Hebrews 4:14

At Christmas Jesus gives us more than we could expect:

1. The gift to fight sin with confidence (helps us in our weakness)

Christians are at war with sin. Abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul (1 Pet.2:11)

Sin too great. Weakness too strong, strengths too weak.

James 3:1 for we all stumble in many ways

Rom.6:12 don’t let sin reign in your mortal bodies that you should obey its lusts (because it relentlessly tries to)

Paul in Rom 7: I am doing the thing I hate…the good that I wish I do not do

Who is with you and for you in the battle? Jesus. What equips him to help? The incarnation. The incarnation proves he desires to, and he is able to.

Desires: it was his love that drove him from heaven to earth.

Ability:  tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin.

Heb.2:18 For since he himself was tempted in that which he suffered, he is able to come to the aid of those being tempted

Can identify with our weaknesses. I have been there. I understand.

1 Cor10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

We find grace to help in time of need.

This means you have to add something to your prayers:

Satisfy us in the morning with your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Ps.90:14

2. The gift to pray with confidence (bids us to come boldly to the throne of grace)

Who could go boldly to the throne of grace?

Where is our trust? Mercy. In Christ we do not get what we deserve.

Ps.18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold

Heb.10:22  let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water

Rom. 8:32  For he who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things.

Confidence he hears

Ps.116:1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my supplications. Because he has inclined his ear to me, therefore I shall call upon him as long as I live.

Confidence he can do anything, will do what is best and wise, so we can ask our friend and father for whatever we need.