FACING THE NEW YEAR WITH BOLDNESS

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Hebrews 10:19–25 (NLT) 

We are ready for whatever tomorrow holds. Why? Because of Christ in us! 

As we approach a brand-new year, let’s be reminded of what Christ has done for us and what Christ expects from us. 

1. Our position 

Vs 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus

• Vernon McGee said, “You and I have the privilege of worshiping God, not because of the life of Jesus, but because of His death for us upon the Cross.”[1]

2. Our access

Vs 20-22a By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him…

3. Our redemption

Vs 22b For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water

• “Because Jesus already has ascended into heaven and entered into God’s rest, believers can be confident that they, too, will have a share in God’s rest.”[2] – John Barry

4. Our commitment

• Our commitment is based on His invitation
  • Warren Weirsbe put it this way, “This threefold invitation hinges on our boldness to enter into the holiest (verse 19).”[3]
• We must be fully devoted followers of Christ 

Vs 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise

• John Robert Stevens said, “It is the stabilizer that will hold you steady and keep you from wavering and swerving. Hold fast to your hope without wavering, because that is your stabilizer.”[4]

• We must be fully committed to working together

Vs 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works

• We must be fully together

Vs 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

• An unprecedented 15,000 churches are expected to shut their doors this year, far more than the few thousand expected to open, according to denominational reports and church consultants.[5]

• In essence, here is our commitment for 2026:
  • We will go deeper in following Christ 
    • Bible Study
    • Prayer
    • Fasting
  • We will focus our efforts on building strong relationships rather than avoiding them
  • We will be active members of the local church

[1] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Epistles (Hebrews 8-13), electronic ed., vol. 52 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 56.

[2] John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Heb 4:14.

[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 315.

[4] John Robert Stevens, This Week, Volume XI (1980), (North Hollywood, CA: The Living Word, 2007).

[5] https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/great-unchurching-america-religiously-unaffiliated