Approaching the Throne of Grace with Confidence

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Engagement in Prayer

True prayer is a profound spiritual engagement with God, transcending mere words or desires. It is a sacred communion facilitated by the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Jesus Christ. This spiritual commerce elevates prayer beyond a ritual, allowing believers to connect deeply with their Creator. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers our prayers, while Christ's intercession ensures they are heard and accepted by God. Without this divine assistance, our prayers would lack the power and acceptance needed to reach the throne of grace. This understanding invites believers to approach prayer with a sense of awe and reverence, recognizing the privilege of engaging with the divine. [01:20]

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers today, ensuring they are more than just words but a true spiritual engagement with God?

Day 2: Reverence and Joy in Prayer

Approaching God in prayer requires a balance of reverence and joy. Believers are called to recognize God's majesty and holiness, approaching Him with humility and respect. Yet, there is also an invitation to come with joy, knowing that we are welcomed into His presence as beloved children. This dual approach ensures that our prayers are both respectful and filled with gratitude. It is a reminder that while God is sovereign and holy, He is also loving and gracious, inviting us to experience the joy of communion with Him. This understanding transforms prayer from a duty into a delightful privilege. [06:36]

Psalm 100:2-3 (ESV): "Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a sense of joy and reverence in your prayer life today, acknowledging both God's majesty and His welcoming love?

Day 3: Submission and Expectation in Prayer

Prayer is an act of submission to God's will, coupled with great expectations. Believers are encouraged to approach God with humility, acknowledging His wisdom and sovereignty. At the same time, they are invited to have great expectations, knowing that they are petitioning the King of Kings who delights in granting their requests. This balance of humility and hope is essential in the prayer life of a believer. It reflects a trust in God's character and His promises, encouraging believers to pray with confidence and anticipation. This understanding transforms prayer into a dynamic interaction with God, where His will and our desires meet. [12:03]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to submit to God's will, and how can you approach Him with both humility and expectation in your prayers today?

Day 4: The Throne of Grace

The throne of grace is a place where believers can approach God without fear of judgment. It is a throne where imperfect prayers are perfected by Christ, and where our deepest desires are understood even when unspoken. This throne assures believers of God's love and mercy, offering hope and compassion. It is a testament to God's grace, inviting believers to draw near with boldness and confidence. Understanding the nature of this throne transforms the way believers approach God, knowing that they are met with grace and not condemnation. This assurance encourages a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. [25:02]

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: How does understanding the nature of the throne of grace change the way you approach God in prayer today?

Day 5: Grace Reigns Supreme

Grace is the dominant attribute of God in this dispensation, having conquered sin and established itself as supreme. It is enthroned in glory, demonstrating God's delight in pardoning, restoring, and comforting His people. This grace is bound by covenant and sealed with the blood of Christ, assuring believers of God's faithfulness. Understanding the reign of grace invites believers to approach God with confidence, knowing that their prayers, offered in faith, will not be in vain. This assurance transforms the believer's relationship with God, fostering a deep sense of trust and reliance on His grace. [39:36]

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Reflection: In what ways can you rely on God's grace to overcome challenges in your life today, trusting in His faithfulness and love?

Sermon Summary

In Hebrews 4:16, we are invited to approach the throne of grace with boldness, a profound privilege that allows us to commune with God. True prayer is not merely the utterance of words or the expression of desires; it is a spiritual engagement with God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. This spiritual commerce requires the intercession of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who has removed the veil that once separated us from God. Without the Spirit and the Son, our prayers would lack the power and acceptance before God.

Prayer is an act of reverence, joy, submission, expectation, and confidence. When we approach God, we must do so with humility, recognizing His majesty and holiness. Yet, we are also to come with joy, knowing that we are welcomed into His presence, not as prisoners but as beloved children. Our prayers should be marked by submission, acknowledging God's wisdom and sovereignty, and by great expectations, for we are petitioning the King of Kings. We must approach with unwavering confidence, trusting in God's promises and His integrity.

The throne we approach is not one of judgment but of grace. It is a place where our imperfect prayers are perfected by Christ, where our faults are overlooked, and where our deepest desires are understood even when unspoken. This throne of grace is a testament to God's love and mercy, offering us the assurance that our needs will be met and our miseries compassionated. It is a throne established by the conquest of grace over sin, a throne that stands by right and power, and a throne that glorifies God's grace.

Grace reigns supreme, having conquered sin and established itself as the dominant attribute of God in this dispensation. It is enthroned in glory, demonstrating God's delight in pardoning, restoring, and comforting His people. Sovereignty and grace coexist at this throne, where God's promises are bound by His covenant and sealed with the blood of Christ. This covenant assures us that our prayers, offered in faith, will not be in vain. The throne of grace is a place of hope, where God's love and mercy are ever-present, inviting us to draw near with boldness and confidence.

