Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today we're gonna dive into the book of Hebrews, specifically chapter 10, verse 18. We're talking about drawing closer to Jesus, living without fear, and the incredible benefits of faith.

The verse reads as follows:

"And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary" (Hebrews 10:18, NIV).

This is a powerful reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us and the freedom it brings.

To kick things off, I want to share a quote from Billy Graham. He once said, "Whatever [the] fears, encourage [yourself] to face them—and then turn them over to God. God loves [you], and when we know Christ and have put our faith and trust in Him, we know He’ll never abandon us." This is a sentiment that perfectly captures the essence of our faith: believing in and trusting God, no matter what fears you may be facing.

Let's start with a prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts. We ask that You guide us as we explore Your Word, and help us to draw closer to You. Fill us with Your love and courage, so we may live without fear. May we fully understand and embrace the benefits of our faith in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So let's get started.

Drawing Closer to Christ

Drawing closer to Christ is a continuous process of deepening our relationship with Him, of seeking His presence in our lives, and of aligning our will with His. It's about moving beyond a superficial understanding of faith and diving into a profound, personal relationship with Jesus.

Understanding who He is: The Bible presents Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the embodiment of love, grace, and truth. As we read and meditate on God's Word, we learn more about His character, His teachings, and His love for us. This knowledge forms the foundation of our relationship with Him. It's like getting to know a friend: the more we learn about them, the closer we feel to them.

Knowing about Jesus is not enough: We also need to experience His presence in our lives. This happens when we invite Him into our hearts, when we surrender our lives to Him, and when we seek His guidance in our decisions. It's about making Jesus the center of our lives, about letting His love and grace transform us from the inside out. This is what it means to be born again: to let Jesus live in us and through us.

Prayer: Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. It's where we express our love for Him, where we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, where we seek His guidance and wisdom, and where we intercede for others. Prayer is not just about asking God for things; it's also about listening to Him, about being still in His presence, about letting His peace and joy fill our hearts.

Obedience: Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15, NIV). Obedience is a sign of our love for Jesus. It's about living according to His teachings, about doing what is right in His eyes, about being a light in the world. Obedience is not always easy, but it's always rewarding. It brings us closer to Jesus and helps us grow in our faith.

Sharing in His sufferings: As followers of Jesus, we are not exempt from trials and hardships. In fact, Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV). Suffering is part of our Christian journey. It's a tool that God uses to shape us, to refine us, to make us more like Jesus. As we share in His sufferings, we also share in His glory.

Fellowship with other believers: The Christian journey is not meant to be a solitary journey. We are part of a community, a family of believers. As we worship together, as we study the Bible together, as we pray for each other, we encourage each other, we strengthen each other, we help each other grow in our faith. Fellowship is a vital part of our relationship with Jesus.

Living Without Fear

Living without fear is a state of being that is achieved when we fully trust in God's love, power, and promises ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO