1. Hebrews 4:12-16

2.  Opening:  How strong is your faith?

3.  Background:  Hebrews  Writer?  When written?  Written to?  Hebrews 3 & 4 Context  Today, if you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts.

4.  HEBREWS 4:12-16  12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

5.  14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

6.  AIM (Big Idea):  We can confidently approach God to receive mercy and find grace knowing Jesus Christ is interceding for believers.

7.  Divisions 1:  All knowing God gave mankind His living Word – Hebrews 4:12-13  God’s Word – 4:12  God’s Word is living  God’s Word is active  God’s Word is sharp and piercing  God’s Word judges our thoughts and heart  God’s Word – a Rhema Word  God’s omniscience – 4:13

8.  Divisions 2:  Tempted Jesus remained sinless and is believer’s empathizing High Priest – Hebrews 4:14-15  High Priest  Profess faith  Fully human and tempted  Empathize and intercedes

9.  Divisions 3:  Believers can confidently approach God to receive mercy and find grace – Hebrews 4:16  Let us approach  Receive mercy and find grace

10.  Conclusion:  sWord  Omniscience  Faith  Relationship  Rest