 As followers of Jesus, we are called to live with a bold confidence, not because of our own strength, but because of what Christ has done for us. Hebrews 10:1-25 reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has forever changed our relationship with God. The Old Testament sacrifices, which had to be offered again and again, were never enough to fully remove sin. But Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice, completed the work once and for all. Because of this, we don’t need to live in fear or uncertainty—we can stand before God with boldness, knowing we are fully forgiven and completely loved.
This boldness isn’t just about how we approach God; it transforms how we live in the world. In the early church, believers faced intense pressure to conform to the culture around them. The writer of Hebrews encourages them—and us—not to shrink back but to stand firm. We are not called to blend in, but to live differently, confidently, and with holy boldness. Jesus didn’t die just to secure our place in heaven; He died to make us holy, and that holiness should shape the way we think, act, and engage with the world around us. But how do we develop this kind of bold faith? Hebrews 10 gives us four reasons we can live with holy boldness.
So what does this mean for us today? It means we draw near to God daily, spending time in His Word and in prayer. It means we hold onto hope, reminding ourselves of the gospel and trusting in God’s faithfulness. It means we take action—serving, loving, and encouraging others instead of waiting for someone else to step up. And it means we stay connected to the church, knowing that we need each other now more than ever. Because we’re made holy, we can live boldly. We don’t have to live in fear, doubt, or insecurity. Christ has done the work—our role is to walk in the confidence He has given us. Let’s live boldly, love courageously, and stand firm in the faith, knowing that Jesus is with us every step of the way. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 03/02/25.
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We all know what it’s like to be in a relationship where offenses happen. Sometimes, we hurt people by accident, and other times, it’s intentional. In many cases, a mediator is needed—someone who can step in, bridge the gap, and bring reconciliation. The Bible tells us that the greatest conflict in existence is between humanity and God. On one side, we have a perfect, holy, and righteous God. On the other, we have sinful, broken people who cannot stand in His presence on their own. We need a mediator. The good news is that God Himself has provided one—Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 9:13-28, we see that under the Old Covenant, the people of Israel could only approach God through the temporary covering of animal sacrifices. These sacrifices were a reminder that sin required a payment, but they were never enough to fully remove guilt. However, Jesus came as the perfect and final sacrifice. He took our place, bearing the punishment we deserved, so that we could be made right with God once and for all. His sacrifice is not just temporary—it is eternal. This changes everything. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to live under the weight of guilt and shame. We don’t have to try to earn God’s favor by working harder or punishing ourselves for our past mistakes. His blood has paid for our sins completely, meaning we can live in freedom. Yet, so many of us still struggle with believing this truth. We find ourselves striving for approval, replaying our failures, or wondering if we’ve done enough to stay in God’s grace. But the message of the gospel is clear: Jesus’ sacrifice was enough. There is nothing more we need to do except receive it. Because of Christ, our standing before God is secure. The Old Covenant required constant sacrifices, but Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled the law once and for all. Now, we are no longer seen as sinners but as beloved children. We are heirs of God’s promises, and nothing can separate us from His love. This truth should reshape how we see ourselves and how we live each day. Instead of living in fear of judgment, we can walk with confidence, knowing that God delights in us. Living like we are loved means embracing four key responses: first, we receive the perfect gift of salvation, understanding that we can’t earn it but only accept it by faith. Second, we rest in unconditional grace, refusing to carry burdens that Jesus already took upon Himself. Third, we reset our perspective, fixing our eyes on the eternal hope we have in Christ. And finally, we relax in God’s pleasure, knowing that He truly delights in His children. Hebrews 9:27-28 reminds us that Christ will return, not to deal with our sins—because that has already been done—but to bring salvation to those who eagerly wait for Him. This means our future is not uncertain or filled with fear, but with hope and anticipation. We have been given an eternal inheritance, secured by Jesus Himself. As we live our lives, we should not only remember this truth but let it shape the way we think, act, and worship. So this week, let’s live as people who are truly loved. Let’s stop striving for what has already been given to us. Let’s let go of shame, rest in grace, and embrace our identity as God’s children. Because of Jesus, we are forgiven, we are free, and we are forever loved. Jesus died in our place as a better sacrifice so we can live in His place as beloved children. Let’s live like it! - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 2/23/25. Guilt is something we all experience. It weighs us down, keeps us stuck in the past, and sometimes even controls our actions. Many of us carry guilt for things we have already been forgiven for, allowing it to shape our decisions and steal our joy. But the good news is that God has a better way for us to deal with guilt—one that leads to true freedom and lasting peace.
In Hebrews 9, we see a powerful contrast between the Old Testament system of sacrifices and the perfect work of Jesus Christ. Under the old covenant, the people of Israel relied on priests to offer sacrifices on their behalf. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place and make a sacrifice for the sins of the people. But this system was temporary—it could never fully cleanse the conscience or remove guilt permanently. The sacrifices had to be repeated year after year, constantly reminding people of their sin. Then came Jesus. Hebrews 9:12 tells us, “With His own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” Jesus became our perfect High Priest, offering Himself as the final and complete sacrifice. Unlike the Old Testament system, His blood doesn’t just cover sin—it removes it completely. His sacrifice cleanses us from the inside out, purifying our hearts and setting us free from guilt. Too often, we act like the little boy in the sermon’s opening story—carrying the weight of our sin long after we’ve been forgiven. Just like Billy was manipulated by his sister’s reminders of his mistake, we let guilt keep us in bondage. But God is not standing over us with condemnation. Instead, He is waiting for us to come to Him, confess our sins, and receive the forgiveness He has already provided through Jesus. We don’t have to keep running back to the old system, trying to earn God’s approval or cover our mistakes with religious rituals. Jesus has made a way for us to live in freedom. When He died on the cross, the temple curtain was torn in two, symbolizing that the separation between God and humanity was removed. We now have direct access to God, and our guilt no longer has the power to define us. So what should we do with our guilt? We should bring it to Jesus. 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all wickedness.” When we acknowledge our sin before God, He doesn’t turn us away—He welcomes us with open arms. His forgiveness isn’t temporary or conditional; it is complete and eternal. If you’ve been carrying guilt, today is the day to let it go. Jesus didn’t just die for your sins—He rose again to give you new life. The cross is our permanent reminder that we are forgiven, cleansed, and set free. Let’s stop living as prisoners of guilt and start walking in the joy and freedom that Christ has given us! - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 2/16/25. |
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These posts are adapted from our pastors' weekly sermons.
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