“Anchored in Hope”

The New International Version Chapter 6

When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”  And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Introduction: Hope is rewarded to those who persevere. Life is full of challenges. Is there a place where you and I can anchor down and be secured as we travel along life’s journey? The Christian journey will require some risk taking. There is nothing wrong with taking kingdom building risk. The only thing that holds us back is the fear of not knowing what is going to happen.

Objective: Message aim and intent!

To help us understand how hope can give us courage to take risks for God's kingdom and to encourage us to anchor ourselves in hope.

Opening Prayer:

Dear God, as we study your Word today, help us to understand how hope can give us courage to take risks for your kingdom. May we anchor ourselves in the hope that you provide. Amen.

Icebreaker: Have you ever taken a risk for God’s Kingdom purpose? Most believers have take at least one. The day you gave your life to Christ. You did not know the details of how He was going to save you, you believed that He could, so you gave your life to Him. You trusted and you are currently hoping to receive the ultimate reward.

God’s promises are sure (Heb. 6:13-14)

In the text Abraham is our example of, how faithful and sure the promises of God are. He is told to do something not knowing exactly how it would turn out. God periodically challenges us to move from our comfort zones to a better place. Most of the time because we do not not the outcome we are reluctant to do as God says for us to do. 1. GOD’S PROMISES ARE BACKED BY HIS WORD AND HIS OATH.

Humans often swear by someone greater than themselves. For example, In courts of law, we promise to tell the truth and then add, "so help me, God." We appeal to God for confirmation that what we are going to say is true. I've heard people say, "I swear on my mother's grave." Or maybe you've heard folks say, "I swear by this or I swear that." Humans tend to swear by something greater than themselves. As we look to inscribing the Promises of God in 2024, we can rest on the fact that His promises are sure.

They are backed by God’s Word and God’s oath. The promises of God are promises of deity and will be fulfilled because He cannot lie; His attributes secure His promises. The promises of God are sure in the fact that the very names of God back His promises!

God’s promises are clear (Heb. 6:17)

He promises to always stand by our side no matter what. He will never leave us of forsake us. In the good times and the bad, he will be with us. We will never be alone because we always have him by our side as long as we believe in him. While we try to figure out how God is going to answer a prayer or fulfill his promises, he is calmly and powerfully working out his plans behind the scenes and in ways and for reasons that we may not comprehend. It should not surprise us that in Isaiah 55, the Lord described our inability to understand his methods: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (vv. 8–9).

Although his reasons may elude us, and his methods may surprise us, God always fulfills his promises.

God’s promises can be counted upon (Heb. 6:18)

All of the promises of God are fulfilled in his perfect timing, according to his wisdom. Many of those promises are fulfilled now. Many await fulfillment. All who trust Christ for forgiveness of sins receive that forgiveness and new life immediately—along with many spiritual benefits (john 3; ephesians 1). And while some people experience the evidence of God’s love and care through prosperity of life and good health, others experience the love and strength of God through poverty and sickness. In all cases, though, God is true to his word. He keeps his promises.

Closure: If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Anchor ourselves in hope. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.