HOLY BOLDNESS


A. "LET US, THEREFORE, COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF GRACE, THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY, AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED" - HEB. 4:16
  1. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews:
    1. Sought to encourage the Hebrew believers by pointing out to them that when we come to God in prayer, we are not alone
    2. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous
  2. He is our great high priest:
    1. Representing our interest before God
    2. He is both the throne of grace and our advocate
B. "LET US COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF GRACE"
  1. Holy boldness:
    1. Boldness indicates confidence - it is without fear or hesitancy
    2. One is bold because we have no reason not to be bold - everything is in our favor
    3. Holy boldness means that our coming to the Lord in prayer is not only countenanced but encouraged
  2. The Bible has considerable to say about boldness:
    1. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion" Prov. 28:1 Examples: Young David was bold in meeting Goliath's challenge, but the army of Saul acted like cowards - I Sam. 17; the three Hebrews answered Nebuchadnezzar boldly - Dan. 3:16-19; John Huss met his executioners boldly
    2. Writes Paul, "We were bold in our God" - I Thess. 2:2; our Saviour spoke boldly in the face of bitter opposition - John 7:26
  3. The great secret of holy boldness:
    1. Not in our worthiness, our wisdom, or in our strength
    2. But coming to the throne of grace in the blessed name of Jesus Christ our Lord
    3. Writes Paul, "According to the eternal purpose which He (God) in Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him . . . for this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ - Eph. 3:11-14
  4. Said Jesus, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" - John 14:6
C. HOLY BOLDNESS
  1. The Christian approach to the throne of grace:
    1. That we may receive grace or mercy - reason for this approach - because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22
    2. Unfallen beings need no mercy, and, therefore they do not have to come to the throne of grace
    3. Mercy is an expression of pity and compassion - Luke 18:13
  2. There is a throne of grace or mercy:
    1. The mercy seat in the earthly sanctuary was one of the most important centers where God met the worshiper - in fact, it was the only place where God and the penitent sinner could meet - compare Ex. 25:17 with Heb. 9:5
  3. In the plan of redemption Jesus Christ is the one and only meeting point between God and sinners:
    1. He is the way to God
    2. He is our Advocate - I John 2:1-3; our Mediator - I Tim. 2:5; our Intercessor - Heb. 7:25; He is our great High Priest - what more do we need to give us holy boldness to come to the throne of grace
  4. But this holy boldness to come to the throne of grace is sevenfold:
    1. We have heaven's invitation to come - Is. 45:22; Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17
    2. We are invited to come to the throne of grace just as we are - that makes it the throne of grace
    3. Writes Paul, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief" - I Tim. 1:15
    4. We must come in the name of Jesus only that means clothed with His righteousness - Acts 4:13
    5. We must come to the throne of grace to confess our sins - the pharisee forgot that; but the publican did not - Luke 18:1 John 1:7-9
    6. We must come in faith - Heb. 11:6; James 1:1-6


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