Our Faith is an anchor of the soul

Our Faith is an anchor of the soul

Text: Hebrews 6:13–20 (KJV 1900)

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,

who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Introduction:

Song: Make Shure your anchor holds.

In Times Like These (Ruth Caye Jones - Mother Jones)

In times like these, you need a Savior In times like these you need an anchor Be very sure, be very sure Your ancor holds and grips the Solid Rock

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the one This Rock is Jesus, The only One Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

In times like these you need the Bible In times like these o be not idle Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the one This Rock is Jesus, The only One Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

In times like these, I have a Savior In times like these, I have an anchor I'm very sure, I'm very sure My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the one This Rock is Jesus, The only One I'm very sure, I'm very sure My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

I. Our faith is a sure anchor Because our Faith is a Reasonable Faith.

A. Our faith is a sure anchor because our faith is well documented.

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (KJV 1900)

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

* The quantity of New Testament manuscripts is unparalleled in ancient literature.

* There are over 5,000 Greek manuscripts, about 8,000 Latin manuscripts, and another 1,000 manuscripts in other languages (Syriac, Coptic, etc.).

* In addition to this extraordinary number, there are tens of thousands of citations of New Testament passages by the early church fathers in their writings.

* To give you an idea of how dependable and reliable the Bible is compared to other ancient writings, the typical number of existing manuscript copies for any of the works of the Greek and Latin authors, such as Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, or Tacitus, ranges from only one to 20.

* Our faith is a sure anchor because of its reliable documentation, the Bible, and the verification of other historical sources such as ancient historians and evidences supported by modern archeological discoveries.

The Quality of the Manuscripts

* Because of the great reverence the Jewish scribes held toward the Scriptures, they exercised extreme care in making new copies of the Hebrew Bible.

* The entire scribal process was specified in meticulous detail to minimize the possibility of even the slightest error.

* The number of letters, words, and lines were counted, and the middle letters of the Pentateuch and the Old Testament were determined.

* If a single mistake was discovered, the entire manuscript would be destroyed.

* As a result of this extreme care, the quality of the manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible surpasses all other ancient manuscripts.

* The 1947 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls provided a significant check on this, in spite of this time span, the number of variant readings between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the modernText is quite small, and most of these are variations in spelling and style.

* The quality of the Old Testament manuscripts is excellent, but that of the New Testament is very good--considerably better than the manuscript quality of other ancient documents.

* We accept the existence of historical writings of ancient writings by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Caesar and the like, but the integrity and reliability of the Bible is the most documented and reliable of any texts known to mankind.

* Putting all this aside, Jesus spoke of the Bible as a “Living Word,” the bread of life. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit of God would be with us to teach us the truth of God’s eternal word.

* Our faith is a sure anchor because of its reliable documentation, the Bible, and the verification of other historical sources such as ancient historians and evidences supported by modern archeological discoveries.

B. Because our faith is illustrated by the supernatural.

Miracles of the Old Testament

1. Creation of the universe, including plants, animals and humans (Genesis 1-2)

2. The destruction of the entire world by a divine Flood and the preservation of 8 righteous people and animals in the Ark. (Gen. 7, 8)

3. Tower of BabelConfusion of languages (tongues) at Babel (Gen. 11:1-9)

4. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24)

5. Lot's wife turned into a “pillar of salt” (Gen. 19:26)

6. Birth of Isaac to 100 year old Abraham at Gerar (Gen. 21:1) / The elderly mother Sarah was also able to naturally nurse the baby. (Genesis 21:7)

7. The burning bush not consumed (Ex. 3:3)

8. Aaron's rod changed into a serpent (Ex. 7:10-12)

The ten plagues of Egypt (Ex. 7:20-12:30)

9. Water everywhere became BLOOD. The fish died, and the river stank. (Exodus 7:14-25

10. God suddenly covered the land of Egypt with FROGS, and later supernaturally killed them, leaving them to make Egypt stink (Ex. 8:2-14; Ps. 78:45; 105:30)

11. “All the dust of the land became LICE throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 8:17-18)

12. God sent “grievous” swarms of FLIES upon all the people and houses of Egypt, covering even the ground, except in the land of Goshen (where the Israelites dwelled fly-free). (Exodus 8:20-24)

13. MURRAIN suddenly killed Egypt’s cattle (Exodus 9:3-6)

14. BOILS AND BLAINS—The sixth plague, of “boils and blains,” like the third, was sent without warning (Ex.9:8-12). It is called (Deut. 28:27) “the botch of Egypt,” King James Version; but in Revised Version, “the boil of Egypt.” “The magicians could not stand before Moses” because of it.

