Jesus Is The Anchor

JESUS IS THE ANCHOR

Heb. 6:19-20a

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: Get to know your spouse first

1. A couple had a whirlwind romance and got married. They decided to go to the Grand Canyon for their honeymoon. They rented some donkeys to ride down the trail to the bottom.

2. Part of the way down, the wife’s donkey stumbled. She got off, walked around to stare it in the eyes, and said, “That’s one!” 20 minutes later, it stumbled again. She got off and told it, “That’s two!”

3. A little later, it stumbled again. She got off, opened her backpack & took out a pistol and shot the donkey dead.

4. Her husband, horrified, ran to her and said, “You can’t do that! That was a rented donkey!” She looked him in the eyes and said, “That’s one!”

B. TEXT

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” Heb. 6:19-20a, NIV

C. THESIS

1. An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that’s used to connect a surface vessel to the bottom of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current.

2. Figuratively, an anchor is something that is certain and gives stability to your life. Today we’re talking about the ANCHOR OF JESUS CHRIST! He’s the biggest anchor there is. [Pictured is the anchor from the ship “Knock Nevis,” the largest ship ever built. https://www.reddit.com/r/HumanForScale/comments/iluzth/the_anchor_from_the_knock_nevis_ulcc_the_largest

I. WHY WOULD CHRISTIANS NEED AN ANCHOR?

A. TO KEEP US FROM BEING WRECKED

1. When a gale is blowing and a ship can’t hold its course, it risks being driven aground on rocky coasts. Often, only an anchor can save it.

2. Life has storms and situations just like that: Satan tempts us, our own human weakness besets us, and the trials of the world break on us like waves and tempests. But God has provided His people an anchor, so that no storm can overwhelm us!

B. TO NOT BE CONTROLLED BY ENVIRONMENT

1. An anchor also brings “comfort” to sailors and passengers because it gives them assurance that they’re not completely at the mercy of the elements.

2. In life, people who’re driven helplessly by circumstances are miserable people, because they seem to have no control over their lives and their future direction is uncertain.

3. The anchor of God’s Word gives us peace and confidence. That’s why the Bible speaks of “strong consolation.”

C. TO NOT LOSE FORWARD PROGRESS

1. When a ship or a Christian has made good progress on their journey, but then encounters contrary winds in life, they may lose ground. When tough times come, we need to depend upon our anchor!

2. WE HAVE THE ANCHOR OF GOD’S PROMISE. When God makes a promise, He never goes back on it! He never changes, and His promises aren’t a “limited-time-offer,” but forever!

3. When the economy goes into recession, when our jobs become jeopardized, when our culture contradicts our beliefs, when our friends press us to do something wrong, or trials come -- it’s time to throw out the anchor! Hold your position in Christ until you can advance again!

II. THREE WAYS JESUS IS OUR ANCHOR

An anchor is that which alone can hold a ship from drifting, especially in storms. There are at least 3 levels at which Jesus acts as our anchor:

A. HE’S THE ANCHOR OF OUR FAITH

1. Jesus is the “Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). He’s God’s Word and “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” Rom. 10:17.

2. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Heb. 11:1. The faith God has given to us helps us see the invisible things that God has promised us and to trust God that all will come to pass just as God promised it would, even if we don’t see it now.

3. Our faith began with Jesus, through the Word, and He’s continually perfecting us by life’s trials and tests. Jesus Himself is the anchor of our faith. It is our faith in Him that saves us.

B. HE’S STABILITY IN LIFE’S TURBULENCE

1. In this life of troubles, difficulties, and losses, Jesus is the one unchanging reference point. The song says, “all may change but Jesus never!” Heb. 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

2. Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you; I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world” Heb. 13:3; Mt. 28:20. Our friends or family may betray us, but our Savior, Who loves us with an everlasting love, has proven His love by dying on the Cross for us. No one has greater love for you than Jesus!