The Throne of Grace
The Throne of Grace
This past Sunday’s service, Pastor Barboza’s powerful message leads us back to the heart of worship. Through his teachings we are reminded that loving and serving God does not disqualify us from troubles, yet to not allow trials to get in the way of love and worship. Our greatest weapon is praising our Heavenly Father. No matter what the enemy tries to throw at us, we have dominion through our inheritance to The Throne of Grace. We must maintain a warrior mindset. Through perseverance we can expand the kingdom to bless the lives of others.
Sunday June 22nd, 2025, the title of the sermon, The Throne of Grace illuminates the meaning behind Hebrews 4:14-16.
“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. 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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
We are encouraged to come boldly to the Throne of Grace so that God can tie us to him; like a boat to the dock in a safe harbor, when the storms of life come to keep us from washing out to sea.
The best way to strengthen our faith is by understanding that Jesus sympathizes with us when we struggle. He shares our feelings intimately and he has compassion for our moments of weakness from enduring his own temptation. And through all of that, we still chose to resist sin. Because he shared the experiences we face today he asks that we trust him and come to him boldly. More than anyone, Jesus understands our physical, psychological, and emotional weaknesses.
Jesus is the intermediate between us and God the Father. He never had a problem coming to his father and neither should we. We often feel reluctant from our shame of the struggles we are faced with, but Jesus reminds us to approach the Throne of Grace for help in our time of need. On the cross during his most crucial point of suffering and testing of faith 3 of his last 7 statements were to the father. The 3 statements to the father cover many of the same issues and questions we direct towards God.
#1. Mistreatment from others/ Offense.
Luke 23:34
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
In life we may never get an apology from certain individuals that offend or mistreat us. We need to take that to our heavenly father and forgive. When we don’t forgive, we are left with bitterness, pain, and resentment. This plea Jesus made to his father is a reminder to bring the struggle to forgive others when we are mistreated to God so he can help us let go of those negative feelings to heal our wounds.
#2. Feeling Abandoned.
Matthew 27:46
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
Sometimes in life we feel like God has abandoned us when we face trials and tribulations. We must keep in mind that the gospel saves us from hell, not trouble. God guarantees he will never abandon us in times of trouble.
#3. Learning to trust God.
Luke 23:46
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this he breathed his last.
Never had anyone been resurrected prior to Christ’s arrival. Jesus was the only one to resurrect others. This was the ultimate display of the trust Jesus had in his father. That God would return his life. It is no easy task to lay down your life and trust God will keep his promises. This is a daily effort.
How should we approach the throne?
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light;
Benefits Package
Obtain: To gain or attain usually by planned action or effort.
Mercy: Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
Religious context – Refers to God not punishing humanity for sins as they deserve.
(Like a judge giving mercy to a criminal by giving him a lighter sentence that the law allows.)
Simple Terms: Mercy is not getting the bad thing you deserve.
When we come to the Throne of Grace; in a fallen world the fact that we have a sinful nature and some of the things we’ve done may deserve the responses we are getting, God will extend mercy and wipe the slate clean. For what Jesus did on the cross took the penalty so we can walk in freedom and be forgiven for past mistakes.
Grace: A gift or blessing freely given, though the recipient has not earned it and does not deserve it.
Simple Terms: Grace is getting the good thing we don’t deserve.
Bonus Package: Grace
(An example would be walking down the street and finding a $20 bill on the ground. You look around and no one is there to return it to.)
Pastor B’s Testimony: Mother Lovely
When he just met the Lord and began attending the church he’d become a minister in; he was unemployed, down to his last $20, and living with his sister. He came boldly to the Throne of Grace. There he met Mother Lovely. He described a kind elderly woman who always wore a white dress. When she asked what he needed prayer for, he replied “I need a job.” To his surprise, she began prophesying over him. How he would someday become a Pastor and a Prophet. She explained how he'd be sent all over the world and that he would be used for God’s glory.
The beautiful moral of this testimony was that he came to the altar hoping for God to provide him with a job, but grace showed up and God showed him his destiny. He was transformed in a moment.
When you approach the Throne of Grace, you get mercy because you came. You’re going to find grace in ways you never expected. Pastor B’s story is an example of why we should also come to the Throne with an expectation and anticipation of God’s bonus. That is what you are bringing to the Throne you are giving to God and taking back infinitely more than you could have imagined.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
As you age on your walk with God the pressures of life increase, but with our heavenly father you can still find peace. You will never fully understand God, but in time you will understand his nature. Seek faith, trust, and understanding of his word. In times of trouble, stress, persecution, abandonment, offense and weakness, dock yourself to him.
This past Sunday’s service, Pastor Barboza’s powerful message leads us back to the heart of worship. Through his teachings we are reminded that loving and serving God does not disqualify us from troubles, yet to not allow trials to get in the way of love and worship. Our greatest weapon is praising our Heavenly Father. No matter what the enemy tries to throw at us, we have dominion through our inheritance to The Throne of Grace. We must maintain a warrior mindset. Through perseverance we can expand the kingdom to bless the lives of others.
