Hold onto your confidence

Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh ), and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:32–35 HCSB

Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

Heb 10:32-

Introduction

Jordan’s routine when I preach!!!

Learn to speak forth what God sees for our children (young or old)

The easier thing to do is to focus on the things our children don’t have, or don’t do, or to agree with the labels others put on them...

Let’s always be ready to prophecy the truth of God’s Word over our children, EVEN in the face of difficulty

Pay attention to the passions they have

1. Jordan loves music and singing

- For his artefact at school he created his own song on Garage Band, with intro, transitions in the song etc. and I know I’m biased, but it was a pretty good song he composed, considering he did it all by himself, and the fact that everyone in his class wanted a copy of the song, including his teacher!

And so I align my speech, my prophecy to what I know God has gifted him with (what I observe in his life)

- I believe he has the songs of heaven, the songs of God in his heart and in his mouth, and so I speak that forth through prayer and sometimes through prophecy (when he sleeps)

2. Jared has strength of character with a heart for people

- I believe he will be a leader of men, the heart of a shepherd

And so again, I align my speech, my prophecy with the gifting and bent I observe in his life

The reality is that as our children grow older, and as they become more independent, and deal with peer pressure at school, university, from their friends, or just the culture that surrounds us, sometimes they wander from their faith in Christ. I believe it is important that we do not give up praying and speaking the truth of God’s promise over their lives…don’t lose hope, don’t lose your confidence in the One who is true to His promise. Don’t lose your confidence.

And I know some of us here this morning have children that has wandered from the faith, but I believe that God can bring our c

Is there any one here this morning who has children or family members that are far from God? I sense a prompting from Holy Spirit to pray for our loved ones - can you raise your hand and we’re going to pray together before we start.

Hold onto your confidence

Hebrews 10:19–25 HCSB

Hebrews 10:32–35 HCSB

We have a boldness, a confidence to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus

Heb

Hebrews 10:19 The Message

So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.

BOLDNESS/CONFIDENCE = parrésia

outspokenness, frankness, courage, fearlessness, freedom of speech, licence, authority, assurance, in upright position, privilege, full liberty

The audience addressed in this letter are Jewish - it is clear that the author is assuming that they have a grasp of the old testament rituals of atonement etc. And therefore this truth would’ve been of utmost significance to them! The author is encouraging them with the truth that they now have direct access to God, direct access to the “Holy Place”, the very sanctuary of God, which in olden times was ONLY reserved for High Priests who entered into God’s presence on behalf of the people! And this was a very precarious role, because one could die in the Holy of Holies if you were found to be unworthy in any way. Priests, when entering the Holy of Holies, the place where God’s Presence were, used to have a rope tied around their waist, and they would have bells tied to the hem of their garments, so people would know that they were alive as long as they heard the bells ringing as the priest would move. When there was no sound of bells ringing from the Holy Place, the assumption would be that the priest was struck dead by the holy Presence of God, due to sin etc. and because no one else could enter the Holy Place other than the priest, the people would use the rope tied around the priests’ waist to pull him out. Not only was it tragic, but if this happened, then the sacrifice wold have been a disaster, and the people had to wait a whole year before they had another shot at having their sins forgiven!!!

Leviticus 8:10 HCSB

Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it to consecrate them.

Leviticus 18:10 HCSB

You are not to have sexual intercourse with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, because it will shame your family.

Jews understood the Presence of God to mean “shalom”

SHALOM

A Hebrew term for peace which describes comprehensive well-being. Shalom, while used in a daily greeting among the Hebrews, is a weighty theological term in the Old Testament. Shalom embraces concepts of harmony, security, serenity, right relationships, wholeness, health, prosperity, and even success. The term may refer to a condition or a relationship, and in the latter designates a right relationship to God.

Martens, E. A. (1986). Jeremiah (p. 308). Scottdale, PA: Herald Press.

BUT!!!!! Through the blood of Jesus they now have access themselves, boldly to the very presence of God! And having the presence of God with means that they have

security

serenity

right relationship

wholeness

health

prosperity

success

i.e. The blessing of God

Proverbs 10:22 NLT

The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

But with this encouragement the author also warns his readers! He tells them not to throw away their confidence

Hebrews 10:35 HCSB

So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

But how does one throw away this confidence?

