Build This House – Part 3

BUILD THIS HOUSE pt. 3

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER

1Pe 2:9  But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exo 19:5-6]

1Pe 2:10  Once you were NOT A PEOPLE [at all], but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY

God is building a spiritual house—not made with bricks and mortar, but with people. We are not just saved—we are being shaped and strategically placed as living stones. And one of our central roles in this house is that of a priest.

What Is the Priesthood of the Believer?

“Royal” means you belong to God’s kingdom. You are a child of the King, with dignity, purpose, and authority.

“Priesthood” means you have direct access to God and are called to serve Him—offering your life, your worship, and helping others connect with Him.

In the Old Testament, only a select group—the tribe of Levi—served as priests. They:

• Offered sacrifices
• Mediated between God and the people
• Maintained the sanctuary
• Taught the law
• Wore special garments symbolizing their consecration

But now, through Christ, every believer has access to God and is called into active priestly ministry.

Fulfillment in Christ:

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood…” – 1 Peter 2:9
“He has made us to be a kingdom and priests…” – Revelation 1:6
“We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…” – Hebrews 10:19

Characteristics of the New Testament Priesthood

You are not just a member of the house—you are a minister in it. Here are the defining roles and characteristics of your priesthood:

1. Access to God – Direct Fellowship

Heb 10:19  Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by [means of] the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20  by this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through the veil [as in the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh,

Heb 10:21  and since we have a great and wonderful Priest [Who rules] over the house of God,

Heb 10:22  let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb 10:23  Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word];

• OT priests needed a veil and rituals. NT priests enter boldly through Christ.
• You don’t need a mediator—you have immediate access to the Father.
• Your prayer life isn’t an obligation—it’s your priestly privilege.

Build the house through intercession and intimacy.

This house will be a house of prayer

2. Offering Spiritual Sacrifices – Romans 12:1; Heb. 13:15–16

• No more bulls and goats. Now, we offer:
  • Our lives (Rom. 12:1)
  • Praise and thanksgiving (Heb. 13:15)
  • Good works and generosity (Heb. 13:16; Phil. 4:18)
  • Prayer and worship (Rev. 5:8 – incense = prayers of the saints)

Your whole life becomes an altar.

Build the house through consistent offering, not just occasional events.

3. Set Apart for Holiness– 1 Peter 1:15–16; Rev. 1:6

1Pe 1:15  But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];

1Pe 1:16  because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY (set apart), FOR I AM HOLY.

Rev 1:6  and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen

• Priests were anointed, clothed, and cleansed for holy service.
• NT believers are called to moral purity, spiritual maturity, and distinction.

Build the house by living holy, not just looking holy. Your integrity is part of the structure.

4. Minister to the People– 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:20

“That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you…”

• Priests were mediators, now we are messengers.
• Your role is not just private devotion, but public proclamation.
• You minister through 
  • Evangelism- Sharing the Good news
  • Educating through preaching, teaching modeling Christ
  • Encouragement – Speaking the truth of God
  • Exercising your God given gifts To build the house.

 Build the house by serving and speaking—you represent the heart of God to others.

5. Clothed for Service– Eph. 6:10–18; Col. 3:12

Col 3:12  So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];

• OT priests wore linen garments, ephods, and breastplates
• NT priests are clothed in righteousness, humility, truth, and the armor of God

 Build the house by dressing in spiritual character, not religious reputation.

6. Guard the Sanctuary– 1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Tim. 1:14

• Priests protected what was sacred.
• You carry the Spirit of God, and you’re called to guard your heart, your church, and the truth.

 Build the house by being a watchman, not just a worshiper.

7. Ordained by Grace– Heb. 5:4–6; John 15:16

Jhn 15:16  You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.

• You didn’t call yourself. You were called.
• You don’t need a collar or a pulpit—you need a revelation of who you are in Christ.

Build the house by walking in calling, not comparison.

III. Building the House as a Royal Priesthood

Priests Who Build

You are not just part of the church—you are a priest in God’s house.
You’re called to:

• Worship with passion
• Live with purity
• Serve with purpose
• Speak with boldness
• Guard with vigilance
• Offer with sacrifice

“You were born again (ch. 1). You are being built up (ch. 2). Now it’s time to minister as a priest (ch. 3).”

“God didn’t save you to sit—He saved you to serve.
He didn’t rescue you to remain silent—He raised you to proclaim.
He’s not just filling you—He’s forming you into His priesthood.”