Hope as an Anchor for the Soul

I. Text: Hebrews 6:13-20

II. We need stability

A. How can we keep going when enemies persecute or mock us for following Jesus?

B. How can we keep going when the burdens are heavy and it seems like there is so far to go?

C. We can endure all the storms of life because we have safety with Jesus who will never leave us, will help us with our burdens, and will lead us home.

III. Some will not hold onto Jesus (QUICKLY!)

A. Hebrews 6:1-3 – They should go onto perfection by growing in Christ

B. Hebrews 6:4-6 – Some will not continue growing and will fall away

C. Hebrews 6:7-8

D. Some take blessings and even trials and bring forth fruit Some take the same blessings and trials and become useless because they do not grow as God intended them to grow. Same as the Parable of the Sower in which some seed—which is the word of God—grows for a while but either dies when tribulations come or is choked out by the cares of the world.

E. Hebrews 6:9-12 – However the Hebrew writer expects them to go on to perfection and not fall away

F. They have been working for the Lord, v.10

G. They have been laboring in love, v.10

H. In the past they ministered to the saints, v.10 They continue to minister to the saints, v.10

I. Though they have been active, the writer urges each of them to show the same diligence to the end.

J. Hebrews 10:35-39 – They need endurance so they will receive the promise of God, the salvation of their souls

K. In chapter 6, he tells them not become sluggish or quit, but through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.

L. Sometimes we can be discouraged and desire to give up, but we must endure until the end.

M. Sometimes we can become sluggish and lazy with our spiritual work, for which the Lord will be displeased

N. Parable of the talents – one talent man did nothing with it Matthew 25:26-30

O. They should follow the example of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God

P. Hebrews 11 lists examples of men and women who had great faith in God, through that faith endured great trials, and received their reward, Hebrews 11:32-40.

Q. Abraham is specifically noted for his obedience to God.

R. Abraham left his people to go to a land God would show him He had a child when he and Sarah were old because he had faith in the God who made the promise He endured all because he had assurance that the promises of God would come true

S. Abraham’s assurance, and our assurance, is based on the trustworthiness of God, who cannot lie

T. God swore by himself that the promises would come true though two of the promises would take over 400 years to fulfill and the last promise would not be fulfilled for thousands of years. Yet, the word was fulfilled just as God promised. We can have the hope in God as Abraham and these other great men and women of faith had.

U. The anchor

V. Large boat anchors are only useful when they are attached to something solid that will keep the boat from drifting.

W. Hope is the weight that keeps us close to God so that we do not drift back into unrighteousness.

X. We have need of endurance, Hebrews 10:35-39 We must not drift away from our salvation, Hebrews 2:1-3 Even through great storms of life, hope is an anchor that allows us to endure the storm knowing that we will see the safe harbor one day.

Y. Hope is fastened to Jesus in heaven

Z. The anchor must be attached to something solid that will hold the ship against the wind and the waves. The “presence behind the veil” is a reference to the Holiest of Holies in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple that housed the Ark of the Covenant, and thus the presence of God was manifest. Just as the sailor does not see what the anchor is attached to, but trusts in it to hold him, the Christian puts his hope in the God he cannot see. We do not place our hope in the church, but in Christ who died for it.2 Timothy 1:8-12 – This anchor allowed Paul to endure suffering1 Corinthians 15:17-19 – Our faith is in the risen Savior in heaven

A. We have great comfort that God will take care of us

B. Without God, we are in danger of eternal punishment.

C. Those who are wise flee to Him for safety and hold tightly to the hope of the home after this life. It is this hope that provides stability for us.2 Thessalonians 2:16 – Hope should motivate us to do good works We must hold tight to hope, Hebrews 10:23-27

IV. Conclusion: In the end, we will realize our hope, for we will see the God in whom we have put our trust, and the reward for which we have hoped. However, we must not give up, Galatians 6:9. Do not give up your hope, do not cast away your confidence, and do not drift away. Anchor your hope in God and endure all storms until you can enter that safe harbor in the end.