WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.399 Welcome to Gateway Churches Podcast. 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:06.559 Wherever you're tuning in from, we hope you're encouraged by today's message. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.560 If you got a Bible, I want you to turn to two spots. 00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:16.000 Leviticus chapter 8 and Revelation chapter 1. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:19.600 How about that for a scriptural duo? 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:22.800 Leviticus and Revelation. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:23.440 Mm-hmm. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:24.160 Yep. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:24.719 Yep. 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:27.440 And let me just kind of poke fun of myself a little bit. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:39.359 On the flight home last Saturday night after the service, I watched the message on the plane, and one of the things that was very, very apparent was none of my sarcasm landed last week. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:42.240 Something you gotta know. 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:48.399 Remember, I told you last week my my twin, Pastor Tim Ross, if you don't know what that means, we're we've been best friends for a decade and a half. 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:53.600 My twin was a a stand-up comedian at the beginning of his career. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:54.000 Okay? 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:55.119 And you can tell. 00:00:55.359 --> 00:01:04.400 And I can tell that you can tell because he gets a third of the way through a joke, and you people are falling out in the aisles and stitches. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:10.079 I tell a joke, and you don't even know it's a joke. 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:13.120 So I'm not even gonna try and be sarcastic. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:20.879 And and for years, for 20 years, Pastor Roberts tried to tell me, Preston, you need to put more humor in your sermons. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:26.879 When he comes back, if he asks you, did Preston put any humor in his messages? 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:28.560 Here's what I want you to tell him. 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:33.200 He tried in week one, and then we told him to please stop. 00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:39.359 My jokes aren't funny, and I know it, I own it. 00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:41.120 I'm just glad to be here with you. 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:48.719 It's it is really an honor to get to sit in my ministry heroes pulpit for a month. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:53.359 And last weekend we kicked off our series entitled Saturated. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:59.040 And we talked about, we we use the parable of ten virgins as a springboard. 00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:07.280 I know the point of the parable is readiness, but Jesus distinguishes between the wise virgins and the foolish virgins. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:16.879 And he says the thing that differentiated the two, that separated them, the wise virgins had an abundance of oil, and the foolish virgins did not. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:25.680 So we started a conversation last week talking about types of oil the church needs more of in these days. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:28.800 Last weekend we talked about the oil of gladness. 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:33.199 We learned that gladness is the guaranteed result of knowing God is pleased. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:35.280 We talked about the pleasure of God. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:40.319 Out of all the things the Father could have said over the Son before Jesus did anything in ministry. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:45.039 It's mind-blowing to see that Jesus says, I love you. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:48.159 And I'm so pleased by you. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:53.919 It's mind-blowing to know that he looks at us and says the same thing. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:56.080 And that begs the question. 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:05.199 Once you get a revelation of God's countenance towards you before you even do anything, what's the response? 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:11.120 I think there is one response above any of the other possible responses. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:14.479 And here it is you consecrate yourself. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.840 And we're going to talk about today the oil of consecration. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:31.039 Leviticus chapter 8, starting in verse 10, says, Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:34.879 He sprinkled some of it, the oil, on the altar seven times. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:36.159 That's the number of completion. 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:37.520 He was making a statement. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:43.439 Anointed the altar and all its utensils and the labor and its base to consecrate them. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:51.919 And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to consecrate him. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:04:01.919 The oil was used to anoint, but also at times to consecrate. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:16.000 Now, before we even get into point number one, I know that some of you might have grown up in a different tradition of faith where the word consecration is a serious, serious word for serious people who are serious about God. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:19.040 It's a vow one makes. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:22.639 That can't even include a vow of celibacy. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:25.600 I'd just like to go on record and say, that's not me. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:28.560 Okay, that was a joke right there. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:33.680 I'm just gonna tell you when I make a joke. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:38.639 But I want you to know something about consecration. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:49.920 As we establish a foundation for consecration, point number one, you need to understand consecration is romantic, not religious. 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:55.759 Now, I know when I use the word romantic and attach it to God, some people get wonky on me. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:59.279 And we're gonna talk about this in week number four. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:14.240 And let me just submit to you if there's anybody in your life that's close to you, maybe a family member, maybe a coworker that has the wrong idea of God, I want you to pray about inviting him to church in two weeks. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:20.800 Because I believe God's going to show himself in a way many people have never seen him before. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.079 All right? 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:27.040 One of the things you need to understand, God loves intimacy. 