Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Main Theme

Because Jesus is our Great High Priest, we never have to give up—we can hold fast to our confession and draw near to God's throne with confidence.

Outline

1. Hold Fast your confession (V14)
2. Remember your compassionate Savior (V15)
3. Draw Near with confidence (V16)

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

“Since” (Because…)

Communicates…

1. Certainty: Jesus IS our Great High Priest. This is not a possibility or aspiration.
2. Possession: “Since we have…” Jesus is not merely a High Priest; He is ours. There is relationship and access here.
3. Reason: What follows is grounded in who Jesus is. Because we have Him, we can hold fast.
4. Response: Theology leads to action. The truth about Christ demands perseverance from the believer.

Peter's Confession:

Matthew 16:13-19

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

"Hold fast" means to “Use strength to retain”

"Confession" means to, "Say the same thing."

Reflection Questions

1. What am I tempted to let go of when following Jesus becomes difficult?
2. How does knowing that Jesus is my Great High Priest give me confidence to hold fast to my faith?

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

Sympathizes means: "To suffer with; to be touched with the feeling of…”

Charles Spurgeon said:

"It is one thing to see pain but another thing to be touched with the feeling of it."

Reflection Questions

1. What weakness am I carrying that I need to stop hiding from Jesus and bring honestly before Him?
2. When I am tempted, struggling, or hurting, do I see Jesus as distant—or as One who truly understands what I am facing?

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Our confidence is in our High Priest who opened the way to the throne of Grace.

Don't run... Don't retreat... Draw near!

Receive Mercy and Find Grace

1. Mercy: God doesn't give us what we deserve.
2. Grace: God gives us what we don't deserve.

"Help in time of need" literally means... "Well-timed help."

Reflection Questions

1. When I fail or find myself in need, is my instinct to run from God or draw near to Him?
2. Where in my life do I need God’s mercy for what has happened and His grace for what I am facing now?