TITLE: The Anchor of our Soul TEXT: Hebrews 6:13-20 THEME: The believer should find hope in the security of God's promises

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” We are vulnerable to being deceived and forming a wrong perspective on life and reality.

God wants to change our perspective

Hebrews Setting 1. The author has challenged the believer to go on to maturity.

Hebrews Setting 1. The author has challenged the believer to go on to maturity. 2. He then warns the believer of the consequences of not going on.

Hebrews Setting 1. The author has challenged the believer to go on to maturity. 2. He then warns the believer of the consequences of not going on. 3. He encourages the believer to avoid spiritual dullness and to wait.

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews Setting 4. This suggests the consideration that longsuffering (patience) is necessary and reasonable (though it's fulfillment may be delayed).

Hebrews Setting 4. This suggests the consideration that longsuffering (patience) is necessary and reasonable (though it's fulfillment may be delayed). 5. He will now proceed to show us the certainty of the fulfillment of the promises that should change their perspective of their faith.

Why should you find hope and security in God’s promises?

I. God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. (13-15)

Hebrews 6: When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

I. God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. (13-15) A. Abraham had assurance that God would fulfill his promise.

Genesis 12:1-4 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1-4 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

I. God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. (13-15) A, Abraham had assurance that God would fulfill his promise. B, Abraham had to wait patiently to see God’s promised realized.

I. God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. (13-15) A, Abraham had assurance that God would fulfill his promise. B, Abraham had to wait patiently to see God’s promised realized. 1. It was 25 years from the time of the oath till it's fulfillment in Isaac;

I. God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. (13-15) A, Abraham had assurance that God would fulfill his promise. B, Abraham had to wait patiently to see God’s promised realized. 1. It was 25 years from the time of the oath till it's fulfillment in Isaac; 2. This passage affirms that in some sense Abraham gained that for which he looked.

I. God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. (13-15) A, Abraham had assurance that God would fulfill his promise. B, Abraham had to wait patiently to see God’s promised realized. 1. It was 25 years from the time of the oath till it's fulfillment in Isaac; 2. This passage affirms that in some sense Abraham gained that for which he looked. 3. The passage is telling us that God's promises are certain but their fulfillment requires patience.

Genesis 15: As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there

Genesis 15: But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age.

Genesis 15: In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.

Why should you find hope and security in God’s promises?

II. God assures us that his promises to us will be realized. (16-19)

Hebrews 6: People 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

Hebrews 6: 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. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

II. God assures us that his promises to us will be realized. (16-19) A. The character and purpose of a human oath illustrates a divine oath.

II. God assures us that his promises to us will be realized. (16-19) A. The character and purpose of a human oath illustrates a divine oath. B.God wants us to know the certainty of His promise.

II. God assures us that his promises to us will be realized. (16-19) A. The character and purpose of a human oath illustrates a divine oath. B. God wants us to know the certainty of His promise. C. Gods promises are unchangeable and trustworthy because God Himself is.

Steve DeNeff in his book “Soul Shift” Only many years later did I find out from Dad that he had one thousand dollars cash in his pocket that night. What's more, he brought his checkbook just in case that wasn't enough. In my selection, I limited his blessing in my life.

Why should you find hope and security in God’s promises?

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20)

Hebrews 6:20 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) We, therefore, can enter into the very presence where Jesus is a high priest for ever.

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) 1. The hope created and sustained by the promise keeps the soul secure in all storms

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) 1. The hope created and sustained by the promise keeps the soul secure in all storms 2. The anchor is the familiar symbol of hope.

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) 1. The hope created and sustained by the promise keeps the soul secure in all storms 2. The anchor is the familiar symbol of hope. 3. The anchor here is an interesting work play. The earthly anchor sinks to the depths of the sea while the heavenly order rises to the heights of heaven.

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) 4. The stability of the hope is twofold. A. It is undisturbed by outside influences, b. It is firm in its inherit character.

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) 4. The stability of the hope is twofold. A. It is undisturbed by outside influences, b. It is firm in its inherit character. 5. Hope enters the most inner sanctuary. (i.e., “The presence of God.” O.T. Sanctuary pictures the heavenly sanctuary).

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) 4. The stability of the hope is twofold. A. It is undisturbed by outside influences, b. It is firm in its inherit character. 5. Hope enters the most inner sanctuary. (i.e., “The presence of God.” O.T. Sanctuary pictures the heavenly sanctuary). 6. Hope, like the anchor is fixed on the unseen

III. God’s Promises are fulfilled in Christ’s exaltation. (20) 4. The stability of the hope is twofold. A. It is undisturbed by outside influences, b. It is firm in its inherit character. 5. Hope enters the most inner sanctuary. (i.e., “The presence of God.” O.T. Sanctuary pictures the heavenly sanctuary). 6. Hope, like the anchor is fixed on the unseen 7. Christ has arrived there already and, presenting our case for us.

APPLICATION 1. In Abraham God demonstrates his commitment to his oaths and promises. The same God who spoke to Abraham and promised God things has spoken to us and done the same.

APPLICATION 2. God promises should be an anchor in your life- giving you stability and direction in even the worst of storms.

APPLICATION 3. Jesus sits at God’s right hand after He Himself suffered great hardship. He is now our advocate preparing the way for our eternity with Him in heaven.

When we're tempted to give up, the promises of the Bible give us hope to persevere.