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Confidence in Christ · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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We can turn back now to a reading in Hebrews chapter 10.
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We're going to look at this section, verse 19 to verse 25 in particular.
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We read at verse 19,
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Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
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by the new and living way that he opened up for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.
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And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith,
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with hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water, and so on.
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Do you have confidence in Christ as you come here tonight?
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That word is used here as we look at this section that begins in verse 19.
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Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence, there's a sense of them having confidence as they approach God.
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But you see also in verse 35, it says,
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Therefore, do not throw away your confidence.
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So there was a struggle going on in the people that the writer was writing these words to.
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Do you have confidence in Christ?
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As you read God's word, whether it's here in the book of Hebrews or just as you read throughout the scriptures,
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you realize just the wonder and the privilege that it is to be a people called by God,
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called into his presence, called in to worship him.
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Because by nature, we turn our backs to him.
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We turn away from him.
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We all go and do our own thing.
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And yet we hear this call of God.
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It might not be an audible call, but we have this desire, this longing that God puts into our hearts.
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And he brings us to that place we recognize that we are to be a people who worship him.
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It doesn't come just naturally of ourselves.
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It's that desire that the Lord puts into our hearts.
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And we can't ignore it.
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And then we try and push it away.
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And yet there are times when we don't have that confidence as we come to worship.
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There's times when we feel maybe like we're throwing away that confidence,
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which has great reward that verse 35 speaks of there.
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So what is our focus?
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Where is our confidence as we come and worship the Lord this evening?
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We're easily distracted.
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We can come in maybe with good intentions.
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We're going to listen to God's word.
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We're going to worship with all our hearts.
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And yet we can be easily distracted.
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We can be distracted by just practical things.
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We can think about what's going on this week ahead.
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We can start to wander into the days, making our plans as to what lies ahead.
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We can also be distracted as we focus on the Lord in just ways that we feel that we don't deserve him.
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We don't belong to him.
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We don't belong here even.
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We can have that sense put into us at times where the devil, when there's a good work going on,
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comes in to try and rob us of any desire for the Lord.
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So we feel unworthy.
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We struggle in different ways.
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We come saying, I'm not good enough.
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That's the common phrase we often hear.
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I'm not good enough.
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And nowhere does the Lord tell us that we don't come because we are good enough.
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We're never good enough, but he still says come.
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Or we have another attitude which says, I need to add more.
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Jesus is not enough.
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That's the other common aspect of not just faith in the Lord, but faith in any religion.
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It takes us away to think we've got to do something ourselves.
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But faith in Christ is all that we need.
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Because as we come to worship, we're recognizing that dependence on him.
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And him alone now focuses on the Lord.
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The Lord Jesus who died for our sins, who rose from the grave.
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And the Lord who is coming again.
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And that's very much what the writer of the Hebrews is giving to us in this book.
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The book of Hebrews writing to a Jewish people.
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He's giving them this insight into who God is and what Jesus Christ has done.
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He's writing to them in their own difficult situation.
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We've given a bit of insight into that in the chapter that we've read here as well.
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You read there in verse 34, you had compassion.
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Or just to go back.
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Recall the former days in verse 32.
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When you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.
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Sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction.
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Sometimes being partners with those so treated.
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You had compassion on those in prison.
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And joyfully accepted the plundering of your property.
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So there were so many things going on in their lives.
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There were those who were being put into prison.
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Those who they knew and loved.
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There were those who were having properties taken off them.
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They were enduring struggle and suffering in so many different ways.
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And yet the writer here is saying, but have confidence.
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Have confidence in Christ.
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They've been persecuted for their faith.
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Led away from the faith.
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And yet he's encouraging them.
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In verse 25, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some.
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Some were turning away.
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Coming away from this worship because they were finding it all too much.
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Not good enough.
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I need more.
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Or this is too hard.
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All these things going on in their life.
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And the writer is saying what you need is confidence in Christ.
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That is where you need to place your hope.
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Today you may feel unworthy and that's no bad thing.
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But the word of God stirs us up.
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It gives us that assurance.
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So that as we are seeking.
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As we are trusting.
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As we are a people of faith.
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Trusting the Lord more and more through what he gives us in his word.
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And so that's what we find in this passage.
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That as we look at it this evening.
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Is about having that confidence in Christ.
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What Christ does for us.
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And indeed to us.
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It begins with confidence in who he is.
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And then we see in these verses.
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Verses 19 to 25.
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That confidence leads to these words.
