FHBC Sermon Notes

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-23
"Approaching God in Prayer"

Prayer is a weapon in the spiritual battle we are in.

What is prayer? ... Bow your head, pray for someone needs? Is this really all it is?

Communion. Are we communing with God? Prayer is more than just communication. It isn't a matter of getting God up to speed on our needs. He already knows that. No, prayer is commmunion, and it is much more than mere communication.

Prayer is the continual spiritual discipline of drawing nearer to God.

How do we approach God in prayer?
1. We approach God in prayer in the basis of the blood of Jesus. (19-21)
..The blood of Jesus opens a newi and living way. V.20
..How do we know this is true? In Ephesians 2:2-3: Because we are children of wrath. We choice to walk away, to walk our own way, and so became children of wrath. But God rich in mercy, because of his great love, made us alive again in Christ.
.. V.22 Yes the blood give us a pathway to reconcile with God, but it is more. Our hearts are transformed, we are sprinkled clean for an evil conscience. But is wasnt just God sweeping our offences aside. "Oh it is o.k. It wasnt a big deal..." No, it was an atoning sacrifice. The punishment was given, because God is holy. But it was not received by us, but by Christ.
.. V.20 When Christ died, the curtain was torn. the pathway was made through Christ.
..We are given a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26-27
..Application: how does the blood of Christ mean for us?
... 1. We can pray! We have access to God at was not there before. We can commune, where before we were by our filth, rejected, despised.
...2. We must pray. Yes, yes, it is a command, but that is not the reason for it. Prayer is a necessity because of Christ's sacrifice. This was a cost that was greater than anything in the world, so that we could draw near to God. When we do not pray, it signals that we do not understand what it was that God did for us. It would be the greatest ingratitude to God to not prayer, for this is the purpose for which Jesus died, to allow us to commune is God Almighty for the glory of His name. Amen! Amen!