An Anchor of Hope

Hebrews 6:17–20 NIV

17 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. 18 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. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

An Anchor of Hope

INTRODUCTION

WELCOME, BELOVED FRIENDS AND FAMILY, TO THIS SACRED GATHERING WHERE WE COME TOGETHER TO BASK IN THE GLORY OF GOD'S WORD.

WE ARE HERE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY, TO SEEK HIS WISDOM, TO FIND SOLACE IN HIS PROMISES, AND TO LEARN HOW TO HOLD ON TO THE HOPE HE OFFERS US.

WE ARE HERE TO UNDERSTAND HOW CHRIST SERVES AS OUR CORNERSTONE, OUR SOLID GROUND AMIDST THE SHIFTING SANDS OF LIFE.

A CHRISTIAN AUTHOR ONCE SAID, "FAITH GOES UP THE STAIRS THAT LOVE HAS BUILT AND LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW WHICH HOPE HAS OPENED."

WE ARE HERE TO BUILD OUR FAITH ON THE FOUNDATION OF GOD'S LOVE, TO GAZE THROUGH THE WINDOW OF HOPE THAT HE HAS OPENED FOR US, AND TO FIND OUR CORNERSTONE IN CHRIST.

IN OUR TEXT THIS MORNING MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IS A BEACON OF LIGHT IN OUR OFTEN TURBULENT LIVES.

IT REASSURES US OF THE UNCHANGING NATURE OF GOD'S PURPOSE, THE CERTAINTY OF HIS PROMISES, THE HOPE THAT ANCHORS OUR SOULS, AND THE ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.

AS WE PROGRESS THROUGH THIS SERMON, MAY WE BE REMINDED OF GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE, HIS PROCLAIMED PROMISES, THE HOPE THAT WE CAN HOLD HIGH, AND THE CORNERSTONE THAT IS CHRIST IN OUR LIVES.

PROMISES PROCLAIMED

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE PROMISES OF GOD, WE ARE REMINDED OF HIS FAITHFULNESS.

HIS PROMISES ARE NOT LIKE THOSE OF THE WORLD, WHICH CAN BE BROKEN OR FORGOTTEN.

INSTEAD, HIS PROMISES ARE FIRM, UNCHANGING, AND EVERLASTING. THEY ARE A TESTAMENT TO HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO US, HIS CHILDREN.

GOD'S PROMISES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE WHIMS AND FANCIES OF THIS WORLD.

THEY ARE NOT INFLUENCED BY THE CHANGING TIDES OF SOCIETY OR THE SHIFTING SANDS OF TIME.

THEY ARE NOT PERSUADED BY POLITICAL PARTIES OR ITS EBBS AND FLOWS.

THEY ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON OUR ACTIONS OR OUR WORTHINESS.

THEY ARE SOLELY BASED ON HIS LOVE FOR US, A LOVE THAT IS STEADFAST AND UNCHANGING.

IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS, WE READ ABOUT GOD'S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM.

GOD SWORE BY HIMSELF, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ONE GREATER TO SWEAR BY.

THIS WAS NOT A PROMISE MADE LIGHTLY.

IT WAS A PROMISE MADE WITH THE FULL WEIGHT OF HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY.

IT WAS A PROMISE THAT COULD NOT BE BROKEN.

THIS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM WAS NOT JUST ABOUT THE PHYSICAL DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM.

IT WAS A PROMISE ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM, THOSE WHO WOULD COME TO FAITH IN GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

THIS PROMISE WAS ABOUT US.

WE ARE THE HEIRS OF THIS PROMISE.

WE ARE THE ONES WHO CAN TAKE HOLD OF THE HOPE SET BEFORE US.

THE HOPE THAT WE HAVE IS NOT A FADING HOPE.

IT IS NOT A HOPE THAT IS BASED ON OUR CIRCUMSTANCES OR OUR FEELINGS.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS ANCHORED IN THE VERY NATURE OF GOD HIMSELF.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS FIRM AND SECURE.

IT IS A HOPE THAT ENTERS THE INNER SANCTUARY BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

THIS HOPE IS NOT A DISTANT HOPE.

IT IS NOT A HOPE THAT IS FAR OFF IN THE FUTURE.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS HERE AND NOW.

IT IS A HOPE THAT WE CAN HOLD ONTO IN THE MIDST OF OUR TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS.

IT IS A HOPE THAT GIVES US STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE.