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Let us.
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It leads to action.
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You see in these verses that there are three.
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Let us do a certain thing.
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We're going to look at that.
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First of all the confidence.
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And then what it leads to when it says let us.
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So first of all we see the confidence.
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Verse 19.
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Therefore brothers.
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Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.
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Therefore means it's connected.
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It's connected to what has come before.
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And the reality is that you could say it's connected to everything.
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That has come in this.
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In the writing of the Hebrews up until this point.
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From chapter one.
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Up until this point.
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Because it's been focusing on.
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The doctrine of who God is.
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Of who his son Jesus Christ is.
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Of the supremacy of Christ.
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You just have to turn back for a moment.
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To chapter one.
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Read these words in chapter one.
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Long ago at many times and in many ways.
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God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.
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But in these last days he has spoken to us by his son.
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Whom he appointed the heir of all things.
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Through whom also he created the world.
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He is the radiance of the glory of God.
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And the exact imprint of his nature.
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He upholds the universe by the word of his power.
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You see just the wonder of who it is we come to worship.
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You just read these opening few verses.
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And you're left with that sense of wonder.
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And amazement as to how can we possibly come.
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And worship this Lord.
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The one who has made all these things.
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By the word of his power.
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Who is the exact representation of the glory of God.
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How can we possibly come into that presence of worship.
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And it goes on from there.
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All through these chapters you're given an insight and a wonder of who God is.
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His glory.
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His power.
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His nature.
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In so many different ways.
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How every sacrifice being offered is pointing towards a once for all sacrifice.
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In Jesus Christ.
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How he would give his life for his people.
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There is so much that just should leave us with that sense of worship.
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And awe.
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But also with a sense of how can we possibly come into this Lord's presence.
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But then you see in verse 19.
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Therefore brothers since we have confidence.
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To enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.
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By the blood of Jesus.
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There is no other way into his presence.
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But by the blood of Jesus.
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That is where our confidence has to be.
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It's a living anew.
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And a living way as it says in verse 20.
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He's writing here to the Jews.
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As we're going to see in a few moments.
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Just the wonder of how this way was being opened up for them.
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And for all people to come.
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But when you look at the book of Hebrews.
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And indeed when you look at other writings.
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Especially in the New Testament.
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When you're looking at the letters.
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Paul's letters to the churches.
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Or to the Romans.
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Or his pastoral letters.
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You often see that he begins.
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With that sense of teaching.
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So we might understand.
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Who it is that we are to worship.
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The book of Romans.
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Or the letter to the Ephesians.
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The first parts of these writings.
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Are examining the doctrine of God.
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Who is God?
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Who is it that we worship?
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His power.
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His power.
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His glory.
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His authority.
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Are outlined in amazing ways.
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In these letters as well.
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And then it teaches us who we are.
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Who we are.
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In light of who God is.
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So we have all of these doctrines.
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That we are learning about.
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God and man.
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And the ways that we are to live.
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But it leads us to that point.
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When we understand God.
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When we understand who we are.
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It leads us then to ask.
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Well how are we to live?
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What are we to do.
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With all of these things?
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And what you see is.
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That it leads us.
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Into a way.
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This is therefore.
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How we are to live.
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In light of this.
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And it's writing to believers.
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Predominantly.
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Remember that.
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Those who have come to trust.
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In the Lord.
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But in the background as well.
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It's encouraging those.
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Who have not yet.
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Trusted the Lord.
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To remember.
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Who God is.
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And how your life.
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Should be lived.
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In light of that as well.
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And so.
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The therefore we have here.
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In verse 19.
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Is tying it all together.
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To the teaching.
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That's come before.
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Because if we understand God.
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If we understand.
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The supremacy of Christ.
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If we understand.
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Our sin.
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And the only way to salvation.
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Is through the blood of Jesus.
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Then that is the only confidence.
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That we can have.
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To enter into the holy place.
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Because there is no other way.
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We could come in.
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There is no other way.
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We could worship.
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So therefore.
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We have confidence.
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The confidence.
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Those who had.
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Who are turning away now.
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From Christ.
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That you see in verse 25.
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Not neglecting to meet together.
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As the habit of some.
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Losing their confidence.
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And we can lose our confidence at time.
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Our faith can be shaken.
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Our understanding can be dimmed.
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Our knowledge can be.
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We can see it as too little.
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To understand all of these things.
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And our confidence.
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Can be shaken.
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But we are being encouraged here.
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No matter what we are going through.
