Holding Fast To Faith And Living New Lives (Hebrews 10:19-25 & Ephesians 4:22-24) Series

Transformed by Truth: Holding Fast to Faith and Living New Lives

Introduction

Today, I want to share a message that is both challenging and deeply encouraging—one that calls us to hold fast to our faith and live transformed lives in Christ. We will be diving into two key passages: Hebrews 10:19-25 and Ephesians 4:22-24. These Scriptures give us powerful insights into how we are to approach our relationship with God and how we are to live out our faith in the world.

The title of today's sermon is "Transformed by Truth: Holding Fast to Faith and Living New Lives."

Let’s begin by reading our first passage, Hebrews 10:19-25 from the New Living Translation:

Hebrews 10:19-25 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

This passage speaks about bold access to God, the call to hold tightly to hope, and the importance of encouraging each other in love and good works. As we unpack this passage today, I want us to consider three important points:

Boldly Entering God’s Presence

Holding Fast to Hope and Faith

Living Transformed Lives in Christ

I. Boldly Entering God’s Presence

Hebrews 10:19-22 (NLT) tells us that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can "boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place." The Greek word for "boldly" is parrhesia, which means to approach with confidence and openness. Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and that only once a year. But Jesus, our Great High Priest, has torn the veil, granting us direct access to the Father.

This is not just a theological concept; it’s a life-changing reality. We don’t have to approach God with fear and trembling; we can come boldly into His presence because of what Jesus has done for us. He has made the way for us to have an intimate, personal relationship with God.

Tim Keller once said, “The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.”

This kind of access to God should radically change our prayer lives and our worship. We should come to God confidently, knowing that He hears us and welcomes us. This access should also give us peace and assurance in times of trouble.

Ephesians 3:12 (NLT): "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence."

Paul affirms that our boldness in approaching God is grounded in our faith in Christ. This access is not based on our own merit but on the finished work of Jesus.

II. Holding Fast to Hope and Faith

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) encourages us to "hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." The Greek word for “hold tightly” is katechomen, which means to cling to or grasp firmly. This is not a passive act but an active one—holding onto our faith requires intention and effort.

In a world full of uncertainties, disappointments, and challenges, it’s easy to waver in our hope and faith. But this verse reminds us that our hope is anchored in God’s unchanging promises. God can be trusted to keep His word. We are called to remain steadfast, even when life gets tough.

Corrie Ten Boom, who survived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, once said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Holding fast to faith means trusting God even when we don’t know what the future holds.

Romans 4:20-21 (NLT): “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”

Abraham serves as an example of unwavering faith. Even when faced with impossible circumstances, he held fast to God’s promise. This should encourage us to cling to our faith, knowing that God is faithful.