Throne Of Grace Series

Turn your Bibles to Hebrews 4:14 - 16

Title: Throne of Grace

Theme: Principles to Enjoying the Grace of God

Series: Grasping the Foundational Truths of Prayer

Listen as I read Hebrews 4:14 – 16, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Pray!

Introduction: Today’s passage of Scripture lays the foundation for the confidence Christians may have in approaching the “Throne of Grace.” Christ being in heaven and without sin builds a full trust in the child of God. Christians who have Holy Spirit revelation and illumination on the truths found in today’s message have the blessings of assistance in overcoming sin and guidance throughout their entire Christian walk. (The Expositors Bible Commentary)

Proposition: I would propose to you that true prayer is spiritual business from beginning to end, and when offered in Jesus’ Name, according to God’s will prayer is powerful and effective. (James 5:16; Barnes Notes)

Interrogative Sentence: What are three principles to enjoying the “Throne of Grace?” It is imperative that we understand that 1.) The Throne is of a holy God. 2.) The Throne is of a Sovereign God and 3.) Know what the Throne of Grace is.

Transitional Sentence: In approaching the Courts of God one must remember that it is the Throne of a holy God. It should be approached in reverence. There are several passages of Scripture that show the response of great men who received a divine grace from God. In the year king Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Angels were flying above Him and calling one to another, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord Almighty...” (Isaiah 6:4)

In this Biblical record of the angels calling to one another we read of the prophet Isaiah getting a vision of God and receiving the commission of proclaiming a message to the Lord’s people. Isaiah’s work was about to grow. Perhaps the Lord saw fit to renew Isaiah’s commission through a vision because, like most prophets, he had seen very little of what man calls success in his ministry. Maybe he had considered giving up so God saw fit to renew his commission through a vision.

Whatever was in the heart of the prophet Isaiah was overridden by what God wanted proclaimed about Himself, God is “Holy, holy, holy. When something is mentioned in the Word of God three times the people of God had better take note of it.

Isaiah’s response while standing before the throne was, “Woe to me!... I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5) Isaiah began to confess his sin and the sins of his people. (Isaiah 6:5) Standing in God’s light allowed Isaiah to see himself and the Israelites for who they really were. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary)

I have noticed Christians who spend a great deal of time in the light of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit just comes upon them and reveals to them what is in their hearts. They confess and they receive a special grace from God as well as becoming broken hearted over what they see in their communities.

They have Holy Spirit Illumination of was written by the beloved John, “But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 7) The Greek word for purifies (kathoriza) means in a spiritual sense to purify from the pollution of and the guilt of sin.

That is exactly what happened to Isaiah in his vision and commission from God. After Isaiah’s confession an angel took a live coal, which came from the altar where sin had been dealt with, which is symbolic of Christ’s death. The angel touched the mouth of Isaiah and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (Isaiah 6:7) Isaiah understood that the throne of God, the temple, representing the place of God presence was to be entered in reverence. God’s response to Isaiah’s heart was a cleansing that comes not because of what Isaiah had accomplished, but from that which represented the work of Christ.

The angel of God touched the lips of Isaiah with a “live coal” from the altar which symbolized the place where the penalty of sin was paid by a substitute offered in the sinner’s place. Dr. Kay suggests that this fire is “the Divine love.” The greatest love ever shown to mankind was when God sent His Son and Jesus came willingly to pay the ultimate price for sinners.