1. Draw near and Persevere Hebrews 10:19-25

2.  “There is a lack of steadfastness, or growth, and of power, which arises from our not knowing Jesus aright.” Andrew Murray (Let us draw Nigh, 1894)

3. Book of Hebrews  Community under intense pressure from outside. Jewish Christian tempted to forsake the faith ad revert to the old religion. Christ is better – don’t go back to the shadows. First half focuses on Christ’s superiority and second half on the response of faith and warning against rejecting this great Salvation.

4. Heb 10:19-25  What Christ has done for us and our response. Two phrases Since we have (2x) v 19, v21 Let us (3x) v22, v23, v24.

5. 1. What we have in Christ  A. V19 Confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. Blood of Christ (v19) A new and living way opened for us through the curtain. (v21) Mark 15:38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…

6. CLOSE OF THE CRUCIFIXION. Gustave Doré (1832-1883)

7. 1. What we have in Christ  Our confidence is based on Christ’s perfect sacrifice that grants us access to God. Christ has opened the way to God and Nothing can ever Change that !!!

8. 1. What we have in Christ A great priest over the house of God Christ stands on our behalf as the priest on behalf of His people.

9. 2. Our response  Let us draw near - Faith Faith >< Unbelief Faith and Cleansing Ez 36:24 “For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries…I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean…26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…

10. 2. Our response B. Let us hold unswervingly - Hope Hope – future God’s promises

11. 2. Our response C. Let us – Love God – people Provoke towards love and good deeds Triad – Faith, Hope and Love

12. 2. Our response C. Let us – Love The appeal to love is extended into a warning in verse 25 Urgency in discipleship Christian life – lived in the community of faith

13. Questions to consider?  Is it important to believe in Christ?  Is it important to meet as a church?  Do these things make a difference in our lives?  Hopefully – all affirmative!

14. Appeal  Heb 4:7 says “today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”

15. Appeal  Draw Near to God in Faith  Grab hold of Hope  Embrace God’s love  Commit to the fellowship of believers