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No matter how much.
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Our confidence might be shaken.
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We are not to throw it away.
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As it says in verse 35.
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Do not throw away your confidence.
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Which has a great reward.
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But instead.
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We have need of endurance.
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Faith endures.
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And God helps us.
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To endure.
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And he gives us.
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That confidence.
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But the confidence of these people.
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Was being shaken.
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Christ's death.
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Was being nullified.
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So instead of there being a new.
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And a living way.
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Through the blood of Jesus Christ.
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They were starting.
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To go back.
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To go back into their old ways.
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Their old habits.
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Their old way of religion.
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The salvation.
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He provided.
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As you see in the earlier chapters.
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That supremacy of Christ.
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Was nothing compared to.
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Was everything compared to.
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What they had known previously.
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It was the fulfillment.
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Of all they had looked at.
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Before.
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When they felt.
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That the law.
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Was what had to be kept.
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Where sacrifice.
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Is what had to be offered.
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That is the way.
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That they could easily.
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Slip back into.
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But they are being told.
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No.
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Have confidence.
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Have confidence.
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Have confidence.
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To come.
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And worship God.
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Aright.
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So he is.
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Sparring them.
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On.
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That their behavior.
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Would be changed.
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And transformed.
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Continually.
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In light of what.
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They believe.
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Their understanding.
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Of God.
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And Christ.
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Is what leads them on.
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So do you have.
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That confidence.
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In Christ.
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Do you have.
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That assurance.
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In Christ.
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That you can come.
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And worship.
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By faith.
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In him.
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Who gave himself.
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For you.
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Therefore.
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Brothers.
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It says.
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Since we have confidence.
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To enter.
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The holy place.
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By the blood.
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Of Jesus.
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That is how.
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We can come.
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Through faith.
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In the Lord.
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Jesus Christ.
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Christ.
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We come.
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To worship.
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Through him.
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No other way.
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And when we worship.
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Him.
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Aright.
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We see.
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Then it leads us.
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Into living.
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In the right way.
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Because he is.
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Sparring them on here.
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In that confidence.
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In three ways.
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As well as we see.
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These.
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Let us.
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We have this confidence.
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By a new and living way.
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That is opened up.
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For us.
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Through the curtain.
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That is through the flesh.
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And since we have a great priest.
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Over the house.
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Of God.
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We see the first.
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Then let us.
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In verse 22.
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Let us.
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Draw near.
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With a true heart.
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And the full.
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Assurance.
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Of faith.
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With our hearts.
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Sprinkled clean.
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From an evil conscience.
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And our bodies.
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Washed.
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With pure.
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Water.
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You could almost say.
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That the old.
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Jewish way.
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Was a closed way.
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The axis.
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Wasn't there.
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They couldn't just.
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Have this confidence.
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To draw near.
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Because things were different.
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Under the old system.
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That only the high priest.
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Could go into the holy of holies.
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And only once.
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A year in the day of atonement.
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And as he went in.
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He had to offer up.
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A sacrifice.
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To atone.
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For their sins.
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There was a barrier.
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Not.
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Not everyone.
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Could just come in.
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To the presence.
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Of God.
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And yet.
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What we have here.
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Is a way.
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That is opened up.
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By a new.
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And living way.
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Opened up for us.
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Through.
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The curtain.
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That is through.
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His flesh.
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Let us.
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Draw near.
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Then it says.
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The way.
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Is opened.
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And this is opened.
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By Jesus.
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And the cross.
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He made a way.
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For his people.
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To have access.
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Into the very presence.
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Of God.
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And it was through.
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A remarkable way.
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When you go to.
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Matthew 27.
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Verse 50.
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And 51.
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You read of it there.
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Matthew 27.
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Verse 50.
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And 51.
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As Jesus died.
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On the cross.
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What happened?
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It says in verse 51.
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Behold.
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The curtain of the temple.
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Was torn in two.
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From top.
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To bottom.
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And the earth shook.
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And the rocks were split.
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It's an amazing.
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Picture.
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And it's what.
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The writer to the Hebrews.
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Is speaking of.
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Of here.
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We can come in.
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Through the curtain.
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The curtain.
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Has been opened.
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And if you had been there.
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At the time.
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And seen.
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What had happened.
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You would have marveled.
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Because it was a curtain.
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That could not be.
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Just torn.
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Easily.
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It was a thick.
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Thick curtain.
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It blocked off.
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The access.
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From those outside.
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Into the holy of holies.
