- The Benefits of Boldness Hebrews 10:19-25
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- What good is a benefit if you don’t use it? Its meaningless. If you knew that you could take advantage of something that was entitled to you, wouldn’t you use it?
- The Christian life is one where God bestows spiritual blessings upon the believer in Christ and its our duty to appropriate those benefits so that we can experience his grace, and give him Glory
- The story of Hebrews is that the dividing wall of separation between man and God has been removed.
- 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, The question is- what will we do with it?
- Will we treat this access as common, or will we fully embrace the life Christ purchased for us?
- Jesus didn’t merely forgive your sin. He opened the door into the presence of God. The question is whether you’ll live like that access is real.
- Benefit one- we can draw near to God with Boldness
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- 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- This scripture says we have a new and living way, through the veil, we have a High Priest over the house of God
- This new and living way is much different than the old and lifeless way before Christ
- And its what Hebrews is saying over and over again- You can draw near in faith because your conscience has been changed and you’ve been baptized into Christ
- It said in Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace and Hebrews 7:25 He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him,
- Hebrews talks about access over and over because the writer wants to make clear– that you have access to God through Jesus as your high priest. There is no more separation///
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- And since Hebrews keeps talking about it- we keep talking about it. Draw near to God
- It’s a foundational truth of Christianity that I often think is missed.
- Many who attend Church and are part of Christianity are not really interested in God himself, they want all the extra stuff that comes along from just being in the room///
- Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
- We were far from God and it was the blood of Christ that brought us close to him!
- And these other benefits of Being in Christ and the boldness that it breeds are all predicated on nearness to him! If you’re not near to Christ you’re on your own strength!
- James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- People will often ask- how do I draw near to God? How do I get closer to him?
- One- Righteous living. live right before God you feel his presence stronger Psalm 24:3–4
- Two- Sacrificial living- give up your time talents and treasures for others
- Three-Prayer and Bible Reading. A Lifestyle of connection with God provides intimacy
- Four– Continual corporate and private worship. I listen to worship music all day long.
- Five- Continual awareness- When you look for the Lord you find him! Eyes open!
- Six- Lifestyle evangelism- Look for ways to share the Gospel everywhere you go.
- The truth is that many people declare they want to be near to God but their life shows diff.
- Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
- Benefit two- we can hold fast with boldness
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- Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
- What is the confession of our hope? Jesus is the Son of God and Messiah, His sacrifice fully paid for sin, He opened access to God ,He is our eternal High Priest, Salvation is found in Him alone , Eternal life and resurrection are coming ,God will keep His promises
- This is a public and private determination to hold on to the promises of God no matter what
- Our faith only matters when it matters. Its in the destructive depths of despair it matters most
- Its easy to have faith when everything is well, its when things are not that we must hold fast
- We can hold fast because he who promised is faithful. Say it “he is faithful”
- But how pastor? How do I hold fast with Boldness?
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- Fight for your faith 1 Ti 6:12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
- Its what you believe internally but its how you fight it externally. No sideline Christianity
- This culture wants you to acquiesce to their morals and you must refuse to do so
- Either you’re a person of this world with a Christian label or Kingdom emissary in this world
- Colossians mirrors this- Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…
- Its possible to drift. Its possible to be moved away. And its not waking up one day and declaring that you no longer believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Its just slow compromise.
- Starts with a small mental adjustment- “its not that big of deal” then softening of the words
- Jude 1:3 contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
- Keep the word 1 Cor 15:2 hold fast that word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. -If the bible says it, believe it unapologetically and prepare for the scorn for believing so
- Keep the traditions 2 Thes 2:15 stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
- Keep the word of life Philippians 2:16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
- When you feel like its not worth it, or that God isn’t faithful. Remember his words are life
- John 6:68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”. Honestly, to whom shall we go? Who else has what we need besides Jesus?
- Rev 3:11 I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
- I’m prepared to be hated for it. I’ll take whatever scorn comes with following Christ.
- Matt10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
- Benefit three- we can strengthen one another in boldness
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- Selfish self centered Christianity cannot hold fast the confession. We need each other
- So the writer of Hebrews says consider one another. You have to think of others.
- 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
- Considering others is not thinking less of yourself its thinking of yourself less. ///
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- I have a saying “head on a swivel”. You have to be constantly looking about other people
- We need others to help strengthen us as we “hold fast our confession of hope”
- You must embrace a mindset that God has empowered you to think of others concerns
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- I’ve seen people come through this church that are constant emotional and relational takers.
