In this sermon we continue our series on being a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Our core text for the series is found in 1 Peter chapter 2 where it says, "We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light." That is who we are.

In this sermon, we continue our series on being a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Sunday was Pentecost. Pastor William spoke about fire, about priestly fire and how the fire of God comes down from heaven and consecrates us as a royal priesthood and a holy nation. How we need to make sacrifices to keep that fire going.

In the last three weeks, we've looked at the priestly calling to enter the most holy place of God's precious presence. We've looked at the priestly calling towards intimacy with God. And we've looked at the priestly calling to bless others powerfully, to give a priestly blessing. This week, we're going to look at the priestly call to honor God as holy. As a royal priesthood, we are to honor the holiness of God.

This sermon is part three of the royal priesthood series. This sermon is about priestly blessing. As a royal priesthood, we have the power to proclaim the blessing of God and release the blessing of God over others. And this power to bless has been part of the priestly call right from the beginning

This was week two of our series on royal priesthood. In week one, we looked at priestly calling, to be set apart, to enter God's presence. Pastor William spoke on Hebrews 10 and its instruction to come into the heavenly sanctuary, to come before the throne of God. For through the tearing of the veil and the blood of Jesus, we have access, access, access. But what do we do when we get there? What do we do when we come into the presence of God as a royal priesthood? What is the first calling of a priestly church?

In this sermon we begin a new series about the royal priesthood. We're going to be looking at what it means as a church to be a royal priesthood and a holy nation. We will unpack that theme over several Sundays.

Last week Pastor William spoke about the last supper and Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. This week we look at what happened afterwards as Jesus is arrested and he's questioned by the high priest. We're going to look at three figures involved in those events. John Mark, who was a follower of Jesus, Caiaphas, who was the Jewish high priest, and Jesus himself. We're going to focus on their clothing. We're going to look at clothing for those three people, each of them wore garments that carried great symbolic significance.

If you want to learn more about a relationship with Jesus we recommend a book titled "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis, or "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel if you are questioning what this whole "Christian" thing is all about, or you can reach out to us at https://www.holyspiritleesburg.org/ . We'd love to connect and chat with you.

We're in our Easter preaching series and this week Pastor William felt very strongly from the Lord that I was meant to talk on the footwashing where Jesus washed his disciples feet. So we're diverting into the Gospel of John this morning which records that story. In first century Judea there were established customs when it came to hospitality. Host would normally provide uh three things: water for foot washing, a kiss, and oil to be to anoint the heads of your guests.

If you want to learn more about a relationship with Jesus we recommend a book titled "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis, or "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel if you are questioning what this whole "Christian" thing is all about, or you can reach out to us at https://www.holyspiritleesburg.org/ . We'd love to connect and chat with you.