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:30.959 And consecration is not a religious thing, it's a romantic thing. 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:33.360 Now, let's define this word consecration. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:43.120 Consecration means the dedication of something or someone to the service and worship of God for God. 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:47.600 And in this message, you might hear me use the phrase set apart. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:54.319 And just like last week, we we talked about that joy and gladness can be used interchangeably in scripture. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:56.879 It's the same way with consecrated and set apart. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:59.199 They're synonymous in scripture. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:04.160 The consecrated life is the set apart life. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:13.120 And last week, hopefully, you got a better understanding of the way God sees you as a father as it relates to your work. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:16.720 And here's what I want to say as we transition into consecration. 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:22.240 You don't set yourself apart to earn God's affection. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:29.199 You set yourself apart because you already have God's affection. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:42.160 When you get overwhelmed with the revelation that the God of the universe is at all times obsessed with you, you cannot help but set yourself apart in response. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:47.920 Consecration is the best response to God's affection. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:56.000 Let me show you just one of the verses in scripture from God's perspective, how he sees those who set themselves apart. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:07:09.600 Exodus chapter 30, verse 30 says, And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them, that they may minister to me as priests. 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:15.759 Notice, God could have said, anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to be priests. 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:17.839 But he didn't just say that. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:25.839 Because I want them to minister to me. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:31.920 Not just on my behalf, they're doing this to me. 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:33.759 For me. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.959 David, I believe, got a revelation of this. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:50.319 Psalm 4, verse 3. 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:52.480 He said, You can be sure of this. 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:56.959 The Lord set apart the godly for himself. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:07.279 Think about this for a second, that the God of the universe looks in your direction and says, I have set you apart for myself. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:13.519 And I want you to set yourself apart from me. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:15.920 This is romantic talk. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:24.079 This is God saying to you, Come away with me and away from all that other stuff that distracts you from my face. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:29.360 Now, if you're the kind of person that likes homework, I'm gonna give you a little homework for the week. 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:33.360 If you hate homework, then fine, just don't even worry about it. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:37.919 But if you love homework, if you're nerdy like me, here's a little homework assignment. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:44.399 Read the 91st Psalm once a day, every day for the next seven days. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:47.200 And just meditate on it throughout the day. 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:58.080 In the 91st Psalm, we see, and there's a little bit of disagreement over who wrote it, either David or Moses, and here's what I would say: one was the friend of God, and the other was the one who was after God's heart, unlike anybody else. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:08:59.600 You can't go wrong with either one. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:00.080 Okay? 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:06.879 And in the 91st Psalm, the writer is talking about the benefits of the set apart life. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:12.639 And then at the end of the chapter, we see God's response, and I want to show it to you. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.799 Psalm 91, verse 14. 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:22.320 God says, Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:28.080 Look at God responding to someone setting apart themselves in love. 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:32.480 He says, I will set him on high because he has known my name. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:37.200 Okay, this word love is not the usual word translated for love. 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:42.080 This word specifically means to cling, to cleave. 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:46.320 I don't know if you know this, but God loves it when you're clinging. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:59.440 He says, because you have forsaken the rest, have left it all, and clinged to me, you're gonna see my response. 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:04.960 Because God loves those who set themselves apart for him. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:07.360 Now that brings us to point number two. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:10.879 You may not like this point, but it's like broccoli, okay? 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:12.000 Just force it down. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:14.559 If you have to, put Velveeta on it. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.200 Okay? 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:19.840 Point number two, consecration demands boundaries. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:22.799 Consecration demands boundaries. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:32.799 Boundaries define limits, they mark off dividing lines, they establish or separate one territory from another territory. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:45.440 And you might be interested to know that multiple times in the Old Testament, when God uses the word consecrate, in the very same breath, he talks about rules or boundaries. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.679 Let me just show you one of those instances. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:49.600 Leviticus chapter 20, verse 7. 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:57.039 God says, Consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God, and you shall keep my statutes. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.080 Who's the you? 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.039 The consecrated. 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:05.840 I want you to consecrate yourself and the consecrated, you're gonna keep my statutes and perform them. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:07.759 I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:13.919 Here's another way to say this: believers cannot live boundaryless lives. