Anchor for the Soul
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning I want us to consider a word, a word that carries meaning in our world today, but I think can provide meaning for you as well.
Anchor..... the word is Anchor
Now automatically when I mentioned the word Anchor, the first thing that comes to mind is that huge anchor that secures the ship to the ocean floor and keeps a ship from moving .... The anchor literally provides stability for the ship
So we surmise... Anchors are important.
Consider a violent storm, the anchor keeps the ship safe and in place as the ship is held stationary, and even as the storm rages the ship cannot be pushed into the rocks or the reefs that might tear it a part.
And even in the harbor, the anchor holds the ship in place, it keeps it from drifting into other ships or away from the dock.
You see it really doesn’t matter, the weather can be calm or there can be a storm raging… the anchor keeps the ship safe, and with it, the captain and its crew.
So we know, those on the ship depend upon the anchor… without it they are in trouble.
Now while the anchor can be a physical item, ( it can also be representative of something spiritual.
In the storm the anchor keeps the ship safe and in place as the waves push against it,
They keep the ship safe and its crew and cargo with it. in fact the captain, the crew depend on the anchor.
The crew depends on it....
Now while the anchor can be a physical item, ( it can also be representative of something spiritual.
For the Christian, we have a symbolic anchor.... that which covers, secure and holds us fast and safe.
Jesus is our anchor.
He keeps us safe during the calm times or during the storms of life.
So this morning I want to take us to the New Testament book of Hebrews and consider the idea that He is our anchor
An Anchor for our Soul...
So this morning my core text will be Hebrews 6:17-20...
Hebrews 6:13-20
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Now the believer's we know here as the Hebrews, they are facing a great deal of persecution and severe trials, to the point some want to abandon Christ and return to Judaism, at least there they would not face such hardship.
He is urging them to persevere by putting their focus on Jesus Christ and the salvation that He has provided.
He is trying to instill in them biblical hope—God is faithful.
So lets consider my first thought....
1. God has Given Us many Proofs
1. God has Given Us many Proofs
1. God has Given Us many Proofs
1. God has Given Us many Proofs
If there is anything I can be certain of today it is the truth that God has given many proofs through history and his precious Word that He is faithful and has been at work past, present and yes in our future as well.
And in doing so He has given us many proofs of his work. That He is a refuge for our soul.
Now, how can we be sure...
The author instructs us to consider Abraham, look back at verses 13-15.
12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.
Abraham is one of those people from the Bible, that when we look at his life, we are astonished.
Why?
One ...He trusted God, namely when He may not have had a reason too. God told him follow me and I will bless you....
Secondly, He saw and witnessed the faithfulness of God. Isn’t that awesome.
We do not have a lot of information about Abraham’s family following God, or worshipping the one true God of Israel.… But when God showed up to Abraham, he didn’t hesitate.
Abraham followed God and God did bless him.
Let me share with you.
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
So Abraham followed God. He left his home, his family and taking his wife, His nephew and His possessions He made his way to the land God promised to show him.
And would you believe it, He followed God and God did bless him.... Wow
Now it didnt happen immediately, but God’s promises were faithful, God gave them a son. Isaac.
Why do I say that… Dont think following God means your situation will change overnight. What will change is your status… you were lost but now you are found. and God will keep his promise, the Holy Spirit in us is our guarantee. a heavenly home awaits us.
After 25 years of waiting, God gave Abraham a son. Isaac.
Now for Abraham, he followed God. and God kept His promise… this one sons would be the beginning of a multitude of descendants for Abraham and Sarah.=, that is seen in
God kept His promise… this one sons would be the beginning of a multitude of descendants for Abraham and Sarah.=, that is seen in
12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Now from Abraham we know that list grows…
Think of Moses… God called, he didn’t believe he could but God knew He could and God used him to lead a nation out of the land of Egypt....
Think of Joshua, Moses helper.... God called him after Moses death. God told him you will lead my people., only be strong and courageous. Now as they approached Jericho, the city is fortified and there is no way in for this group of brick makers to overcome it.