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You couldn't go in.
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And yet.
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In an amazing way.
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In a supernatural way.
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This curtain.
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Was torn.
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From top.
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To bottom.
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The death of Jesus.
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Opened that way.
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So that we can come.
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Through a great.
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Priest.
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Over the house.
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Of God.
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As it says.
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In verse 21.
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The access.
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Was given.
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Let us.
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Then it says.
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Draw near.
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With a true heart.
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With full assurance.
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Of faith.
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Faith.
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We can only come.
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By faith.
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Through Jesus.
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And as amazing.
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As that curtain.
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Being torn.
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Into.
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Was.
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It reminds us.
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Of where we are.
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What side of.
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The curtain.
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Are you on.
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Tonight.
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Are you coming.
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Into the presence.
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Of God.
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To worship.
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Or are you still.
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Staying.
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Away.
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The way.
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Is opened up.
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Through the blood.
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Of Jesus.
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The confidence.
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That we are to have.
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In all that the Lord.
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Has done.
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For us.
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As you see.
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In chapter 9.
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Verse 14.
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How much more.
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Will the blood.
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Of Christ.
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Who through the eternal spirit.
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Offered himself.
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Without blemish.
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To God.
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Purify our conscience.
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From dead works.
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To serve.
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The living God.
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It is only through him.
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That we can be brought.
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To life.
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It is only through him.
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That we find salvation.
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That there is no other way.
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To draw near.
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There.
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He reminds us of that.
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In chapter 4.
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Verse 16.
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As well.
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Let us then.
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With confidence.
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Draw near.
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To the throne.
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Of grace.
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That we may receive mercy.
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And find grace.
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To help.
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In time.
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Of need.
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We are a people.
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Who are by nature.
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Away.
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From God.
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But when God.
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Is speaking.
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And calling us.
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He says.
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Let us draw near.
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With a true heart.
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Heart.
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A sincere.
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Heart.
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A heart.
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That is not divided.
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In its loyalties.
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As we were thinking.
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About this morning.
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The idols.
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Of the heart.
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How easily.
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Our hearts.
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Are taken away.
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From God.
21:02
We are to not.
21:03
Be divided.
21:05
But that we are to have.
21:06
A true heart.
21:07
A sincere.
21:09
Heart.
21:09
A heart.
21:10
That is faith.
21:11
In him.
21:12
That is where.
21:13
We are to look.
21:16
So the question.
21:17
Comes.
21:18
What are we doing.
21:20
With this invitation.
21:23
Are we accepting it.
21:25
Are we trusting in it.
21:27
Are we believing.
21:28
In this offer of salvation.
21:30
That is found.
21:31
In Jesus Christ.
21:33
Are we confident.
21:35
In him.
21:36
To draw near.
21:38
It is by faith.
21:40
Not anything.
21:41
Of ourselves.
21:43
And it is a privilege.
21:44
It is a privilege.
21:46
It is a privilege.
21:46
Because this invitation.
21:48
With.
21:49
To come with.
21:50
Through faith.
21:51
With our hearts.
21:52
Sprinkled.
21:52
Cleaned.
21:53
From an evil conscience.
21:54
And our bodies.
21:55
Washed with pure water.
21:57
We are cleansed.
21:59
We are forgiven.
22:00
Our sins.
22:01
As we come.
22:02
In faith.
22:05
If you have come.
22:06
You have access.
22:08
What a wonder.
22:10
What a privilege.
22:11
That is.
22:12
We just think.
22:13
Even of this week.
22:15
I'm sure many of you.
22:16
Have had prayer requests.
22:19
For different things.
22:20
That are going on.
22:21
Or different people.
22:22
Who are unwell.
22:23
Why do people message.
22:25
And say.
22:26
Will you pray?
22:29
Because it is not.
22:30
What we are doing.
22:31
It is what God.
22:33
Is able to do.
22:34
Let us.
22:35
Then with confidence.
22:37
Draw near.
22:38
To God.
22:39
In that way.
22:40
Let us draw near.
22:42
To God.
22:42
For one another.
22:43
In prayer.
22:44
For those in need.
22:45
In prayer.
22:46
For our circumstances.
22:47
Going on around us.
22:49
In prayer.
22:49
We have access.
22:51
To enter into the place.
22:54
That they didn't before.
22:56
But we do now.
22:57
Through the blood of Jesus.
22:59
Through the curtain.
23:00
That has been torn.
23:02
We have access.
23:05
So.
