Conference Call

Sermon notes: JFBC's Clay Smith

Hebrews 4:14-16

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Rosie Ruiz "won" the Boston Marathon after sneaking back onto the course with 2 miles to go. She did it the wrong way. There is a right way to follow God. These passages remind us of the right way to follow Jesus.

V 16 application is rooted in verse 16 a powerful promise: Jesus is a present help in our current need, what God wants to do in my life right now. Jesus is our great high priest. Based on Psalm 110. What does this mean?

The Old Testament prepares us to come to God in the right way, like coming to a priest in the tabernacle, to the holy of Hokies. The high priest has to be right with God. Jesus has passed through the heavens, like a priest has passed through the curtains in the tabernacle.

Jesus literally ascended to be with God in heaven, which is good news for us. Everything else pales in comparison. Hebrews shows what Jesus is like. V 15 Jesus is without sin but can sympathize with our struggles. Jesus has been tested as a human being, and passed the tests.

Jesus got tired and hungry and experienced being human but did not sin. What does Jesus being a high priest have to do with me? We will receive mercy and grace from Jesus in the time of our need.

The Wizard of Oz the group has needs and is on a journey to get to a person to meet their needs, who turns out to say they already have what they need inside themselves. This is the exact opposite of the gospel.

Every time we worship we approach the throne of God. How to approach God… 

1. Approach God boldly with confidence, knowing " it is finished" because Jesus is the high priest. We have direct access to God

2. Come expectedly, knowing His heart to give to give us what we need. Come with open hands.

3. Come dependently, knowing we can't do it on our own.

Mercy is when I deserve something but God doesn't give us that.

Grace is God's power to do in me that I can't do on my own.