Hope as an anchor

Introduction

Hebrews 6:17–20 NKJV

17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

There are two things we need to define from this passage.

What is hope?

How does it anchor us?

Body

1. What is hope?

Hope is something that can be laid hold of (Heb. 6:18).

Hebrews 6:18 NKJV

18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

When we lay hold of hope we can “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Heb. 10:23).

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Remember hope is an anchor.

Having hope is something that will strengthen us (Ps. 31:24).

Psalm 31:24 NKJV

24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

Christ is our hope that strengthen us (Phil. 4:10-13).

Philippians 4:10–13 NKJV

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Remember hope is an anchor.

The substance of hope is the love of God (Rom. 5:5).

Romans 5:5 NKJV

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The love of God is what makes hope an anchor.

Hope is not seen (Rom. 8:24-25).

Romans 8:24–25 NKJV

24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

In verse 23 the promise of redemption of our body is what we hope for.

Romans 8:23 NKJV

23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

God has made the promise of the redemption of our body but we have not seen that promise yet so we hope for it.

1 Corinthians 15:50–57 NKJV

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When Christ comes back then this process will be seen and we will no longer hope.

2. How does hope anchor us?

All throughout the scriptures it talks about the faithfulness of God.

In the Old Testament...

In Deuteronomy 7:9 He is faithful to keep His covenant.

Deuteronomy 7:9 NKJV

9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

In Lamentations 3:22-23 His faithfulness is great.

Lamentations 3:22–23 NKJV

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

In Psalm 36:5 His faithfulness reaches the clouds.

Psalm 36:5 NKJV

5 Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

In 2 Timothy 2:13 God cannot deny His faithfulness because God cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy 2:13 NKJV

13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

3. God’s faithfulness and our Hope is tied together.

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Paul said...

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Paul’s hope was because He knew whom He had believed.

Paul expected the promises of God to be fulfilled.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The faithfulness of God is what anchored Paul.

He will give to me on that Day.

Our faithfulness and our hope is also tied together.

If we die with Him, we shall also live with Him (2 Tim. 2:11).

2 Timothy 2:11 NKJV

11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him (2 Tim. 2:12a).

2 Timothy 2:12 NKJV

12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

If we deny Him, He also will deny us (2 Tim. 2:12b).

2 Timothy 2:12 NKJV

12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

Conclusion:

The stronger our faith is in God the more anchored we will be.

Hebrews 6:13–16 NKJV

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

To the people that the book of Hebrews was written an oath was the end of the dispute.

So God confirmed the immutability of His counsel by an oath.

Hebrews 6:17 NKJV

17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,

The two immutable things of verse 18 are God’s promise which is His counsel and His oath.

Hebrews 6:18 NKJV

18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Because we know God cannot lie any doubt we have should be laid to rest because He has promised and confirmed it.

If you are going to believe anyone believe God and allow that hope to anchor you to Christ.

To secure you no matter the storm to the safety that is only in Christ.