23:06
If we are believing.
23:08
Use it.
23:09
If you haven't.
23:11
If you haven't.
23:12
The way is open.
23:14
Will you come?
23:16
Will you come?
23:19
The Lord calls.
23:22
Will you come?
23:24
Let us draw near.
23:25
With a true heart.
23:26
The second thing we see here is.
23:29
Let us hold fast.
23:31
The confession.
23:32
Of our hope.
23:33
Without waiting.
23:35
Wavering.
23:35
For he who promised.
23:37
Is faithful.
23:38
Let us hold fast.
23:41
Some of the Jewish converts.
23:43
Were having a hard time.
23:45
Breaking away from.
23:47
Their past.
23:48
Their previous.
23:50
Religion.
23:51
And rituals.
23:53
They were almost.
23:54
As you were.
23:54
Trying to hold on.
23:55
To their Jewish roots.
23:56
And take Jesus.
23:58
Into that.
23:59
As well.
24:01
But the writer here.
24:02
Is telling.
24:02
Beware.
24:03
Lest they turn.
24:04
Away from Christ.
24:05
And go back.
24:06
To their old ways.
24:09
Hold fast.
24:09
The confession.
24:10
Of our hope.
24:11
Without faith.
24:12
Wavering.
24:13
Without going back.
24:15
At all.
24:17
Because.
24:18
He who promised.
24:20
Is faithful.
24:23
There is always.
24:24
A danger.
24:26
Of us.
24:26
Turning back.
24:27
Isn't there?
24:28
There is always.
24:29
The temptation.
24:32
There is always.
24:33
A temptation.
24:33
To get drawn.
24:34
Back into the world.
24:38
We are challenged.
24:40
In so many ways.
24:41
And yet.
24:42
The greatest challenge.
24:43
Is to be faithful.
24:44
To the Lord.
24:45
And to trust.
24:46
Him.
24:47
We have all known.
24:48
People.
24:49
Who are in church.
24:51
Maybe even made.
24:53
A profession.
24:53
Of faith.
24:56
And they wandered.
24:57
Away from the faith.
24:59
They turned away.
25:00
From God.
25:03
And the writer.
25:04
Here is writing.
25:05
Into that very.
25:06
Situation.
25:08
And he is saying.
25:09
Let us.
25:10
Hold fast.
25:11
The confession.
25:12
Of our hope.
25:14
Don't start.
25:15
Taking things.
25:16
For granted.
25:17
Don't start.
25:18
Thinking.
25:19
That you are stronger.
25:20
Than you actually are.
25:21
Hold fast.
25:23
Your confession.
25:25
Of your hope.
25:26
Without waiting.
25:27
For he who promised.
25:29
Is faithful.
25:31
To hold on.
25:32
To the hope.
25:34
What is.
25:35
The hope.
25:36
Well again.
25:37
It is something.
25:38
That he is taught.
25:38
In earlier chapters.
25:40
In chapter 6.
25:41
Verse 17.
25:41
When God.
25:43
Desired.
25:44
To show.
25:44
More convincingly.
25:45
To the heirs.
25:47
Of the promise.
25:47
The unchangeable.
25:48
Character.
25:49
Of his purpose.
25:50
He guaranteed it.
25:52
With an oath.
25:53
So that by two.
25:54
Unchangeable things.
25:55
Which it is impossible.
25:57
For God.
25:58
To lie.
25:59
We who have fled.
26:00
For refuge.
26:01
Might have strong.
26:02
Encouragement.
26:03
To hold fast.
26:04
To the hope.
26:05
Set before us.
26:07
We have this.
26:08
As a sure.
26:08
And steadfast.
26:10
Anchor of the soul.
26:11
A hope.
26:12
That enters.
26:13
Into the inner place.
26:14
Behind the curtain.
26:15
Where Jesus.
26:16
Has gone as a forerunner.
26:18
On our behalf.
26:19
Having become.
26:20
A high priest.
26:21
Forever.
26:22
In the order.
26:23
Of Melchizedek.
26:26
What is it telling us.
26:27
Of the hope.
26:28
That we have.
26:29
It is in the one.
26:30
Who has gone before us.
26:32
The one who has entered.
26:34
Into the holy of holies.
26:35
The one who has dealt.
26:36
With it for us.
26:38
For he who.
26:38
Who promised.
26:41
Is faithful.
26:43
And what has he promised.
26:45
Well we can.
26:47
Go on with a steadfast.
26:49
Confidence.