15. HAIL WITH FIRE AND THUNDER (Ex. 9:13-33). Warning was given of its coming. (Compare Ps. 18:13; 105:32-33).

16. LOCUSTS—The plague of locusts, which covered all of Egypt, so that the land was darkened with them (Ex. 10:12-15). The Hebrew name of this insect, arbeh, points to the “multitudinous” character of this visitation. Warning was given before this plague came. Again, the nearby land of Goshen was spared.

17. LOCALIZED DEEP DARKNESS—The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21) is described as darkness “which may be felt.” It covered “all the land of Egypt,” so that “they saw not one another.” It did not extend to the land of Goshen (verse 23).

18. DEATH of all first-born—struck by an angel of death in a single night / Israelite first-borns spared, if blood was painted around their door.

19 .RED SEA DIVIDED at just the right moment; the nation of Israel passes through on DRY GROUND. The sea then violently consumes the Egyptian army. (See: Passage of Red Sea) (Ex. 14:21-31)

20.Bitter waters of Marah sweetened (Ex. 15:23-25)

21. MANNA sent daily to feed the Israelites, except on the Sabbath (Ex. 16:14-35)

22. WATER from the rock at Rephidim (Ex. 17:5-7)

23. Nadab and Abihu consumed for offering “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1-2)

24. Complainers consumed by FIRE at Taberah / the destruction stopped in response to Moses’ prayer (Num. 11:1-3)

25. The EARTH OPENS AND SWALLOWS Korah and his company. (Num. 16:32-34)

26. “There came out a FIRE from the LORD, and consumed” 250 particular men fleeing the earth swallowing at Kadesh (Num. 16:35-45)

27. PLAGUE at Kadesh almost instantly killing 14,700, and stopped by Moses command Aaron to run with a incense censer among the people and “make an atonement for them” (Num. 16:46-50)

28. AARON'S ROD “brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds” at Kadesh (Num. 17:1-11)

29. WATER from the rock, smitten twice by Moses, desert of Zin (Num. 20:7-11)

30. “The Lord sent FIERY SERPENTS among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.” (Numbers 21:6)

31. BRASS SERPENT on a pole in the desert of Zin—“if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” (Num. 21:8-9)

32. BALAAM’S DONKEY SPEAKS—An angel is dispatched against Balaam to express God’s anger. Balaam's ass (donkey) repeatedly protected him from the angel and ultimately spoke to Balaam (Num. 22:21-35)

33. The JORDAN DIVIDED, so that Israel passed over dryshod near the city of Adam (Josh. 3:14-17)

34. The WALLS OF JERICHO fall down at God’s command, after the Israelites prove their faith in Him (Josh. 6:6-20)

35. The SUN AND MOON STAYED MOTIONLESS (longer day) to enable the Israelites to win a crucial battle (Josh. 10:12-14)—Can we explain the “long days” of Joshua and Hezekiah? Answer

36. MEGA HAILSTORM destroys the Amorite army in a battle with Joshua (Josh. 10:12-14)

37. The strength of SAMSON (Judg. 14-16)

38. Water from a hollow place “that is in Lehi” (Judg. 15:19)

39. Dagon falls twice before the ark. (1 Sam. 5:1-12)

40. Emerods on the Philistines (1 Sam. 5:1-12)

41. Men of Beth-shemesh smitten for looking into the ark (1 Sam. 6:19)

42. SUPERNATURAL THUNDERSTORM causes a panic among the Philistines at Eben-ezer (1 Sam. 7:10-12)

43. Thunder and rain in harvest at Gilgal (1 Sam. 12:18)

44. “The SOUND of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees” as a supernatural sign to attack the Philistines with God’s help at Rephaim (2 Sam. 5:23-25)

