2 Corinthians 5: 18-20:
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
True happiness and humanity are found only in Jesus Christ. He came to bridge the gap between people and God.
The priesthood are the clergy and laity of baptized believers who are one in Christ. All people are important- none are more important that others. A priest is God’s representative in the world. A priest:
- pronounces God’s forgiveness and healing grace
- Acts as the people’s representative to God, interceded and offers the love of God.
- Is not necessarily ordained clergy but anyone who has experienced the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of God (and who helps others experience it, too.)
Hebrews 6:20- Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:23-28- There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.
- Jesus is our representative to God, sacrificing His life for us.
Three Missions of the Priesthood of Believers:
1- Make Christ real for people
-incarnate Christ is everywhere, not only in the church. People are the church.
2- To be channels of God’s grace
-share love, acceptance, forgiveness with others. Remind others that God forgives them and loves them and offer to pray with/for them
3- Proclaim the mighty acts of God with all our lives
-overcoming fatalism and hopelessness
Characteristics of Mission:
1- Personal- Jesus struggled in the wilderness. Avoid stereotypes and witness naturally
2- Spiritual- wholeness of life according to God’s will. Help interpret God’s will for others’ life.
3- Service-oriented- serve as Jesus served
4- Shared- requires teamwork. Even Jesus called disciples!
5- Calls for our Best! Our best attitude, ability, and action. God calls all Christians not toe be passive participants but active players!
The mission of all Christians is to make Christ real and to share His grace with all around us, proclaiming His mighty acts.