26:50
Holding fast.
26:50
Our confession.
26:51
As we trust.
26:52
In Christ.
26:54
And what were the promises.
26:55
That he gave.
26:56
There are many.
26:58
There are so many.
26:59
You can just go through.
27:00
The scriptures.
27:01
And see.
27:01
The many many promises.
27:03
That he gives.
27:06
Just think of a couple.
27:07
From the gospel.
27:08
From the gospel.
27:09
From the gospel.
27:09
Of John.
27:11
In John.
27:12
Chapter 10.
27:14
He gives us.
27:14
Promise.
27:15
Of a life.
27:17
A new life.
27:19
Life.
27:20
Life.
27:20
To the full.
27:22
Our old life.
27:23
It may seem.
27:25
Great.
27:25
In our eyes.
27:26
We might be.
27:27
Enjoying it.
27:28
But it's nothing.
27:29
Compared to the life.
27:30
That there is.
27:30
In Christ.
27:32
He promises us.
27:34
A life.
27:34
That is completely different.
27:37
A life.
27:38
That is fulfilled.
27:39
Not just in this world.
27:41
But in eternity.
27:42
John is often.
27:43
Speaking about that.
27:45
Eternal.
27:46
Life.
27:46
Life.
27:47
To the full.
27:49
And then he has that.
27:50
Wonderful promise.
27:51
To his.
27:52
His.
27:53
People.
27:53
In John 14.
27:56
Let not your hearts.
27:57
Be troubled.
27:58
Believe in God.
27:59
Believe also.
28:00
In me.
28:01
What is he saying?
28:03
He is saying.
28:03
I am promising you.
28:04
A place.
28:07
You are troubled.
28:08
He is speaking.
28:08
To the disciples.
28:09
About what lies.
28:10
Ahead.
28:11
There is so many.
28:13
Uncertainties.
28:13
I am.
28:13
To leave you.
28:15
But I am going.
28:15
To the cross.
28:16
I am going.
28:16
To die.
28:18
They are troubled.
28:20
But he says.
28:21
Let not your heart.
28:22
Be troubled.
28:23
Be still.
28:23
Believe in God.
28:25
Believe also.
28:26
In me.
28:26
There is that hope.
28:29
There is that great hope.
28:30
Of John 17.
28:32
The high priestly prayer.
28:33
Where he speaks about that.
28:35
Oneness.
28:36
That blessing.
28:37
That we have.
28:38
Even as the father has.
28:39
With the son.
28:40
That we might be one.
28:41
With him.
28:44
Every promise.
28:45
That he gives.
28:46
Is ironclad.
28:49
It has either been fulfilled.
28:51
Or it will be.
28:53
They are guaranteed.
28:55
That is the hope.
28:58
That we have.
29:00
And so we are to.
29:01
Hold fast.
29:02
The confession.
29:03
Of our hope.
29:04
Without wavering.
29:05
And so were they here.
29:07
Even as they are persecuted.
29:09
Endured hard struggles.
29:10
With sufferings.
29:12
Being publicly exposed.
29:14
To reproaches.
29:15
It says in verse 32.
29:16
And 33.
29:17
These people.
29:18
Were suffering.
29:19
And yet he is saying.
29:21
Hold fast.
29:22
Your confession.
29:24
Because he who promised.
29:26
Is faithful.
29:28
And he will return.
29:32
He will return.
29:33
There is always.
29:35
That promise.
29:35
Behind it as well.
29:38
So we are to hold fast.
29:40
Our confession.
29:42
And again.
29:43
We are to.
29:44
Encourage one another.
29:45
In that.
29:46
The final thing.
29:48
We see here.
29:49
Is the final.
29:50
Let us.
29:51
In verse 24.
29:53
Let us consider.
29:54
How to stir up.
29:55
One another.
29:56
To love.
29:57
And good works.
29:58
Not neglecting.
29:59
To meet together.
30:00
As is the habit of some.
30:02
But encouraging.
30:03
One another.
30:04
And all the more.
30:05
As you see the day.
30:07
Drawing near.
30:07
Again.
30:08
You have that day.
30:09
On the horizon.
30:10
Here as well.
30:11
The day.
30:12
Of the Lord's return.
30:13
But let us.
30:15
Consider.
30:16
How to stir up.
30:17
One another.
30:18
To love.
30:19
And good works.
30:20
Do you notice.
30:21
The three.
30:22
Let us.
30:23
What are they talking about?
30:26
The first.
