Approaching God: The Power and Privilege of Prayer

 

Summary

In the passage from Hebrews 10:19-22, we are reminded of the profound privilege and responsibility of prayer. The early Hebrew Christians, who had converted from Judaism, faced persecution and doubt, leading them to question the very foundation of their faith. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the centrality of prayer in the Christian life and the necessity of a firm doctrinal foundation to sustain it. Prayer is not merely a simple act; it is a profound engagement with the Almighty God, requiring sincerity, a clear conscience, and a recognition of our own unworthiness.

Prayer is challenging because it involves entering the presence of God, confronting our accusing conscience, and dealing with the pollution of sin. The Old Testament imagery of the high priest entering the holiest place once a year underscores the gravity of approaching God. Yet, through Christ, we have a new and living way, a direct path to God made possible by His sacrifice. This new way is not only new but living, as it is sustained by the eternal priesthood of Christ, who intercedes for us continually.

The foundation of this new way is the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His blood, shed on the cross, opened the way for us to approach God with boldness and confidence. This is not a path we have created; it is God's way, planned from eternity and accomplished through Christ. It addresses our deepest needs: the need for a clean heart, a clear conscience, and victory over the devil.

In these challenging times, we are reminded that our strength lies not in ourselves but in the Lord and the power of His might. Prayer is essential, and it is only through this new and living way that we can truly engage in it. Let us, therefore, approach God with full assurance of faith, knowing that He hears us and will make us more than conquerors.

Key Takeaways:

- The Centrality of Prayer: Prayer is vital to the Christian life, serving as the means by which we receive power and maintain our spiritual vitality. Without a firm foundation in faith, our prayer life falters, highlighting the inseparable link between belief and practice. [03:10]

- The Challenge of Prayer: Entering God's presence in prayer is a profound act that requires sincerity and a clear conscience. It is not a simple task but a deeply spiritual engagement that demands honesty and openness before God. [07:31]

- The New and Living Way: Through Christ's sacrifice, we have a new and living way to approach God. This path, unlike the old ways, is sustained by the eternal priesthood of Christ, offering us direct access to God with boldness and confidence. [29:27]

- The Foundation of Christ's Sacrifice: The foundation of our access to God is the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus. His blood, shed on the cross, opened the way for us, addressing our deepest needs and enabling us to approach God with assurance. [33:24]

- Victory Through Doctrine: Our victory over sin, conscience, and the devil is rooted in the doctrines of salvation. It is through understanding and embracing these truths that we can resist the devil and stand firm in our faith. [43:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Hebrews 10:19-22
- [01:08] - Context of the Hebrew Christians
- [02:34] - The Impact of Uncertainty on Prayer
- [03:28] - The Vital Role of Prayer
- [05:08] - Misconceptions About Prayer
- [07:09] - The Challenge of Entering God's Presence
- [09:59] - The Significance of the Holiest Place
- [12:37] - The Accusations of Conscience
- [15:22] - The Pollution of Sin
- [18:31] - The Gospel's Solution to Prayer's Challenges
- [23:11] - The New and Living Way Explained
- [28:32] - The Eternal Priesthood of Christ
- [33:24] - The Foundation of Christ's Sacrifice
- [38:24] - Assurance in the New Way
- [43:34] - Victory Through Doctrine
- [46:22] - The Essential Nature of Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 10:19-22

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the passage in Hebrews 10:19-22 say about the way we can approach God? How is this different from the Old Testament practices? [00:30]

2. According to the sermon, what were some of the challenges faced by the early Hebrew Christians that affected their prayer life? [01:43]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus Christ in providing a "new and living way" to approach God? [23:11]

4. What are the three main difficulties in prayer mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to our approach to God? [07:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of having "boldness to enter into the holiest" through Jesus' sacrifice change the way Christians should view prayer? [19:24]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a shaky foundation in faith can impact a believer's prayer life? [02:34]

3. The sermon mentions the "pollution of sin" as a barrier to prayer. How does this concept affect a believer's relationship with God, and what solution does the sermon offer? [15:22]

4. How does the eternal priesthood of Christ provide assurance and confidence in our prayer life, according to the sermon? [29:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Do you approach God with the boldness and confidence described in Hebrews 10:19-22? If not, what might be holding you back? [19:24]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a firm doctrinal foundation for a healthy prayer life. Are there areas of your faith that feel uncertain or shaky? How can you seek to strengthen these areas? [02:34]

3. Consider the role of sincerity and a clear conscience in your prayers. Are there unconfessed sins or unresolved issues that might be hindering your communication with God? How can you address these? [12:37]

4. The sermon describes prayer as a profound engagement with God. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe in your prayer life? [10:53]

5. The "new and living way" through Christ is described as essential for true prayer. How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily spiritual practices? [23:11]

6. The sermon discusses the victory over sin and the devil through understanding and embracing the doctrines of salvation. How can you incorporate these doctrines into your daily life to resist temptation? [43:34]

7. Think about a time when you felt discouraged in your faith. How did prayer play a role in that situation, and what can you learn from it to apply in future challenges? [04:34]

Devotional

Day 1: The Vital Role of Prayer
Prayer is the lifeline of the Christian faith, connecting believers to the source of spiritual power and vitality. It is through prayer that Christians maintain their spiritual health and receive the strength needed to navigate life's challenges. Without a firm foundation in faith, prayer becomes ineffective, highlighting the essential link between belief and practice. The early Hebrew Christians faced persecution and doubt, which tested their faith and prayer life. This serves as a reminder that prayer is not just a ritual but a profound engagement with God that requires a solid doctrinal foundation. [03:10]

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: In what ways can you strengthen your faith foundation to enhance your prayer life today?


