"The Soul's Anchor"
Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast...
Introduction: Does it seem like to you that everything that we used to be able to count on has changed? It certainly seems that way doesn't it, especially if you are anywhere near my age or older. The very ground beneath our feet is shifting and there are seismic changes occurring all around us. Can I give you just a few examples of the changes that are happening? First, there are the changes in technology. How many of you have watched a black and white television with either "rabbit ears" or an antennae on a pole attached to your house but now watch television with hundreds of channels on either satellite or cable with a large "flat panel" television? How many can remember answering the phone on a "party line" and listening for the neighbors to hang up the phone so you could speak in private but now have a "smart phone" that enables you to "skype" or "facetime" and see the person you are talking to? There are changes in the political landscape. Think about those who are running for president; two women, two Hispanics, one African American doctor and "The Donald!" just to name a few. The same sex marriage decision by the Supreme Court has changed the social and moral landscape radically. I could spend that rest of this message giving you examples of how things have changed in recent years. Now, I'm not saying that all these changes are bad but as someone said, "the times they are a changing." All of this change has produced uncertainty, anxiety, doubt, and discouragement. The institutions we used to count on have changed. The social values have changed. I can tell you that things have changed in the ministry as well. I heard a veteran pastor/church planter say the other day that it was more difficult to pastor today than at any time in his experience. The real question for many people today is, "Is there anything left in this world that we can count on?" The answer is a resounding yes! There is something to hold on too, to anchor to, to count on in any situation or circumstance. There is an anchor for your soul and it is the Word of God! Can I tell why I can say this and stand upon this declaration?
First, there is:
I. The Timelessness of the Bible
Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalms 152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever.
1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
a. It's veracity make it timeless
Hebrews 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
b. It's vitality makes it timeless
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Greek translation for quick is zao which means "alive" from which we get our English word zoology. It is living because it comes from a living God! In its essence it is living, it is active, powerful, energizing. It is alive because its author is alive! His words bring life.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
c. It's virtues make it timeless
The second thing is:
II. The Truthfulness of the Bible
Let me start this second point with a few passages that speak of the truthfulness of the Word:
Psalms 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.
Psalms 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness and thy law is the truth.
What do these and many others verses have any common? They all point to the truthfulness of the Word of God. But why is it true?
First, it is true because of its:
a. It is true because of its Author
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
"The bible is the only book where the Author is present while you read it!" Carr
b. It is true because of its Accuracy
No archaeological discovery has ever proven wrong a single Biblical reference. On the contrary, the accuracy of the Bible has been substantiated by archaeological discoveries.
Dr. Henry M. Morris concluded his in-depth study of the archeological evidence concerning the Bible with these words. "It must be extremely significant that, in view of the great mass of corroborative evidence regarding the Biblical history of these periods, there exists today not one unquestionable find of archaeology that proves the Bible to be in error at any point"
(Henry M. Morris, The Bible and Modern Science, [Chicago:ÿMoody Press, 1956]).
Archeology has been continually proving the New Testament to be a reliable source of history. Many people, places and customs spoken of in the New Testament have now been confirmed to be true.
For example, the pool of Bethesda described in John 5:2 has been located in the northeast quarter of the old city of Jerusalem called Betheza.
The fact that Gallio was proconsul of Archaia as stated in Acts 18:12 has been proven correct through inscriptions found.
In 1968 the first physical evidence of crucifixion as a form of punishment was found when archeologists discovered heel bones still transfixed by an iron nail.
"All its enemies have not torn one hole in its holy vesture, nor stolen one flower from its wonderful garden, not diluted one drop of honey from its abundant hive, not broken one string on its thousand-stringed harp, not drowned one sweet word in infidel ink." Dr. R. G. Lee
c. It is true because of its Application
The Word of God is applicable to every situation in life.
We can have victory in Jesus through His word.
Psa 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
We can grow in grace and knowledge through the Word.
Psalms 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
We can have joy through the Word.
Psa 119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Psa 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
We can have power through the Word. The Word of God is our power source for victorious living.
Psalms 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
We can have guidance through life by the Word of God.
Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Finally, there is:
III. The Transcendence of the Bible
"Extincto nomini christianorum"
The name of Christian is extinct -- This is the English translation of the very words chiseled on a monument erected many centuries ago by a Roman Emperor named Diocletian. (Diocletian is extinct!) He was known for his hatred of Christianity. The monument I'm referring to was actually mounted on top of a burnt bible. His hatred of the Christian faith was that tangible.
The hatred of Christianity is not a new thing. It did not start with Diocletian and it certainly hasn't stopped with him. Many have tried to declare Christianity extinct. Many have predicted the demise of the faith. Many have concluded that emerging knowledge and enlightenment will lead followers to conclude that Christianity is for the weak.
Many have been wrong! The Christian faith has survived thousands of years of persecution and attack from intellectuals. The Christian faith has been through more challenges than any other faith in the human existence and yet, billions still profess to be Christ followers. Christianity has outlived many so-called great men who took it upon themselves to kill the faith.
The Jewish High Priests and Sanhedrin tried to stop Christianity right at its inception. Some of the Roman Emperors despised what Christians stood for and fed them to lions at the Coliseum. Peter Berger, who was once a former president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, said that, "People will become so bored with what religious groups have to offer that they will look elsewhere." He also said Protestantism "has reached the strange state of self-liquidation," that Catholicism was in severe crisis, and anticipated that "religions are likely to survive in small enclaves and pockets" in the United States. He made those predictions in February 1968.
Many continue to pronounce God as being dead but He keeps proving them wrong all the time. I believe that God would like to see the death of organized religion as we know it. Jesus did not come that we may have organized religion and have it more abundantly! He came that we may have life. His life, drawn from a direct and vibrant relationship with God Himself by faith in His Son. That kind of Christianity will never die because it is based on a personal relationship with God. No one can take that away from you and I regardless of what level of logical arguments oppose our beliefs.
The truth can never become extinct, the truth out lives anything that comes its way. Truth emerges out of the rubble of lies and deceit. Truth brings the kind of light that overpowers the darkness. Truth smashes through all obstacles and stands tall for all to see. Truth makes no apologies for what it is. Christianity is not based on facts but on Truth. What is Truth? Jesus is Truth and He lives forevermore. Extincto nomini christianorum? I don't think so sir! The Watchman August 2, 2012
"Whatever anyone says now, the age will come, where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess..."
Because the Bible is a timeless book, a truthful book and a transcendent book it should also be a treasured book!
The writer of Hebrews declares that God's Word is "...sure and steadfast..." Because it is sure and steadfast we can anchor our soul in its truth. We can do that in three ways:
a. We can ponder God's Word
Psalms 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
119:147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
b. We can preserve God's Word
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psa 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
c. We can practice God's Word
Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