THIS HOPE IS NOT A PASSIVE HOPE.

IT IS NOT A HOPE THAT SIMPLY WAITS FOR THINGS TO GET BETTER.

IT IS A HOPE THAT TAKES ACTION.

IT IS A HOPE THAT CLINGS TO THE PROMISES OF GOD.

IT IS A HOPE THAT REFUSES TO LET GO, NO MATTER WHAT.

THIS HOPE IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL HOPE.

IT IS NOT A HOPE THAT IS MEANT FOR US ALONE.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS MEANT TO BE SHARED.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS MEANT TO BRING LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD.

THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE NOT JUST WORDS.

THEY ARE NOT JUST EMPTY PROMISES.

THEY ARE THE VERY ESSENCE OF WHO GOD IS.

THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH.

THEY ARE THE ANCHOR FOR OUR SOULS.

THEY ARE THE HOPE THAT WE HOLD ONTO, THE HOPE THAT GIVES US STRENGTH, THE HOPE THAT ENCOURAGES US, AND THE HOPE THAT LIGHTS UP OUR WORLD.

HOPE HELD HIGH

AS WE CONTINUE TO REFLECT ON THE PASSAGE FROM HEBREWS, WE FIND OURSELVES STANDING IN THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF HOPE.

THIS HOPE IS NOT A FLEETING EMOTION OR A VAGUE WISH.

IT IS A ROBUST, ENDURING CERTAINTY THAT ANCHORS OUR SOULS.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS HELD HIGH, NOT HIDDEN AWAY.

THE FIRST ASPECT OF THIS HOPE THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS ITS SOURCE.

THE TEXT TELLS US THAT OUR HOPE ENTERS THE INNER SANCTUARY BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

THIS IS A REFERENCE TO THE HOLY OF HOLIES IN THE JEWISH TEMPLE, THE MOST SACRED PLACE WHERE GOD'S PRESENCE DWELLED.

THIS IS WHERE OUR HOPE ORIGINATES - IN THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD.

IT IS NOT A HOPE THAT WE CONJURE UP OURSELVES OR THAT WE BORROW FROM A FRIEND.

IT IS A DIVINE HOPE, A HOPE THAT IS BIRTHED IN THE HEART OF GOD AND GIFTED TO US.

THE SECOND ASPECT OF THIS HOPE IS ITS STRENGTH.

THE PASSAGE DESCRIBES OUR HOPE AS AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL, FIRM AND SECURE.

AN ANCHOR IS A POWERFUL SYMBOL.

IT IS WHAT KEEPS A SHIP FROM DRIFTING AWAY IN THE MIDST OF A STORM.

IT IS WHAT HOLDS IT STEADY WHEN THE WINDS ARE STRONG AND THE WAVES ARE HIGH.

THIS IS THE KIND OF HOPE WE HAVE - A HOPE THAT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO KEEP US STEADY IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S STORMS.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS FIRM, NOT FLIMSY; SECURE, NOT SHAKY.

THE THIRD ASPECT OF THIS HOPE IS ITS SCOPE.

THE PASSAGE TELLS US THAT OUR HOPE IS FOR US WHO HAVE FLED TO TAKE HOLD OF THE HOPE SET BEFORE US.

THIS HOPE IS NOT EXCLUSIVE OR FOR ELITIST.

IT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO CHOOSE TO TAKE HOLD OF IT.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS SET BEFORE US, NOT HIDDEN AWAY OR KEPT OUT OF REACH.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS INCLUSIVE, INVITING, AND ACCESSIBLE.

THE GREEK WORD FOR HOPE USED IN THIS PASSAGE IS "ELPIS".

WE SEE THIS WORD USED IN OTHER PASSAGES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

IN ROMANS 5:5, PAUL WRITES, "AND HOPE (ELPIS) DOES NOT PUT US TO SHAME, BECAUSE GOD'S LOVE HAS BEEN POURED OUT INTO OUR HEARTS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US."

IN THIS CONTEXT, ELPIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS POURED INTO OUR HEARTS.

IT IS A HOPE THAT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT OR PUT US TO SHAME.

IF YOU WERE IN SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS MORNING WE READ….

IN TITUS 1:2, PAUL WRITES, "IN THE HOPE (ELPIS) OF ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH GOD, WHO DOES NOT LIE, PROMISED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME."

HERE, ELPIS IS LINKED WITH THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS GROUNDED IN GOD'S PROMISE, A PROMISE THAT HE MADE EVEN BEFORE TIME BEGAN.

