Sunday August 26, 2007

Prophets, Priests, and Kings
1 Peter 2:2-9

I. Introduction

Two weeks ago, I began to talk about the anointing of the Holy Spirit and I would like to conclude discussing
that topic today.

Before I do that, let me review what I said two weeks ago.

First of all, the Biblical definition of anointing is “to confer authority and/or set someone apart (consecrate them) for a particular work or service.”

In the Old Testament we looked at the following:

A. God anointed people to fulfill specific tasks – an anointing for service.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze.’” (Exodus 31:1-4, NLT)

What task has God anointed you to do?

B. God anointed people for certain offices.

1. Priests

In regards to Aaron and his sons when the Lord set them apart to be priests, He said: “You shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head and anoint him.” (Exodus 29:7, NRSV)

2. Kings

“Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance?’” (1 Samuel 10:1, NIV)

3. Prophets

“Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.” (1 Kings 19:16, NRSV)

So we saw that in the Old Testament that God anointed only certain people to fulfill specific roles and tasks: The priest was empowered to mediate between God and the people, the king was given authority and empowered to lead the people, and the prophet was empowered to speak truth to the people.

The question for today is, “Does God still only anoint (set apart) certain people for certain tasks?”

In other words, are there some who are special and then there are the rest of us?

Now, undoubtedly there are certain people who seem to have special talents and abilities – they are exceptional and all we can do is bless them and enjoy the gift they bring to the body of Christ, but where does that leave you and me?

In seeking to understand this, I believe we need to look at a transition that took place when Jesus Christ established a
New Covenant between God and people.

Do you remember when we looked at Isaiah 61 and discussed the fact that Jesus took this verse and applied it to
Himself and His ministry?

Turn in your Bible and read with me the passage as Jesus quoted it in Luke chapter 4.

“When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.’ 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:16-21, NRSV)

This, along with other passages makes it clear that God anointed Jesus to be prophet, priest and king – Jesus speaks the truth, He mediates between us and God, and He has the authority to lead us.

After saying all of this, I am ready to look at the New Testament understanding of the anointing of the Holy Spirit

II. The Anointing of the Spirit and the New Testament

A. Jesus has taken the anointing of the Father and given it to us!

What did Jesus claim in Luke 4? “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me…”

But now listen to this: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21-22, NRSV)

Receive the anointing!

In Matthew 28 Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, NRSV)

This passage has inspired thousands to go on the mission field and it is used as the theological basis for missions in general – and rightly so. But I also see Jesus conferring His anointing upon His followers.

To me one of the key elements of this passage is not only the “Great Commission,” but the words “And remember.” Remember what? Remember that I am with you always – how? In the Person of the Holy Spirit!

It is through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that we receive the power and ability to complete the task Jesus has
given us to do.

B. What are the benefits of the anointing of the Holy Spirit?

1. The anointing gives us the power to defeat the works of the devil.

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38, NRSV)

2. The anointing gives us the power to stand firm.

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on
us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, NIV)

How do you stand firm? In Christ! By the way, Christ means “anointed one.”

How do you stand firm? By trusting His Anointed One!

Listen, God is so committed you that He has put His seal of ownership on you through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

We all are like orphans and God doesn’t just provide a foster home – He has chosen to adopt us – to make us His own.

How do I know this? I know this because He has set His seal of ownership on me through the anointing. He has put His Spirit into my heart that now cries out “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6)

3. The anointing gives us power over sickness.

“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” (James 5:14-15, NIV)

4. The anointing leads us into all truth and keeps us from being deceived.

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing
is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:20, 26-27, NIV)

III. Application

If you are truly a Christian this morning you have received the anointing of God.

Listen again to what was read earlier:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NRSV)

Who is Peter talking to here? Regular Christians (if there truly is such a thing!).

You have been chosen (anointed) by God – He has put His seal of ownership on you by giving you His
precious Holy Spirit.

On you the same Spirit rests which dwelt without measure in Christ and He has chosen YOU to be a royal priesthood.

In that phrase alone we hear the call to be priests and kings/queens.

As priests we have been anointed to mediate between God and people through prayer and the sharing of the Good News.

As kings we have the authority to rule over our own sinful nature and to provide benevolent leadership in the world.

In this passage we are also called and anointed to proclaim the truth in a prophetic manner to a world that may not
want to hear it.

I find it all quite astounding. In the OT there were only a select few who were anointed to be a prophet, a priest or a king. Then Jesus, the Anointed One came as prophet, priest, and king.

And now we have the Anointed One working in and through us in order that as the church we will function as prophets, priests and kings to this generation.

What a high calling we have in Christ. What power we have been given to accomplish it!

So, what do we need to do to move deeper into this calling? How do we experience the anointing in increasing measure?

   • We repent from our commitment to sin.
   • We empty ourselves out before God so that we can be filled with His Holy Spirit.
   • We seek to live in obedience to the Word of God.
   • We actively seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
   • We ask believing that we will receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit.