from verse 22
where it says let us draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water
let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised us faithful
and let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works and it'll just be
a light overview of these three
let us phrases that we come across here in this chapter
now the writer to the hebrews well it's not really clear who he was
and there are in this chapter in this book the great verses that we could consider
and as the writer goes through from hebrews at the beginning of hebrews he seems to be
building this momentum as he's writing as he indeed does through the whole book
he elevates the person of christ who christ is what christ has done for us
and what it means to have faith in this man christ
that he this person is superior
to any other angel in the heavens
he's superior to any other prophet that ever lived
and superior to any other priest
that went on behalf of the people
he's lifting up the name of christ
he is greater than every sacrifice that was ever offered
and in his great sacrifice he accomplishes that eternal atonement
for the lord's people
and washes us the scarlet sins of our garments whiter than snow
in the light of the writer's considerations of christ and who he is and his building of momentum
of this person
and all that he has done and all that he means
the teaching of this great prophet priest and king
he calls out then to the reader to respond
and he seeks to instill the reader with confidence equally in this christ
as he considers christ
that as individuals
we would find confidence
and knowledge of knowing who christ is
that he is a superior prophet priest and king
an ever superior prophet priest and king
but also as a church
that he is a prophet priest and king
superior to all others
and in this letter we have this phrase letter
it's not only repeated here
but it's it's it's repeated through the book of hebrews
12 or 13 times
and often this letter it's a it's a resulting clause
of the writer looking at christ
he looks at christ
and then he calls to the people and he says
therefore let us
with consequent actions
he turns to the people he turns to the church
to respond with action
let us do something
let us therefore
because of christ
sprawl says if he was thrown into prison
rc sprawl if he was thrown into prison
and he could only take one book with him
he said it would be the bible
and if he could only have one chapter of the bible
he said it would be isaiah chapter 6
but if he had one book of the bible
he said he would take the book of hebrews
because he says it brings the whole council of god together
on every page and gives us the most magnificent portist of christ
and each chapter
and it's that consideration of christ
and then the call to us to respond to the superior person and our savior
and prior to the texts that we have here
the three letters
we were reading of christ's sacrifice
and how the old ways
and the sacrificial ways are now not required
because through the blood of christ jesus
we have been cleansed
and who satisfied divine justice
in this perfect sacrifice
that has been offered for our sins
and therefore the way has been opened
through this sacrifice
the curtain has been torn in two
to enter into this kingdom
there is no more need
for any further payments
and the section finishes
there in verse 17
that he will therefore
remember our sins no more
and our lawless deeds
they're not to be remembered
they're gone
so then we're presented
after this image of christ
the sacrifice that he has given to us
the writer says there in verse 19
therefore
and then gives us
the three letters
following
we have confidence to enter
the holy places
let us draw near
let us hold fast
let us consider
how to stir one another
to good works
and even if you consider that
let us
that is set out to each other
it's important in and of itself
because of who he is speaking to
calls out to the people of god
calls out to each individual here
it means that there is no one
left on their own
and the church family
is to be bound together
in christ jesus
as one body
let us
together
act
come with us
together
in doing what we're doing
let us
together
strengthen our minds
our bodies
let us
increase
our assurance
in christ jesus
let us
gain our understanding
in christ jesus
let us
trust
more and more
to live our lives
devoted
to christ jesus
let us
it's that great phrase
after considering christ
that calls us
to do something
let us
remember each other
let us
it's a great welcome
that the church should give
to new members
that come
you are now
a part
of this
body
of believers
and therefore
new members
are welcomed
with this
let us
regardless of how old we are
regardless of how young we are
spread there
let us
together
learn from one another
and see
the experience
of the elder brother
of
the elder brothers
that we know
and learn from them
and
the young ones
the older ones
learn from the younger ones
as well
that call
of being together
as one body
the children
of god
and while
there's a sermon
it's the chapter
it's loaded
there's a sermon
on each one
of these calls
we just look at them
and I see
there's a response
to each one
of these letters
one is
let us
draw near
one is
let us
hold fast
one is
let us
consider
how to
stir
one another
to love
and good works
so just briefly
we'll consider
