You mess up.
You say something you shouldn’t have.
You think something you know isn’t right.
And then… you try to pray.
But it feels awkward.
Like you should probably fix yourself first.
Like maybe you should wait a bit.
Get your act together.
Then come to God.
So when you read this verse…
“Come boldly…”
It almost feels backwards.
Boldly? Right after failing?
Is that actually what God is saying?
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
READ THE VERSE (KJV)
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
SECTION: WHAT DOES “COME BOLDLY” MEAN?
This doesn’t mean coming arrogantly.
It means coming confidently.
Not because of who you are…
but because of who you’re coming to.
Think about a child who messes up.
They still run to their parent.
Not because they’re perfect.
But because they trust the relationship.
That’s what this is.
The Bible says:
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
Ephesians 3:12 (KJV)
Access.
Confidence.
Not based on performance.
So let me ask you.
When you mess up… do you move toward God… or away from Him?
SECTION: WHAT IS REALLY BEING SAID HERE?
This verse is telling you where to go when you need help.
Not after you fix yourself.
Not after you improve.
Right when you need mercy.
“Obtain mercy… find grace to help…”
That means you don’t already have it.
You come to receive it.
But here’s what we often do.
We fail… then we delay.
We avoid prayer.
We feel unworthy.
So we stay distant.
And that’s the opposite of what this verse is saying.
The Bible says:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us…”
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
Not later.
Right then.
So the real question is…
Are you waiting to feel worthy… or coming because you’re not?
SECTION: CONTEXT CHANGES EVERYTHING
This verse starts with “therefore.”
So it’s connected to what came before.
Just before this, it talks about Jesus as your High Priest.
One who understands your weaknesses.
Not distant.
Not disconnected.
“But was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)
That changes everything.
You’re not coming to someone who doesn’t get it.
You’re coming to someone who understands exactly what you’re dealing with.
SECTION: THE CONNECTION MOST PEOPLE MISS
This connects directly to what happened when Jesus died.
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom…”
Matthew 27:51 (KJV)
That veil separated people from God.
Only certain people could go in.
At certain times.
Now it’s open.
Access is no longer restricted.
That’s why you can come boldly.
Because the way has already been made.
SECTION: WHERE THIS SHOWS UP IN REAL LIFE (BIBLE STORIES)
Look at Peter for a second.
He denied Jesus.
Not once.
Three times.
And then he realized what he had done.
He didn’t feel bold.
He felt broken.
“And Peter remembered… and he went out, and wept bitterly.”
Matthew 26:75 (KJV)
But that wasn’t the end.
Jesus restored him.
Called him back.
Used him again.
So ask yourself.
Do you think your failure disqualifies you… or drives you back to God?
Look at the prodigal son.
He messed up badly.
Wasted everything.
Hit rock bottom.
But then he decided to go back.
“And he arose, and came to his father…”
Luke 15:20 (KJV)
And the father ran to him.
Didn’t reject him.
Didn’t delay him.
Received him.
That’s what this verse looks like in real life.
So here’s the question.
Are you staying away… or getting up and coming back?
SECTION: LET’S BE HONEST
This is where people struggle.
Because after you mess up… you don’t feel bold.
You feel ashamed.
Embarrassed.
Unworthy.
So instead of coming to God…
you pull back.
But the Bible says:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…”
Romans 8:1 (KJV)
That doesn’t mean your actions don’t matter.
It means you’re not rejected.
SECTION: WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES WHEN YOU LIVE THIS
This verse shifts you from hiding after failure…
to coming directly to God for help.
Before this… you mess up and withdraw.
You delay.
You carry guilt longer than you need to.
After this… you respond differently.
You go to God immediately.
Not because you feel right…
but because you know where help is.
That changes everything.
You recover faster.
You stay connected.
You don’t spiral the same way.
The Bible says:
“A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…”
Proverbs 24:16 (KJV)
The difference isn’t falling.
It’s getting back up.
And this verse shows you how.
OUTRO (NO PRAYER)
God isn’t asking you to clean yourself up first.
He’s asking you to come.
Boldly.
Right when you need mercy.
Right when you need help.
Not later.
Not after you feel better.
Now.
Because the door is already open.
So don’t stay back.
Come forward.
And receive what you actually need.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
