THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL

HEBREWS 6:1

A. "WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, BOTH SURE AND STEDFAST, AND WHICH ENTERETH INTO THAT WITHIN THE VEIL."
  1. No other writer knew the value of the anchor better than did Paul:
    1. Think of his experience during his voyage to Rome - Acts 27:1-44
    2. It is he who is so apt to use the anchor of a ship and apply it to the security of the soul, when anchored in Christ Jesus - Rom. 8:31-38
  2. The anchor is indispensable to sea voyager:
    1. During a severe storm.
    2. When repair on the ship is needed.
    3. After entering a harbor.
B. THE HOPE OF THE SOUL AND ITS ANCHORS
  1. It is a strong anchor of the soul when it centers in Jesus Christ, our Lord:
    1. "Christ in you the hope of glory" - Col. 1:27
    2. "The Lord Jesus Christ which is our hope" - 1 Tim. 1:1
    3. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" - Tit. 2:13
    4. "And having the hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead." Acts 24:15
  2. This hope is, also, anchored:
    1. In God the Father, who is faithful to His promises given to His children - 1 Pet. 3:5; 1 Tim. 5:5; Num. 23:19
    2. In God's word - Matt. 24:35; Heb. 6:19, 20
    3. This hope is firm because it was confirmed by an oath made by God, who cannot lie - Heb. 6:17-19
    4. It is made doubly sure by the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord - Heb. 9:17; 1 Cor. 15:14-18; John 6:57; 14:19
C. HERE, DEAR FELLOW BELIEVERS, IS A GLORIOUS LESSON FOR US
  1. Those among us who study Bible prophecy in the light of the Spirit of Prophecy know:
    1. That a severe test will be brought to bear upon God's commandment-keeping people.
    2. This test will be so severe that it will strain every claim we are making to the light of Present Truth - Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:17
    3. We are facing perilous times which will affect God's people, no matter where they are - 2 Tim. 3:1-9
    4. Our greatest danger will be that we shall become so engrossed with the cares of this world, that we shall neglect prayer and the study of the word of God - Luke 21:34, 35
  2. It is then that we are in need of the hope that is a strong anchor to our soul:
    1. We need a steadfastness like that of Joseph - Gen. 39:8, 9
    2. Like that of Daniel and his friends - Dan. 1:8; 3:17, 18; 6:10
    3. Like our brother Job - Job 2:9, 10
    4. Or like that mighty man of God, Paul - Acts 21:13
  3. How different is the hope of those who know not God:
    1. They trust in the traditions of their fathers - Matt. 6:26-28; Mark 7:7-13
    2. Others put their trust in the material things of this world - Isa. 59:4; Dan. 5:1-9; Luke 12:19, 20
  4. My friends, can we affirm with Paul, that we have a living hope that is the anchor for our soul?
    1. If we cannot have this hope, why not? It is held out to every one of us in this service!
    2. God, who is no respecter of person, offers us the hope in the Bible, the word of God.
    3. All we need is to receive the word of God in our hearts, and nothing can shake us loose from our mooring in Christ our Lord - Rom. 8:1-3, 31-38


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