each of these
let us
phrases
let us
draw near
that's the first
of these three saints
it is good
to draw near
together
it is good
to draw near
with a focus
on christ
and it is natural
for the believer
to draw near
but if you love
someone
you are inclined
to draw near
to them
you desire
to be with them
it's natural
to be together
in each other's
company
it speaks
of joining
together
and the joy
of joining
together
as we saw
in the psalms
and how we
desire
that we
we would love
to have that
desire
all the time
to come
together
but it's true
that we don't
that we would
love to have
that heart
like mary
did
that she
was inclined
to come
and just sit
and listen
to every word
and almost
hang off
every word
as she was
consumed
with the presence
and the words
of christ
as she sat
there
that she
drew near
to him
natural
affections
to the love
of our saviour
a place
where she
and we
can pour out
the affections
of our heart
and come
to him
with confidence
but we know
that as I said
our love
is not always
that inclined
to naturally
draw near
to christ
we are the
weak link
in that
relationship
his love
towards us
is perfect
and ours
is tainted
to our shame
we don't always
maintain
the idyllic
relationship
that we
even desire
to keep
to draw
near
to him
and yet
we are so
consumed
to draw
away
to other
things
that call
our hearts
desires
with it
with that
we acknowledge
the truth
of our hearts
let us
draw near
with a true
heart
confessing
the truth
of ourselves
as we heard
in prayer
acknowledging
the weaknesses
of our heart
and our desire
to come
to christ
remember
we looked
at isaiah
a couple
of weeks
ago
isaiah
chapter 1
where the
people were
so sinful
before
this great
phrase
was said
that
their sins
were so
scarlet
in the sight
of god
and yet
he would
still wash
them whiter
than snow
there was
an assurance
if they came
as he called
to them
that they
would be
washed
and
let us
draw near
with a
true
heart
assurance
of faith
sprinkled
clean
from an
evil
conscience
and our
bodies
washed
with pure
water
and yet
we come
we're not
consumed
with that
evil
of our
heart
the evil
does not
rule
the consciousness
of our
hearts
we come
because we
confess
and see
the smallest
of evils
within our
hearts
and the
impurities
of it
we come
to that
cleansing
power
at Calvary
and that
great display
of his
love
towards us
where he
died on
the cross
and where
his blood
was spilt
to cleanse
us
and it
is a
call
and compelling
picture
where we
can draw
near to
and a
place where
we can
continue
coming to
and drawing
even closer
to
that knowledge
of that
great love
love
at Calvary
to know
it in a
greater
sense
and to
understand
him
and what
he has
done
for us
how close
are we
to Christ
we have
to ask
ourselves
do we need
to draw
near again
on that
cord of
love that
has been
extended
to us
by means
which we
meet with
him
and he
with us
in the
word
and through
the means
of grace
in his
gathered
people
where he
pours down
his blessings
that we
would continue
drawing near
us
every day
confessing
the truth
of our
heart
but there
are times
we must
admit
and confess
that although
we are
called to
come and
draw near
we feel
like
we're
stopped in
our tracks
and we
can't draw
any closer
than we
can
at such
a time
as where
we hold
fast
let us
hold fast
the confession
of our
hope
without
wavering
for he
who promised
his faith
we are
also called
to hold
fast to
the confession
of our
hope
in the man
through whom
we have
professed
our faith
in
therefore
let us
hold fast
the confession
of our
hope
as we look
at Christ
and we see
the sacrifice
that he paid
for us
we have
confidence
in all
that he
has done
for us
and we
steadfast
and trusting
when the
world
and its
devils
are telling
you
to let
go
to turn
away
to stop
drawing near
it is then
we need to
hold fast
in the difficulties
of life
when we feel
stopped in our
tracks
it is then
we need to
hold fast
let us
hold fast
to the hope
set before us
as he previously
speaks in Hebrews
chapter 6
for we have a
sure and
steadfast
anchor
for the soul
we have a
sure and
steadfast
anchor
on which
we can
hold fast
to
and we
have an
assured
hope
in his
promises
to us
through his
word
and the
provisions
that he
has made
for us
such a
hope
that will
not
leave us
tossed
to and
throw
like the
wind or
waves of
doctrine
as is spoken
in James
and Ephesians
but that
anchor
if we
hold fast
will keep
us secure
in the
uncertainties
of life
steadfast
upon
that
figure
Christ
therefore
we hold
fast
to the
one
who
holds
me
it is
him
who is
the
anchor
for us
to hold
fast
to
and in
these times
where we
feel like we
cannot
go on
where we
feel like
we are
just
holding on
this in
these days
where a
word of
encouragement
can be so
precious to
us
and keep
us
holy
let us
consider
how to
stir up
one another
to love
and good
works
not
neglecting
to meet
together
as is the
habit of
some
but encouraging
one another
all the more
as you see
the day
drawing
me
the third
call
let us
stir up
one another
to love
and good
works
the word
consider
in the
Greek
has strong
implications
that we
pay attention
with the
greatest care
and consideration
to one
another
that we
consider
the need
of each
other
we consider
one another
in that
great
let us
be attentive
and
that we
stir
one another
up
that we
support
one another
in ways
that are
needed
that we
care for
one another
as we
go on
to live
in love
and good
works
