege of being blessed with God’s love and grace, but we also have duties we must fulfill. If a Christian wants to reap the benefits without doing any of the work, then their faith is weak, selfish, and immature.

 

There is a Korean praise song called “You Were Born to be Loved.” The lyrics are simple, yet profound, and it is a popular praise song among children and adults alike. If we take a look at the second verse, there is a part that says, “You were born to love.”

 

It is important to receive love from God and our neighbors, but it is just as important, if not more, for us to love as well.

 

B) Christian Privilege: The Privilege of a Royal Priesthood

 

Verses 9 and 10 of today’s scripture mentions four titles that summarize the identity of a Christian: “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession (NIV).”

 

First, the title of “a chosen people” lets us know that we were chosen by God among billions of others. We were chosen and saved from an eternal life of sin and death.

 

There are 6.5 billion people in the world. We are merely a grain of sand on a vast beach. Yet God knows us, remembers us, and chooses us to be His people. How amazing is this grace and privilege we are given?

 

“A holy nation” identifies us as a group that is different from the rest of the world. We are separated from the world and possess the privilege of living as God’s holy children.

 

“God’s special possession” means that the blood shed by Jesus atoned for our sins, and we now belong to God. An object’s value can vary depending on who owns, or owned, it. A normal pair of glasses or a cheap dirty hat can sell for millions if it was owned by Ghandi or Abraham Lincoln.

 

Where you belong is important. We, as humans, are lowly and pathetic. We are valueless. Yet when we come into affiliation with God, we become a precious asset.

 

Of these four descriptive titles, the one we must pay most attention to is the title of “Royal Priesthood”.

 

To be royal, or regal, means to be confident, dignified, noble, and to submit to no one. In the Old Testament, priests were figures that were highly differentiated from other citizens. only the title of a priest allowed one to appear before God with animal sacrifices.

 

In the tabernacles there were holy rooms and then an area called the “Holy of Holies” or the “Most Holy Place.” Any priest could enter the holy rooms. But only the highest ranking priest could enter the “Most Holy Place” and just once a year, for it was a most sacred room where the spirit of the Lord dwelled.

 

Dividing the holy room and the “Holy of Holies” was a strong and thick curtain. This most sacred room was a fearful place, where not even the highest priest could rest assured. If anyone, even the high priest, were to enter the room with sin in their hearts, they would die on the spot.

 

But when Jesus died on the cross for us, an amazing thing happened. Matthew 27:51 tells us, “51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split…”

 

The curtain that divided the holy room and “Holy of Holies” was “torn in two from top to bottom.” This curtain is one so strong, no human could tear it. God Himself tore the dividing curtain, showing us that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, anyone can now come before the Lord at anytime, anywhere.

 

Hebrews describes this truth as such: “19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…” Hallelujah!

 

Catholicism still believes that we, as mere believers, cannot come before God. only through a priest and confession can you receive forgiveness. Isn’t this odd yet sad?

 

The Bible clearly tells us that through Jesus Christ, we too can approach the Lord with assurance like royal priests. In Christian theology, this concept makes up the doctrine of “universal priesthood” or “priesthood of all believers.” Anyone can have a direct access to and a connection with God, even if they are not a priest.

 

One of the beliefs of Martin Luther during the Reformation was this doctrine of universal priesthood. There are three key privileges that come with being a Christian priest:

 

 ① The Privilege of Worship: As a Christian priest who believes in Jesus Christ, you can worship the Lord anywhere at anytime.

 

② The Privilege of Prayer: As a Christian priest, you can come to the Lord in prayer at anytime. Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” We can approach God’s throne for His mercy and grace whenever we need, and we can do it with confidence.

 

1 John 5:14-15 also says, “14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

 

When we feel alone, despondent, frustrated, or weary, we have the freedom to come before God ourselves. What an amazing blessing!

 

③ The Privilege of Grace: As a Christian, we are granted God’s guidance and protection. 1 John 5:18 says, “18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.” Hallelujah!

 

C) The Duties of Royal Priesthood

 

A priest not only has privileges, but they also have duties they must fulfill. There are so many privileges of God’s grace that we are blessed with. If we expect to receive these blessings, but do none of the work, then we rightly deserve God’s reproach.

 

The word “priest” in Latin is “pontifex” which means “bridge-builder.” In other words, priests serve as a bridge between God and the people. Knowing this, what, then, is our role, our duties, and how can we carry them out?

 

① Our Duty of Intercessory Prayer: “Intercessory Prayer” means to pray for others, rather than for yourself. 1 Timothy 2:1 tells us, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…”

 

The story of John Newton, the writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace”, and the prayer of his mother is famous. John Newton ran away from home at the age of 15 and worked as a slave trader. He eventually became the captain of a slave ship.

 

One day, he was sailing to the Americas with a ship of African American slaves when strong winds and storms wrecked his ship. He miraculously survived and washed up on the shore of a beach. It was then he felt he presence of God and was overwhelmed with repentance. It can be said that this change of heart was the result of his mother’s tearful prayers.

 

Afterwards, John Newton left his job as a slave trader and became a pastor. He spent the rest of his life spreading and advocating the eradication of slavery. News of his acts spread to even America and played a key role in the emancipation of slaves in the US. Lincoln was a great man, but his roots started with John Newton, and behind John Newton was the prayers of his mother. Praying for others is invaluable and powerful.

 

② Our Duty of Spreading the Gospel: Verse 9 tells us that it is our duty to spread and proclaim the goodness of God. 2 Corinthians calls us “Ambassadors for Christ.”

 

Do you know why Israel was invaded by the Canaanites and lived as captives for 70 years during the time of Judges and Kings? Do you know why Israel was conquered by Rome? It is because they did not fulfill their duties as priests.

 

God saved the Israelites from Egypt to serve as his priests, but Israel did not carry out their duties. They prosecuted prophets and apostles and crucified God’s Son Jesus on the cross. Because of these wrongdoings, Israel had to endure many difficult trials.

 

As priests of the Lord, we must take on our duty of evangelism and exemplify a proper Christian life. A believer cannot live like every other person of the world. They cannot become a hindrance to non-believers on their path to faith. They cannot let themselves fall victim to the pleasures of the world.

 

You cannot live holy on Sunday, but spend the rest of the week like a non-believer. Our priority and goal in life needs to be living for and glorifying God, not making money and living a comfortable life.

 

Evangelism is an especially urgently necessary duty right now. A professor made a testimony: This professor wisely, and tactfully, used his class time to evangelize and share the Gospel. one student showed interest and came to his office one day.

 

He told the student more about the Gospel, and the student came to accept Jesus. This student made plans to study abroad in France. He even visited France, met his future professors, and returned to prepare for his study abroad. But before he could leave, the student died suddenly from a stroke.

 

What’s amazing is that even on the brink of death this student remained peaceful and spent his last moment testifying about heaven to his unbelieving parents. He passed away but his parents became believers.

 

This student sadly died at a young age, but he died peacefully knowing God and knowing he had saved his parents. It is urgent that we reach out and evangelize. It is not something that can wait. The opportunity may not come again.

 

If you can, if you have the opportunity, take it and do it. Reach out to your neighbors and tell them about the Gospel. It is our duty. If we fail to carry out our responsibilities, we will face consequences.

 

We are a royal priesthood. Enjoy and fully utilize the gifts and privileges God bestowed upon us. But do not forget the duties that come with this title. Do not live like the ugly duckling, trying to belong in a world with the wrong identity.

 

We are to live like a swan. We have been given the title of a royal priest. We must live like one, enjoying our privileges and carrying out our duties. Let us all live the life of a royal priest of God.