“ANCHORS THAT WILL HOLD IN LIFE’S STORMS”
“ANCHORS THAT WILL HOLD IN LIFE’S STORMS”
HEBREWS 6:17-20
INTRO: Every person in this world is looking for someone or something
to bring security, peace, and stability to their lives. Some
people have nothing to hold on to, to stabilize and anchor them.
They may have tried various things to try and bring stability but
after awhile all these things allowed them to drift into
depression, defeat, and discouragement.
The writer of Hebrews tells us we have an anchor that is both
sure and steadfast. That anchor is Jesus Christ. In life, we
must find someone or something that will give us security. That
someone is Jesus. In the WORD OF GOD Christ is referred to as
the Rock of our Salvation and also as our strong and mighty
tower. Even though conditions around us are continually
changing, our LORD remains the same! Hebrews 13:8
promises us, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and
forever." He never changes!
The LORD has offered to us some anchors that will hold in any
and every storm of life. May we in faith reach out and grab hold
of the anchor and HOPE SET BEFORE US!
(1) THE SAVIOR IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE'S STORMS
HEBREWS 6:19-20
*V18 tells us, "We might have strong consolation, who have fled for a
refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." We have great
encouragement if we have fled to Jesus Christ for He is our Eternal
refuge.
ILLUS: In Numbers 35 and Joshua 20, God appointed six cities, three
on each side Jordan, into which a man could flee if he
accidentally killed someone. The elders of the city would
investigate the case. If it was determined that it was indeed
manslaughter and not murder, they would permit a man to live
in the city until the death of the high priest. Then he could
return to his home. The members of the slain man's family
could not avenge themselves so long as the man remained in the
city. (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary.
Volume 2: Ephesians-Revelation. P. 298).
We have fled to Jesus Christ. No avenger can touch us because He has
already died and risen from the dead! Romans 8:31, 33-34—“What
shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?... Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather,
that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us.” Jesus Is our ANCHOR and:
A. HE IS A SURE ANCHOR. Sure means “firm, secure, safe, or certain.”
It cannot break. This is the kind of anchor we have in Jesus Christ.
He is able to deliver us. He has the power. He is sufficient. We read
In Colossians 1:16-19—“For by him were all things created, that are
in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were
created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all
things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have
the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all
fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross,
by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they
be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime
alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he
reconciled.” When the storms of life are raging, we can fix our eyes on
Jesus. He can and will anchor us! VV19b-20a—"which entereth into
that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus
...". This anchor has come "into the veil" or the Holy of Holies into
God's presence for us (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1).
ILLUS: H.A. Ironside in his commentary on Hebrews relates an
interesting custom in ancient seafaring. Sometimes
sandbars across the entrance of a port made it impossible to
enter the port at low tide. So a sailor (forerunner) in a small
boat would take the anchor across the sandbar and let it
down in the harbor. Thus the ship was held steady and safe.
When the tide rose it would enter the harbor.
Jesus, the forerunner has entered the harbor-the heavenly
Holy of Holies. There he holds intercession for His people
(Hebs. 7:25). His people on earth, like a cargo-laden ship,
must stay in the open sea for awhile. They may experience
the fury of the wind and waves. But they are steadfast and
sure until they enter the Heavenly harbor! (Herschel H.
Hobbs. Hebrews: Challenge To Bold Discipleship. Pp. 65-66).
He will keep you anchored. You can hold on to Him!
B. HE IS A STEADFAST ANCHOR. Steadfast means “firm, fixed.” The
dictionary defines it this way—“Firmed fixed in faith or devotion to
duty; constant; unchanging.” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk
Dictionary. Volume 2, N-Z. p. 659). It cannot slip. No earthly anchor
can give that kind of security. There is no reason to doubt His power
or ability to anchor you. Jesus can calm you in the storms of life or
calm the storms in your life. In troubles, trials, tough times, He is
very able to help and aid you. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 46:1-3—
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the
mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the
swelling thereof. Selah.”
C. HE IS A SOUL ANCHOR. Many people turn to drink, drugs, desires,
or deception to ease the pain and heartache. Jesus is very near and
dear to us. He can calm you, comfort you, console you, and counsel
you. He has given us a wonderful promise in Matthew 11:28-30—
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light.” The spiritual help He can offer to you
is greater than the human of fleshly temporary help.
THE SAVIOR IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS but also…
(2) THE SCRIPTURE IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE'S STORMS
HEBREWS 6:17-18a—“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to
show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation…”
*The Scripture's authority rests on the unchangeable nature and will of
God (Malachi 3:6). The nature of God is to be Holy. Throughout the
Scriptures we see God's Holiness displayed. The will of God is that man
be saved. The preaching of the WORD OF GOD accomplishes this (l
Corinthians 1:18; Romans 10:17). The Scripture Is an ANCHOR
because:
A. IT IS TRUTH. Jesus said, "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17). God's
Word is true and anything less is a lie. (Romans 3: 4a—“Let God be
true, but every man a liar…". The Scripture is profitable for doctrine,
reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:
16-17).
