Draw Near to God

Hebrews 10:22 KJV 1900

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.

Introduction

Throughout 2022 we have explored six different themes to help us grow in our relationship with Christ: Prayer, Evangelism, Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry and Worship. Within each of these 6 themes we have been studying 4 Topics related to each of these themes: Practice, People, Problems, and Promise.

We began the year stating Church is Essential: We said that in Church we Worship God and that God inhabits the praises of His People. Then we met the Woman at the Well and learned that True Worshipers worship God in Spirit and in Truth. We continued to explore worship on Palm Sunday as we observed 5 Lessons learned from Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. When we last discussed Worship we learned from the Apostle Paul the nature of Worship involved God’s Worth and we presented our Soul, Body, Mind and Will to God as a living Sacrifice.

Today I want to see you come closer to God than ever before and experience an intimacy with God that will have a lasting impact on your faith Journey. James 4:8

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

James beckons us to draw near to God just as the priests in the Old Testament would draw near to God in the temple sanctuary. When we draw near to God, the promises of God can become real in our lives. Peace, strength, hope, joy, love…will begin to characterize our living.

We draw near to God through worship. When we come before him with a humble heart we are able to experience the closeness of God and ll the blessing that follow.

In Hebrews 10:22, we are given an outline for how to draw near to God. We are called to draw near to God in Worship - together - with others who love Christ. Let’s look at this outline together this morning.

Body

I. Draw Near to God with a True Heart

Hebrews 10:22 KJV 1900

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.

Remember the Shema we discussed recently

Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV 1900

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Psalm 51:6 KJV 1900

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Romans 10:10 KJV 1900

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 5:19 KJV 1900

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

II. Draw Near to God with a Full Assurance of Faith

Hebrews 10:22 KJV 1900

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.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 5:2 KJV 1900

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV 1900

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

III. Draw Near with a Clear Conscience

Hebrews 10:22 KJV 1900

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.

Romans 8:1 KJV 1900

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Hebrews 9:14 KJV 1900

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

IV. Draw Near with a Clean Body

Hebrews 10:22 KJV 1900

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.

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1 John 1:7 KJV 1900

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Conclusion

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

This is the promise of God when it comes to Worship. If you will draw near to God, He will draw near to you.

We do this when...

We draw near with a true Heart

We draw near with full assurance of faith

We draw near with with a clear conscience.

We draw near with a clean body

The first two are a result of our decision to follow Christ.

The Last two are a result of the work of Christ.

Will you draw near to him today?

Let us pray.