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:17.519 I have two teenage boys. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:21.919 They would love a home absent of boundaries. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:27.759 And if I oversaw a home with no boundaries, here's what it would go like. 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:31.279 They would stay up all night playing video games and sleep all day. 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:35.039 But here's the good news I don't oversee a boundaryless home. 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:37.840 In my house, we got some rules up in here. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.240 Now here's why. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:44.080 Because they might think something isn't a big deal. 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:48.639 But as their father, I have a different perspective than they do. 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:52.000 I know some things they haven't quite figured out yet. 00:11:52.320 --> 00:12:00.000 And so I set some boundaries to try and protect them from running into some of those stumbling blocks. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.080 Okay, Preston. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:06.480 So you're saying if you want to set yourself apart for God, you gotta set boundaries. 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.200 Okay, great. 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:10.720 I want to set myself apart for God, so where do I set my boundaries? 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:13.600 Here's the answer to the question: you don't. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:16.480 Confusing enough? 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.399 You don't set your boundaries. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:19.919 Let me show it to you in Scripture. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:28.080 Exodus chapter 19 at Mount Sinai, I think is one of the best teachings on godly boundaries in all of Scripture. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.960 Let me show it to you. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:31.600 Exodus 19, starting in verse 10. 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:42.480 Says then the Lord said to Moses, Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, and let them be ready for the third day. 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:49.200 For on the third day, the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.960 Watch this next part. 00:12:51.519 --> 00:13:02.720 You shall set bounds, Moses, for the people all around the base of the mountain, saying, Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or even touch its base. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:07.519 That's a great word right there for what we talked about last week with the gray area. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:12.399 God is not a God who enjoys his children getting too close to the fence line. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:15.120 That's the gray area. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:17.120 The fence line. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:21.840 God says, Tell them, don't even touch the base of the boundary. 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:24.720 Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:30.879 Not a hand shall touch them, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow, whether man or beast, he shall not live. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:34.240 This is how godly boundaries work. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:37.840 First, he sets them. 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:42.559 Second, you establish them. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:50.480 God says to Moses, hey, here's the boundary, the entire base of the mountain, and I want you to establish the boundary. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:53.600 And third, you both enforce them. 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:59.120 God says, if anybody crosses this boundary, shoot them in the back. 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:10.639 Okay, incidentally, this is why this was the specific teaching I used to teach my only daughter how she should respond to any boy who crosses her boundaries. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:16.399 I opened up my Bible to Exodus 19. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:19.759 I said, this is how godly boundaries work. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:25.679 God sets them, you establish them, and then we all enforce them. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:31.840 And if he crossed that line, sunshine, shoot him in the back. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:36.720 That was not a joke, by the way. 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:43.120 Believers are not at their best or safest when they're setting their own boundaries. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:48.960 Believers are at their best when God sets their boundaries and they live within them. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.519 So here's my question for you. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:56.080 Who sets your boundaries? 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:02.240 Do you decide how many drinks? 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:18.559 Young man who happens to be single right now, do you decide whether or not to go into her apartment late at night after the most romantic date you've ever had in your life? 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:27.360 Ma'am, do you decide how many days you can go in a row without spending time alone with God? 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:32.799 Who sets the boundaries for your life? 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:41.919 How can I make the case that Jesus is Lord of my life if he doesn't set the boundaries for my life? 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:48.639 The set apart life cannot be lived by those who set their own rules. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:54.000 Godly boundaries are godly because God is the one who sets them. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:54.639 Duh. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:58.799 But sometimes I just need to be reminded of that. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:05.600 Consecration to God demands boundaries, which God sets. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.200 That brings us to point number three. 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:10.240 And this is where this message gets a little bit interesting. 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:13.440 Consecration is a priestly mandate. 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:20.480 And some of you might be thinking, This is it, Preston, you were getting me. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.519 You're about to get me. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:24.559 And point number two, I was actually starting to feel a little convicted. 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:28.240 I started to think, man, I don't really have godly boundaries in my life. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:30.320 And man, this is serious. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.399 God is to set your boundaries to be set apart. 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.840 I don't even know if that's for me. