"The Royal Priesthood"	July 24th, 2005

Exodus 25: 3-5, 9-12, Hebrews 10: 1-4, 11-14, 19-25

3. Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.
4. These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests.
5. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen

9. "Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel
10. in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other.
11. Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings
12. and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD."

1. The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
2. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.
3. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4. because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

11. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
13. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,
14. because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

19. Therefore, brothers, 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,
21. and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22. let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
23. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
24. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
25. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

> back to Current Sermon Series page