When you have a need, where do you go for the answer? Dr. Stanley shares with us that only God fully knows our needs and and He desires that our needs be met.
Sermon Outline
Life can be overwhelming at times. When we’re faced with daunting circumstances, it’s natural to look for human help, but there are certain moments when no one but the Lord will do. In today’s message, Dr. Stanley shares encouraging news: God has made it possible for us to go directly to Him with every need.
Key Passage: Hebrews 4:12-16
Supporting Passages: Psalm 139:1-4; Matthew 6:8; Romans 3:23; Romans 8:26; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 2:17-18
No matter what we face in this life, we never face it alone. The Lord is with us every step of the way.
► “When you have a need, where do you go first?”
God’s Word …
Is alive (Heb. 4:12).
Tells us God knows our deepest feelings and needs (v. 12).
Is sufficient to answer life’s questions.
In times of need …
Jesus is the One to whom we should go for reassurance.
We can trust that God knows us completely (vv. 13, 15).
We can take comfort because God understands the reasons for all our actions (Ps. 139:1-4) and knows our needs before we ask Him (Matt. 6:8).
► “Jesus making intercession to the Father for us is an eternal expression of love.”
As our great high priest (Heb. 4:14), Jesus …
Intercedes for us before God (Rom. 8:26).
Sits at the Father’s right hand—the place of supreme power and authority (v. 34).
Offered the perfect sacrifice for sinners (3:23).
Gave His blood, which makes it possible for sinful humanity to approach holy God.
Sympathizes with us (Heb. 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:15).
► “God knows how you think, why you get depressed, why you’re afraid, or why you’re lonely. And He knows the solution.”
When bringing all of our needs to God (v. 16), we should …
Draw near. We don’t have to be afraid to approach God.
Come with confidence. Because of Jesus’ righteousness, we need not be timid.
Enter boldly. We can come directly into God’s presence.
Trust in God’s grace and mercy. Mercy means not giving us what we deserve; grace means giving us something we don’t deserve.
Always have a spirit of submission and humility. The Lord’s plans are perfect, so we’re to humbly accept His ways.
Set aside pride and any other sin that hinders our desire to approach God. Nothing is worth allowing distance between us and our heavenly Father, so we must take care to remove any obstacle to closeness with Him.
Remember that access to the throne is only through the blood of Jesus Christ. God desires and expects our good works, but they cannot restore us to a right relationship with Him.
After Watching
Think of an issue that’s currently troubling you. Does it change your perspective on the problem to realize that Jesus understands? In what way?
If God is asking you to wait for an answer to prayer, try praying Lamentations 3:25 to help you be patient and trusting: “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.”
