Boldly Approaching God's Throne of Grace

Access to God is not a privilege reserved for the spiritual elite or those who have it all together. Unlike the fleeting, expensive backstage passes to meet a celebrity, the invitation to draw near to God is open, free, and permanent—paid in full by Jesus, our great high priest. The old barriers that once separated humanity from God have been torn down. No longer is access to God limited to one person, once a year, under strict conditions. Now, every child of God is welcomed into His presence, any day, any time, just as they are.

The heart of this truth is found in Hebrews 4:14-16, where we are urged to come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. This boldness is not rooted in our worthiness, performance, or spiritual track record, but in the finished work of Jesus. He understands, sympathizes, and empathizes with our weaknesses—not from a distance, but from personal experience. Jesus faced every kind of temptation and testing, yet did not sin. Because of this, He is uniquely qualified to offer us mercy for our failures and grace for our daily struggles.

God’s throne is not a courtroom where we stand condemned, but a throne room where we are welcomed, embraced, and restored. The list of our wrongs has been wiped clean. Mercy lifts us out of the pit, and grace empowers us to run free. These gifts are never rationed; God gives them freely and abundantly, exactly when we need them most.

The challenge is not whether God’s door is open, but whether we will step through it. Feelings of unworthiness, shame, or distance may hold us back, but the truth remains: it’s not about us. It’s about Jesus, who keeps the way open and intercedes for us. Each day, we are invited to receive mercy for yesterday and grace for today, to draw near with confidence, and to live lives marked by courage, grace, and joy. The throne of grace is not an abstract idea—it is a living reality, and the One who sits on the throne knows your name and loves you.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Unlimited Access, No Barriers: The invitation to approach God is not limited by our past, our failures, or our feelings of inadequacy. Jesus has paid the full price for our access, tearing down every barrier that once stood between us and God. We are called to come boldly, not because of who we are, but because of who He is and what He has done. [43:40]
• 2. Mercy and Grace for Every Need: God offers two priceless gifts behind the open door: mercy for our failures and grace for our daily living. Mercy restores us when we fall, and grace empowers us to live in freedom. These are not occasional handouts but continual supplies, custom-fitted for every moment of need. [49:09]
• 3. Jesus Understands Completely: Jesus is not a distant high priest; He understands, sympathizes, and empathizes with our weaknesses. The Greek word “sympathio” encompasses all three—He knows our struggles intellectually, feels them emotionally, and has experienced them personally. This deep identification means we never approach God alone or misunderstood. [51:48]
• 4. The Throne Room, Not the Courtroom: God’s presence is not a place of judgment for those in Christ, but a place of welcome and restoration. The courtroom of condemnation has been transformed into a throne room of grace, where the King Himself steps down to embrace us, wipe away our record, and call us home. [56:23]
• 5. Daily Practice of Drawing Near: Living in the reality of God’s open door is a daily choice. Whether it’s whispering a prayer for mercy and grace each morning, picturing Jesus holding you fast in anxious moments, or turning everyday places into sanctuaries through prayer, we are invited to keep coming—run if you can, limp if you must, crawl if you have to, but just come. [01:01:37]
  ** [61:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [39:23] - Concert Memories and Backstage Passes
• [41:21] - The Cost of Access to God
• [41:58] - Hebrews 4:14-16—A New Invitation
• [43:40] - Come Boldly to the Throne
• [44:55] - Old Covenant vs. New Covenant Access
• [46:13] - Keep On Coming—A Continuous Invitation
• [46:54] - Our Struggles with Worthiness
• [47:34] - The Gifts Behind the Door
• [49:09] - Mercy and Grace Explained
• [50:32] - Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses
• [51:48] - Sympathy, Empathy, and Understanding
• [53:45] - Jesus’ Temptation and Our Confidence
• [55:04] - The Courtroom and the Throne Room
• [57:02] - The Throne Room of Grace
• [59:35] - Living Out Bold Access Daily
• [61:37] - Keep Coming—God’s Door Is Always Open

Bible Reading

Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 4:14-16, what are the two gifts we receive when we come to God’s throne?
2. What does the writer of Hebrews say about Jesus’ understanding of our weaknesses?
3. In the sermon, what was the difference between access to God under the old covenant and the new covenant? [[44:55]]
4. What does the word “sympathio” mean in the context of Jesus as our high priest? [[51:48]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes God’s throne as a “throne room” instead of a “courtroom.” What does this shift in imagery mean for how believers approach God? [[56:23]]
2. Why is it significant that Jesus faced every kind of temptation and testing, yet did not sin? How does this affect our confidence in coming to God? [[53:45]]
3. The invitation to “come boldly” is not based on our worthiness. What does this reveal about God’s character and the nature of grace? [[54:22]]
4. The sermon mentions that mercy “restores us” and grace “empowers us.” How do these two gifts work together in the life of a believer? [[49:49]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “The challenge is not whether God’s door is open, but whether we will step through it.” What are some specific feelings or thoughts that hold you back from coming to God? How can you address them this week? [[58:21]]
2. When you think about your own prayer life, do you approach God boldly or timidly? What would it look like for you to “come boldly” to God this week? [[43:40]]
3. The pastor suggested whispering a prayer each morning: “Father, I receive mercy for yesterday and grace for today.” How could you make this (or something similar) a daily habit? What difference might it make? [[59:35]]
4. Jesus understands, sympathizes, and empathizes with your weaknesses. Is there a struggle or temptation you feel alone in? How does knowing Jesus “gets it” change the way you talk to Him about it? [[51:48]]
5. The sermon described God’s mercy as lifting us out of the pit and His grace as empowering us to run free. Which of these do you need most right now—mercy or grace? Why? [[49:49]]
6. The pastor encouraged turning everyday places into sanctuaries through prayer (like praying for a friend at a café). Can you think of a specific place or situation this week where you could invite God’s presence? [[01:00:59]]
7. The message ended with “run if you can, limp if you must, crawl if you have to, but just come.” What would it look like for you to “keep coming” to God, even on hard days? [[01:01:37]]