45. Uzzah smitten for touching the ark at Perez-uzzah (2 Sam. 6:6, 7)

46. Jeroboam's HAND INSTANTLY WITHERED and then restored (1 Kings 13:4-6)

47. Jeroboam's NEW ALTAR SUPERNATURALLY DESTROYED at Bethel (1 Kings 13:4-6

48. Widow of Zarephath's meal and oil increased (1 Kings 17:14-16)

49. Widow's son raised from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24)

50. DROUGHT in response to Elijah's prayers (1 Kings 17-18)

51. FIRE in response to Elijah's prayers (1 Kings 18:19-39)

52. RAIN in response to Elijah's prayers (1 Kings 18:41-45)

53. Elijah FED BY RAVENS (1 Kings 17-18)

54. Ahaziah's captains CONSUMED BY FIRE from heaven near Samaria (2 Kings 1:10-12)

55. Jordan divided by Elijah and Elisha near Jericho (2 Kings 2:7, 8, 14)

56. Elijah carried up into heaven (2 Kings 2:11)

57. WATERS OF JERICHO HEALED by Elisha's casting salt into them (2 Kings 2:21, 22)

58. 2 BEARS destroy 42 “young men” who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24)

59. WATER PROVIDED for Jehoshaphat and his allied army (2 Kings 3:16-20)—“Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.”

60. Widow's OIL MULTIPLIED (2 Kings 4:2-7)

61. The Shunammite's son given, and RAISED FROM THE DEAD at Shunem (2 Kings 4:32-37)

62. The deadly pottage cured with meal at Gilgal (2 Kings 4:38-41)

63. A HUNDRED MEN FED with 20 barley loaves and ears of corn at Gilgal (2 Kings 4:42-44)

64. Naaman instantly HEALED OF LEPROSY, Gehazi instantly afflicted with it (2 Kings 5:10-27)

65. An IRON AXE-HEAD MADE TO SWIM in the river Jordan (2 Kings 6:5-7)

66. MIND READING PROPHECIES—Ben hadad's secret plans discovered. Hazael's thoughts, etc., through the prophecies of Elijah (2 Kings 6:12)

67. The Syrian army SMITTEN WITH BLINDNESS at Dothan (2 Kings 6:18)

68. The Syrian army HEALED OF BLINDNESS at Samaria (2 Kings 6:20)

69. Elisha's bones REVIVE THE DEAD (2 Kings 13:21)

70. Sennacherib's Assyrian ARMY OF 5,180 KILLED OVERNIGHT BY AN ANGEL near Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35)

71. SHADOW OF SUN GOES BACK TEN DEGREES on the sun-dial of Ahaz, Jerusalem (2 Kings 20:9-11)—Can we explain the “long days” of Joshua and Hezekiah? Answer

72. King Uzziah INSTANTLY STRUCK WITH LEPROSY, Jerusalem (2 Chr. 26:16-21)

73. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego DELIVERED FROM THE FIERY FURNACE in Babylon (Daniel 3:10-27)

74. DANIEL SAVED FROM HUNGRY LIONS in a sealed den (Dan. 6:16-23) / Those who falsely accused Daniel where then thrown to the same lions, where they were quickly killed. (Daniel 6:24)

75. JONAH SURVIVED IN THE FISH’S BELLY. Safely landed (Jonah 2:1-10)—How could Jonah survive three days in the belly of a “whale”? Answer

76. GIDEON'S FLEECE, wet when it shouldn't be, and dry when it shouldn't be (Judg. 6:37-40)

Miracles Recorded in the Gospels

1. Cure of two blind men (Matt 9:27-31)

2. Needed tax/tribute money found in a randomly caught fish's mouth, as Jesus promised (Matt 17:24-27)

3. Deaf and dumb man healed (Mark 7:31-37)

4. The blind man of Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26)

5. Jesus passes unseen through the crowd (Luke 4:28-30)

6. The miraculous draught of fishes (Luke 5:4-11)

7. The raising of the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:11-18)

8. The healing of a woman with the spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11-17)

9. The man with the dropsy (Luke 14:1-6)

10 .The healing of ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

11.The healing of Malchus (Luke 22:50-51)

