(Genesis) Genesis 49:6-7
The sermon explores God's grace in transforming Levi and the implications of being a kingdom of priests for all believers.
In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the tribe of Levi and the grace of God exhibited in their transformation. The speaker highlights how Levi, despite being a cruel person, was chosen by God to be the head of the priestly tribe. This demonstrates the marvelous grace of God, which can also transform sinners into a kingdom of priests. The speaker emphasizes that all believers are priests today, having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. The sermon also references biblical verses from 1 Peter to emphasize the concept of redemption and the role of believers as living stones in a spiritual house.
Full Transcript
Verse 6, O my soul, come not thou into their secret? Unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united? For in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they dig down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
Now, Simeon was the southernmost tribe. You would think that it would be identified with Judah and Benjamin, but it's not. You never hear of them.
They had territory, but they seemed to have just sort of faded away in the other tribes. And Levi, and here you see the marvelous grace of God. And I want to tell you, friends, this is the marvelous grace of God that you see exhibited in Levi.
It was the grace of God that could take a cruel person like Levi and make him head of the priestly tribe. It's the grace of God that has made us sinners into a kingdom of priests also, friends. All believers are priests today.
And how did you become that? Well, among those there have been converted drunkards, converted harlots, converted murderers. I've had all of them in my churches that I've served. May I say to you, it's the marvelous grace of God.
He says, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. And then he goes on in 1 Peter, and that's 1 Peter 1, 18 and 19, but in the 2nd chapter, verse 5, he says, Ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house and holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Well, who is he talking about? Those that have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
Now, will you notice? That's these two boys. And by the way, Reuben lost first place. Simeon and Levi really lost first place.
The king will not come from them. But there's another boy, and he was a sinner. But notice what the grace of God did for him.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to Genesis 49:6-7
- Context of Simeon and Levi
- The significance of their actions
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II
- The concept of God's grace
- Transformation of Levi
- The role of priests in the New Testament
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III
- The implications of being a kingdom of priests
- Redemption through Christ's blood
- The call to spiritual sacrifices
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IV
- Reuben's loss of first place
- The future of the tribes
- God's plan despite human failure
Key Quotes
“It's the grace of God that could take a cruel person like Levi and make him head of the priestly tribe.” — J. Vernon McGee
“All believers are priests today.” — J. Vernon McGee
“It's the marvelous grace of God.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- Recognize the power of God's grace to transform lives, regardless of past actions.
- Embrace your identity as a priest and offer spiritual sacrifices in your daily life.
- Reflect on the consequences of anger and strive for reconciliation and peace.