Hebrews 10:19–23
The Full Assurance of Faith
[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (ESV)
Scripture Reading
One of our Advent traditions is having families read the sermon text both in English and in a different language. We do this because the Gospel is Good News for ALL PEOPLE! This week, the Salo family and Pastor Gabriel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo read Hebrews 10:19-23 in both English and Lingala.
Call to Worship
Psalm 137:1–6
[1] By the waters of Babylon,
there we sat down and wept,
when we remembered Zion.
[2] On the willows there
we hung up our lyres.
[3] For there our captors
required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
[4] How shall we sing the LORD’s song
in a foreign land?
[5] If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget its skill!
[6] Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy! (ESV)
Prayer of Repentance
Lord God, we praise you for sending light into this world. We confess that we live as though the light had never defeated darkness. We confess that we ignore the Savior you sent to be among us and to live in us. We’ve kept the birth of your Son confined to the Christmas season and do not yearn for his coming each moment in our waiting hearts. Forgive us for not opening our eyes to Jesus. Prepare us for His return. Help us rejoice in the light so that your grace can illuminate the darkened places of our hearts. Amen.
Benediction
May the hope of the gospel fill your hearts with confidence. Rest assured that by the precious blood of Jesus, a new and living way has been opened for us to enter the holy presence of our God. Since we have such a great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to Him with true and humble hearts, full of faith and trust. May your hearts be cleansed, your minds renewed, and your lives washed with the purity of His grace. Hold fast to the confession of your hope, unwavering and steadfast, for our God, who has promised, is ever faithful. May this hope anchor your soul and give you strength to shine as a light in the world, bearing witness to His unchanging love and truth. In the hope and name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Weekly Discipleship Resources
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Weekly Discipleship Resources are tools for families to use to help connect Sunday’s sermon to the rest of your week, fostering conversations and habits of worship.
