Approaching the Throne of Grace with Confidence
Summary
In our time together, we explored the profound truth of God's throne as a "throne of grace." This concept, drawn from Hebrews 4:14-16, challenges us to approach God with confidence, knowing that through Jesus, our great high priest, we have access to His mercy and grace. We began by reflecting on the awe-inspiring holiness of God, a consuming fire, and the reverence with which we must approach Him. Yet, in the same breath, we are invited to draw near to this holy God, not in fear, but with confidence, because of the work of Christ on the cross.
We revisited the idea of God's throne, often seen as a place of judgment and power, and were reminded that it is also a place of grace. This duality is not a contradiction but a complete picture of God's nature. The throne of grace is where we find mercy and help in our time of need, a place where we can be honest about our weaknesses and receive the strength to overcome them.
We also examined how our personal backgrounds and experiences can shape our understanding of God. Whether we had distant or overly permissive earthly fathers, these experiences can color our perception of God's character. Yet, the scripture calls us to see God as He truly is—a God who is both holy and gracious, just and merciful.
Furthermore, we delved into the heart of Jesus, who describes Himself as "gentle and lowly." This is the core of His being, and it invites us to come to Him with our burdens, knowing that He understands our struggles and offers rest for our souls. This understanding of Jesus' heart should transform how we approach Him, not based on our performance but on His character.
Finally, we were encouraged to break through any barriers that prevent us from drawing near to God. Whether these are lies we've believed about ourselves or misconceptions about God's nature, we are called to trust His word and experience the closeness He offers through His Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- The throne of grace is a profound reality where we can approach God with confidence, knowing that through Jesus, we have access to His mercy and grace. This understanding transforms our relationship with God from one of fear to one of trust and intimacy. [10:35]
- Our perception of God is often shaped by our earthly experiences, particularly our relationships with our fathers. Recognizing this can help us see God more clearly as both holy and gracious, inviting us to draw near to Him with confidence. [24:41]
- Jesus describes His heart as "gentle and lowly," which is the core of His being. This invites us to come to Him with our burdens, knowing that He understands our struggles and offers rest for our souls. [41:25]
- The duality of God's nature as both a consuming fire and a throne of grace is not a contradiction but a complete picture of who He is. This understanding calls us to approach Him with reverence and confidence, trusting in His character. [06:20]
- Breaking through barriers that prevent us from drawing near to God requires trusting His word over our feelings or past experiences. We are invited to experience the closeness He offers through His Spirit, which exceeds even the glory experienced by Moses. [50:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Opening Prayer
- [01:25] - Excitement for Teaching
- [03:02] - Recap of Last Week
- [04:10] - The Fear of the Lord
- [07:08] - Hebrews 4:14-16
- [09:18] - Drawing Near with Confidence
- [11:05] - Careful Understanding of God
- [15:56] - The Throne of Grace
- [19:44] - Personal Baggage and Perception
- [25:01] - Balancing God's Attributes
- [30:15] - Jesus as Our High Priest
- [34:39] - Temptation and Understanding
- [39:14] - Matthew 11:28-30
- [47:13] - Drawing Near to God's Throne
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 4:14-16
- Matthew 11:28-30
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 4:14-16 say about Jesus' role as our high priest, and how does this relate to our ability to approach God's throne? [07:28]
2. In the sermon, how is the "throne of grace" described, and what significance does this have for believers? [10:35]
3. According to Matthew 11:28-30, how does Jesus describe His heart, and what invitation does He extend to those who are weary? [39:14]
4. How does the pastor describe the duality of God's nature as both a consuming fire and a throne of grace? [06:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might one's personal background, particularly their relationship with their earthly father, influence their perception of God as both holy and gracious? [24:41]
2. What does it mean to approach God's throne with confidence, and how does this confidence differ from arrogance or presumption? [10:35]
3. How does understanding Jesus' heart as "gentle and lowly" change the way believers might approach Him with their burdens? [41:25]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can break through barriers that prevent them from drawing near to God? [50:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own perception of God. How have your personal experiences shaped this view, and what steps can you take to align it more closely with the biblical portrayal of God as both holy and gracious? [24:41]
2. Consider a time when you felt hesitant to approach God. What was the barrier, and how can the understanding of the "throne of grace" help you overcome similar barriers in the future? [10:35]
3. Jesus invites those who are weary to come to Him for rest. Identify a specific burden you are carrying and discuss how you can practically bring this to Jesus, trusting in His gentle and lowly heart. [39:14]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting God's word over our feelings or past experiences. What is one specific area in your life where you struggle to trust God's promises, and how can you begin to change that? [50:27]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and confidence in your relationship with God, balancing the understanding of His holiness and grace? [06:20]
6. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. What practical steps can you take this week to draw near to Him, experiencing the closeness He offers through His Spirit? [50:27]
7. Reflect on the concept of Jesus as our high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. How does this understanding impact your prayer life and your approach to God in times of need? [07:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Confidence in God's Throne of Grace
The throne of grace is a profound reality where believers can approach God with confidence, knowing that through Jesus, they have access to His mercy and grace. This understanding transforms the relationship with God from one of fear to one of trust and intimacy. The throne, often seen as a place of judgment, is also a place of grace, where mercy and help are found in times of need. This duality is not a contradiction but a complete picture of God's nature, inviting believers to be honest about their weaknesses and receive strength to overcome them. [10:35]
Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to approach God with more confidence, trusting in His grace rather than fearing His judgment?