- Verbalize all their problems, pull people into their drama, remain sullen and never change
- And yes, we all need some extra love sometimes, but after a year and its still all about you?
- Some people get this and do it quite well in our church. I’m amazed at some peoples giftings to live so sacrificially and lovingly where they literally lay on the coals to help and love others.
- 1 Thess 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
- When someone is hurting because of loss, pain, sickness etc. They need comfort!
- And people do that here! Do you guys realize that Pastor Todd and Aubrey legally adopted Cameron and brought him into their home because both of his parents passed away?
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- That’s about as sacrificial as it gets. His last name was legally changed to Sommer.
- But there’s others. Family dies, bring meals, give a ride, make a call, cook a meal
- And when you’re in that kind of community? Man. What can’t we do when we’re together?
- We send missionaries, we do outreach, we help people, fix marriages, lives are better here
- Ro 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
- What things make for peace? Thinking the best of others intentions. Giving them grace. Not gossiping. Not having envy. Not trying to destroy other relationships you’re not privy to.
- You’re not going to be in every circle every day. Be OK with it. Learn to grow relationally.
- Do you know how you strengthen people? You make it about them. Not about you.
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- Let me give you a quick class. Do you know the type of people people like to be around?
- People that ask 1st and 2nd questions. People who mirror emotions. People who listen.
- You cant simultaneously want someone to listen to you and be there for them. Choose.
- We’re fighting for our faith here-we need each other to get there.
- We need each other to hold fast and to strengthen each other in boldness
- Hebrews 3:13but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
- New members mtg. Yes we are in each other biz here. Don’t want people to fall away.
- But Galatians 6:1–2Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - We all fall and we all need each other to get there.
- Benefit four we can assemble with confidence
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- I heard a pastor this week: “I am unapologetically legalistically committed to the local church”
- I’m with that. I am believe in a Church centered Christian existence. Church attendance matters.
- 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
- How do we draw near? Hold Fast and strengthen each other as we see the day approaching?
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- Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
- I have never met a strong on fire well disciplined and discipled Christian not in church regularly
- I just believe that when you attend you’ll eventually grow in your discipleship.
- How can we live out the scriptures of all the one anothers without each other?
- How can we publicly gather as the saints of God to worship God unless its corporately?
- Ro 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
- We are members of one another. God does something within us as we gather together
- But we must gather to live this out. We can’t do it alone. Ekklesia is gathered group
- 1 Cor 12:13-14 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
- Benefits of attending church regularly-
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- spiritual connection and growth. – There is something powerful that happens when this room is full, we are all in one accord and we worship together in spirit and in truth.
- You know it. I know it. People know it. I’ve been many other places and I’ve never experienced it
- “he inhabits the praises of his people” Yes, in my car. But here? He INHABITS. He manifests!
- lives are changed because of it. Altar time? A ex con, a cop and Corrections off, pray together?
- Relational connections. Some of ya’ll found your spouse here. You wouldn’t have your spouse that sits next to you if this church hadn’t started and people gathered. You’ve made life long friends here that would literally die for you. Bring you into their home. Godparents to kids.
- When you are in a church body of members, you do not walk through life alone.
- Ability to use your gifts. Where else do you actually get to walk in your Godly gifts? Music, speaking, teaching, serving, cooking, this is the place where gifts grow and God is glorified!
- When you’re walking in your gifting in church its transcendent- “I was made for this”
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- And the Sense of belonging? I’m the pastor here, I get it, but I feel like I’m on a winning team
- It’s the same feeling I got when I was on sports teams in High School, Military units, teams etc
- And its empowering! I don’t feel like I’m alone in this world. I feel like I’m part of something
- And it gives me Strength to fight the world and its evils. Like they say “it’s a jungle out there”
- We need to fight and we will win, but we can’t do it alone. When I’m in the church, I get a collective sense of ‘being on mission’ together. I’m not alone. I know I have back up
- So here’s my recommendation to you and those who would hear it- Come early. Stay late. Go to Mon, Tues, Wed, go to events. Get involved and serve. Make it a non-negotiable.
- I’ve said it before. People will argue bible and say “not in there” You can’t use the book written to the church, by the church and for the church on why you don’t have to go to Church.
- 1964. 9.2,4.5 min, 2nd largest in world, Turnagain 75 homes, 2000ft sunk 4 died. HS Gym Champ.
- There’s benefits to following Christ. When we draw near to him, hold fast our confessions, build each other up, and not forsake the gathering of the Saints the gates of Hell shake, lives are Changed, God is glorified and we change the world. I love you. I love us. I love our Church.
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