17/05/2026
PREACHER: PASTOR NDUKA ACHUMBA
TOPIC: KNOWING JESUS FOR MYSELF: THE OFFICES OF CHRIST 2 - PRIEST
Jesus occupies 3 main offices: Prophet, Priest and King. Today, we consider His office as PRIEST.
WHO IS A PRIEST?
A priest is a person appointed by God to stand before Him on behalf of the people and to represent God before the people. In Scripture, a priest serves as a mediator between God and man.
A priest in Scripture is "taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins" HEBREWS 5:1.
He is A mediator, A sacrifice presenter, An intercessor, A teacher of God’s Word, A minister in God’s presence and A consecrated, set-apart servant.
WHAT IS THE NEED FOR A PRIEST?
The need for a priest arose because of the problem of sin and the separation it created between a holy God and sinful humanity.
But all the Old Testament priests were only shadows pointing to Jesus Christ; the perfect and eternal High Priest.
Today, Jesus occupies the office of a Priest perfectly, eternally, and powerfully.
HOW IS JESUS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PRIESTS?
1. EARTHLY PRIESTS WERE SINNERS — JESUS WAS SINLESS
The Levitical priests were ordinary men with weaknesses and sins. Jesus had no sin.
HEBREWS 7:26–27
2. OTHER PRIESTS OFFERED ANIMALS; JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF
Jesus became both the Priest and the Sacrifice.
HEBREWS 9:12
3. OTHER PRIESTS OFFERED REPEATED SACRIFICES — JESUS OFFERED ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE
Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.
HEBREWS 10:11–12
4. OTHER PRIESTS DIED; JESUS LIVES FOREVER
Jesus has an unchangeable priesthood because He continues forever.
HEBREWS 7:23–24
5. OTHER PRIESTS MINISTERED IN EARTHLY TABERNACLES — JESUS MINISTERS IN THE HEAVENLY TABERNACLE
Jesus ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.
HEBREWS 9:11
6. OTHER PRIESTS PROVIDED LIMITED ACCESS — JESUS GAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD
Through Jesus, all believers now have bold access to God.
MATTHEW 27:51; HEBREWS 4:16
7. OTHER PRIESTS WERE FROM THE ORDER OF AARON — JESUS IS OF THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK
Jesus belongs to a higher and eternal priesthood.
HEBREWS 7:17
8. OTHER PRIESTHOOD MEDIATE THE OLD COVENANT WHILE CHRIST'S PRIESTHOOD MEDIATES THE NEW COVENANT
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE?
A. RECEIVE HIS SACRIFICE – Salvation comes only through Jesus. Acts 4:12
B. COME BOLDLY TO GOD – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. HEBREWS 4:16
C. LIVE A HOLY LIFE – Be holy, for I am holy. I Peter 1:15-16
D. TRUST HIS INTERCESSION – Jesus is praying for you. Luke 22:31-32
E. OFFER YOURSELF TO GOD – Present your bodies a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1
F. TOTALLY BELIEVE AND TRUST IN HIM – Let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14
G. OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES – Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. Hebrews 13:15
H. WORSHIP WITH GRATITUDE – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2
I. SERVE AS ROYAL PRIESTS – Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. 1 PETER 2:9
J. REMAIN STEADFAST – He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him. Hebrews 7:25
CONCLUSION
The Priesthood of Jesus has brought us into a New and lasting covenant which avails us a better and higher life. We should approach Him boldly as sons and co-heirs with Christ.