But God givens them a plan… I will just call them “Marching orders”. Now on the last day of marching.... the trumpets blow and the city falls… Joshua chapter 6
God keeps His promises...
In fact here is the truth, God always has and he always will.... the proof is written in the pages of history and this precious word.
By faith people followed, and God has given us many proofs to know, to believe and to act upon in our life as well.
He was faithful to them, and his faithfulness endure to our generation as well.
Let me ask you a question.... Do you believe God?
Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and so many more in had their anchor set in God and his promises. They were held and blessed...
They were blessed and so can you.
Now here is our second thought......
2. God has Guaranteed His Promises
2. God has Guaranteed His Promises
Not only do we have proofs of God’s faithfulness, the Scriptures tells us that His promises are guaranteed.
Why is that important?
It is important for believers today because God does not change, His character remains the same.
Lets go back to our text....
Verses 17-18
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
There is a certainly of the Holy Scriptures, in that they share with us many important truths. One being, God’s character is unchangeable.
And if His character is unchangeable, then my friends please note that his plans or purposes are unchangeable as well. He has guaranteed his promises to mankind and they are sure in his character and purpose.
So look back at verses 17-18
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
The author tells us, that God desired to show his heirs two things....
The first is this.....
A. God does not lie.. It is impossible for God to lie to his children. To lie would be to sin and God cannot sin nor does he tolerate sin.
God does not lie or can he lie because it is against his very nature.
19 God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”
And then secondly I want you to know God’s promises are true because of his unchanging plans.
B. God’s Unchanging Plans… God’s plans do not change. from the calling of Abraham God told him to come and follow Him, in the process of His obedience God would bless, him, and make him great and finally all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him.
God has kept they course… the hope set before them that is mentioned in verse 18 refers uniquely to Jesus.
Many years ago Rich Mullins wrote My deliver - which speaks to the idea that just as God pulled the children of Israel out of the land of bondage, so Jesus was coming to deliver us from the bondage of sin.... My Deliver is coming, my deliverer is standing by....
and then secondly I want you to know God’s promises are true because of his
The promises God made are an anchor for the souls of man. His character confirms it and his unchanging plans point to it. we are safe in Jesus.
But here is the question, do you trust God?
Do you trust his promises.
Now this brings me to my last thought for today....
3. God Has Given Us a Sure Anchor
3. God Has Given Us a Sure Anchor
God has given us a sure Anchor V 19-20
As we have read through this passage, the author wants to assure us of this truth: There is hope no matter what we face.
Now consider this… the ships of this world, all have an anchor, but something we do not think about is this truth… the anchor is not always displayed, or lowered.
What do I mean, the anchor is there, positioned in its rightful spot on the ship. So that whether the ship moves from place to place or is stationed in the harbor, the anchor is always there. It is sure and ready.
For us in this life, God has given us an anchor...
Look at verses 19-20
19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
What is the author telling us…
We as the heirs of God, we have a sure and steadfast anchor of our soul. I love those words sure and steadfast...
Sure speaks to the fact that it is ours, no one can remove it
Steadfast in that it is firm, unbreakable.
So that no matter what comes, the anchor cannot lose its grip. It is uniquely ours, and cannot be removed.
But this sure hope has done what no man can do… The has entered behind the veil.
Ot has entered
The veil speaks to the temple, the place where God’s presence resided in the Old Testament, and here behind the veil was the Ark of the Covenant. Once a year the High Priest would go back behind the veil and make the proper offering for sin.
Jesus has entered into the Holy of Holies, once and for all to offer himself has a perfect and acceptable sacrifice for sin, forever securing freedom for the souls of men, that whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord might be saved.
And for this reason, He is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Remember Melchizedek, he was the king of Salem and priest before God, this is Abrahams time… Salem was the ancient name for the city of Jerusalem. And he is a priest before God.
Now I think Melchizedek is a type of Christ, perhaps even Christ pre incarnate. the one who has pleased God the Father from the foundation of the world and now as the Son who came into the world.... he has forever made peace, reconciled man before God.
Jesus is our sure anchor!
He holds us and sustains us, not matter if the weather is calm or is the storm rages, Jesus is the keeper of my soul.
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