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:37.759 And then you tell me point number three, consecration is for priests. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:40.320 Now I understand, it isn't for me, Preston. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.840 It's for people like you. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:44.159 I'm a parishioner. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.919 You're a priest. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:49.279 I don't have to worry about all these godly boundaries. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:53.200 To which scripture would say, uh-uh-uh. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.960 Not so fast. 00:16:56.960 --> 00:17:01.360 Flip over to Revelation chapter 1, if you put a marker there. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.039 We'll read it together. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:09.759 And remember, a priest had to be consecrated in order to be a priest. 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:11.680 Let me show you something. 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:13.920 Revelation chapter 1, starting at verse 5. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:17.039 Listen to the way John is starting off this letter. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:24.640 He says, All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:29.279 He, Jesus, has made us, who's the us? 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:32.960 Everyone freed from their sins by the shedding of Christ's blood. 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:35.599 That's the us in Revelation 1:6. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:45.920 He has made us a kingdom of priests for God, his Father. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.799 Huh. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.279 Okay. 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:52.160 I don't know if you know this, but this presents a bit of a complication. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.039 Okay. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:58.480 Hebrews chapter 4 says that Jesus is our high priest. 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:03.680 Okay, now we all know Jesus is the King of kings, and every knee will bow. 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:08.880 But Hebrews 4 and other places tell us that Jesus is our high priest. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:12.960 Here's what appears to be a little bit of a complication. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:18.000 Under the law of Moses, the high priest was over the priests. 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:21.680 And once you get Saul the first king, the king was over the people. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:24.240 The high priest was over the priests. 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:33.519 Here's another question: How can Jesus be a high priest when under the law of Moses, the priest could only come from the tribe of Levi? 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:36.079 Bible trivia. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:38.480 Anybody know the tribe Jesus came from? 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.839 Judah. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.240 That's the line the kings come from. 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:47.440 He didn't come from the tribe of Levi, so how can he be our high priest? 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:53.440 Well, to answer these questions, you actually have to go to the first time the word priest is used in the Bible. 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:56.880 And wouldn't you know it's not in the book of Leviticus? 00:18:57.279 --> 00:19:01.200 It's not in Exodus, it's in Genesis. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.799 Let me show it to you. 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:05.200 Genesis chapter 14, verse 17. 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:11.359 After Abram returned from his victory over Kadorla Omar, can we hit the pause button there for a minute? 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:24.960 Can you even imagine the morning sickness this kid must have given his mom in such a way that on the day of his birth, she looked in his direction and said, I'm gonna pay you back, child, know what I'm gonna name you? 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:26.240 Kadorla Omer. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.200 Boom. 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:38.079 After Abram returned from his victory over Kadorlah Omar and all his allies, the king of Sodom, went out to meet him in the valley of Sheba, that is the king's valley. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:48.160 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God most high, brought Abram some bread and wine. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:54.079 Okay, this is really interesting because this is the first time the word priest is used. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:58.319 Melchizedek wasn't in the tribe of Levi. 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:03.200 He was king and priest, and what is it that he does? 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:06.799 He brings the bread and the wine to Abram. 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:11.440 Fast forward to the book of Hebrews, chapter 5, verse 8. 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:16.640 It says, even though Jesus was God's son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:23.680 In this way, God qualified Jesus as a perfect high priest. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:28.480 And he, Jesus, became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.839 Watch this next part. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:35.680 And God designated Jesus to be a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:40.160 Some of you are thinking, Preston, I have no idea what this has to do with me. 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:42.240 Let me help you understand. 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:58.559 The fact that God qualified Jesus as a high priest, not from the tribe of Levi, the line of Aaron, but from the order of Melchizedek, who was both king and priest, means one thing. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:06.480 Our king is over a kingdom with nothing but priests. 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:10.079 I've heard that phrase most of my life. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.039 Kingdom of priests. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.799 And you know what I really thought it meant? 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:15.039 A kingdom with priests. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:18.960 I just really, all these years I've thought, yeah, it's a kingdom with priests. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.880 It's a spiritual kingdom, the house of God. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:24.799 It's gonna have some priests like Pastor Tommy, Pastor Robert, sure, priests. 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.759 No, no, no, no. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:35.039 Because Jesus is both king and perfect high priest, it means the people he is over are priests. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:39.039 This kingdom has nothing but priests. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:46.960 Here's what that means if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, the call on your life is not to be a parishioner or a partaker. