In this message, Pastor Matt gives us confidence to boldly approach the Lord for grace and mercy, even when we feel exposed and vulnerable.
Here is the edited sermon transcript converted into a clean, readable written form with appropriate section headings. I’ve preserved the original meaning and pastoral tone while improving flow, grammar, punctuation, and structure for clarity.
The Command: Draw Near to the Throne of Grace
The important command is found in verse 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.” (Hebrews 4:16)
You are invited—even commanded—not merely to know God from a distance or simply to obey His rules, but to enter into close intimacy and nearness with Him. Yet often we hold back. In our lives and hearts, we fail to draw near to the living God.
Who This Invitation Addresses
You might hold back simply because you are not yet a believer. If that describes you this morning—welcome! We’re glad you’re here. This may feel a little awkward, but this is good news: there is a living God, and you can draw near to Him by grace, no matter what you have done. Hold on and listen to the whole message. While much of this sermon speaks directly to believers, everything here applies to you—and even more so. Jesus Christ welcomes you today not just to attend a religious service, but to truly know God and be known by Him.
If you are already a believer, this command is especially for you. The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers in danger of drifting or even falling away. The author urges them—even though they already know Christ—to enter into closer intimacy, faithfulness, and presence with Him.
Common Barriers That Keep Us from Drawing Near
Very often, things creep into our lives that hold us back from intimacy with God:
- Distraction — We fail to focus, to look to Him, or to worship attentively. We sing words like “Heal us, Emmanuel, here we are; we long to feel Thy touch,” yet our hearts remain distant.
- Sin — Sin does destructive work and separates us from God in countless ways.
- Shame — Shame separates us from others and from community. While shame can be a healthy deterrent from wrongdoing, it becomes terrible when we sit in it—especially for things done to us through no fault of our own. We hide, alone, unable to bear the thought of anyone knowing.
The good news for every person—no matter what has created separation between you and God—is that today Jesus invites you (and even commands you): Do not stand far off. Draw near to the throne of grace, especially in your time of need.
The Danger of Focusing Only on Warnings
One more barrier Hebrews addresses powerfully is the fear created by its own warnings. Hebrews contains some of the most thundering warnings in all of Scripture (e.g., repeated echoes of Psalm 95: “They shall not enter my rest”). The author knows his readers are hearing these warnings and wants to speak directly to those whose personality seizes every warning while glossing over every promise.
After strong warnings about falling short of entering God’s rest (culminating in verse 12), the author pivots to the great invitation of verse 16.
The Power and Exposure of God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12–13)
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
We love to memorize verse 12 as an inspiring promise about Scripture’s power. But in context, this is a verse of great warning. The “sword” is not decorative; it is a piercing instrument of judgment.
- The word of God is living and active—like a lion more than a hammer. God-breathed, it can do great damage or great good; we simply release it.
- It pierces deeply, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow—like a Roman gladius sharpened on both edges for stabbing and penetrating.
- It exposes what we hide: deep sins, deep shame, the parts of us we cover up.
- It discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart, leaving us naked and exposed before God, to whom we must give account.
This exposure can evoke terrible fear: God knows every cruel word, every inappropriate comment, every hidden shame. If a spouse who could truly read your mind would be terrifying, how much more God, who sees through to the deepest parts?
Sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil conspire to twist this: instead of drawing near to the Rock of our salvation, we shrink back in fear, shame, or despondency.
The Invitation: Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace
Yet God’s word also provides comfort and commands us to come boldly:
“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.” (v. 16)
How can we step forward—naked and exposed—into God’s throne room? The promises of God meet our need and inspire us to come.
How to Be Free from Fear and Shame and Step Forward Boldly
- Remember the Gospel
Verse 14: “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
Return to your confession of faith: Jesus is God, He died for our sins, He rose again, His blood brings forgiveness. The simplest gospel truth—“Jesus died for me”—kicks shame and guilt out the door. Be rooted in this confession; that’s why we repeat it regularly. - Remember that Jesus Cares
“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (v. 15)
Jesus knows the feeling of weakness, temptation, and shame in this world. He hung naked on the cross—exposed in humanity’s lowest moment—so He can meet us in ours. Like someone who has walked through the same trauma (e.g., loss of a child), Jesus truly understands and cares. He invites the woman who boldly touched His hem: “Your faith has made you well.” - Come as God’s Children
You belong in the throne room. As children of the King (think of the President’s child running freely in the White House), we come boldly—not groveling—even after failure. God is less pleased when we stay away in our sins than when we come with our sins to the throne. - Come Especially with Your Sin
The verse does not say, “Draw near when you are perfect.” It says, “Draw near…that you may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
You need mercy when you have sinned. Satan whispers, “Stay away—you’re a sinner.” But God calls, “Come—find mercy here.” The curtain is torn; our High Priest has covered our sin. The mercy seat is open.
Closing Application and Invitation
God’s sharp word can feel condemning, but it is not meant to cut us off—it is meant to open us up and draw us closer. God sees everything deep inside—the deepest shame you’ve carried for decades—and still says: “Come closer. Don’t stay away.”
- When shame rises → Remember the gospel. Pray the Lord’s Prayer boldly: “Our Father…forgive us our sins.”
- When you feel walled off → Look to Jesus, who cares and has walked in our places.
- God sees you fully, loves you, and commands you to come into His throne room like you own the place—because in Christ, you do.
Come to the throne of grace today. There is a God who sees you all the way down—exposed, bare—and loves you all the more. He says, “Come close. I see your nakedness, but I call you near to clothe you in My righteousness and set you in My rest.”
Turn your heart to Christ. He is good, and He commands: “Come to Me.”
Prayer
Lord God, we thank You for Your faithfulness. Your mercy and grace are there for us today.
For anyone who has walled themselves off, shrinking back in shame or hiding dark thoughts, impress on them by Your Spirit that You know them fully, love them deeply, and call them to come.
May we come to You in our need—today and every day—to the throne of grace, knowing there is sufficient grace in Jesus Christ for all.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.