You are a Priest and an Ambassador of God

God has given you a great position

Do you ever think you are not very important in the kingdom of God? Perhaps you think that pastors, evangelists, and missionaries are special people in God’s sight—and that you don’t have much of a role in God’s plan.

That’s not true. Everyone, including you, has an important role to play. You are a priest and an ambassador of Christ.

As you read this study, ask God to help you deeply understand the following passages from the Bible.

Don’t simply think, “I already know that the Bible says that we are priests and ambassadors.” Instead, ask God to help you realize that these passages describe you personally.

Make it personal

1. Describe a time you felt insignificant or unimportant.

2. Does it seem to you that other people are more talented than you and that you don’t have much to offer? Why or why not?

3. How does thinking that what you do doesn’t matter affect your attitude, words, and behavior?

In today’s study we’ll look at two ways you (and every other believer) are described in the New Testament—as a priest and an ambassador. As you will see, both of these roles are important.

Related: You have a purpose

Related: Getting Started, Getting Connected

You are a priest

The Bible says you (as well as every other believer) are a priest. That’s not a small thing. When you read the Old Testament, you learn that God placed priests in an extremely significant position.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

[Jesus] has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6)

Here are four ways you can serve God as a priest:

• Pray
• Praise God
• Worship God
• Minister to others (helping and encouraging them)

Whether you are a pastor or a street cleaner, God’s word says you are a priest. That means wherever you go, you are serving and representing God.

What do you think?

4. Why is it important to take being a priest seriously?

5. What are some things a priest does?

6. Do you think God wants you to do these things? Why or why not?

7. Do you think you are able to do them? Why or why not?

You are Christ’s ambassador

We usually think of ambassadors as being people who represent their country when living in another country.

As an ambassador, you represent a different kind of “country”—the Kingdom of God—and its king, Jesus Christ wherever you go. This is an awesome position, one of honor and responsibility.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:20)

When people see you and hear you talk, they are seeing and listening to an ambassador of God.

Pray to be the best ambassador you can be. Ask God to help you love everyone you come in contact with. Look for ways to encourage and help others. Share Jesus’ gospel message when there are open doors.

Be a good example in everything you do. Follow Paul’s instructions in his letter to Timothy:

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

What do you think?

8. What does it mean to be a good example in your speech?

9. What does it mean to be a good example in your life?

10. What does it mean to be a good example in your love?

11. What does it mean to be a good example in your purity?

12. What is one way in which you would like to be a better example?

As a priest and ambassador, you represent Jesus wherever you go. Never think you don’t have anything important to do. You can have an impact on everyone with whom you come in contact.

Related: Who Do You Think You Are?

Pray for humility

When you serve as a priest and an ambassador—talking to others about Jesus, teaching the Bible, or serving in other ways—it ca be easy to slip into spiritual pride. You can find yourself thinking that:

• You are a better Christian than the person you are talking to.
• You understand the Bible better than the other person does.
• You are closer to God than the other person.
• God thinks you are a better Christian than the other person.

If any of these describe you, ask God to help you change your attitude, to be a humble ambassador and priest. Remember that God warns us to avoid pride throughout the Bible:

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs 13:10)

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. (Proverbs 29:23)

The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. (Isaiah 2:11)

Jesus gave us a great example in humility. Even though he was much more than an ambassador or priest (as the following verse says, he was “in very nature God”), he made himself nothing and took the nature of a servant.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:5-7)

Make it personal

13. Do you sometimes slip into spiritual pride? If so, what can you do about it?

Related: What is the meaning of humility?

Memory verse

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Personal application

1. The Bible says you are a priest. Based on the Scriptures in today’s lesson, list three things a priest does, followed by the Scripture that mentions this duty.

2. Is a priest only “on duty” while at church, or also when away from church? Explain your answer:

3. How about you? How often are you on duty?

4. What are some characteristics of a good priest?

5. the Bible says you are an ambassador. What is an ambassador?

6. Why does the Bible describe you as an ambassador of Christ?

7. How can you be an effective ambassador of Christ?

8. What are the five ways Paul instructed Timothy to be a good example?

9. Write a brief prayer asking God to help you be a better example in one of these five ways.