THE FOURTH ASPECT OF THIS HOPE IS ITS SURETY.

OUR HOPE IS NOT BASED ON WISHFUL THINKING OR FALSE OPTIMISM.

IT IS BASED ON THE UNCHANGING NATURE OF GOD'S PURPOSE AND THE CERTAINTY OF HIS PROMISES.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS SURE, NOT UNCERTAIN; A HOPE THAT IS CONFIDENT, NOT DOUBTFUL.

THE FIFTH ASPECT OF THIS HOPE IS ITS SUSTAINABILITY.

OUR HOPE IS NOT A TEMPORARY FIX OR A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION.

IT IS A LASTING HOPE, A HOPE THAT ENDURES THROUGH ALL SEASONS OF LIFE.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS SUSTAINABLE, NOT VANISHING; A HOPE THAT IS ENDURING, NOT TEMPORARY.

SO WE KNOW…..

SOURCE, STRENGTH, SCOPE, SURETY, SUSTAINABILITY

OF OUR HOPE….

OUR HOPE IS A DIVINE GIFT, A STRONG ANCHOR, AN INCLUSIVE INVITATION, A SURE CONFIDENCE, AND A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS HELD HIGH, NOT HIDDEN AWAY.

IT IS A HOPE THAT IS MEANT TO BE EMBRACED, CELEBRATED, AND SHARED.

CHRIST, OUR CORNERSTONE

AS WE TURN OUR GAZE TOWARDS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR FAITH, CHRIST, WE FIND OURSELVES STANDING ON THE SOLID GROUND OF GOD'S PROMISES.

THE PROMISES OF GOD, MY DEAR FRIENDS, ARE LIKE THE STARS IN THE NIGHT SKY.

THEY ARE COUNTLESS, THEY ARE STEADFAST, AND THEY SHINE BRIGHTEST IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES.

CHRIST, OUR CORNERSTONE, IS THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PROMISES.

IN HIM, ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD FIND THEIR "YES" AND "AMEN".

HE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, THE MANIFESTATION OF HIS LOVE, AND THE GUARANTEE OF OUR SALVATION.

BROTHER PAUL WRITES IN 2 CORINTHIANS 1:20, "FOR ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD FIND THEIR YES IN HIM. THAT IS WHY IT IS THROUGH HIM THAT WE UTTER OUR AMEN TO GOD FOR HIS GLORY."

THE FIRST ASPECT OF CHRIST AS OUR CORNERSTONE - HIS ROLE AS THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PROMISES.

THE BIBLE IS FILLED WITH PROMISES THAT GOD HAS MADE, AND EACH ONE OF THEM IS FULFILLED IN CHRIST.

FROM THE PROMISE OF SALVATION TO THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE, FROM THE PROMISE OF PEACE TO THE PROMISE OF PROVISION, EVERY PROMISE FINDS ITS FULFILLMENT IN CHRIST.

HE IS THE LIVING PROOF OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, THE TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF HIS LOVE, AND THE SURE GUARANTEE OF HIS PROMISES.

IN THE WORDS OF THE RENOWNED CHRISTIAN WRITER, A.W. TOZER, "JESUS CHRIST IS THE FULFILLMENT OF EVERY PROMISE GOD HAS EVER MADE."

THIS STATEMENT SUMS UP THE ESSENCE OF CHRIST AS OUR CORNERSTONE.

HE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF EVERY PROMISE, THE EMBODIMENT OF EVERY BLESSING, AND THE GUARANTEE OF EVERY HOPE.

ANOTHER ASPECT OF CHRIST AS OUR CORNERSTONE IS HIS ROLE AS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH.

JUST AS A CORNERSTONE IS THE FIRST STONE SET IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MASONRY FOUNDATION, AND ALL OTHER STONES ARE SET IN REFERENCE TO THIS STONE, SO ALSO CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH.

HE IS THE REFERENCE POINT FOR OUR BELIEFS, OUR VALUES, AND OUR ACTIONS.

IN CHRIST, WE FIND THE PERFECT MODEL OF A LIFE LIVED IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WILL, IN SERVICE TO OTHERS, AND IN PURSUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

HE IS THE STANDARD AGAINST WHICH WE MEASURE OUR THOUGHTS, OUR WORDS, AND OUR DEEDS.