Sunday June 22nd, 2025, the title of the sermon, The Throne of Grace illuminates the meaning behind Hebrews 4:14-16.
“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. 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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
- Hold Fast: Holding onto the commitment to God, not letting go.
- Boldly: Come with bluntness, frankness, assurance, confidence, freely and openly.
- Throne: The Chair of Estate, Sovereign, or High Dignitary.
- Grace: Unmerited favor.
- Obtain: To take something you have a right to.
- Mercy: Kindness or good will towards the miserable and afflicted with the desire to help.
We are encouraged to come boldly to the Throne of Grace so that God can tie us to him; like a boat to the dock in a safe harbor, when the storms of life come to keep us from washing out to sea.
The best way to strengthen our faith is by understanding that Jesus sympathizes with us when we struggle. He shares our feelings intimately and he has compassion for our moments of weakness from enduring his own temptation. And through all of that, we still chose to resist sin. Because he shared the experiences we face today he asks that we trust him and come to him boldly. More than anyone, Jesus understands our physical, psychological, and emotional weaknesses.
Jesus is the intermediate between us and God the Father. He never had a problem coming to his father and neither should we. We often feel reluctant from our shame of the struggles we are faced with, but Jesus reminds us to approach the Throne of Grace for help in our time of need. On the cross during his most crucial point of suffering and testing of faith 3 of his last 7 statements were to the father. The 3 statements to the father cover many of the same issues and questions we direct towards God.
#1. Mistreatment from others/ Offense.
Luke 23:34
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
In life we may never get an apology from certain individuals that offend or mistreat us. We need to take that to our heavenly father and forgive. When we don’t forgive, we are left with bitterness, pain, and resentment. This plea Jesus made to his father is a reminder to bring the struggle to forgive others when we are mistreated to God so he can help us let go of those negative feelings to heal our wounds.
#2. Feeling Abandoned.
Matthew 27:46
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
Sometimes in life we feel like God has abandoned us when we face trials and tribulations. We must keep in mind that the gospel saves us from hell, not trouble. God guarantees he will never abandon us in times of trouble.
#3. Learning to trust God.
Luke 23:46
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this he breathed his last.
Never had anyone been resurrected prior to Christ’s arrival. Jesus was the only one to resurrect others. This was the ultimate display of the trust Jesus had in his father. That God would return his life. It is no easy task to lay down your life and trust God will keep his promises. This is a daily effort.
How should we approach the throne?
- Respectfully – Mindful of the authority it presents.
- Boldly
- Confidently
- With faith God will respond
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light;
Benefits Package
Obtain: To gain or attain usually by planned action or effort.
Mercy: Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
Religious context – Refers to God not punishing humanity for sins as they deserve.
(Like a judge giving mercy to a criminal by giving him a lighter sentence that the law allows.)
Simple Terms: Mercy is not getting the bad thing you deserve.
When we come to the Throne of Grace; in a fallen world the fact that we have a sinful nature and some of the things we’ve done may deserve the responses we are getting, God will extend mercy and wipe the slate clean. For what Jesus did on the cross took the penalty so we can walk in freedom and be forgiven for past mistakes.
Grace: A gift or blessing freely given, though the recipient has not earned it and does not deserve it.
Simple Terms: Grace is getting the good thing we don’t deserve.
Bonus Package: Grace
(An example would be walking down the street and finding a $20 bill on the ground. You look around and no one is there to return it to.)
Pastor B’s Testimony: Mother Lovely
When he just met the Lord and began attending the church he’d become a minister in; he was unemployed, down to his last $20, and living with his sister. He came boldly to the Throne of Grace. There he met Mother Lovely. He described a kind elderly woman who always wore a white dress. When she asked what he needed prayer for, he replied “I need a job.” To his surprise, she began prophesying over him. How he would someday become a Pastor and a Prophet. She explained how he'd be sent all over the world and that he would be used for God’s glory.
The beautiful moral of this testimony was that he came to the altar hoping for God to provide him with a job, but grace showed up and God showed him his destiny. He was transformed in a moment.
When you approach the Throne of Grace, you get mercy because you came. You’re going to find grace in ways you never expected. Pastor B’s story is an example of why we should also come to the Throne with an expectation and anticipation of God’s bonus. That is what you are bringing to the Throne you are giving to God and taking back infinitely more than you could have imagined.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
As you age on your walk with God the pressures of life increase, but with our heavenly father you can still find peace. You will never fully understand God, but in time you will understand his nature. Seek faith, trust, and understanding of his word. In times of trouble, stress, persecution, abandonment, offense and weakness, dock yourself to him.
Recent
Archive
Categories
no categories
No Comments