12. Water made wine (John 2:1-11)

13. Cure of nobleman's son, Capernaum (John 4:46-54)

14. Impotent man at Bethsaida healed (John 5:1-9)

15. Man born blind healed (John 9:1-7)

16. Lazarus raised from the dead (John 11:38-44)

17. Draught of fishes instantly caught at Christ’s instruction (John 21:1-14)

18. Syrophoenician woman's daughter HEALED (Matt 15:28; Mark 7:24)

19. 4,000 fed from 7 loaves and a few little fishes (Matt 15:32; Mark 8:1)

20. Fig tree blasted (Matt 21:18; Mark 11:12)

21. Centurion's servant healed (Matt 8:5; Luke 7:1)

22. Blind and dumb demoniac cured (Matt 12:22; Luke 11:14)

23. Demoniac cured in synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33)

24. Peter's wife's mother healed (Matt 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38)

25. The tempest stilled (Matt 8:23; Mark 4:37; Luke 8:22)

26. .Demoniacs of Gadara cured (Matt 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26)

27. About 2,000 SWINE RUSH IN AND DROWN after Christ allowed demons to enter them (Mark 5:1-20)

28. Leper HEALED (Matt 8:2; Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12)

29. Jairus's daughter RAISED (Matt 9:23; Mark 5:23; Luke 8:41)

30. Woman's issue of blood HEALED (Matt 9:20; Mark 5:25; Luke 8:43)

31. Man sick of the palsy HEALED (Matt 9:2; Mark 2:3; Luke 5:18)

32. Man's withered hand HEALED (Matt 12:10; Mark 3:1; Luke 6:6)

33. Lunatic child healed (Matt 17:14; Mark 9:14; Luke 9:37)

34. 2 blind men healed (Matt 20:29; Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35)

35. JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA (Matt 14:25; Mark 6:48; John 6:15)

36. Jesus FEEDS 5,000 “in a desert place” (Matt 14:15; Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10; John 6:1-14)

37. Numerous FULFILLED PROPHECIES (also see: prophets)

38. The INCARNATE CONCEPTION of Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35) without human parents (genetically, with imputation of sin).

39. STAR OF BETHLEHEM appears and leads wisemen to Christ

40. The TRANSFIGURATION (Matt 17:1-8)

41. The RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ (John 21:1-14)

42. The ASCENSION (Luke 2:42-51)

42. Peter and the HEALING of a the paralytic Aeneas at Lydda (Acts 9:32, 35, 38)

43. Miraculous ability to SPEAK AND/OR UNDERSTAND A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (tongue) previously unknown to the speaker (See: Gift of tongues)

44. Inspiration of Scripture by God.

C. Our faith is a sure anchor because of fulfilled prophecy.

Text: Hebrews 6:13–20 (KJV 1900)

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,

* The Bible is unique among all books ever written, the Bible accurately foretells specific events-in detail-many years, sometimes centuries, before they occur.

* Approximately 2500 prophecies appear in the pages of the Bible, about 2000 of which already have been fulfilled to the letter—no errors.

* (The remaining 500 or so reach into the future and may be seen unfolding as days go by.)

* The probability for any one of these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance averages less than one in ten (figured very conservatively)

* The prophecies of the Bible are for the most part independent of one another.

* The odds for all these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance without error is less than one in 102000

* (that is 1 with 2000 zeros written after it)!

Examples:

Daniel

* Some time before 500 B.C. the prophet Daniel proclaimed that Israel's long-awaited Messiah would begin his public ministry 483 years after the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25-26).

* He further predicted that the Messiah would be "cut off," killed, and that this event would take place prior to a second destruction of Jerusalem.

* Abundant documentation shows that these prophecies were perfectly fulfilled in the life (and crucifixion) of Jesus Christ.

* The decree regarding the restoration of Jerusalem was issued by Persia's King Artaxerxes to the Hebrew priest Ezra in 458 B.C., 483 years later the ministry of Jesus Christ began in Galilee.

* Jesus' crucifixion occurred only a few years later, and about four decades later, in 70 A.D. came the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus.