AS THE APOSTLE PETER WRITES IN 1 PETER 2:6, "FOR IN SCRIPTURE IT SAYS: 'SEE, I LAY A STONE IN ZION, A CHOSEN AND PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, AND THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.'"

THE THIRD ASPECT OF CHRIST AS OUR CORNERSTONE - HIS ROLE AS THE SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH.

IN CHRIST, WE FIND THE STRENGTH TO FACE OUR TRIALS, TO OVERCOME OUR TEMPTATIONS, AND TO ENDURE OUR SUFFERINGS.

HE IS OUR ROCK IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, OUR REFUGE IN TIMES OF DISTRESS, AND OUR FORTRESS IN TIMES OF ATTACK.

IN THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL IN PHILIPPIANS 4:13, "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME."

THIS STATEMENT IS NOT JUST A DECLARATION OF PAUL'S PERSONAL FAITH, BUT IT IS ALSO A PROMISE FOR ALL BELIEVERS.

IN CHRIST, WE HAVE THE STRENGTH TO DO ALL THINGS, TO FACE ALL CHALLENGES, AND TO OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES.

THE FINAL ASPECT OF CHRIST AS OUR CORNERSTONE IS HIS ROLE AS THE HOPE OF OUR GLORY.

IN CHRIST, WE HAVE THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, THE HOPE OF RESURRECTION, AND THE HOPE OF GLORY.

HE IS THE PROMISE OF OUR FUTURE, THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE, AND THE ASSURANCE OF OUR SALVATION.

PAUL REMINDS US IN COLOSSIANS 1:27,

"TO THEM GOD HAS CHOSEN TO MAKE KNOWN AMONG THE GENTILES THE GLORIOUS RICHES OF THIS MYSTERY, WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY."

THIS STATEMENT IS NOT JUST A THEOLOGICAL TRUTH, BUT IT IS ALSO A PERSONAL PROMISE.

IN CHRIST, WE HAVE THE HOPE OF GLORY, THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE, AND THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS LET US TAKE HOLD OF THESE TRUTHS AND LET THEM SHAPE OUR LIVES.

LET US LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF GOD'S PROMISES, LET US BUILD OUR FAITH ON THE FOUNDATION OF CHRIST, LET US DRAW STRENGTH FROM HIS STRENGTH, AND LET US HOLD ON TO THE HOPE OF GLORY THAT HE OFFERS US.

LET CHRIST BE THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR LIVES, THE CENTER OF OUR FAITH, AND THE FOCUS OF OUR HOPE.

CONCLUSION

AS WE DRAW TO A CLOSE, LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE UNCHANGING NATURE OF GOD'S LOVE AND THE HOPE HE OFFERS US.

IT'S NOT JUST A FLEETING FEELING OR A TEMPORARY FIX. IT'S AN ANCHOR FOR OUR SOULS, A CORNERSTONE THAT HOLDS US STEADY NO MATTER WHAT STORMS WE FACE.

IT'S A PROMISE FROM A GOD WHO CANNOT LIE, A GOD WHO IS ALWAYS GOOD, ALWAYS FAITHFUL, ALWAYS THERE FOR US.

AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE ROLE OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR HIGH PRIEST.

HE'S NOT JUST A FIGURE FROM THE PAST, BUT A LIVING, ACTIVE PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES TODAY.

HE'S GONE AHEAD OF US, INTO THE INNER SANCTUARY, AND HE'S THERE RIGHT NOW, INTERCEDING ON OUR BEHALF.

THAT'S A COMFORT WE CAN HOLD ONTO, A TRUTH WE CAN STAND ON.

SO, AS WE GO FROM HERE, LET'S CARRY THIS HOPE WITH US.

LET'S LET IT ANCHOR US IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S STORMS, LET IT GUIDE US WHEN WE'RE NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN, LET IT INSPIRE US TO LIVE AS GOD'S PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

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LET'S PRAY:

"DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD, FOR THE HOPE IT GIVES US, FOR THE TRUTH IT REVEALS. WE THANK YOU FOR JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST, WHO IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US. HELP US TO HOLD ONTO THIS HOPE, TO LET IT ANCHOR US IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S STORMS. AS WE GO FROM HERE, GUIDE US AND INSPIRE US TO LIVE AS YOUR PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. IN JESUS' NAME, WE PRAY. AMEN."

AND NOW, MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, SO THAT YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. GO IN PEACE AND SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS. AMEN.