Week 31 — Abiding at the Throne of Grace | Blake Hutchings

Week 31 — Abiding at the Throne of Grace | Blake Hutchings | Hebrews 4:14–16

Tension: Struggling alone vs. drawing near to Christ

Formation Outcome: Confident access to mercy and grace

Grounding Questions:

•  When you feel weak, tempted, or ashamed, are you more likely to draw near to God or keep distance?

•  What makes it hard to believe that Christ understands our weakness?

Expository Teaching:

Hebrews presents Jesus as the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens. This means believers do not approach God on the basis of their own strength, worthiness, or record. They draw near because Jesus represents them.

The writer gives two reasons for confidence.

First, Jesus is exalted. He is the Son of God who has passed through the heavens.

Second, Jesus is sympathetic. He is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. He has entered the human experience, faced temptation, endured suffering, and remained without sin.

This matters because weakness often tempts believers to withdraw. We may assume that God is disappointed, distant, or unwilling to receive us. But the text gives the opposite invitation:

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”

The throne is not described first as a throne of judgment, but a throne of grace. There believers receive mercy for failure and find grace for timely help.

This fits the ABIDE theme because abiding is not pretending to be strong. Abiding is remaining close enough to receive what only Christ can give.

The tension is clear:

We can either struggle alone in shame, or we can draw near to the sympathetic Savior who offers mercy and grace.

Group Discussion Questions:

•  Why does Jesus’ role as High Priest matter for struggling believers?

•  What does it mean that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses?

•  Why is confidence possible when approaching the throne of grace?

•  What weakness or need should you bring more honestly to Christ?

MacDonald Ave Church of Christ, Richmond, CA Sunday Morning Bible Class, Aug 30, 2026 (Revision.1)