Throne of Grace

July 12, 2015


The Old Testament sacrificial system painted a graphic picture of both God’s judgment and grace. The judgment was seen when animals were sacrificed because of Israel’s sin, however, God’s grace was displayed when the blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies.

This Mercy Seat was an ancient picture of the Throne of Grace which was to be made available because of Jesus. God the Father was demonstrating that there would come a time when God the Son would come and be the once and for all sacrifice for sins and make a way for not only the Jewish people, but for all mankind to come and receive grace and mercy.

Today’s sermon is aimed at teaching you how to respond to the Father’s invitation and come to the Throne of Grace. There you will find His abundant grace and mercy in your times of need!

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SERIES TEXT

Ephesians 2:8-10, “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

GRACE (charis) DEFINED

  1. Particularly that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude. A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver (CWSB Dictionary).
  2. Unearned and unmerited favor.
  3. G.R.A.C.E: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense!

SERMON TEXTS

Hebrews 4:14-16, “14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, 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 empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

THRONE OF GRACE DEFINITION

  1. FOR THE SINNER: The place where sinners come to Jesus and are made saints (holy, sanctified, cleansed and perfected), Hebrews 10:14.
  2. FOR THE SAINT: The place where saints come to receive power to not sin and cleansing if they do, Hebrews 4:16 & 1 John 2:1-2.

MAIN POINTS

  1. JESUS IS OUR HIGH PRIEST: By the work of Jesus, we have access to God the Father and can pray in His name to receive all the good things we need in the Kingdom of God, v. 14.
    1. Sacrifice: Priests in the Old Testament would offer sacrifices for the people’s sin, Jesus is the once and for all sacrifice for our sins, Hebrews 10:10-14.
    2. Blessing: Priests would pronounce God blessings to the people, Jesus is our source of all blessings from God, Hebrews 5:8-9.
  2. WE MUST HOLD FIRMLY TO OUR FAITH: It is our choice to whether we live for Jesus and finish strong, therefore, we should look to holding on to our faith, like holding on to a life preserver, v. 14.
  3. JESUS WAS TEMPTED IN EVERY WAY LIKE US, YET HE DIDN’T SIN: We should avoid two errors in thinking about Jesus’ sinless life:
    1. Error 1: “Jesus didn’t sin because He was God in the flesh- He had an advantage”: This is not true because Jesus came as a man and only used what was available to mankind in general. In other words, Jesus used the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to avoid sin, just like we are to use today, Luke 3:21-22;4:1-12.
    2. Error 2: “No one can ever be like Jesus- perfect and free from all sin, so it doesn’t matter how much we sin- we all need God’s grace”: Though it is true we were not virgin born (free from Adam’s curse on our flesh) and lived without sinning (hence the need for all people to be born again). However, after being “born again” and made a “new creation” with God’s laws written upon our “new heart,” we can now look to Jesus’ example and no longer continue in sin, 1 John 3:9 & John 8:11 (KJV).
  4. GOD’S THRONE OF GRACE FORGIVES US WHEN WE SIN AND ENABLES US TO NOT SIN: The Throne of Grace has two functions in extending mercy and grace:
    1. Forgiveness of Sin: All sinners must first come to the Throne of Grace and be forgiven- born again, cleansed from all sin, and filled with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 2:1-10 & Hebrews 10:19-23.
    2. Power Not to Sin: Daily when we are tempted we should seek the power and guidance of Jesus at the Throne of Grace so we will not sin, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

TWO OPTIONS

  1. THRONE OF GRACE: Live the forgiven and sin free life because of the Throne of Grace: 1 John 2:1-2, “1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
  2. THRONE OF JUDGMENT: Continue in sin and face God’s judgment: Hebrews 10:26;27, “26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

40 BENEFITS OF THE THRONE OF GRACE

When a sinner comes to the Throne of Grace, through the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the following things happen instantaneously because of God’s great grace and mercy:

  1. You are born again, John 3:3.
  2. You are made a new creation, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
  3. You are saved, Ephesians 2:8.
  4. You become God’s masterpiece, Ephesians 2:10.
  5. You are washed clean from all sin, 1 Corinthians 6:11.
  6. You are sanctified, 1 Corinthians 6:11.
  7. You are justified, 1 Corinthians 6:11.
  8. You are redeemed, 1 Peter 1:18.
  9. You are the righteousness of God, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
  10. You are perfected forever, Hebrews 10:14.
  11. You are purified from all sin, 1 Peter 1:22.
  12. You are made holy, Hebrews 10:10.
  13. You are given a new heart, Ezekiel 36:26.
  14. You have the laws of God written upon your mind, Hebrews 8:10.
  15. Your flesh (sinful desires) are crucified with Christ, Galatians 5:24.
  16. You are given the fruit of Spirit, Galatians 5:22.
  17. You are sealed in Christ, Ephesians 4:30.
  18. Your soul is saved, 1 Peter 1:9.
  19. You are adopted into God’s family, you become a co-heir with Christ, Romans 8:17.
  20. You are seated in heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3.
  21. You are given all spiritual blessings, Ephesians 2:6.
  22. You are given the mind of Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:16.
  23. You are made more than a conqueror, Romans 8:37.
  24. You are made for good works, Ephesians 2:10.
  25. You are made a saint (holy person), Ephesians 1:1
  26. You are free from the law of sin and death, Romans 8:1.
  27. You are free from condemnation, Romans 8:1.
  28. You are given eternal life, John 3:16.
  29. You are given the peace of God, Colossians 3:15.
  30. You receive the blessing of Abraham, Galatians 3:14.
  31. You are forgiven of all sin, 1 John 2:12.
  32. You partake in the divine nature of God, 2 Peter 1:4.
  33. You are engrafted into the vine of Israel, Romans 11:17.
  34. Your life is rooted in Christ, Colossians 2:6.
  35. You are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Revelation 19:7.
  36. You are blameless, Ephesians 1:4.
  37. You are God’s possession, Ephesians 1:14.
  38. You have access to the Father in Jesus name, John 14:13.
  39. You have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, John 16:13.
  40. You have a place prepared for you in heaven, John 14:2.

In summary, the purpose of the Throne of Grace is to, “To make sinners saints and maintain their holy walk with God!”

The choice is yours- you can either come now to the Throne of Grace and find mercy and forgiveness to live holy or you can choose to live your life in rebellion towards God and one day face the Throne of Judgment. Choose GRACE!

 

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Posted in Grace Series