Key Takeaways

1. True Prayer as Spiritual Engagement: Prayer is not just words or desires but a spiritual connection with God, requiring the Holy Spirit's presence and Christ's intercession. This spiritual commerce elevates prayer beyond a mere ritual to a profound communion with the Creator. [01:20]
2. Approaching with Reverence and Joy: When we pray, we must do so with humility and joy, recognizing God's majesty and our privilege to stand before Him. This dual approach ensures that our prayers are both respectful and filled with gratitude. [06:36]
3. Submission and Expectation in Prayer: Our prayers should be marked by submission to God's will and great expectations, knowing that we are petitioning the King of Kings who delights in granting our requests. This balance of humility and hope is essential in our prayer life. [12:03]
4. The Throne of Grace: We approach a throne of grace, not judgment, where our imperfect prayers are perfected by Christ, and our deepest desires are understood. This throne assures us of God's love and mercy, offering hope and compassion. [25:02]
5. Grace Reigns Supreme: Grace has conquered sin and established itself as the dominant attribute of God, reigning in glory and demonstrating God's delight in pardoning and restoring His people. This grace is bound by covenant and sealed with Christ's blood, assuring us of God's faithfulness. [39:36]
** [39:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to the Throne of Grace
[00:30] - True Prayer: Spiritual Engagement
[01:20] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer
[02:25] - The Necessity of Christ's Intercession
[03:34] - Encouragement to Pray
[04:53] - Understanding the Throne
[06:03] - Reverence in Prayer
[10:07] - Joyful Approach to the Throne
[11:47] - Submission in Prayer
[13:46] - Expectation in Prayer
[16:26] - Confidence in God's Promises
[20:44] - Sincerity in Prayer
[25:02] - The Nature of the Throne of Grace
[36:36] - Grace Enthroned
[39:36] - The Reign of Grace
[44:02] - Sovereignty and Grace
[49:22] - Conclusion and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading
- Hebrews 4:16

Observation Questions

What does Hebrews 4:16 invite us to do, and what is the purpose of this invitation?
According to the sermon, what role does the Holy Spirit play in true prayer? [01:20]
How does the sermon describe the nature of the throne we approach in prayer? [25:02]
What is the significance of Christ's intercession in our prayers, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:25]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of approaching the throne of grace with boldness change one's perspective on prayer? [04:53]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that grace has conquered sin and established itself as the dominant attribute of God? [39:36]
How does the sermon explain the coexistence of sovereignty and grace at the throne of God? [44:02]
What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's promises and His covenant with believers? [45:35]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you approached God in prayer with hesitation. How might the understanding of the throne of grace encourage you to pray with more confidence? [16:26]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility and joy in prayer. How can you cultivate these attitudes in your daily prayer life? [06:36]
Consider a situation where you struggled to submit your desires to God's will. How can the balance of submission and expectation in prayer help you in similar situations? [12:03]
The sermon describes the throne of grace as a place where our imperfect prayers are perfected. How does this perspective affect your willingness to pray, even when you feel inadequate? [25:02]
Identify an area in your life where you need to trust in God's promises more fully. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in His covenant? [45:35]
How can the understanding that grace reigns supreme influence your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? [39:36]
Reflect on a personal challenge or burden you are currently facing. How can the assurance of God's love and mercy at the throne of grace provide comfort and hope? [33:49]

Sermon Clips

True prayer is an approach of the Soul by the spirit of God to the throne of God it is not the utterance of words it is not alone the feeling of desires but it is the advance of the desires to God the spiritual approach of our nature towards the Lord Our God. [00:00:30]

True prayer is not a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance but it is deeper far than that it is spiritual Commerce with with the creator of Heaven and Earth God is a spirit unseen of mortal eye and only to be perceived by the Inner Man. [00:00:50]

In order to such prayer the work of the Holy Ghost himself is needed if prayer were of the lips alone we should only need breath in our nostrils to pray if prayer were of the desires alone many excellent desires are easily felt even by natural men. [00:01:36]

The interposition of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential to acceptable prayer as prayer will not be truly prayer without the spirit of God so it will not be prevailing prayer without the Son of God he the great high priest must go within the veil for us. [00:02:21]

If prayer should always be regarded by us as an entrance into the courts of the royalty of Heaven if we are to behave ourselves as courtiers should in the presence of an illustrious Majesty then we are not at a loss to know the right spirit in which to pray. [00:06:09]

If I find myself favored by divine grace to stand amongst those favored ones who frequent his courts shall I not feel glad I might have been in his prison but I am before his throne I might have been driven from his presence forever but I'm permitted to come near to him. [00:10:10]

We do not pray to God to instruct him as to what he ought to do neither for a moment must we presume to dictate the line of the Divine procedure we are permitted to say unto God thus and thus would we have it but we must everm more add but seeing that we are ignorant. [00:11:47]

Thou Art coming to a King large petitions with thee bring we do not come as it were in prayer only to God's armony where he dispenses his favors to the poor nor do we come to the back door of the House of Mercy to receive the broken scraps though that were more than we deserve. [00:13:46]

Who shall doubt the king Who Dares impune the Imperial word it was well said that if Integrity were banished from the hearts of all mankind besides it ought still to dwell in the hearts of Kings shame on a king if he can lie the various beggar in the streets is Dishonored by a broken promise. [00:16:26]

If in prayer I come before a throne of Grace then the faults of my prayer will be overlooked in beginning to pray dear friends you feel as if you did not pray the groanings of your spirit when you rise from your knees are such that you think there is nothing in them. [00:25:02]

Grace is the most predominant attribute of God how comes it to be so EX exalted we reply well Grace has a throne by Conquest Grace came down to earth in the form of the well beloved and it met with sin long and sharp was the struggle and Grace appeared to be Trampled Under Foot of sin. [00:36:36]

Grace Reigns through righteousness unto eternal life we live in the era of reigning Grace for seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for the sons of men Jesus is able also to save them to the to the uttermost that come unto God by him sinner if you were to meet Grace. [00:39:36]

Ask a question about this sermon