The mens ministry group went on a retreat a couple of years ago, and as part of the retreat, we had a bunch of competitive activities planned for the Saturday afternoon. One of the activities was rock climbing a wall, that was pretty high. Of course we had all the safety gear etc, but managing heights is not one of my strengths. And so we’d have 2 guys scaling the wall at the same time, and when my turn came up I went. About 3 quarters up the wall, exhaustion set in, and I did the one thing I should not have done, which is I looked down. All of a sudden I could feel my heart in my throat, because I was stuck. I had no strength to continue up, but couldn’t climb back down either. In that one moment I lost all confidence in my ability to make it all the way to the top - and I remember this acute sense of fear and doubt coming over me. Totally illogical of course, because I could let go at anytime, and I’d be lowered down safely.

I did make to the top in the end

I think

Sometimes in our journey of faith, we suffer exhaustion, and fear and doubt grip our hearts - we lose sight of who God is, and what Has already done for us, and we lose our confidence, we lose our hope, we lose our joy, we lose our love of life!

How we hold onto our confidence

The author of the letter to the Hebrews encourages us to not throw away our confidence or our boldness! For it has great reward in this life and the next! This confidence is also not presumptuous - there’s an old hymn that says that I can come “just as I am”, but this does not mean that I can come “just as I like”.

Matthew 22:11–13 HCSB

But when the king came in to view the guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed for a wedding. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Mstt 22:11

We come God’s way - which is through the blood of Jesus, through the veil of His flesh.

1. Let Us Draw Near

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Hebrews The Privileges of Faith (10:19–25)

It includes more than formal prayer, since the present tense infers a continual drawing near. As the wick of a lamp continually draws oil for the light, so let us continually draw from God the strength and grace we need to function.

We maintain our boldness

When we draw near to God, we also step away from the world...

Worldliness robs us of our confidence, our boldness

Hebrews 10:22 HCSB

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

Confidence Buster

A. Beware of worldliness!

Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

When we draw near to God, we also step away from the world...

Worldliness robs us of our confidence, our boldness before God

Understand this: The world will vie for your love and affection. We never intend to desire the things of the world more than the things of God. But before we know it, we have made idols of the objects of our desires and our confidence and boldness before God pays the price. Be wary of loving anything in this world more than Jesus. When something else captures your heart, it will eventually destroy your faith, your confidence, your boldness.

…with a true heart...

The “heart” stands for the whole of the inner life of man, and it is important that as God’s people approach him, they be right inwardly. It is the “pure in heart” who see God. In view of what Christ has done for us, we should approach God in deep sincerity.

Matthew 5:8 NKJV

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Psalm 24:3–4 NKJV

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

Matt 5:

…in full assurance of faith...

The “full assurance of faith” stresses that it is only by trust in Christ, who has performed for us the high priestly work that gives access to God, that we can draw near at all.

The “heart” stands for the whole of the inner life of man, and it is important that as God’s people approach him, they be right inwardly. It is the “pure in heart” who see God (). In view of what Christ has done for us, we should approach God in deep sincerity. The “full assurance of faith” stresses that it is only by trust in Christ, who has performed for us the high priestly work that gives access to God, that we can draw near at all.

(). In view of what Christ has done for us, we should approach God in deep sincerity. The “full assurance of faith” stresses that it is only by trust in Christ, who has performed for us the high priestly work that gives access to God, that we can draw near at all.

Morris, L. (1981). Hebrews. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 104). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

…hearts sprinkled clean...

by the blood of Jesus, referring to the old covenant and using the imagery of the High Priest in the old testament when they sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice on the people for the forgiveness of their sins, now Jesus our Great High Priest in the new testament, sprinkling us clean with His own blood, once and for all!

…bodies washed in pure water...

Speaks of the water baptism, but also being washed by the word of God

Ephesians 5:26 NKJV

that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

Confidence Buster

B. We need to ensure that we do not neglect the Word of God

One of the easiest ways to become attached to the world and to pursue the temporary, rather than the eternal is to neglect God’s Word. If we aren’t constantly pouring God’s Word and principles into our hearts and minds, we will be stained by the perceptions and priorities of the world in which we live.

Matthew 13:22 HCSB

Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Reading and understanding Scripture strengthens our faith in the God we sometimes struggle to understand. Don’t neglect the Word.

2. Let Us Hold On

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation I. The Sequel—The Right Way (10:19–25)

retain a firm grasp on “the confession of the hope,” or, as NIV puts it, “the hope we profess.”

We must retain a firm grasp on “the confession of the hope,” or, as NIV puts it, “the hope we profess.”

retain a firm grasp on “the confession of the hope,” or, as NIV puts it, “the hope we profess.”

Morris, L. (1981). Hebrews. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 104). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Hebrews 10:23 HCSB

Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

We must retain a firm grasp on “the confession of the hope,” or, as NIV puts it, “the hope we profess.”

