ALL FLAME | CHRIS MITCHELL
FATHER’S DAY- STRANGE FIRE
Nadab & Abihu offered profane, strange, unauthorized , outside, unacceptable, fire. - Lev.10:1-3
Any coals will work, from any ‘ol fire?
They knew this was not acceptable.
God answered profane fire with pure fire of judgment.
(God’s reason for consuming them: “I must be regarded as HOLY and before all the people I MUST BE GLORIFIED”)
What happened?
Lev. 8 and 9, everyone and everything is
ALIGNED, BEING DONE RIGHT, AND THE PROCESS IS ACTIVATED AND WORKING.
THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS MANIFEST/PRESENT.
GOD IS PLEASED.
Let’s look back at how it started:
Aaron and his sons were chosen to be Priests. - Ex. 28:1
Before all the congregation at the door of the tabernacle (v4). - Lev. 8:30
Aaron and his sons were cleansed, anointed, and consecrated to the Lord to be His priests. (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar)
Let’s look at the difference between the Old Testament priesthood and the New Testament priesthood:
OT PRIESTHOOD
Old Testament priests were descendants of Aaron, the tribe of Levi.
They were mediators between God and the people.
They were responsible for offering sacrifices for sin.
They were ministers in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
They were by the High Priest who entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement (Lev.16) .
NT PRIESTHOOD
Jesus is the Eternal HIGH PRIEST (Heb.9:11-14).
Every believer is now a part of a royal priesthood.
1 Pe.2:5-9 we now have DIRECT ACCESS to God through Christ and His completed covenant work on the Cross.
DIFFERENT SACRIFICES
Our bodies (Rom.12:1)
Sacrifice of praise (Heb.13:15)
Good works and generosity (Heb.13:16)
BACK TO THE STRANGE FIRE:
We are not trying to “lay on you” the OT requirements of the Priesthood. However, there are some STANDARDS to keep and MISTAKES to avoid as HIS New Testament Priesthood….
Lev.10:8-11The Lord’s correction and re-alignment for Aaron and His sons.
No intoxicating drink; distinguish/ recognize the difference between the holy & unholy; between clean and unclean; the sacred and the common.
There’s no way that we can do that at the level of holiness god requires without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It begins with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
1 Pe.1:2-4 His divine power, we are partakers (recipients; sharers; partners) of HIS DIVINE NATURE.
(Dad’s/PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS set the priorities; discern; entertainment, technology, peer group)
Nadab and Abihu were flippant and lazy and offered the wrong coals from the wrong fire. Disregarded His Character. Misrepresented His nature: holiness.
Aaron had obviously emphasized the tasks of the priesthood and not transmitted the virtues.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS DON’T JUST SEE US PRAYING, WORSHIPPING AND SERVING WITHOUT MAKING SURE THEY UNDERSTAND AND SEE THE HEART BEHIND IT
Today, our worship must be pure; our service passionate, and our example consistent.
Each of our house values help us to be a prepared priesthood:
100% dependent on Holy Spirit;
Believe God for the Impossible
Live in the fear the Lord;
Prefer others
Stewards not owners
Dads/Grandfathers /PARENTS as NT. Priesthood:
As we live for Christ in front of our families, let’s take seriously and soberly the choosing:
Chosen Generation (consecrated, set apart, anointed
Royal Priesthood (host His presence; represent His Sacrifice; follow His teachings and teach His teachings)