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:54.160 The call on your life is to be a priest of God most high. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.279 What is a priest? 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.759 A priest is one set apart to minister to God. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.240 And represent God for the people. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.920 Think about this for a minute. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:08.960 Think about the song, the four ancient creatures and the 24 elders are singing. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:18.240 Now, I know many of us didn't really spend a lot of time even thinking about the four ancient creatures until Pastor Robert started blowing bullets in my head with the revelation about the four ancient creatures. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:24.400 Think about the song they're singing in Revelation 5 with the 24 elders. 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:27.279 I'll read you the lyrics, Revelation 5, verse 9. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:32.079 You are worthy, Jesus, to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:43.599 For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and every language and every people and every nation. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.200 And you have caused them. 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.400 Who's the them? 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.559 All the ransom people. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:57.200 You have caused them to become a kingdom of priests for our God, and they will reign on the earth. 00:22:57.680 --> 00:23:02.000 Okay, growing up, I heard a lot about reigning with Christ our King. 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:08.480 I did not hear near as much about ministering to God as priests. 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.440 Think about this. 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:21.359 If this is a kingdom with nothing but priests, I know we have a lot of people walking around going, I reign with Christ, our king. 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:29.680 We got a lot of those people, but we don't have nearly as many people walking around going, I minister to God as a priest. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:33.359 Here's what this practically means for you. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:42.240 In a kingdom of priests, to reign as kings, we first must minister as priests. 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.160 They've been established to be. 00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:08.720 I personally believe that this kingdom of priests, phrase, and the revelation that goes with it is going to sweep through the entire body of Christ in the last days. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:10.000 Here's why. 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:22.559 In order to take our place for the kingdom on the earth, we first must take our place as priests in this kingdom of priests. 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:25.920 You want to reign with the king? 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:30.240 Saddle up and minister as a priest. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.880 What does this mean? 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:37.839 1 Peter 2, verse 5 tells us what this means. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:47.440 You also, speaking of believers, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, the house of God, a holy priesthood. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.039 To do what? 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:54.559 To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:56.480 And that brings us to our last point. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:25:02.480 Point number four: consecrated priests make extravagant sacrifices. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:08.960 Most simple way I can say it, the work of a priest is to offer sacrifices. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:11.119 Well, Preston, what kind of sacrifices? 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:14.480 Well, let me just give you a couple of examples in one passage. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:17.119 Hebrews chapter 13, verse 15. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:21.279 Therefore, let us, as priests, offer through Jesus. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.440 That's how you know it's talking to us as priests. 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:26.720 The only way the priest could make a sacrifice to God was through the high priest. 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:39.440 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual, constant, never-ending sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:43.599 And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:46.960 These are the sacrifices that please God. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.559 God loves it. 00:25:51.839 --> 00:26:01.359 When the set apart to step in and take their place as priests, to bring sacrifices through Jesus to him. 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.759 But you know what I think? 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:10.000 I think there's one sacrifice that God loves more than the rest of them combined. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:33.200 And I think he shows us in Romans chapter 12, verse 1, Paul says, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I beseech you, therefore, I beg you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice. 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:42.720 Holy and acceptable to God, for this is your reasonable act of service. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:55.680 When Holly and I got married, we had debt, we had school debt, and because we hadn't quite learned how to steward money yet, we had consumer debt. 00:26:55.920 --> 00:27:02.160 And when we got out of debt, every once in a while we would buy an extravagant gift for one another. 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:09.200 Like one time she bought me a Benelli shotgun out of nowhere, and I proposed to her all over again. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:18.240 I love to hunt, she knows it, and she bought me the best shotgun she could at the time, Benelli shotgun. 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:24.000 Then one time she bought me a Matthews bow, which I know means probably nothing to many of you, but it's my favorite bow on planet Earth. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.359 It was my love language. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:27.519 She just surprised me out of nowhere. 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:38.960 But if you asked her today, after 20 years of being married to Preston, what are his favorite things to receive from you? 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.519 Here's what she would tell you. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:44.240 I've learned that he loves all that. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:48.559 But he doesn't want more of that. 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.839 He wants more of me. 00:27:53.599 --> 00:28:14.079 If Preston had to choose between another bow or me tearing down an emotional wall that I put up every time we talk about a certain topic, Preston would rather I tear down that wall so that he can have more access to my heart and fall more in love with me than ever before. 