Reality, is it for you? (9page)
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
This is a real invitation to us from the Almighty God. “Come boldly”: to obtain, or get for us, mercy and grace to help in this time of need. Whatever that need is.
Christianity is an ideology (a body of ideas reflecting the social needs and goals of a group or people).
To a great many people, it is nothing more than that, for they have never been Born Again. It takes the element of faith in Christ Jesus our Lord to make these things of the Bible, real to us.
If it is only an ideology, then we are left up to our own means and power to bring His Will to pass in our lives. That is impossible.
Only by God’s enabling, can we do His Will.
God’s plan for us is the fullness of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit of power.
Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
This is how we have the fullness of the Holy Spirit. And His kingdom must first be set up in our personal heart.
If we are citizens of His Kingdom, God is honored and obeyed by us. And that can only be done as we voluntarily submit to His Rule over us, in His personal direction for our lives.
Jesus said, “ If ye love Me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
Every promise in the Word, and every promise given to you personally is there: ready for you to enter into it by faith. (The Holy Spirit gives you hope: or the confident assurance that God will do what He says. We feel it! Hallelujah!)
There can never be true faith without obedience.
Faith takes us by the hand and guides us to do what we believe.
God may have given you this promise, and this…and this, but until you have these promises in your experience, they are only promises.
True and Sure; but like money in a bank, sometimes, not used.
The writer says “fear” coming short of the promises God gives us.
Fear means to be alarmed! To wake up to what you have in God’s Word, and reach out for it.
In praying, “Thy Kingdom come.”
(And notice it is a complete sentence, all by itself. It is not a part of God’s Will………It is God’s Will: that His Kingdom should come to each and every child of His, and that by it, they will enjoy communion and fellowship as they come into all that God has for them.)
We are to pray for His Kingdom to come within us, and submit to Him. We are praying for the Power and blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Word; when we hear it, read it, and on the preaching of it.
We are praying that we may understand and know His Will; and willingly do His Will. (Philippians 2:13)
We are praying that the Word of God will be spread abroad by believing ministers, and that their lives will show forth God’s praise. (Matthew 5:16)
We are praying that His Kingdom which has come within us, may go on and influence those around us. That we might be a sanctifying influence to those we come into contact with.
This is the furthering of Christ’s Kingdom here. It always begins with us: getting by faith what God has for us, and sharing Christ and His Word to others.
For this we should come boldly to the throne of grace, God’s Throne, and get mercy (that help to sinners in need) and grace (the power that we need) for this time, and the next time, and the next time….onward.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 