Day 2: The Profound Challenge of Prayer
Entering God's presence in prayer is a deeply spiritual act that demands sincerity and a clear conscience. It is not a simple task but a profound engagement that requires honesty and openness before God. The early Hebrew Christians struggled with their conscience and the pollution of sin, which made prayer challenging. However, through Christ, believers have a new and living way to approach God with boldness and confidence. This new way is sustained by the eternal priesthood of Christ, who intercedes for us continually. [07:31]

Psalm 24:3-4 (ESV): "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully."

Reflection: What steps can you take to approach God with a clear conscience and sincerity in your prayers today?


Day 3: The New and Living Way
Through Christ's sacrifice, believers have a new and living way to approach God. This path is unlike the old ways, as it is sustained by the eternal priesthood of Christ, offering direct access to God with boldness and confidence. The foundation of this new way is the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood opened the way for us to approach God. This new way addresses our deepest needs: a clean heart, a clear conscience, and victory over the devil. [29:27]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: How can you embrace the new and living way through Christ in your daily walk with God?


Day 4: The Foundation of Christ's Sacrifice
The foundation of our access to God is the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus. His blood, shed on the cross, opened the way for us, addressing our deepest needs and enabling us to approach God with assurance. This path was not created by us but was God's way, planned from eternity and accomplished through Christ. It is through understanding and embracing these truths that believers can resist the devil and stand firm in their faith. [33:24]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: How does the sacrifice of Christ give you confidence in your relationship with God today?


Day 5: Victory Through Doctrine
Our victory over sin, conscience, and the devil is rooted in the doctrines of salvation. It is through understanding and embracing these truths that believers can resist the devil and stand firm in their faith. The early Hebrew Christians were reminded that their strength lies not in themselves but in the Lord and the power of His might. Prayer is essential, and it is only through this new and living way that believers can truly engage in it and become more than conquerors. [43:34]

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Reflection: What specific doctrine of salvation can you study and embrace today to strengthen your spiritual victory?

Quotes


Prayer is vital to the Christian, you remember how our Lord put it that men should always pray and not faint. The alternative to praying is fainting. You can't go on in the Christian Life without prayer. It's the way you receive power. It's Central, it's vital. [00:03:22]

In many ways, prayer is one of the most difficult things in the Christian Life, and we need to be taught how to pray. You remember the disciples themselves, they had been with our Lord and they had noticed how we would get up a great while before Dawn sometimes and pray. [00:05:49]

Prayer means going into the very presence of God. Having therefore Brethren, he says, boldness to enter into the holiest. That's what prayer means. Now, I think it was yesterday afternoon I was referring to this in passing. You see, this man is writing to Hebrew Christians. [00:07:11]

Praying means going in that way into the presence of God, and this is the greatest thing that a human being can ever do. It's a tremendous thing. This man is so concerned about it that he keeps on repeating it. At the end of chapter 12, he puts it like this. [00:09:50]

True prayer, he says, is not being there on your knees and wondering whether God hears you or not, or whether you have a right to go to God. No, no, he says, prayer should be confident, bold, with full Assurance of Faith. How is it possible? The first answer is you must be honest. [00:19:48]

We must have, he says, a True Heart. Let us draw near with a true heart. You see, he emphasizes this point that prayer is something that should be done with confidence, with boldness. Having therefore Brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest of all. [00:18:59]

The foundation is all important. He says, you know, you need such a strong Foundation here that it can carry The Souls of all these people through the centuries. No man could ever be strong enough to make that, for every man sins and is weak and is frail and is fallible. [00:31:41]

It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he Seth, sacrifice and offering th wouldest not, but a body H has thou prepared me. Jesus Christ, God and man. [00:31:18]

The new and the Living Way has been opened, consecrated by the death of the Son of God on the cross on calvary's hill. But it didn't stop at that. He rose again by a New and Living Way which he has consecrated for us through the veil that is to say his flesh. [00:35:00]

The arm of Flesh will fail us, we dare not trust our own. The battle against us is so mighty, it's so Furious, the forces against us are so strong. We have but one hope, and that is in the Lord and the power of His might, clothed with his armor and praying over it all. [00:45:48]

Pray without ceasing and then we shall have our victory, that men should always pray and not fa faint. We shall not faint on condition that we hold fast as he goes on to say, let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavy. [00:46:20]

Let us therefore go and come with boldness into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus, this glorious New and Living Way. Go to him in full Assurance of faith and he'll hear you and he'll answer you and he'll make you more than conquerors. [00:46:40]

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Transcript
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