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.960 Okay, I want you to think about this. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:23.680 God's favorite sacrifice from you is you. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:29:00.480 Now, Monday morning when I went into my office and set aside time to be with the Lord and said, okay, it's week number two. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.839 Where are we going? 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.319 I had no idea. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:08.720 I thought I was gonna preach on the oil of unity, Psalm 133. 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:13.359 But it was clear he was going, mm-mm, mm-mm. 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.680 12 hours on Monday. 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:17.599 Still had no idea. 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:21.200 Then Tuesday morning, it became obvious. 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:24.880 He wanted to talk about a consecrated bride. 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:29.440 A bride set apart unto himself and nobody else. 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:41.119 And when I felt like he said, Preston, I want to talk about consecration, the second I heard the word, one verse erupted in my heart. 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:45.680 Joshua chapter 3, verse 5. 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:57.039 The night before the people of Israel cross over the Jordan River miraculously to go into the land of the promise. 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:08.160 Joshua addresses everyone and says, Consecrate yourself for tomorrow. 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:14.000 God is going to do miraculous works among us. 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:22.160 And I spent this entire message just to get to this one sentence to set in your lap. 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:27.200 With all of my heart, I believe we are about to see. 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:29.440 This is a run-on sentence, by the way. 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:40.960 With all of my heart, I believe we are about to see a move of God, unlike any the world has ever known. 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:53.519 I think it's about to go down like Charlie Brown. 00:30:56.400 --> 00:31:07.759 The whole world is going to see the power of our great and unstoppable God. 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:25.839 And so, like Joshua, look his people in the eyes and say, consecrate yourself. 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:28.720 Set yourself apart. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:36.880 For tomorrow, our God is going to do miraculous works among us. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:40.400 I want you to bow your heads and close your eyes. 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:48.960 I know. 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:53.359 Point number one, you were tempted to get distracted. 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:57.759 Point number two, you were tempted to get frustrated. 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:03.680 Point number three, you were tempted to get into a posture of checking out. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:06.240 Kingdom of priests. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:13.359 The whole message was aimed in one direction. 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.920 At the bride. 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:25.039 To let her know she has been called to be set apart. 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:36.240 As a priest in service and worship to God, for God. 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:40.880 And priests make sacrifices. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:44.559 They have to be consecrated, set apart, and they have to make sacrifices. 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:53.839 So the burden I felt for this moment, I want this to happen at every campus, just between you and the God of the universe, right now. 00:32:55.119 --> 00:33:08.640 If there's any area of your life that you've set aside from God, the most romantic thing to do in this moment is to run straight towards it and give God complete access to it. 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:16.480 You can't be fully set apart if you set some parts of you aside, apart, away from God. 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.920 It's just right now. 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:26.240 There's any area of your life that you've set aside. 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:30.960 Have the courage to go open up that door. 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:42.720 Giving God complete and total access to every room in your heart and life. 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:52.880 The second burden that I felt the Lord give me for this moment involves sacrifice. 00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:56.240 Priests make sacrifices. 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.759 That's what they do. 00:33:58.160 --> 00:34:12.719 And you may not have ever heard anybody tell you that as a believer in Jesus Christ, our perfect high priest makes you a priest in his kingdom of priests. 00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:22.239 Let me tell you something. 00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:34.079 The way to let God know you're serious about being a priest is you immediately begin to make sacrifices like never before. 00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:39.840 And the picture I got about this weekend was like Solomon. 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:45.119 When one sacrifice would do, Solomon wouldn't stop him. 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:50.079 They just kept coming. 00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:59.599 Maybe you need to lay down your anger, which has been a crutch for you to protect yourself all these years. 00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:06.159 Maybe you need to lay down manipulation. 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:12.159 Because it's the way you've gotten what you wanted all these years. 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:23.679 Maybe you need to set aside the first 30 minutes of your day as a sacrifice of praise to your God. 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:26.000 Just right now in your heart. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:30.000 Just lay out a sacrifice. 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:36.719 Holy Spirit, you are here. 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:41.599 You are everywhere. 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:47.679 And I pray right now in this moment, it would be impossible not to respond to you. 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:57.199 If there's any area of our lives which we are holding back from God, Lord, I pray we would open up the door and let the light in. 00:35:58.239 --> 00:36:13.760 And God, I pray by your Holy Spirit that you would calibrate each of our hearts to wake up every day of our lives, joyfully laying sacrifices at the feet of Jesus. 00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:39.760 Don't stop until every person who can hear the sound of my voice gets to a place where they say, God, in you, I live and move and have my entire being. 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:42.480