ILLUS: Recently a someone wrote the following letter to Dr. Billy
Graham:
DEAR DR. GRAHAM: Why can't I seem to change my life for
the better? I'm always making promises to God about how I'll
stop my bad habits and become a better person, but nothing
ever seems to last. I've read dozens of books on self-
improvement but so far they haven't helped much. -- P.B.
DEAR P.B.: Let me ask you a question: Have you ever read
the greatest book that was written on how to become a better
person? That book is the Bible -- and if you've never read any
of it, I urge you to do so. Why do I say this? The reason is
because the Bible isn't just another book on self-help. In fact
it isn't a "self-help" book at all because it tells us that we are
too weak to change our lives and make ourselves into the
kind of people we ought to be. We may not like to admit this –
- but it's true, as you know from your own experience.
Instead, the Bible points us to God, for only He can change
us and make our lives different. We can't change our lives –
but God can, and He will if we let Him. God loves us, and He
doesn't want us to be sunk in a pit of helplessness and
despair the rest of our lives. How does this happen? It begins
with repentance -- telling God we know we have sinned, and
we are turning from our old ways of living. Then we must
turn to Jesus Christ and ask Him to come into our lives as
our Savior and Lord. When we do, God Himself comes to live
within us by His Spirit. Then we'll discover the same truth
the Apostle Paul discovered: " I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). (Bible is
better than self-help books By DR. BILLY GRAHAM. Tuesday,
March 6, 2007.
).
One only has to read the BIBLE to know that the message contained
in its pages is Spiritual and of God.
ILLUS: By his own admission, Terry Anderson had little use for the
BIBLE before being taken hostage in Lebanon. During the
Middle East correspondent’s captivity of nearly seven years ,
he found a new appreciation for God's Word. Since his
release on Dec. 4, 1991 Anderson has been praising the
BIBLE'S power. "Constantly over the years of captivity I
found consolation and counsel in the BIBLE I was given. I
read the BIBLE more than 50 times, cover to cover. It was
an enormous help to me." (Raymond McHenry. The Best of
In Other Words. p. 30).
B. IT IS TRUSTFUL. God's Word will not pass away. Jesus said in
Matthew 5:18—“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled.” In Luke 21:33 our Lord said—“Heaven and earth shall
pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Man's ideas,
philosophies, and theories change quick and often. God's Word
changes not. It remains the same. Psalm 119:89 says—“Forever, O
LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” What does it mean when
something is settled? The Hebrew word that is translated our word
settled means “to station, establish, erect, stand, appoint.” You can
depend upon it completely and entirely. Isaiah 40:8 tells us—“The
grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand
forever.”
C. IT IS TESTED. Time has tested the BIBLE. In spite of the passing of
years, it is still a best seller. Satan and his servants have tried, to
burn and destroy God's Word, but he cannot and it still remains!
ILLUS: The Bible-banned, burned, beloved. More widely read, more
frequently attacked than any other book in history.
Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it;
dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those
who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more
powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into
solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into
gentle saints. --Charles Colson (1931- ) (Edythe Draper,
Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton:
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry #726).
If you but try God and His Word, you will know it is true because you
have tested it.
THE SAVIOR IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, THE SCRIPTURE IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, and…
(3) THE SPIRIT IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE'S STORMS
GALATIANS 5:16, 25—“ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye
shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
*"Your life apart from the filling of the Holy Spirit may be spectacular,
but it will never be miraculous." --Ralph Smith. (Raymond McHenry. The
Best Of In Other Words. p. 129).
ILLUS: For the shooting of BEN HUR, Charlton Heston was training to
drive a chariot. Heston was having trouble with the apparatus so
he confided in his director, William Wyler, "I can barely stay on
this thing. I can't win the race." Wyler told Heston, "Your job is
to stay on it; it's my job to make sure you win."
The Holy Spirit orchestrates the victories for God's Kingdom. Our
Job is simply to stay in the chariot of obedience. (Raymond
McHenry. The Best Of In Other Words. p. 129).
Friend, You cannot serve the LORD apart from the Holy Spirit and be pleasing to HIM! The Spirit Is an ANCHOR because:
A. HE INDWELLS. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1
Corinthians 6:19-20). If Christ is in us, the Spirit dwells with us.
