But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

IDEA: We can have confidence that God who knows us will not reject us.

PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that while sin may keep them from God, it should not.

Was there ever a time as a child when you had done something wrong and you avoided being around your parents? What is true for us as children can also be true for us with God.

I. When there is something between you and God, does it make it difficult for you to pray?

Recognize that while you may keep a secret from a friend, you cannot keep a secret from God.

Hebrews 4:12-13 tells us that God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. This refers, not to the Bible but to Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:2 says that God has spoken to us by his Son. It can be terrifying to know that "no creature is hidden from Him" but all things are exposed to the eye of Him to whom we must give an account.

II. You can go to God with great confidence that He will not reject you.

When we have sinned, our tendency is to avoid Christ and put up a barrier between us and Him. But this passage in Hebrews 4 tells us that we have a great High Priest who knows all about us, and is there to help us (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, not cowardice (Hebrews 4:16).

The sinner receives mercy.

The needy finds grace.

And the troubled soul finds peace.