Priestly Offices
Acts 13:33-37
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
The children refer to those of the household of faith, among whom the suspicious us is one. See, Paul might include Barnabas and the whole house in his description. But note that this is the Lord's house, even that of faith. It is a house quite unlike the one filled with unclean spirits who in singular became plural; Mark 5:9 explains their duality as "we are many." Note that believers today should cast out demons, too. But as with everything, following Jesus allows the Word to grow, the church to be blessed, and the captives freed. Some of you really ought to begin with speaking the Word over a situation. Then if all else fails, you ought to use prayer and fasting. It is important to understand this. For Jesus was simply not some religious or good man moldering in the ground somewhere. Rather he was under the power of himself in the fulfillment of his office. Now, I know there is much spoken of here which many even today understand not. Nor do I presume to know what begetting or keeping your own son with you together as one for eternity is. There are some things that the human mind is not made to understand. But if you were made to, Hebrews 7 tells the situation with Melchizedek the prince of Salem best. He appeared unto Abraham long ago. Then the lesser offered to the greater; the greater also blessed him. So Melchizedek was like Christ in his priestly office but not as Levi's descendants which were easily corruptible. See, the eternal priesthood of God calls us unto his sonship. Such is unlike that of the priests of Rome nor yet of Israel. For so have the laws changed concerning these things. The laws also were eternal and unchanging, written on the hearts of man. Those governing the man-given rites are yet imperfect; so, they are meant to be done away when the fullness of time came. If you understand not yet just bear with me.
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
See, this text really ought to comfort those who have been through some stuff. Herein it speaks of many things. Once Christ Jesus was raised from the dead, no more did he return to it again. Remember, when he promised us eternal life, he meant it. For no more will the grave, death, and Hell have victory over him. You really ought to be feeling better about the situation already. Soon, you will face death no more. You will face corruption no more. You will face bondage no more. How good is the no more waiting for the people of God. For this cause does Hebrews 8 speak of the sufficiency of Christ the high priest eternally. Not only for himself does he minister, but also unto all men. You might be saying, 'that is all very well and good.' See, but there is more than just an eternal high priest and a once for all sacrifice thrown in the bargain. His more excellent ministry than Moses needed a new covenant. Now unto us are the "sure mercies of David." How many of you know that David faced some messed-up stuff; he might have tried his best to serve the Lord despite it all. That is why God calls these the sure mercies. Because all his promises in him of 2 Corinthians 1:20 are yes and amen. Nor were these yet something that David did. For these are God's mercies and thus new every morning as in Lamentations 3:22. Rather, it should be very comforting to know that in all your wanderings, God will bring you out.
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Now David was faithful unto God in little things. But you might not consider serving his generation to be such a little thing. Note that all this was "by the will of God." There are a good many places you might find yourself. Some you have been carried there by others and some by your own making. But when you are in the way of God by the will of God, he will also give you rest. See, David saw corruption once again with the rest of his fathers. How many of you know that is what burial does. It allows the creatures of the earth to feed upon your flesh. Death is one of those ordinances of the natural covenant spoken of in Hebrews 9. See James 1:15 says how lust gives birth to sin; then when it is finished brings forth death. Some of you do not seem to understand exactly how this business with the old covenant works. Now Christ has come into his office and brought forth a more excellent word than that of Abel. See, Abel spoke of his hope in Christ being enough. But Cain spoke of his brother and how his sin crouching outside his heart overpowered him. Now Christ came to speak a better word than them both. For this cause brought Christ a new covenant into the house with him. This one speaks of the sufficiency of his blood; no more is sacrifice needed to take away sins. Nor will those he raised see corruption again. Now I know that might not mean much to some of you. But to those of you who have been through some things, it means everything.