The Birthplace of Jesus

* In approximately 700 B.C. the prophet Micah named the tiny village of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's Messiah (Micah 5:2).

* The fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Christ is one of the most widely known and widely celebrated facts in history.

The Price of a Slave

* In the fifth century B.C. a prophet named Zechariah declared that the Messiah would be betrayed for the price of a slave—thirty pieces of silver, according to Jewish law.

* Zechariah also said that this money would be used to buy a burial ground for Jerusalem's poor foreigners (Zechariah 11:12-13).

* Both the Bible, and secular historians, record thirty pieces of silver as the sum paid to Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus, and they indicate that the money went to purchase a "potter's field," used—just as predicted—for the burial of poor aliens (Matthew 27:3-10).

* Given that the Bible is so reliable a document as illustrated by fufilled prophecy, there is every reason to expect that the remaining 500 prophecies, those slated for the "time of the end," also will be fulfilled to the last letter.

*Can you really afford to ignore these coming events?

* Our faith is a sure anchor because of the fulfilled prophecies of the Bible.

II. Our faith is a shure anchor because our faith is based on what God has done for us, not what we can do for God.

Text: Hebrews 6:13–20 (KJV 1900)

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

* Our Salvation is based on the covenant that God made with Abraham. God put Abraham into a deep sleep and performed the ritual of the covenant all by himself, without the participation of Abraham.

Romans 4:1–8 (KJV 1900)

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

John 1:12–13 (KJV 1900)

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

* Beloved, your faith and your salvation is a sure anchor this morning because it your salvation has nothing to do with what you can do.

* Your salvation is a secure anchor this morning because it was all God. God does all the saving, all by himself, and God does all the “keeping you saved,” all by Himself.

1 Peter 1:3–5 (KJV 1900)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

III. Our faith is a sure anchor because our faith deals with sin once and for all.

* There are many religions in the world today, and they all profess that they are the way to God, but there remains one problem will all religion outside of the Christian faith:

* No religion or denomination outside of faith in Jesus Christ has a way to permanently deal with the sin that is within us once and for all.

* There is only one religion that has a savior.

* The Apostle Peter, preaching to the religious rulers in the Temple made this very statement to the religions people of his day:

Acts 4:11–12 (KJV 1900)

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

* We live in a day in which the “politically correct,” “self-appointed,” “self-righteous,” hall monitors of our modern society tell us that we must respect all religions.

* They go around saying things like “There are many roads to lead to God” and “if you are sincere in your heart, God will respect your religion.”

* These same messengers of Satan declare that if those who preach that believing on Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven, we are bigots and haters.

* All the religions of the world claim that they are a way to God, but they fail to address one most important fact.

* A holy God cannot, and will not, allow men born into sin approach Him. Sin stands as a barrier between a holy God and all mankind.

* Only the Gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ deals with the sin that separates us from God.

Text: Hebrews 6:13–20 (KJV 1900)

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Hebrews 9:11–12 (KJV 1900)

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 9:24 (KJV 1900)

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Hebrews 9:26–28 (KJV 1900)

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Colossians 2:12–14 (KJV 1900)

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Isaiah 1:17–18 (KJV 1900)

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Psalm 103:10–12 (KJV 1900)

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 38:16–17 (KJV 1900)

17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: But thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Hebrews 8:10–12 (KJV 1900)

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

* Our faith is a sure anchor because our faith does away with our sins forever more.

IV. Our faith is a sure anchor because our Faith has a resurrected and living Savior.

Text: Hebrews 6:13–20 (KJV 1900)

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

A. Jesus is our forerunner in that He was the first of many to raise from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:18–21 (KJV 1900)

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

John 6:44 (KJV 1900)

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:39–40 (KJV 1900)

39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

* Beloved, everyone one who believes and puts their faith in the name of Jesus the Christ, will be raise from the dead, without sin, because Jesus was raised from the dead, without sin.

1 John 3:1–2 (KJV 1900)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

B. Jesus was our forerunner because He was the first to enter into the Holy of Holies, and the mercy seat in the Temple of Heaven.

Hebrews 9:24–28 (KJV 1900)

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 4:14–16 (KJV 1900)

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.