https://youtu.be/gBKbwJlV9gw

Hold Fast

Hebrews 4:14-16

New King James Version

Our Compassionate High Priest

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

In this passage the Word of God is calling for us as Christians to

Hold fast to our ConfessionAnd to come boldly to the throne of grace

We’re going to cover both tonight as they go together…

How can could we come boldly before the throne of grace if we don’t first old fast to our confession

We need to have confidence in the Lord, that is that boldness to go before the throne of grace completely trusting in Him

We can’t be wavering in our faith and at the same time go boldly before the throne of grace

James 1:5-8

New King James Version

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We need to HOLD FAST TO OUR CONFESSION

(That is Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and that we put all our hope and trust in Him)

When I hear hold fast, it reminds me of being on a ride at the fair  –

Story about Jayda

Our family goes annually to the fair; however our daughter Jayda is not a fan of the rides… And honestly neither am I.

Jeremy, Jarrett, and Nevaeh all LOVE THEM

Because Jeremy loves rides so much, he had convinced Jayda to get on the tilt a whirl with us…

Before the ride even started, she was yelling out, “I’m going to Die… “

The ride starts…”I’m really going to Die”

Jarrett Could hear her crying out from where he was standing and watching

She was holding so tight to me that she was making it spin faster.

She Clung tight to us till the very end, she was literally holding on for dear life. (Mom, I almost died!)

In life we will experience ups and downs temptation and persecution

Like Pastor Matt said Sunday, Persecution will come

It might even at times feel just like Jayda did on that ride…

Are you clinging to your Father?

Are you HOLDING FAST to your confession?

The term to HOLD FAST comes from the word Krat-eh’-o (Krateô)

Its to lay hold of and cling tightly

It’s to use strength to seize or retain (literally or figuratively)

Hold fast to your confession, your faith and belief in Jesus Christ

take hold of it with all your strength and cling to it!

Get in your Word and dig deeper and continue to strengthen and grow your relationship and faith in the Lord!

Stay in fellowship with other believers, strengthen and build one another up in the faith!

Because you have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens!

Jesus came down an lived a life here on earth and like us was tried and tempted, and yet remained sinless

15 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

He lived life here on earth just like us

He walked through trials and temptation beyond what we have even experienced

He was tempted by Satan when he fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness…

He was tempted with food when He was hungry from fasting

He was tempted to test God

He was tempted to gain all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down to Satan

And each time He came against those temptations with the Word of God!

He was persecuted, betrayed by friends, beaten, and crucified.