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The Blue Letter Bible

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Hebrews 6:17-19

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"THE ANCHOR FOR OUR SOUL"
Intro. In chapter 2 we were told that we needed to take the more earnest heed to the things that we had heard lest at any time we should drift away. In this chapter he speaks of an anchor for our soul. The anchor is to keep the ship from drifting.
I. WHY WE NEED AN ANCHOR FOR OUR SOUL.
A. We are living in a rapidly changing world created by advances in science, and the liberal media.
1. Computer technology.
2. Satellite communication.
3. Television.
B. These all have had a radical effect upon our culture, the way we think, the way we live.
1. We read of generation X and we do not understand how they think, and how their values can be so totally different from ours.
2. As the prophet had said, "We have sown the wind, and we are now reaping the whirlwind."
3. The media has so molded the minds of our children that it has created generation gaps.
C. Our whole moral value systems are changing.
1. We are shocked at how the polls are revealing how morally decadent our society has become.
a. People are saying that character doesn't matter as long as the economy is good.
b. That the life of a child has no value, their little bodies can be used to harvest materials for research.
c. That when the quality of life has decreased it is ok to help that person put an end to their existence.
2. These people have not learned the lessons taught by history. Whenever a society looses its moral bearings, it is only a matter of time until that society disintegrates.
3. The history of the nation of Israel recorded in the Old Testament is a classic proof of the scripture that says "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."
4. The prophet Azariah warned king Asa that "If you seek the Lord He will be found of you, but if you forsake the Lord, He will forsake you."
D. The current philosophy of existentialism has had an enormous effect on our society.
1. The philosophy basically declares that there are no anchors.
2. There are no absolutes.
3. Truth is what you perceive it to be.
4. These concepts have set the whole world adrift.
E. The whole world is drifting toward destruction, we desperately need an anchor for our souls. In these changing times, we need to be anchored to an unchanging Christ.
1. The psalmist said, "He lifted me out of the miry clay and set my foot on the solid rock."
2. On Christ the solid rock I stand.
F. Back in chapter 2 we were told that we need to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard from Jesus, lest at any time we hould drift away from them. We need to be anchored in His word.
II. OUR TEXT TELLS US THAT GOD WANTED TO SHOW THE IMMUTABILITY OF HIS COUNSEL. THAT IS, THAT THE STANDARDS THAT GOD HAS SET FOR MAN ARE UNCHANGING.
A. Times may change, but the principles of survival do not. The counsel of God stands.
PSA 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
PRO 19:21 [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
B. The liberals in our nation are defying this notion.
1. They have filed suits that have caused the ten commandments to be removed from the walls of the public schools.
2. They have filed a suit against judge Moore for having the ten commandments posted in his courtroom, requiring him to remove them.
3. Thank God for the courage of this man to stand up against the liberals. Pray for him.
C. How foolish it is for man to exalt his wisdom above the knowledge of God.
1. "The foolishness of God is wiser than men."
2. The prophet declared, "He has shown you O man what is good."
3. Romans 1 tells us that the wrath of God is going to be revealed against the unrighteousness and ungodliness of man who hold the truth of God in unrighteousness, for when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God."
a. I am convinced that we are on the verge of seeing the wrath of God poured out upon the earth in which we live.
b. I believe that the judgments of God are already being seen in our land.
D. In order to show that the principles established for mankind by God do not change, God confirmed the truth with an oath.
1. Today in the courtroom we are still required to take an oath that the testimony we are about to give is the truth. We promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
2. In a sense, God swore that what He said was the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
3. The purpose of an oath is to end all argument.
4. Telling a lie when you have sworn to tell the truth is a very serious offence, and punishable by severe penalties. We realize that a break down on this issue can destroy the whole judicial system.
E. God did not have to sware that what He said was true, for it is impossible for God to lie. But He desired to remove all doubts in the minds of man, so He confirmed the truth with an oath.
D. God swore to the truth in order to give to you who are the heirs of the promises of God strong comfort.
1. God wanted you to be sure of the hope that you have of eternal life through His Son. So to establish the truth firmly He confirmed it with an oath.
ISA 14:24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:
2. It is the hope of eternal life that sustains us.
TIT 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
a. The world looks very bleak, but we hope for a better world.
b. Today seems so dark, but we hope for a brighter tomorrow.
DEU 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
III. OUR HOPE BECOMES OUR REFUGE. THAT WE MIGHT HAVE A STRONG CONSOLATION, WHO HAVE FLED FOR REFUGE TO LAY HOLD UPON THE HOPE SET BEFORE US:
A. As David said when he was discouraged and depressed, "Why are you cast down O my soul, why are you disquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
1. As I look at the world today and I see the moral decay, I watch on the news as one of the latest Rock stars tears up a bible while thousands of screaming fans roar in approval. I flee for refuge to the hope that the bible gives to us.
2. I believe that the world has gone too far, that there is no turning back, that the time of judgment has arrived, but that causes me to cling to the hope for the rapture of the church. As Paul calls it, "The blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
3. As Jeremiah sat in the cave and wept as he looked across the pile of rubble that had once been the great city of Jerusalem, and the beautiful temple of Solomon, he wrote.
LAM 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
LAM 3:23 [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.
LAM 3:24 The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
LAM 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
LAM 3:26 [It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. His soul had fled for refuge to the hope that God has promised His children in the future.
4. Paul wrote to the believers in Rome,
ROM 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
ROM 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
ROM 5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
ROM 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
ROM 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
5. We are told in our text that, the hope we have, is an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; We have an anchor that keeps our soul, Steadfast and sure, while the billows roll, Founded on the rock that cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.
6. Which enters within the veil.
a. In the Old Testament, only the High Priest was allowed to go within the veil, and that only once a year after many washings and sacrifices.
b. To go within the veil was to enter into the presence of God.
c. When Jesus was crucified, that veil was torn in two from the top to the bottom. God thus signifying that the way has now been made for all men to enter into His presence, who will come through His Son.
d. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that through Jesus, we have access to the Father.
e. Earlier in Hebrews we read,
HEB 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
7. I might ask you today, "Why are you cast down? why are you worried? Enter within the veil, and put your hope in God.
Sermon Notes for Hebrews 5:8 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Hebrews 7 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Philemon 1:18 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for James 1:2 Next Book →
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