and highlights
the importance
of being
together
that we
do
stir
each other
up
together
we encourage
each other
when we meet
together
and even
we stir
one another
and keep
each other
and watch
over each
other
in our
marriages
in our
friendships
in our
families
in our
church
the family
we stir
one another
up
we pay
attention
with the
greatest
consideration
to each
other
on how
to draw
one another
to love
and good
works
let us
in the
gathering of
God's
people
as the
church
have this
special
bond
of love
to stir
each
other
and to
encourage
one another
on the
way
and these
three let
us
just briefly
in concluding
let us
draw near
let us
hold fast
let us
stir up
one another
to love
and good
works
I want to
present
to you
an image
and there
is more
to it
I just
don't have
the time
to fully
go into
it
the simplest
of images
that ties
these three
actions
in the
Christian
faith
I'd imagine
you were
on a raft
at sea
and each
of you is
in your
own raft
there is no
land to be
seen
the sea
as you know
is full of
dangers
storms pass
over from
time to
time
and you
realise
you must
get to
land
somehow
before
you
perish
and you
notice
in each
corner
ropes
tied
to the
raft
and there
are people
likewise
in a similar
situation
beside you
on their
own raft
with their
ropes
that you
can speak
to and
interact
to
and
have you
tried
pulling
on any
of the
ropes
say
well
some
have
pulled
on
the
ropes
some
have
ropes
that
have
been
tagged
eternal
joy
eternal
pleasure
and it
was only
a loose
end
there are
other ropes
that have
given
promises
that have
been tagged
with promises
of material
possessions
and the
riches of
this world
and there
are only
ropes that
they have
left
bundled
on their
raft
barely
keeping them
afloat
and dragging
them down
themselves
but yet
there is a
small red
scarlet
cord
tied to
the corner
of each
raft
and this
is a
cord that
is really
holding
the raft
this is a
cord that
is keeping
the raft
from being
completely
lost
it is this
small
cord
that people
despise
that is the
sustainer of
each raft
and each
life
every occasion
the wood
of one
raft
becomes so
absorbed
with wood
with the
wood of the
raft
becomes so
absorbed
with water
that it
sinks
with its
occupant
it brings
fear and
uncertainty
to those
who are
left
but soon
these
feelings
pass by
and they
continue
in their
own
comfort
in their
own way
by no
effort
by staying
in the
same
place
but you
in pondering
the situation
realise
the plight
of staying
where you
are
and so
pull on
this red
cord
small
in size
but three
fold
in
construction
and this
one is
tagged
the cord
that saved
my life
by one
called
rehab
and as
you do
so
pull on
this rope
every effort
of it
there is a
weight to
it
and pulls
you in a
sure
direction
separating
you from
the others
that you
leave behind
and you
know
that at the
end of
this
cord
is
something
there is
weight
to it
and as
you draw
on this
cord
the
windings
of it
are wrapped
with the
promises
of God
and it
is what
you hold
on to
as you
draw
on it
these
promises
of God
and your
hope
is then
shifted
not on
the raft
nor yourself
but on the
cord that
you hold
on to
and it
is that
cord
that we
likewise
hold on
to
that
promises
of God
and the
uncertainties
of our
lives
and yet
that
cord
is a
sustainer
of every
life
really
do we
pull upon
do we
draw near
upon
storms
come
as we
pull upon
this
cord
that test
us
that deny
our faith
in this
promises
do we
hold fast
to it
in the
struggles
of life
we are
inclined
to let
go of
it
that
cord
is the
anchor
of your
hope
isn't it
in no
other
rope
is there
confidence
to be
placed
and you
hold on
to it
and you
pull upon
it
it's the
word of
God
and only
as you
pull upon
it you
see at
the end
land
and a
secure
refuge
and a
figure
that holds
the rope
who is
Christ
himself
and then
you realise
that
while all
you're pulling
upon the
rope
he did
not let
go of
you
and if
that rope
you stained
it with
your sins
and the
weight of
the rope
was bundled
on the
raft
behind you
and all
the sins
of your
life
and the
sins
of your
hands
that stained
it
were not
too much
of a
weight
for the
man
that held
unto you
and he
did not
let go
of you
even
when you
let go
of it
even if
you slipped
even if
you were
just holding
on with
doubt
that we
hold
fast
and yet
others
come
alongside
you
that are
pulling
upon the
same
cord of
love
that is
extended
to them
and you
encourage
one
else
to
continue
mist
may
come
down
and
obscure
your
vision
surprises
may
lurk
in the
water
you
may
hit
a
reef
and
feel
grounded
but we
hold
fast
through
the
difficulties
of
life
and we
hold fast
confidently
to the
promises
of
God
that he
is one
that will
take that
raft and
that sins
and take
us to
a sure
shore
and he
will
cut
these
sins
from us
and the
raft
so uncertain
and set
you on
a rock
in which
you can
have confidence
in his
presence
that he
was the
one that
held you
all the
time
through the
difficulties
and
uncertainties
of life
as we
look at
Christ
it is
encouraging
us
to say
to one
another
let us
draw near
let us
hold fast
in the
times of
difficulty
let us
consider one
another
and stir
one another
up to
love and
good works
as we
go on
in the
Christian
journey
keeping our
eyes upon
Christ
and keeping
our eyes
also on
each other
let us
draw near
up to
to Christ
let us
hold fast
to Christ
and let
us stir
each other
up to
love and
good works
in Christ
may these
thoughts be
blessed to
us
we'll
conclude
later