Morris, L. (1981). Hebrews. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 104). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Hebrews 6:19 HCSB

We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

The ultimate confession of the hope we have in Christ is that we have been redeemed, and that death has been defeated. That we who once were dead in our sin, are now alive in Christ forevermore, and one day we shall be like Him, because He who promised is faithful.

But in the same way all of God’s promises are yes and amen in Christ, and we live in the hope that the kingdom of heaven will be established in the earth today! That we will see heaven invading earth, through miracles and healings, and deliverance, and provision, and sight restored, and mobility restored, and hope restored, and life restored, as we wreak havoc on the forces of darkness as we enforce the victory of the Lamb of God in the earth, and as people are saved - because the He who promised is faithful!!!

Confidence Buster

A. Trusting your feelings

While we should be discerning of the Holy Spirit’s direction and aware of His conviction on our hearts, we can never put our feelings over the truth of Who God is and what His Word says

Jeremiah 17:9 HCSB

The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?

We base our confidence on Who God is and what His Word says…We hold onto the confession of our hope regardless of what our feelings tell us. Our feelings constantly fluctuate, but the truth about God remains the same (He is good, He is loving, He is all-powerful, He is in control of all things)

B. Worrying

This is an easy thing to do, but it’s dangerous and actually it insults God. To worry is to say to ourselves and to others “God can’t handle this, therefor I must stress”

Phi 4:6

Philippians 4:6 HCSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Tell the story of the cross you brought for Helancia

C. Relying on Self

We live in a world that praises self-reliance. But Jesus never did. He stressed God-reliance, which takes faith. To rely on God, our achievements, success, blessings and rewards are no longer about us and our abilities.

It would be difficult to overestimate the value of confidence in human motivation. It is the proffered goal of any number of special courses, weekend retreats, training classes and personal development programs today. Confidence training is the cry of the hour. In the first century, too, men clearly understood that a confident spirit was essential to success in any enterprise.

Psalm 127:1 HCSB

Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.

Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

3. Let Us Be Concerned About One Another

Hebrews 10:24–25 HCSB

And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Heb 10:24-

This exhortation does not warrant any impertinent interference in the concerns of others, or sanction the conduct of busybodies and gossips.

It calls upon us to cherish a mutual regard, and to exercise a kind consideration one for another.

This exhortation does not warrant any impertinent interference in the concerns of others, or sanction the conduct of busybodies and gossips. It calls upon us to cherish a mutual regard, and to exercise a kind consideration one for another. We should consider the wants, weaknesses, temptations, trials, successes, failures, and varying experiences of each other. With a brother in his shortcomings and sins we should be patient and forbearing, slow to condemn, but quick to raise and restore.

We should consider the wants, weaknesses, temptations, trials, successes, failures, and varying experiences of each other.

With a brother in his shortcomings and sins we should be patient and forbearing, slow to condemn, but quick to raise and restore.

Galatians 6:1–2 HCSB

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Promote LOVE and GOOD WORKS

Love

For we are most Christ-like when we love - the greatest commandment is Love God, and Love people as you love yourself. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Good works

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Not staying away from our worship meetings, but encouraging one another

Corporate worship is not an option for a Christian; it is a necessity. It certainly includes regular attendance at church meetings, but means more than that. It means a willingness to help struggling faith whenever Christians meet.

And all the more as you see the day drawing near

Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

1 Thessalonians 4:17–18 HCSB

Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 NKJV

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 HCSB

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Confidence Buster

-19

A. Hanging with the wrong crowd

Psalm 1:1 HCSB

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers!

Proverbs 12:26 HCSB

A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.

Proverbs 27:17 HCSB

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Who do we hang out with? Are we hanging out with people that is concerned for us, promote us to love and good works, that encourages us to attend worship meetings? Or do we hang out with those who complain, criticise, gossip, and whittle away your confidence, unknowingly? Let’s Choose our friends carefully so your faith and confidence is protected.

We choose the th

Relying on Self

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Hold onto your confidence

Introduction

Hold onto your confidence

Hold onto your confidence

Introduction

Hold onto your confidence

We have a boldness, a confidence to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus

​

But how does one throw away this confidence?

How we hold onto our confidence

1. Let Us Draw Near

Confidence Buster

A. Beware of worldliness!

Confidence Buster

B. We need to ensure that we do not neglect the Word of God

2. Let Us Hold On

Confidence Buster

A. Trusting your feelings

B. Worrying

C. Relying on Self

3. Let Us Be Concerned About One Another

Confidence Buster

A. Hanging with the wrong crowd