Hope
Hebrews 6:13-20
Introduction
- The title of the message is “Hope”
Hope is a powerful weapon against the enemy because in it we are restored
If we have hope, we are able to face the most difficult times of live
If we have hope, even in the face of great loss we are able to smile
If we have hope, when the enemy wages war against us, we can still stand
Paul writes often about hope and it’s power, and today’s scripture is no different
- Read Hebrews 6:13-20 / Pray
∆ Point 1 – What God promises is forever (13-16)
- God’s promises are certain … they are unchanging and unmoving
-- He has never let us down; nor has he turned his back on us (Jer 29:11)
-- APP: There has never been a time in our lives where God has left us alone
- When God makes a promise, it is firm, solid, and never-ending
-- God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled in Isaac; even though he was old man
-- Many of us might think, “Well Bro TJ that was a long time ago …”
- It does not matter what is happening in your life; God is able to overcome
-- He is able to give you peace and comfort because He is the one in charge
-- Even in the storms of life; when the wind and waters rage; God is in charge
-- This is why it’s important that we put our trust in God alone; for everything
- God’s ultimate promise in my opinion: Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
- TRANS: With this knowledge, we CAN move forward and live WITH hope!
∆ Point 2 – Who gives us hope? (17-20)
- Re-read verses 17-20
-- Hope is the only stable thing we have; it is a total unchanging factor today
- Even in the face of tragedy, His hope still stands strong – because Jesus does
-- Our hope is found in Jesus because of all that He has already done for you and I
- Paul’s letter to Titus gives us tremendous hope, just as he does in Hebrews:
-- Titus 1:2, “… in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” (God’s hope has always been eternal)
-- Titus 2:13, “… while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (We wait for the hope to be revealed)
-- Titus 3:7, “… so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (We are justified to be heirs because of His work)
- IMP (v19): We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
• No matter what happens in our life, it is Jesus who makes all things secure
• It is Jesus who gives us complete and total satisfaction; He holds the destiny
• Even in the face of tragedy, Jesus brings with Him the peace that we need
Huge question that we need to ask and answer is: “Why does Jesus do this?”
- v19b: “… It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Allow me to indulge in a little teaching on this …
-- The term is a transliteration of two Hebrew words, “melek” and “tsedeq”
∆ - The Hebrew melek means king … and tsedeq means righteousness
- Therefore, the term "melchizedek" means literally, "king of righteousness"
-- Re: A king is always preeminent in his jurisdiction; he rules supremely
- Melchizedek was a real priest mentioned in Genesis 14
-- He presented bread and wine to Abraham’s weary men after a tough battle
-- He is also presented in Psalm 100 as a type of Christ; called “a priest forever”
-- APP: We all die; but this priest rules forever – His Kingdom has no end
- IMP: This distinction is given only to Jesus; who lives and reigns today
-- In order for Him to enter in Hebrews 6 as our sacrifice, one thing is certain
-- He had to be the actual (not figurative) "king" of righteousness
- Jesus entered the inner sanctuary for one purpose: to be our high priest
-- Because He did so, he has been established to reign on high … forever!
- He has entered to be crowned as the most righteous; He holds our hope secure
-- When the storms rage and the battle is on; Jesus gives us peace in the tragedy
- This morning, many of you may be suffering tragedy and difficult times
-- Many of you might be dealing with personal issues; family or health matters
-- But, what is it that you are holding onto for hope? Where is your anchor?
- CHALLENGE: Do you stand strong on the promises of God or the world?
- This is where we must draw the line; it’s where we are to stand firm with Christ
- TRANS: So, how does this – or should this – lend to thanksgiving?
∆ Point 3 – Being Thankful
- Thanksgiving always gives an opportunity to reflect on God
-- The challenge is, do we take the time to remember and actually be thankful?
- The Bible says in 1 John 3:2-3 says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
- If we are children of God, and God’s promise of hope is eternal …
-- How can we not be thankful for all that He has 1) done; and 2) promised to do?
- Paul also writes in Hebrews 9:24 that, “Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.”
- APP: This promise, along with His already established royalty, is enough for us
-- It is enough for us to be thankful and to demonstrate that yearly; to all we meet
∆ Big Idea
- Do you trust in the Lord, or do you trust in what’s around you to “get you by”?
- Do you need hope altogether in your life?
-- The bible says that if we confess Jesus as Lord we shall be saved
-- But there is more … in that salvation we are made complete!
-- Simple prayer of salvation to have hope restored in your life (sinners’ prayer)
- Maybe this morning you just need to ask God to give you back your hope
-- Our hope is NEVER found in the things of this world; family, friends, work, etc.
-- Clarify: We enjoy/grateful for those things … but they are not where our hope is
- Real hope can only be found in Jesus; He is the supreme King established by God
- When we have hope, we can be thankful … because He is in in control
- Where is your hope today?
- Pray
