05-17-2026 - “Full Access to Almighty God”

Devotional

Day 1: Torn Veil and Full Access

Jesus gasped His final breath. The earth shook. A thick temple veil—60 feet tall, woven with blue and scarlet threads—ripped top to bottom. No human hands tore it. The way to God’s presence stood open. [21:06]

The torn veil declared what Levitical priests could never achieve: direct access. No more animal blood, no annual rituals. Jesus’ death finished the work. His resurrection proved the path was clear.

You approach God through Christ’s sacrifice, not your performance. What shame or failure makes you hesitate to draw near?

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”
(Matthew 27:51, ESV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for tearing every barrier between you and the Father. Name one fear His blood covers.
Challenge: Write “FULL ACCESS” on a sticky note. Place it where you’ll see it hourly.

Day 2: Submit First, Resist After

James wrote to believers fleeing spiritual battles. “Submit to God,” he insisted. The Greek verb means continuous surrender—not a one-time act. Only then could they resist the devil. [06:20]

Submission isn’t weakness. It’s anchoring to Christ’s strength. The disciples learned this: their self-reliance failed in Gethsemane. Jesus’ “not My will” in prayer preceded His victory.

When conflict arises, do you charge ahead or kneel first? Where are you relying on willpower instead of Christ’s indestructible life?

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
(James 4:7-8, ESV)

Prayer: Confess one area you’ve tried to control. Ask Christ to reign there today.
Challenge: Identify a recurring struggle. Before reacting, pray “Your will, not mine” aloud.

Day 3: Gates, Courts, and Joyful Noise

The psalmist didn’t whisper. He shouted. He served with gladness. Worshipers moved from gates to courts, thanksgiving escalating to praise. Their song declared: “He made us—we are His.” [10:11]

Ancient Jews sang this while offering sacrifices. Yet their worship pointed forward—to the day Christ’s blood would make praise permanent. Now, every grateful heart becomes His temple.

Does your worship reflect transactional duty or awe-filled nearness? When did you last shout (even silently) over God’s goodness?

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
(Psalm 100:4, ESV)

Prayer: List three specific gifts from God today. Sing or speak them aloud.
Challenge: Text one person: “I’m thankful God placed you in my life because…”

Day 4: Called to Be With

Jesus climbed a mountain, summoned twelve men, and said, “Be with Me.” For three years, they ate dust-covered roads, felt His rebukes, and saw His tears. Ministry flowed from proximity. [15:04]

The disciples’ authority to preach and heal came through shared life with Christ. Without the “with,” their work would’ve been empty ritual—another Levitical system.

Is your service fueled by duty or presence? What practical step would deepen your abiding this week?

“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.”
(Mark 3:14, ESV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to reorder your priorities. Trade one “productive” task for 10 minutes of silent worship.
Challenge: Set a phone timer for 3 PM. Pause and whisper, “I’m here, Lord.”

Day 5: “That They May Be With Me”

Hours before the cross, Jesus prayed for you. “Father,” He said, “I want them with Me.” Not just rescued from hell. Not just doctrinally sound. With Him—seeing His glory, sharing His joy. [17:02]

Heaven’s wonder isn’t streets of gold or painless existence. It’s unbroken fellowship with the One who tore the veil. Every earthly trial whispers, “This isn’t home yet.”

What daily habit reminds you that Christ’s presence is the prize? How would living “with Him” change your next 24 hours?

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me.”
(John 17:24, ESV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for longing to be with you. Surrender one distraction that dulls your eternal perspective.
Challenge: Share the gospel with one person using the phrase “Jesus wants you with Him.”

Sermon Summary

Hebrews 7:11-19 presses the claim that if the Levitical priesthood could bring perfection, God would not have promised another priest “according to the order of Melchizedek.” The text changes the ground under Israel’s feet: a change of priesthood means a change of law. Jesus does not come from Levi but from Judah, and his priesthood stands “by the power of an indestructible life.” The law made nothing perfect; it always stopped worshipers at the veil. Calvary changed that. The veil tore from top to bottom, and “a better hope” arrived, “through which we draw near to God.”

God’s design does not end with taking sinners to a place; it brings them to a Person. Jesus says, “I will come again and receive you to Myself.” His high-priestly prayer longs, “that they may be with Me where I am.” The future consummation only makes explicit what his priesthood has already opened now: full access. The rapture promise concludes it simply, “so we shall always be with the Lord.” Salvation is God bringing sinners to Himself for ongoing fellowship.

James 4 teaches the path of access in the heat of spiritual battle: “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil.” The draw-near comes after the bow-down. When a believer moves toward God, God moves toward the believer. Psalm 100 sketches worship as a holy approach: enter the gates with thanksgiving, the courts with praise, getting closer and closer on purpose. Running from the fight or skipping the gathering only deepens distance; drawing near engages God’s resources and God’s people.

Mark 3 sets the order for disciples: Jesus appoints the Twelve “so that they would be with Him,” and only then “to send them out to preach.” Ministry flows out of proximity. “Never allow the busyness of ministry to be a substitute for intimacy with Jesus.” On the Mount of Transfiguration, the Father settles the comparison: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.” The vision fades to “Jesus alone.” Judaism’s types were real but temporary; Jesus’ priesthood is the reality, eternal and perfect. He is both priest and sacrifice. He not only brings sinners into God’s presence, he anchors them there. He is not the co-pilot; he is the pilot and the plane. Old prophets peered ahead and angels still marvel, because in Christ the debts are paid and the riches are shared. The fullness Paul prays for is not bare correctness but knowing the love of Christ, a fullness that grows only in his presence.

