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Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us that despite our past mistakes and shortcomings, we can still come to God's throne of grace while we have breath. We often view God as a judge who condemns us, but the Bible teaches that His throne is a place of mercy and forgiveness. This teaching encourages us to re-evaluate our relationship with God and recognize that He desires to offer us grace, not judgment.

Key Scripture References

• Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Here, we see that God's throne is a place where we can come confidently, not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious. This verse emphasizes the idea that God desires our approach, rather than our avoidance.
• Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." This psalm reminds us of God's vast and unfathomable mercy. He doesn't just forgive us; He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west, making it impossible to recall them.
• Isaiah 1:18 - "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall become like wool." Here, God invites us to come and settle our accounts with Him. He promises to transform our stained hearts into something pure and clean.
• 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This verse reminds us that God's forgiveness is conditional on our willingness to confess our sins. When we come before Him, He promises to forgive and cleanse us.
• Proverbs 28:13 - "The one who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but the one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." This proverb emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our mistakes and seeking forgiveness. When we do, God promises to show us mercy.
• Matthew 7:7-8 - "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Here, Jesus teaches us that God desires our approach and promises to answer our prayers when we ask.

Key Takeaways

• We can come to God's throne of grace while we still have breath, not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious. This means we should not view God as a judge who condemns us, but rather as a loving Father who desires our approach.
• God's forgiveness is conditional on our willingness to confess our sins and seek Him. When we do, He promises to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• We should not hide our mistakes or try to conceal them; instead, we should acknowledge them and seek forgiveness. This is the first step towards experiencing God's mercy and obtaining a clean heart.
• God desires our approach and promises to answer our prayers when we ask. We should come before Him with confidence, knowing that He will show us mercy and provide what we need in time of need.

This Week's Challenge

This week, take two specific steps to re-evaluate your relationship with God:

• Schedule a time to pray and come before God's throne of grace. Confess any sins or mistakes you've been hiding from Him, and ask for His forgiveness.
• Take a few moments each day to reflect on God's mercy and forgiveness in your life. Think about how He has shown you compassion and kindness in the past, and express gratitude for His love.

Reflection Questions

• What are some ways in which I have viewed God as a judge or a condemning figure? How can I re-evaluate my relationship with Him to see Him as a loving Father who desires my approach?
• Have I been hiding any sins or mistakes from God? What steps can I take this week to confess and seek forgiveness?
• How does the promise of God's mercy and forgiveness affect your daily life? How can you apply this truth to your relationships, work, and other areas of responsibility?