An Anchor of the Soul

Text: Hebrews 6:13-20
23 April 2017

A STRONG HOPE

1. Understanding hope

a) What it is not
i) It is not wishful thinking
ii) It is not about “hoping for the best”
b) What it is
i) It is faith yet to be realised
ii) This hope is in God

2. A hope that is strong

a) It is certain
b) It gives confidence
c) It can be developed

A STRONGER GRASP OF HOPE

1. Assurances based on the promises of God

a) Based on two immutable things
i) The promise of God
ii) His oath
b) They form the assurances for our hope as heirs of His promise
i) We are heirs of promise that was given to Abraham
ii) We have the same basis for our hope

2. Assurances based on God as our refuge

“We might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”   Hebrews 6:18
a) A strong encouragement to flee to God
b) God is seen as our refuge
c) Based on the Lord’s promise that He would be our refuge
d) To lay hold of this hope in God

3. Assurances based on Christ as our great High Priest

a) He has gone ahead of us
“Where the forerunner has entered for us,”   Hebrews 6:20
b) He has entered into the presence of the Lord
“And which enters the Presence behind the veil,”   Hebrews 6:19
c) He is our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf
“Even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”   Hebrews 6:20
d) As heirs of the promises, we are brought before the presence of God to hope through Christ as our High priest

HOPE AS AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL THROUGHT THE TESTING OF LIFE

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,”   Hebrews 6:19

1. The imagery of an anchor

a) The anchor is meant to hold the ship from drifting
b) It will keep it steady through a storm
c) Hope is meant to keep us secured through the testing of life

2. The steadiness of our hope as an anchor

“Both sure and steadfast,”   Hebrews 6:19
a) Sure
b) Steadfast

THE STRONGEST SENSE OF HOPE

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”   Hebrews 6:11

1. We have full assurance of hope until the end

2. We are not going to give up hope in any way

3. Our response

a) Be diligent
b) Not to be sluggish
c) Imitate the faith and perseverance of those who inherited the promises