30:27
Is faith.
30:29
Let us.
30:30
Draw near.
30:31
With a true heart.
30:32
With full assurance.
30:33
Of faith.
30:35
The second.
30:36
Is hope.
30:38
Let us.
30:38
Hold fast.
30:39
The confession.
30:40
Of our hope.
30:41
Without wavering.
30:42
And the third.
30:45
Is love.
30:46
Let us consider.
30:48
How to stir up.
30:49
One another.
30:49
To love.
30:50
And good works.
30:51
Faith.
30:52
Hope.
30:53
And love.
30:55
Fruits.
30:56
That we see.
30:56
Of the spirit.
30:58
These are what we are to.
30:59
Encourage.
31:00
One another.
31:01
In.
31:01
So the last one.
31:02
Is let us stir up.
31:03
One another.
31:04
In love.
31:05
And good works.
31:08
We are to.
31:09
To work together.
31:10
Together.
31:11
These people.
31:13
It would be easy.
31:14
For them to scatter.
31:15
To go their own way.
31:17
To stop meeting together.
31:18
As we see.
31:19
In these verses.
31:21
But they are being encouraged.
31:23
In their togetherness.
31:25
In their togetherness.
31:27
In the work.
31:28
That he calls them to.
31:31
We are to be a people.
31:32
Who build.
31:35
Who build.
31:36
One another up.
31:37
Who encourage.
31:39
One another.
31:39
To faithfulness.
31:40
And good works.
31:42
Let us.
31:43
Stir.
31:44
One another up.
31:46
For to be able.
31:47
To do that.
31:48
We are to be.
31:49
Together.
31:51
Because you see here.
31:52
There is a sense of being.
31:53
Together.
31:54
In worship.
31:55
As well.
31:57
Stir one another up.
31:58
To love.
31:59
And good works.
31:59
Not neglecting.
32:01
To meet together.
32:02
As the habit.
32:03
Of some.
32:04
That is to come.
32:05
And worship.
32:06
Together.
32:07
Together.
32:08
Some Jewish converts.
32:09
Had abandoned.
32:10
That sense of public.
32:12
Gatherings.
32:12
Of believers.
32:14
It would be easier.
32:14
For them to stay away.
32:15
They would.
32:16
Maybe be.
32:17
Less likely.
32:18
To be persecuted.
32:19
If they did.
32:21
But no.
32:22
He is saying.
32:23
Do not neglect.
32:24
The meeting together.
32:25
Because that encourages.
32:27
One another.
32:29
And it encourages.
32:30
Us.
32:31
As well.
32:32
The more.
32:32
We are together.
32:33
The more.
32:34
We are encouraged.
32:34
Encouraged.
32:35
Together.
32:36
Whether it is in works.
32:37
Or worship.
32:38
Whatever we are doing.
32:40
We are to encourage.
32:41
One another.
32:41
To stir.
32:43
One another up.
32:45
Practically.
32:45
How could you look at this?
32:47
What could you do?
32:49
Well you think.
32:49
This is about stirring up.
32:51
One another.
32:52
In a good sense.
32:54
So as you come.
32:56
To worship.
32:57
As you come.
32:58
And do whatever.
32:59
We are doing.
33:00
Together.
33:00
We see who is there.
33:02
But we also see.
33:03
Who is not.
33:05
Who isn't here.
33:07
Who maybe hasn't been here.
33:09
For a few weeks.
33:11
Who hasn't been for a few months.
33:13
Do we notice.
33:15
Do we do anything about it.
33:16
Do we tell anybody.
33:18
One of the greatest challenges.
33:20
As a pastor.
33:21
Is looking after people.
33:23
But one of the greatest challenges.
33:24
Is if you don't know.
33:25
When someone is not well.
33:26
Or something has happened to them.
33:29
You are oblivious to it.
33:30
So let us stir one another up.
33:32
In that sense.
33:33
Of talking to each other.
33:36
About one another.
33:38
Not gossiping.
33:39
But concern.
33:42
A concern.
33:43
For one another.
33:45
Maybe someone has been unwell.
33:46
They haven't been out.
33:47
We need to know.
33:49
Maybe someone is starting to slip away.
33:52
Their attendance is dropping.
33:54
We need to know.
33:55
So that we can encourage them.
33:57
Come alongside them.
33:58
That's what this is about.
34:00
Let us stir up one another.
34:02
To love.
34:03
And to good works.
34:06
To love.
34:07
One another.
34:08
So there are practical ways.
