An Anchor of HOPE

 Hebrews 6:19–20 (ESV) ~ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

One of the earliest Christian symbols used was an anchor. The anchor represented stability and safety to the early believers.

What are you anchored to this morning?

• If you are anchored to money and investments, what happens when the stock market crashes?
• If you are anchored to your family, what happens when loved ones are taken from you?
• If you are anchored to your career, what happens when you are laid off?
• If you are anchored in the pursuit of pleasures and enjoyable experiences, what will you do when hard times come?

We all know that this anchored list is common; but did you know that they have one thing in common? They are unreliable. When you set an anchor in sand, it will eventually fail, pull loose and let go.

Everyone has an anchor. However, our anchors are only as stable as the lake bottom or “HOLDING GROUND” in which they are set. To find stability in life, we need a firm holding ground; we need a place to set the anchor of our soul, trusting it will not move or shift like sand.

As Christians, we must have our anchor in HOPE. Man cannot live without HOPE. When man ceases to hope, despair sweeps in. If man has no hope, he sees no reason for living. HOPE is absolutely essential for man to live, work and have a meaningful existence.

Notice three things about HOPE God has given to us:

• Our HOPE in God is a refuge for belivers. The word refuge means shelter and protection from danger, distress or enemy. It is the picture of a ship caught in the most violent storm-tossed sea and desperately seeking the refuge of a haven or harbor. Belivers are persons who have fled…
  • from the violent storms of this world.
  • from the distress of sin and shame in this world.
  • from the dangerous enemy of this world.

Believers are people who have fled to the refuge of God’s HOPE!!!

• Our HOPE in God is an anchor for the believer’s soul. The word anchor refers to the anchor used by ships to hold the ship in a certain place. The anchor keeps it from floating aimlessly about and being damaged or sunk by floating upon the rocks of forbidden shores. God’s promise of an eternal land is what anchors the believer’s soul and …
  • keeps it from floating aimlessly about.
  • keeps it from floating upon forbidden shores.

NOTE: the anchor of HOPE is both sure and steadfast. It cannot slip and it cannot break; it will hold the believer no matter what storms or violence are launched against it.

• Our HOPE in God enters the veil. The great veil that separated God from man. The very presence of God dwelt within the Most Holy Place and no man was allowed to enter it; only the High Priest had that privilege, and he had it only once a year when he offered sacrifice for the sins of the people. But note two glorious facts:
  • Jesus Christ is the great forerunner into the Most Holy Place, that is, into the very presence of God. When Jesus Christ died upon the cross, the great curtain of the Holy Place was torn from top to bottom. The death of Jesus tore away the veil and curtain that separated man from God. He opened the way for man to enter the very presence of God Himself and to live there forever and ever. Jesus Christ was that great forerunner for man, the Person who ran ahead and opened up the way to God for man. The presence of God is no longer hidden or shut off from man. We can now enter God’s presence and remain there forever because of Jesus, the great forerunner.

• Jesus Christ is the great High Priest who has entered God’s presence for us. He is the great High Priest who intercedes before God for us. He is our Great High Priest – our great Mediator and Intercessor – who stands before God and presents us to God. And He is the eternal High Priest, which means that we are acceptable to God forever and ever.