Church: More Than a BuildingSample

The Church is the Priesthood of Believers

Schedule a tour of your favorite baseball team’s stadium, and you will have access to areas typically closed to the public. You will visit the press box and the club level suites. You will step inside the player’s locker room, batting cages, and dugout. You will also walk onto the warning track surrounding a perfectly manicured major-league field. For the right price, you can upgrade your experience by purchasing the exact jerseys and equipment used by the players. But that’s as far as it goes – because access to the building doesn’t make you part of the team.

That’s how many of us think about the church. While we have access to the building, only the professionals – those with the right experience, right calling, or right education – are qualified to do God’s work on earth. Fortunately, that’s not how God designed the church. According to 1 Peter 2:5-9, God has chosen you to be His representatives on earth – His royal priesthood.

So, what does that mean?

In the Old Testament, the priest was part of a select group chosen by God for service in the temple. Priests were mediators between God and the people of God. They were responsible for leading worship, offering sacrifices, and lifting prayers on behalf of others. In other words, they had a specific role to fill while everybody else just watched from a distance.

What's amazing is all that changed when Jesus died on the cross. His death removed the barrier between us and God, negating the need for a specialized group of priests. From that point forward, God expanded the role. Today, everyone who becomes part of God’s family not only has direct access to Him but can participate in God's Kingdom work on earth.

Reflect

You may never hold the title of pastor or preacher in the church, but the moment you choose to follow Jesus; you became part of something special – you are part of the priesthood. Meaning, God doesn’t simply call you to join a church, He has empowers you to join His team and make a difference in the world.

Respond

Thinking about the people in your life, what is the best way you can help lead them closer to God?

Pray

God, thank You for choosing me and loving me, even when I don’t have it all figured out. Help me to grow closer to You as I strive to show Your love to the people around me. Guide my life to do the work you've called me to do. Amen.