34:10
That we can work this out.
34:13
Because the more we see.
34:14
That we are loved by God.
34:16
The more we see.
34:17
We are a people.
34:18
Who are worshipping God together.
34:20
The more we see.
34:21
That we are one together.
34:22
That's what the writer is seeking here.
34:26
The people bonded together.
34:28
With a full assurance of faith.
34:34
So does this describe you?
34:38
Do you have confidence?
34:44
Are you drawing near.
34:46
With a true heart?
34:49
Are you holding fast.
34:51
The confession of your faith?
34:54
Are you stirring up others.
34:56
To love.
34:58
And good works.
35:00
Let us hear.
35:03
It's not advice.
35:04
It's not saying.
35:09
Here's an idea for you.
35:11
Here's something.
35:12
You could try and put into practice.
35:15
It's a command.
35:18
It's a command.
35:21
A command that comes.
35:22
From understanding God.
35:26
Understanding who we are.
35:28
In light of that.
35:29
And therefore.
35:30
Having that confidence.
35:33
To come.
35:34
And approach God.
35:35
In worship.
35:37
In reverence.
35:38
In fear.
35:39
Giving glory to him.
35:41
And when we do.
35:42
Then that works itself out.
35:44
In how we live.
35:46
Drawing near.
35:47
Holding fast.
35:49
And loving.
35:50
And stirring up.
35:51
To good works.
35:53
May it be that these words.
35:55
Become commands.
35:56
To us.
35:57
Commands that we heed.
35:59
And listen to.
36:00
First.
36:01
By having that confidence.
36:03
Confidence.
36:04
Confidence.
36:04
Confidence in Christ.
36:06
That leads us then.
36:08
To let us.
36:10
Let us all.
36:12
Seek.
36:12
To do all these things.
36:14
Drawing near.
36:16
With faith.
36:17
Holding fast.
36:19
In hope.
36:21
And stirring up.
36:22
In love.
36:24
Let us pray.
36:24
Amen.
36:25
Lord our gracious God.
36:30
We thank you.
36:31
That your word.
36:32
Indeed stirs us.
36:34
Stirs us in our hearts.
36:35
To consider.
36:36
Who you are.
36:37
Stirs us in our heart.
36:38
To consider.
36:39
Where we stand.
36:40
Before you.
36:41
Stirs us in our hearts.
36:42
To consider.
36:43
How we.
36:44
Live with one another.
36:45
And among one another.
36:47
And we pray Lord.
36:48
That these words.
36:48
That we've considered.
36:49
This evening.
36:51
Would encourage us.
36:52
In our hearts.
36:53
To be a people.
36:54
Closer to you.
36:55
And closer to one another.
36:57
Praying for one another.
36:59
Encouraging one another.
37:00
Lord give us.
37:01
Above all that.
37:02
Confidence.
37:03
In Christ.
37:05
That assurance.
37:06
In the midst.
37:06
Of the world.
37:07
In which we live.
37:08
That in Christ.
37:09
We have.
37:10
A saviour.
37:11
One who promised.
37:13
And one who is faithful.
37:14
Hear our prayers.
37:16
Lord.
37:16
Forgive our sin.
37:17
As we ask it all.
37:18
In Jesus name.
37:20
Amen.
37:22
We're going to.
37:27
Conclude by singing.
37:28
To God's praise.
37:29
In Psalm 72.
37:33
And sing.
37:34
Psalm's version.
37:36
We'll sing.
37:37
From verse 16.
37:38
To the end.
37:39
Of the psalm.
37:43
Psalm 72.
37:44
Page 93.
37:46
Verse 16.
37:47
Let grain abound.
37:48
Throughout the land.
37:50
The tops of hills.
37:51
Their harvest yield.
37:52
May they bear fruit.
37:54
Like Lebanon.
37:54
And thrive.
37:56
As grass grows.
37:57
In the field.
37:58
We'll sing.
37:58
From verse 16.
37:59
To the end.
38:00
Of the psalm.
38:01
To God's praise.
38:02
Let grain abound.
38:09
Through away may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may
38:39
Forever may His name endure, may it continue as the sun.
38:56
All nations will be blessed in Him, whom they will call the Blessed One.
39:14
Praise to the Lord, to Israel's God, His awesome deeds proclaim to men.
39:31
His name be praised eternally, His glory fill the earth. Amen.
39:50
After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my left. We'll close with the benediction.
39:54
Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. Amen.
40:24
Amen.