THE THRONE OF GRACE

HEBREWS 4:1

A. "LET US COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE, THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY, AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED"
  1. When you think of a throne you realize that where there is a throne, there is a kingdom:
    1. We think of the subjects of the kingdom of grace.
    2. All who accept Christ as their king acknowledge that He reigns in their hearts.
  2. This kingdom was set up the moment when sin entered the experience of the human family:
    1. Adam and Eve, and all their posterity, met with God at the throne of grace - Tit. 2:11; Gen. 6:8; 19:19; Ex. 33:12, 16
    2. Sin is the cause for the need of grace; and God's love is Heaven's provision - 2 Cor. 5:21
B. LET US NOTE TWO GREAT TRUTHS BASED UPON OUR OPENING TEXT
  1. "Let us come boldly to the throne of grace":
    1. That teaches us the prayer habit - EXAMPLES -
      1. Daniel - Dan. 6:10
      2. Peter - Acts 9:1-28
      3. David - Ps. 55:17
    2. This gracious arrangement leaves us no excuse for neglecting the prayer life - Jas. 4:1-3
  2. Boldly:
    1. That means for us to come to the throne of grace without any hesitation or doubt.
    2. We have an advocate with the Father, who knows all our needs, understands our weaknesses, and is ready to help us - 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1
    3. He ever liveth and maketh intercession for the saints - Heb. 7:25, 26
    4. Our boldness receives its strength from the fact that we are following God's own arrangement.
    5. We have, therefore, full authorization to come frequently to the throne of grace.
    6. That makes our text the most glorious invitation to poor sinners as we all are.
C. THE GREAT ENDS TO BE KEPT IN VIEW IN COMING TO THE THRONE OF GRACE
  1. To obtain mercy:
    1. Mercy to obtain pardon of our guilt; that is the reason for the throne of grace.
    2. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" - 1 John 1:7-9 EXAMPLES -
      1. The tax collector - Luke 18:13
      2. Zacchaeus - Luke 19:1-9
      3. Mary Magdalene - Luke 7:44
      4. The woman of Samaria - John 4:22-29
    3. We stand in need, not only of the mercy of forgiveness, but also the mercy of enabling grace to live a godly life.
  2. To find grace:
    1. Grace to love others, including our enemies
    2. Grace to forgive those who may trespass against us
    3. Grace to walk humbly with our God - Mi. 6:8
    4. Grace to labor for sinners
    5. Grace to be an overcomer
    6. Grace to endure unto the end - 2 Cor. 12:10; 1 Pet. 3:14; Matt. 24:13
  3. In time of need:
    1. In the hour of temptation - Heb. 11:37; Gen. 39:7-13
    2. In the hour of great sorrow
    3. In the time of sickness and death
  4. What a tragedy it would be if we neglected coming to the throne of grace!
    1. Our heavenly father is there to meet us - EXAMPLES -
      1. Jacobs's dream - Gen. 28:12-14
      2. The father of the prodigal son - Luke 15:20
    2. Our blessed Saviour is there - Matt. 28:20
    3. The Holy Spirit is there - Rom. 8:26
    4. Will you be there?


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