The Soul's Anchor

"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.