Introduction

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Pr 13:12)

But Abraham waited 25 years to see just the first instalment of what was promised to him fulfilled in his lifetime.

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Ro 4:18-22)

Scripture: He 6:11-20

11 Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience. 13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in His own name, saying: 14 I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions. 15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. 16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 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 offered to 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 Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Sermon Thrust: Tempests may rage; billows may roll; and waves may bash; yet we are safe and secure for we have a promise-keeping God and a hope-giving Christ.

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Background of Passage

Christians suffered persecution, backslid, and fell into apostasy.

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace. (He 6:4-6)

I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns Me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. (Lk 12:8-9)

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. (Mt 10:21)

Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. (He 6:11, NLT)

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1. We Have a Promise-Making, Oath-Taking God

A. God Never Lies

13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in His own name, saying: 14 “I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions.” 15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. 16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. (vv.13-16)

“For I swear by Myself,” declares the Lord, “that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies” (Ge 22:16-17)

“By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked…” (Is 45:23)

God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfil? (Nu 23:19)

He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind (1 Sa 15:29)

B. God Never Fails

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. (v.17)

Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Jos 21:45)

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son... 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. (He 1:1-4)

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2. We Have a Hope-Giving Anchor And a Forever High Priest

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a High Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (v.19-20)

A. Christ is Our Anchor

We have this hope!

Hope is sure and steadfast

• Sure: (Gk: asphale ; 'a' = not; 'sphale' = moved)
• Steadfast: (Gk: bebaian = secure)

B. Christ is Our High Priest

• forerunner (Gk: prodromos)

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Conclusion

Hold on to Hope:

• 1. You have a promise-making, oath-taking God
• 2. You have a hope-giving anchor and an eternal High Priest