Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Old Covenant Temple:
Mark 15:37–38 (NIV) 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The Veil Was Torn The Way Is Opened.
“Forgiveness grants access.”
The Priesthood of Christ: The Role of the Priest (Old Covenant):
Hebrews 4:14–16 (NIV) 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 7:22–25 (NIV) 22 Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Approaching Boldly Hebrews 10:19–23 (NIV) 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
1. Approach with Reverence, Not Reluctance Hebrews 10:22 (NIV) Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience...
“Reverence is holy sincerity.”
4 Hindrances of Entering God’s Presence 1. Apathy: I don’t care. 2. Pride: I don’t need God. 3. Fear: God won’t accept me. 4. Shame: God doesn’t want me.
“Reverence mixed with shame isn’t humility—it’s dishonoring the cross.”
“Shame denies what the cross accomplished.”
2. Approach Confidently, Not Arrogantly.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) Let us hold unswervingly...
Romans 12:1 (NIV) In view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
3. Approach with Passion and Gratitude.
Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Luke 18:8 (NIV) When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Romans 1:17 (NIV) For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
“Faith means we’re convinced that what God promised is already settled—even when we are not experiencing it.”
Abraham: Hebrews 11:8–12 (NIV) 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
“Playing it Safe is not Faith.”
Romans 4:18–25 (NIV) 18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
A Bolder Faith 1. Bold Faith is Properly Placed
“Bold Faith is not found in our strength but in our surrender.”
Mark 9:22-24 (NIV) 22 But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
2. Bold Faith Takes Steps 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.
“Bold Faith means that we take bold steps.”
Ways to increase your faith 1. Listen to God. (Romans 10:17) 2. Take Steps (James 2:17) 3. Pray in the Spirit (Jude 1:20)
3. Bold Faith Speaks Matthew 17:19–20 (NIV) 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Mark 4:35–41 (NIV) 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Joshua 1:6–9 (NIV) 6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will leadthese people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 23:14 (NIV) “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
1 Kings 2:1–4 (NIV) 2 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires:Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
1. Be Honest, Face Reality 1 Kings 2:2 (NIV) “I am about to go the way of all the earth,”
“Sometimes the hardest thing to face is reality.”
2. Be strong, act like a man 1 Kings 2:2 (NIV) “So be strong, show yourself a man,
“Being strong is not toxic masculinity—it’s kingdom masculinity.”
Act like a man: 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
3. Be Faithful 1 Kings 2:3 (NIV) And observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses.
“One of the greatest gifts men can give is consistency.”
4. Impart Blessing 1 Kings 2:3–4 (NIV) 3... so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
“You are not building success—you are building a legacy.”
Proverbs 28:1 (NIV) The righteous are as bold as a lion.
For followers of Jesus, Boldness is not radical; it’s normal.
2 Corinthians 3:12 (NLT) Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.
Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:14 (NIV) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd...
Holy Boldness is not: 1. A personality 2. Arrogance 3. Anger 4. Antagonistic 5. Advancing personal agendas
Acts 3:1–10 (NIV) 3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 4:12–14 (NIV) 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
Walking in Holy Boldness 1. Identify & Confront fear
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2. Be compassionate Acts 3:4(NIV) Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
3. Share what you have Acts 3:6(NIV) Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up
“You may not be able to meet the ‘urgent need’, but you can meet the greater need.”
Acts 4:20 (NIV) “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:29–31 (NIV) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
The Bold Zeal of Jesus! John 2:13-17(NIV) 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts, he found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
John 2:17 (NIV) His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Jesus is zealous. “God is a consuming fire. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of fire. Jesus said, “I’ve come to bring fire on earth.” There is no escaping fire” -Leonard Ravenhill
“Jesus burns with a deep desire for what is his!”
Zechariah 8:2 (NIV)This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”
“God only loves wholeheartedly.”
His House is His People! 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
Proverbs 20:27(NIV) The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD.
Leviticus 6:12-13 (NIV) 12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. 13 The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
Keep the Fire Burning
1. Obedience: Serving the Lord. Romans 12:11(NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
“Too many are more concerned about burning out than burning hot.”
If we love God, we obey God. John 14:15 (NIV) If you love me, you will obey what I command. 1 John 5:3 (NIV) This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.
“Our all is small, but God delights in it all.”
2. Fellowship: Spending time with the Lord.
Matthew 21:13 (NIV) “My house will be called a house of prayer.”
Fellowship with God ministers to God. “Our heart is fueled when we fuel His heart.”
