Obtaining Mercy For Divine Breakthrough

OBTAINING MERCY FOR DIVINE BREAKTHROUGH

Study Text: Hebrews 4: 12 – 16

Introduction:

- All Christians will continue to need two things throughout their lives:

a. "mercy" I.e., forgiveness for our sins

b. "grace to help in time of need" I.e., God's favor to help us in time of need

- The Christian finds these things in answer to prayer

a. By confessing our sins to God in prayer, there is mercy 1Jn 1:9

b. By praying for strength from the Holy Spirit, there is grace to help in time of need

Eph 3:16, 20; 6:10-13

- During the present dispensation of grace, God's throne is "the throne of grace." Judgment does not issue from it.

- At a future time there will appear "a great white throne" from which God will judge all who have rejected His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

- Beloved Christian, are you acquainted with this place? When did you last appear before the throne of grace? Our text says, "Let us come."

- There are five things that are needed for us to obtain mercy at the throne of grace for our divine breakthrough:

1. Meditate on the word of God Psalm 1: 1 – 3.

- We are urged to come "boldly" or "confidently" so that we can speak freely and frankly to our Heavenly Father.

- When we take delight in His word, to study, understand and practise what is commanded, we will possess the righteousness of God that produce boldness.

- If you want God’s best, if you want to make your way prosperous and have good success, these are the three things you must do: think God’s Word, speak God’s Word, and act God’s Word. The result of doing all three is success--God’s best.

- Take a look at the example of Joshua and the instructions the Lord gave him as he was about to lead Israel into their inheritance. (Joshua 1:8).

- That last part, "you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success," is equivalent to saying, "you will find God’s best."

- What are the conditions? There are three of them, and they all relate to God’s Word:

1. The Word is "not to depart from your mouth."

2. You are to "meditate in it day and night"--that means continually.

3. You are to "observe to do according to all that is written in it."

2. Examine the status of your faith 1 Cor 13: 5

- Paul said, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith."

- The expression "in the faith" refers to being a faithful Christian. Thus we are to examine whether or not we are remaining faithful to the Lord.

- We need to remember that the danger of backsliding is ever present

a. It is possible to fall away if we neglect our salvation - Heb 2:1-4

b. It is possible to develop an evil heart of unbelief - Heb 3:12-14

- What this text implies, however, is that it is possible to know of one's standing before God

- We cannot trust solely upon what we may think of ourselves. Therefore even though we might "think" we are right, we are not the final arbitrator - 1Cor 4:4

- We cannot compare ourselves with others, or trust their approval

a. To compare ourselves with others is unwise - 2Cor 10:12

b. The approval of others does not mean the approval of God - 1Cor 4:3

- Again, it is the commendation of the Lord that makes one approved - 2Cor 10:18

- It is the Lord who is the ultimate Judge - 2Cor 5:10

3. Repent and Return to God with Sincerity

- Repentance is not merely being sorry and just simply saying, “I am sorry.” 2 Cor 7:9 - 10

- This involves stopping the sin that is in one’s life. Rom 6:1

- This involves choosing to do what is right instead of what is wrong in the future.Rom 6:17-22

- Repentance is important and we must understand what it is and that God commands it! Acts 17:30

1. It is based upon faith.

2. It requires a change in mind and attitude.

3. It requires a change in lifestyle.

4. It results in forgiveness.

4. Call upon God with Boldness and Confidence

- This word "with confidence" as used here in Hebrews, stands for our freedom to approach God without hesitation or inhibition.

- This is made possible by the blood of Jesus - Heb 10:19-22. And so this passage speaks of the wonderful privilege Christians have through prayer: to approach our gracious God, with full confidence that He hears our prayers.

- It is important to utilize this privilege, and in our text we find several reasons for doing so.

- Our text then tells us that there is a procedure for coming to the throne of grace. We are to come boldly, or confidently so that we can speak freely and frankly to our Heavenly Father.