Hold On

Hold On (Heb. 10:19-23)

Text: Heb 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

Heb 10:21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

Heb 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Illus: One day a little boy and his Father went out to sea on a long anticipated fishing trip. They sailed out to sea, far away from the shore. They were so caught up in the fishing and each other’s company they failed to notice the dark clouds of the fast approaching storm. The sea began to roll and crash upon the little boat as the wind whipped the waves to tremendous heights. So the little boat capsized and the father and the son were in the raging water at the mercy of the elements. As they rode the crest of a wave they saw in the shallow depression of the watery trench a marker buoy. After an energy-draining swim they reached the buoy. The buoy was small, just large enough to get a hand hold on. The father knew that to stay was to die and that it was impossible for both of them to swim the long distance to the shore, so he told his small son to hold on to the buoy And he would swim for help. After hours of laborious swimming he cast himself exhausted upon the shore. He was taken to the Coast Guard station for help. He told the Captain of his little son on the buoy and asks to go get him. The Captain said,"nothing could survive in this storm". After much pleading the father convinced the Captain to go out to sea to look for his son. Searching the vast sea was like looking for a needle in a haystack. At last they came to the marker buoy, but there was no one there. Fear and dispair gripped the father’s heart, but not one to give up he asks the Captain to go a little father out. The Captain reluctantly consented to go to just one more buoy. As they neared the next buoy, hopelessness surrounded the crew of the rescue ship. As they drew nearer to the buoy there was no sign of life, then they waves twisted the buoy around, then a small hand could be seen holding on to the buoy. After the small boy was safely aboard the ship, the Captain ask him, "How did you manage to hold on so long"? The young boy answered, "My dad said to hold on, that he would come back for me".

Sometimes it seems like life is a mess and you’ve been shipwrecked ,GOD is saying HOLD ON!

People who held on

1. Job. Job 1:13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,

Job 1:14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,

Job 1:15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job 1:16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job 1:17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job 1:18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,

Job 1:19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job 1:20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship

Job held on to GOD even later when his flesh was afflicted

Job 19:26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;

Job 19:27 I myself will see him with my own eyes--I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!