Anchor

Regardless of the storm, staying anchored in Jesus is the only guaranteed way to make it through.

Mountain of Easter - Who is still believing in the living hope? Who is back in the storm?

Illustration - Mountain of Camp - We anchor down the week of camp, the day of easter, but we all have to come down the mountain eventually.

Staying anchored, even when we come off the mountain.

Not easy

Takes work

Must be intentional - Preview spiritual disciplines

Hebrews 6:13–20 “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.”

Hebrew people - dealing with pushback due to their new conversion

Losing Business

Losing spouses

Temptation - Turn back to Judaism

Only one anchor

Hebrews 6:13 “When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,”

There is no greater anchor we can choose.

Anchor in things - Cant do it. Anchor in money - Cant do it.

Every other anchor will fail

Hebrews 6:16 “People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.”

Hope in people - broken boat tying to a broken boat

Hope doesn't have to be perfect, but it must be patient

Hebrews 6:15 “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”

Noah - 50-80 years to build ark - 200 days (including rain and receding)

David - Called as a teen - Made king 15 years later

Joseph - Sold into slavery as a child - Made second in command in Egypt 13 years later

All of these, and more have an anchor in common - God

As we put our hope in him, he continually renews us (two unchangeable)

Hebrews 6:18 “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.”

Why put our hope in Christ? 2 Reasons

The Promise - For Abraham, but also for us

The Oath - Unchangeable (God’s Nature, track record)

Hope in Jesus - Anchor for our souls - Eternally Grateful - Forerunner illustration

What happens when life is turned upside down? In a storm? - You’re already anchored

How do we practice hope?

Melchisedek - Priest before priests - Foreshadows Jesus - Outside of the law of moses - Only 1 Anchor