The Confident Christian

Intro

Text - Hebrews 10.19-25

Hebrews 10:19–25 NKJV

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Title - True Confidence

Definition

M&B - a feeling or consciousness of one’s powers or abilities

Bible - boldness; frankness; openness

Worldviews on confidence

self-confidence - this is true to some extent

children are encouraged to have confidence on their personal abilities

confidence in religion

confidence in one’s beliefs

confidence in one’s religious activities

Confidence and Righteousness

Proverbs 28:1 NKJV

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

Are you a confident Christian? Where do you base your confidence?

Confidence is a behavior, or an attitude

expressed in the face of opposition or danger

demonstrated in risky situations

True confidence is based on righteousness

Boldness is a behavior that stems out of certitude that (1) one is in the right standing, or (2) one is capable of something

but - whose righteousness?

self-righteousness will only produce self-confidence

self-confidence is good to a certain extent

Romans 3.10 “10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;”

Romans 5.18 “18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.”

1 John 3:20–22 NKJV

20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

True confidence is based on the work of Christ in behalf of the person

Hebrews 10:19–21 NKJV

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

the Presence of God (Most Holy place) can only be entered through the blood of a sacrificial animal

the new and living way was consecrated for God’s people in the sacrifice of Christ

His sacrifice satisfied the justice of God

His sacrifice fulfilled the righteous requirement of God expressed in His laws

the Christ who died on the cross is the same High Priest who stands before God for us!

we can stand in the presence of God knowing that Christ stands together with us in that most holy place!

Demonstrations of Christian Confidence

Boldness to stand in the presence of God

True confidence is courage to go into the presence of God

false confidence - so-called courage to face the world, but afraid to present oneself before God.

True confidence is courage to stand before God knowing that you are clean and righteous through Christ.

Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

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

we draw near with a true heart

we draw with a cleansed from evil conscience

we draw near with bodies washed from sinful acts

Boldness to speak one’s faith

True confidence is openness in one’s faith in Christ

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

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

for some it is easy to speak of faith among fellow Christians

others are not bold enough to speak of their faith with fellow believers

True confidence is courage to speak out one’s faith even if it is risky

you know that Christ stands on your behalf

you know your life is secureds in God

Col 3.3 “3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Boldness to meet with other saints

True boldness inspires others to come together

Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

consider one another - think of your fellow Christians with care and concern

stir up - provoke to act

consider one another by coming to church services

do not forsake our gathering together

Our gathering together is an expression of our faith

in the Word of God

in the presence of Christ

in the finished work of Christ

in His return - because we see the Day is fast approaching

even if the world does not believe

Our gathering together is a demonstration of our confidence in the work of Christ among us -

the strong and the weak

the mature and the babe Christians

the growing ministry

Conclusion

Are you a confident Christ?

Are you bold enough to stand before God?

Are you bold enough to share your faith with your loved ones?

Are you bold enough to be identified with other Christians who may not be as good as you are?

SONG - Thank you Jesus for the blood applied