Key Takeaways

1. Draw near is the better hope Drawing near is not a bonus feature; it is what the new covenant purchased. The approach is paved by Christ’s perfection, not personal performance. This hope summons believers to come close in battle and in worship, and there God himself comes close. [03:17]
2. Intimacy outranks ministry activity Jesus appoints disciples first to be with him, then to be sent. Fruitfulness without fellowship becomes thin, even while it looks impressive. Real authority and durability grow where proximity is guarded. [15:04]
3. The old yields to Jesus alone Types and priests did their temporary work, but the Father says, “Listen to him,” and the mountain clears to “Jesus alone.” The change of priesthood means the way to God is no longer guarded by genealogy but opened by a resurrected Life. [27:42]
4. The torn veil grants full access Access is not partial or probationary; the tear runs from top to bottom. God did what sinners could never do from the bottom up. In that open way, Christ brings believers in and holds them fast. [21:06]
5. Salvation brings sinners to Himself Heaven is home because Jesus is there. “I will receive you to Myself” reveals his heart both now and forever. The end of the story is simple and sweeping: always with the Lord. [11:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Full Access to Holy God
[01:59] - Hebrews 7:11-19 read
[03:17] - A better hope: draw near
[06:20] - Submit then resist the devil
[09:08] - Drawing near in worship
[11:04] - Receive you to Myself
[14:28] - Busyness cannot replace intimacy
[15:04] - With Him before He sends
[21:06] - Veil torn top to bottom
[22:00] - Imperfection of the old priesthood
[24:39] - Change of priesthood, change of law
[27:42] - Jesus alone
[30:13] - Full access anchored in Christ
[34:59] - Debts paid, riches shared

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Hebrews 7:11-19 (ESV)
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 7:11-12, why was a new priesthood (Melchizedek’s order) necessary instead of continuing with the Levitical priesthood?
What does the tearing of the temple veil from “top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51) symbolize about how believers access God? [21:06]
In Mark 3:14, what two purposes did Jesus have for appointing the Twelve, and what order did they follow? [15:04]
How does James 4:7-8 connect submission to God with resisting the devil?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the author of Hebrews emphasize that the law “made nothing perfect” (7:19) in contrast to Jesus’ priesthood? How does this relate to the idea of “drawing near” to God?
What does it mean that Jesus’ priesthood is based on “the power of an indestructible life” (Hebrews 7:16)? How does this differ from the Levitical priests’ qualifications?
The sermon states, “Ministry flows out of proximity” to Jesus. [15:04] Why might prioritizing intimacy with Christ be foundational to effective service?
How does the imagery of the torn veil challenge the idea of partial or conditional access to God?

Application Questions

In times of spiritual battle, the instruction is to “submit to God” first before resisting the devil (James 4:7). What practical steps can you take to intentionally submit to God when facing temptation or discouragement?
The sermon warns against letting “busyness of ministry” replace intimacy with Jesus. [14:28] How can you guard your daily rhythm to prioritize being with Him over doing for Him?
The torn veil signifies full access to God’s presence. What habits or mindsets might be keeping you from approaching Him with boldness and confidence today?
Jesus’ ultimate desire is to bring believers “to Himself” (John 14:3). [11:04] How does this truth reshape your understanding of salvation and eternal life?
The Levitical system required constant sacrifices, but Christ’s work is complete. How can you regularly remind yourself that your standing before God is anchored in His perfection, not your performance?
The Father’s command on the Mount of Transfiguration was, “Listen to Him” (Mark 9:7). [27:42] What areas of your life need to shift from relying on “old systems” (habits, traditions, or self-effort) to trusting Jesus alone?

Sermon Clips

43s

“Not only that, but he told her that he was wealthy beyond her wildest dreams and he gave her a joint checking account with himself. She never again need to be concerned about debts. From that time on, listen to this, from that time on, she was secure in the riches of the one she loved and the one who loved her. And in a much greater way, spiritually. That's what happens at salvation. All of our debts are paid and we can live with the peace and rest of knowing that we are safe and secure in the one who loved us first and now we love him. That's Jesus. Praise God.”

26s

“Man couldn't do this. We didn't make our way from the bottom to the top to God. No. No. No. No. When when we couldn't come to where he was, brother Ronnie, he came to me, Squire Parsons. He came to me. Yeah. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top heaven to bottom all the way and the earth shook and the rocks were split. I'm glad that Jesus didn't just rip it a little bit. It says he tore it all the way from top to bottom.”

32s

“He's it all. He's the only way we have to get to God and to spend eternity in heaven. Jesus is everything. He's all of it. He is perfect. Aaron, verse eighteen nineteen, Aaron replaced by Jesus. The old testament imperfect was replaced by the new and perfect. The old brought nothing to conclusion. Think of this. There was no security ever in the old testament. There was no peace. There was no clear conscience, but Jesus brought all of that and full access to God.”

27s

“But I wanna tell you, I wanna remind you, we can be as straight as a gun barrel theologically and just as empty on the inside. It's about being with the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to Paul in Ephesians three seventeen through 19. Look at these words, So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith and that you being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth.”

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Dotson Memorial - Maryville TN This sermon · AI assistant

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05-17-2026 - “Full Access to Almighty God” - Hebrews 7:11-19