***If you have not read part 1, please do so, otherwise you’ll be lost with this one. ***

We are called to be a “Kingdom of Priests” as John told the early church in Revelation 1:6. The chief function of the priest in the Old Testament and today is to “draw near to God.” We do this through praise and worship. While we are given examples of what the priestly function looks like by Melchizedek, David and Jesus, the greatest description of the functions and responsibilities of the priest are found under the priesthood of Aaron.

The Aaronic Priesthood
Aaron was the first High-Priest. The Aaronic Priesthood was established through genealogical decent and a high standard of perfection was required.

Leviticus 21:17,21(NLT) 17 “Give the following instructions to Aaron: In all future generations, none of your descendants who has any defect will qualify to offer food to his God. 21 No descendant of Aaron who has a defect may approach the altar to present special gifts to the Lord. Since he has a defect, he may not approach the altar to offer food to his God.”

God required absolute perfection in the priests that came before him. This perfection is exemplified in Jesus, the perfect priest, who’s blood-line we have been adopted into. We are believer-priests by his grace and sacrifice.

Priestly Duties
The chief function of the priest was to “draw near to God,” and this was done by several important duties, reserved for only the priests. Just as the early priests were a type of Jesus’ priesthood and us, so are their responsibilities. We have the same duties as they, and though they may take a different form, they are very applicable our lives and our worship.

Sacrificial Fires
The Priest had the responsibility of keeping the sacrificial fires burning.

Leviticus 6:9,13 9 “Give Aaron and his sons the following instructions regarding the burnt offering. The burnt offering must be left on top of the altar until the next morning, and the fire on the altar must be kept burning all night. 13 Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.”

We must not let the fire that fuels our sacrificial offering of praise fade out. Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gifts God has given him.

2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT) This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid hands on You.

Sometimes our patterns of praise and worship become the same old thing, and our worship services can become a pattern of rituals that lose their spark. When we see the tell-tale signs of our fires dying, we need to poke the coals and add fuel to what we are doing. Find the things that can stir up your worship time. Maybe its remembering the greatness of God, or finding new songs, styles or venues to worship God. Keep your worship fresh. This leads us to the next duty of the priest…

Clearing Ashes
The priest were responsible for clearing the ashes from the altar.

Leviticus 6:10-11 (NLT) “he must clean out the ashes of the burnt offering and put them beside the altar. Then he must take off these garments, change back into his regular clothes, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a place that is ceremonially clean.”

As a fire burns, the ashes must be removed or they will smother the fire. The job of removing the ashes was essential to the priest’s role of keeping the fire burning. We must never get so stuck in the past things that God has done. In my first years of leading worship, I would mistakingly try to recreate an experience of worship, attempting to force God’s hand to move in a way that He had before. This often ends in a train-wreck of a worship set, and smothers the holy spirit in the ashes of past experience. Paul tells the church not get stuck in the past, but to look to future and to new things.

Philipians 3:13 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Psalms also reminds us over and over to “sing a new song” to the Lord. Keep it fresh. Keep the fires burning.

Offering Sacrifices
The Priests were responsible for offering the sacrifices to God.

Exodus 29:38, 39, 42 (NLT) 38 “These are the sacrifices you are to offer regularly on the altar. Each day, offer two lambs that are a year old, 39 one in the morning and the other in the evening. 42 “These burnt offerings are to be made each day from generation to generation. Offer them in the Lord’s presence at the Tabernacle entrance; there I will meet with you and speak with you.

In the same way, we are commanded to give sacrifices of praise; even to offer our entire lives to God as living sacrifices.

Give Blessings
Numbers 6:23-27 (NLT) “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing, ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show His favor and give you His peace.’ Whenever Aaron and his songs bless the people of Israel in my name, I will bless them.”

Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and are called to be a blessing to those around us. (Matthew 5:13) As we bless and love those around us, they will see God’s light shining through us.

Offerings
The priests led in bringing offering into the temple. We should give generously as God has blessed us.

Deuteronomy 16:17 (NLT) All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.

1 Chronicles 16:29 (NLT) Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.

Spiritual Sacrifices
Besides physical offerings and sacrifices, we are also called to bring a spiritual sacrifice to God. Its not enough to simply go through the motions of weekly worship services or to sing empty songs to God. We must give our whole heart to God, letting the Holy Spirit change us from the inside-out. Our worship must be honest, pure and heartfelt.

1 Peter 2:5 (NLT) And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 13:15 (NLT) Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

This sacrifice of praise is the greatest function of the priests. Worship leaders should take care to keep the fires of worship burning strong with their congregation and to lead people in these offerings of worship.