Romans 8:10-11 tells us—“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead
because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if
the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he
that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal
bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” The Holy Spirit resides in
the heart of the saved person. He is the earnest of our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:11-14 tells us—“In whom also we have obtained an
inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be
to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also
trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
B. HE IDENTIFIES. He witnesses with our spirit we are the children of
God. (Romans 8:16). He produces spiritual fruit in our lives that
bears witness we are saved. Ephesians 5:22-23 says—“But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” We are not .left
alone. He is our comforter. Jesus promised in John 14:16-18—“And
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he
may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye
know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” The word "comforter" in the
Greek means "one called along-side to help." The Holy Spirit is more
than a Comforter, Helper, and Consoler; he is also an Advocate and
an Encourager. (Life Application Bible Commentary: John. Copyright
© 1993 by The Livingstone Corporation. Tyndale House Publishers,
Inc. Wheaton, Illinois. All rights reserved. Life Application is a
registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Electronic
Edition STEP Files Copyright © 2002, , Inc.
C. HE ILLUMINATES. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 tells us—“Now we have
received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that
we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which
things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned.” The Spirit-of God .guides into
all truth. (John 16:13). He teaches us the truth and principles of
righteousness. (1 Corinthians 2:13). He will show you things of the
LORD. (John 16:14).
D. HE INSTILLS. He sheds the Love of God abroad in our hearts.
(Romans 5:5). We love the brethren which is an indication of us
being saved. (1 John 3:14).
(4) THE SERVANT IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE'S STORMS
GALATIANS 5:13-15—“For, brethren, ye have been called unto
liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
A. THE SERVANT IS A FRIEND. Friends, there is a special love for the
people of the LORD. (1 John 3:16). In Paul's Letters, he mentions
some of God's people by name. These, no doubt, were some close
friends of his in the ministry. Those who had ministered to his needs
and bore his burdens with him. Christian friends are a wonderful
blessing.
ILLUS: Alone I cannot serve the Lord effectively, and he will spare no
pains to teach me this. He will bring things to an end,
allowing doors to close and leaving me ineffectively knocking
my head against a wall until I realize that I need the help of
the Body as well as of the Lord. -- Watchman Nee,
Leadership, Vol. 9, no. 3.
B. THE SERVANT'S FELLOWSHIP. We may not have the same likes
and dislikes, but we have the same LORD. Ephesians 4:4-6 tells
us—“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one
hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and
Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” We
have all things common in the service of the LORD! We agree on
Salvation, the Savior, the Scriptures, Service, and Second Coming.
Corrie Ten Boom said, “Be united with other Christians. A wall with
loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together. –
Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) (Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of
Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry #4020).
C. SERVANTS ARE FOLLOWERS. They are followers of The LORD.
Paul wrote in Ephesians. 5:1-2—“Be ye therefore followers of God as
dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath
given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweetsmelling savor.” They follow the ways of the LORD contained in
the WORD. They are followers but also they are leaders. Others who
have just started in the work need to follow them. We must set good,
godly examples for new Christians to follow.
D. SERVANTS ARE FAITHFUL. They are devoted and dedicated to the
LORD. They put Him first. They love Him and show it. (Matthew
6:33).
THE SAVIOR IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, THE SCRIPTURES ARE AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, THE SPIRIT IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, THE SERVANT IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORM, and finally…
(5) THE SECOND COMING IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE'S STORMS
TITUS 2:11-14—“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
A. IT IS SOON. No man, angel, not even the Son of God knows when
the Savior will return. Our Lord Jesus said in Mark 13:32—“But of
that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are
in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” When the Father says,
"son, go get your children, we will be going home!"
B. IT IS SUDDEN. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53—“Behold, I
show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for
the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.” Jesus will return will His
people are not expecting' Him! (Matthew 25:5).
C. IT IS SOLEMN. He will return and judge the works of His people. (2
Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 4:17). He will return at the end of the age
to pass judgment on the Lost. (Revelation 20:11-15).
D. IT IS SATISFYING. The end of the age will usher in his 1,000 year
reign followed by Eternity. We long to be with our LORD forever!
E. IT IS SERENE. Jesus will return with us His saints as King of kings
and LORD of Lords. Those who have failed to bow to Him will one day
bow their knees and call Him LORD! (Philippians 2:9-11). Forever
will we be with the LORD! (1 Thessalonians 4:17b-18). What an
anchor for the Suffering we face in this life to know that one day it
will all be gone and forever we will be with Jesus! (Revelation 21:3-4,
12, 17, 20).
CLOSING: THE SAVIOR IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, THE
SCRIPTURES ARE AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, THE
SPIRIT IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, THE SERVANT
IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS, and THE SECOND
COMING IS AN ANCHOR IN LIFE’S STORMS.
Friend, What is your Anchor? Will it hold in the raging
storms of life? Jesus is the Anchor that never fails! Have
you laid hold on this Anchor sure and steadfast or are you
relying on one that can drift with the fury of the waves?
Prepared by Brother Bryan L. Browning, Pastor of Beechmont Baptist Church, Beechmont, KY for Sunday Evening, April 1, 2007.
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