Manskool: Husband as Priest
Taught at Manskool on 4.19.09 by Ernie Banks
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
The husband has a priestly role.
Defining priesthood:
What isn’t a priest:
- A stoic in a robe.
- A pagan occult worshiper like in Beast Master.
- An 80′s hard rock band, Judas Priest.
What a priest is:
Primarily, a priest is someone who stands as God’s representative to His people. An OT priest had three primary functions:
- Offered Sacrifices to God for the people.
- Divination- Especially the use of the Urim and Thummim to help Kings determine Gods’ will.
- Instruction- Deuteronomy 33:10 says, “They [priest] shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar.”
All of this was pointing to the one great high priest, Jesus.
How then are we priest today?
It needs to be clearly stated here that no one individual in the NT after Jesus is called a priest. This is significant because we are in no way, priest in the Roman Catholic sense. We do not absolve anyone of their sins. We do not sell indulgences. We do hear confession from each other (James 5:16), but we do not instruct each other in penance.
Then why are we talking about being priest in our home?
“4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Revelation 1:4-7
Two things to note:
- Priest are those who have had their sins forgiven and have been anointed by the blood of Jesus.
- Priest are appointed (made) by Jesus.
This is significant because it speaks of the priesthood of all believers, this is not a vocational role.
* Women are priest.
“4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 and A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.“1 Peter 2:4-9
What we are is a holy priesthood. What we do is offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God.
What are our spiritual sacrifices?
- v. 9 We are proclaimers of His excellencies!
- Bodies- ”Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.“Romans 12:2 ”So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.“1 Corinthians 10:31
- Praise and Thanks – “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
- Acts of Love- “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18; “So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
The Husband’s Role as Priest of his home.
Instructor:
The husband is the worship leader for the marriage
Formal- I was not raised participating in family worship. Family Worship, a.k.a. Organized Chaos. This includes singing hymns, and songs of worship and praise. (exegeting songs). History of songs. Bible memory, catechism questions, praying for missionaries. Involvement in the local church. Be churchmen. Church verses para church. Overseeing the spiritual life of our wives (quiet time, prayer, etc.) Read through the Bible.
Informal- Deuteronomy 6:4-8. Take advantage of teachable moments. Positive – on walks(use nature), driving in the car, bath time, etc. Negative- problems at school, during times of discipline(redemptive parenting),when you mess up as a parent, etc. Illustration: loosing it with my kids.
Evangelist:
Does your family see you as a “priest” to the lost? ”Preach the gospel use words if necessary” -Saint Francis of Assisi. That is BS! News has to be proclaimed, written, talked about, preached, harolded, etc. in order to be communicated. If all a person has to go on is watching your or my life then they don’t know what made us live the way we do. Don’t forget to let your family hear you worship through preaching the gospel as you go about life. Do you model Missional living? Do your kids know about intentional relationships you are building with unbelievers? Do they hear you weep for them in prayer? Can your wife share the gospel w/ an unbeliever because she has heard you do so? Do your kids know your stories? Illustration: Kissing at the mall.
Intercessor:
The husband is responsible to intercede for his family in prayer. Pray for/with your wife (health, protection, godliness, friends, one mind, know God, etc.). Pray for/with your children. Pray without ceasing … not, pray when there is a crisis. Let your wife and kids hear you confessing to your great high priest.
Remember your Great High Priest:
“14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ” Hebrews 4:14-16
“22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. ” Hebrews 7:22-28.
Works Cited: ESV Study Bible, Sermon by John Piper
For more information about Manskool, the monthly gathering of Crossing’s Men’s Ministry, contact men[at]crossinglouisville[dot]com.