Day 2: Perception of God Shaped by Earthly Experiences
Our perception of God is often shaped by our earthly experiences, particularly our relationships with our fathers. Recognizing this can help believers see God more clearly as both holy and gracious, inviting them to draw near to Him with confidence. Earthly experiences can color one's understanding of God's character, but scripture calls for a true vision of God as He is. This involves seeing Him as a God who is both just and merciful, holy and gracious, and allowing this understanding to transform the way one approaches Him. [24:41]
Psalm 103:13-14 (ESV): "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with your earthly father. How might this relationship have influenced your perception of God, and how can you begin to see God as He truly is?
Day 3: Jesus' Heart as Gentle and Lowly
Jesus describes His heart as "gentle and lowly," which is the core of His being. This invites believers to come to Him with their burdens, knowing that He understands their struggles and offers rest for their souls. This understanding of Jesus' heart should transform how one approaches Him, not based on personal performance but on His character. It is an invitation to experience His gentleness and humility, providing a safe space for those who are weary and burdened. [41:25]
Matthew 12:20-21 (ESV): "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope."
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you need to bring to Jesus, trusting in His gentle and lowly heart to provide rest for your soul?
Day 4: Duality of God's Nature
The duality of God's nature as both a consuming fire and a throne of grace is not a contradiction but a complete picture of who He is. This understanding calls believers to approach Him with reverence and confidence, trusting in His character. God's holiness demands reverence, yet His grace invites intimacy. This balance is essential for a healthy relationship with God, where one can stand in awe of His power while resting in His love and mercy. [06:20]
Deuteronomy 4:24, 31 (ESV): "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God... For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a balance of reverence and intimacy in your relationship with God, acknowledging both His holiness and His grace?
Day 5: Breaking Barriers to Draw Near to God
Breaking through barriers that prevent believers from drawing near to God requires trusting His word over personal feelings or past experiences. Believers are invited to experience the closeness God offers through His Spirit, which exceeds even the glory experienced by Moses. This involves identifying and overcoming lies or misconceptions about God's nature, allowing His truth to transform one's understanding and relationship with Him. [50:27]
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (ESV): "But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What barriers or misconceptions about God do you need to break through today to experience the closeness He offers through His Spirit?
Quotes
The throne of grace is a profound reality where we can approach God with confidence, knowing that through Jesus, we have access to His mercy and grace. This understanding transforms our relationship with God from one of fear to one of trust and intimacy. [00:10:35]
The duality of God's nature as both a consuming fire and a throne of grace is not a contradiction but a complete picture of who He is. This understanding calls us to approach Him with reverence and confidence, trusting in His character. [00:06:20]
Our perception of God is often shaped by our earthly experiences, particularly our relationships with our fathers. Recognizing this can help us see God more clearly as both holy and gracious, inviting us to draw near to Him with confidence. [00:24:41]
Jesus describes His heart as "gentle and lowly," which is the core of His being. This invites us to come to Him with our burdens, knowing that He understands our struggles and offers rest for our souls. [00:41:25]
Breaking through barriers that prevent us from drawing near to God requires trusting His word over our feelings or past experiences. We are invited to experience the closeness He offers through His Spirit, which exceeds even the glory experienced by Moses. [00:50:27]
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. [00:08:02]
The Holiness of God is our treasure. This is what makes us Fearless, this is what makes us secure because we're a part of that Kingdom. [00:06:46]
We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the son of God. Let us hold fast our confession, for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. [00:07:38]
I have more baggage than I realize because I had a dad that I could not approach ever. I'm not gonna tell him anything that I did wrong. I'm not gonna have a conversation with him. He doesn't want a conversation with you. [00:19:44]
If you want to talk about the love of God and not talk about the times when God says I hate, again you're pulling out things that jump out to you, things that you like. And so we talk about his Blessing but maybe not his punishment. [00:14:41]
I want you to draw near to my throne of grace and believe my word, not your feelings, not what other people have told you. I want you to draw near, and you'll receive Mercy and you'll find Grace in your time of need. [00:47:13]
The Bible says we actually have an advantage that there's a Oneness that Moses didn't get to experience that we can. There's a glory that's available through the ministry of the spirit. [00:50:27]
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