Anchored to the Rock
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Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The Certainty of God’s Promise
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[d] 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 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. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
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What Jesus is like
What Jesus asks
What he does
Exercise: Flip Chart – brainstorm all the attributes of an Anchor that make it a good metaphor for the Christian journey?
Our text draws on the symbol of an anchor. Greek Philosopher Pythagoras ‘Wealth is a weak anchor….The anchors that are strong are wisdom[and]courage.. anchors no storm can shake.’ Epictetus: ‘A ship should never depend on one anchor or life on one hope’ Hebrews 6:19 says we have but one hope, one anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Jesus our sure & steadfast hold.
In Hebrews Chapter 6 the writer both encourages and challenges us. Challenge, Encouragement and Anchoring are the three phases in this passage.
Be prepared to be challenged, to be encouraged and to be anchored.
Challenge - (Hebrews 6:1-3) Press on to maturity.
Encourage - (Hebrews 6:9-12) God knows the love you have shown.
Assurance of our Anchor (Hebrews 6:19-20) to Christ our solid rock
Challenge
The Letter to the Hebrews by way of context, is written by a Christian pastor to bring warning and encouragement to his people. Most pastors would rather bring words of encouragement than warning, yet if we are faithful to God’s Word we have to do both. I hope you will reflect and respond to both.
Challenge, last verse of Hebrews 5 says, ‘I want to speak to you about deeper things but you are still spiritual infants.’ Still on milk, and not solid food. Sharp words about not growing in faith and laziness (Heb 6:12). He talks about maturing, challenging us to build on the foundations of faith that we have. Foundations- 6:1 Repentance from sin and faith in Jesus. Acts 20:21 ‘repentance and faith in Christ.’ 6:2 Baptism and laying on hands (commissioning). Basics like the resurrection and judgement day (6:2) – All solid foundational truths. We are to build on these things, v1: ‘press on to maturity.’ When we build a house we do not keep admiring the foundations, we build on them. That is the message here.
You could ask, what has that to do with the anchor? It is about drifting. The metaphor of an anchor, begins in Heb 2:1-4 with a warning about drifting away from the Word. We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Notice the pastor includes himself ….. ‘we.’
NB v3 neglect (not reject) drifting is caused by neglecting more than any other temptation. Heb 10:25 We neglect God’s Word, prayer, and worship which are so important for growth/maturing – as a result, we DRIFT. Too many Christians take the Word for granted and neglect it. Heb 4:2, they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good. Drifting leads to doubting the word, ‘which is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.’ Heb 4:13 Before long we don’t bother with it (neglect it) Heb 2:3. Heb 6:12 puts it like this ‘we do not want you to become lazy.’ Drifting, no anchor, neglecting it, no need for it – as Pink Floyd wrote, you have become ‘comfortably numb.’
Robert Robinson (Norfolk b1735 d1790) became a Christian through the ministry of George Whitfield and became a pastor and hymn writer. He wrote ‘Come thou fount of Every Blessing.’ Sadly he backslid – that is a warning to all of us. On a stagecoach journey, a lady sitting opposite shared with him that she was reading this powerful hymn lyric. It was his own song, ‘Come thou fount…’ Robinson confessed ‘I am the man who wrote those words many years ago and I would give a thousand worlds.. to have the feelings I had then.’
‘Come Thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace, Streams of mercy never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise…’
The lady quoted his opening verse to him, ‘streams of Mercy never ceasing’ and she stopped and said Robert, these ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing. As a result of her encouragement, Robinson rededicated his life to the Lord.
It is so easy to drift and then doubt and then neglect the Word of God but we need to remember the promises of blessings that are ours in Christ – how can we neglect it!
One of the first symptoms of drifting is dullness towards the Bible The problem is not the sermons, the church services but ourselves. (W.Wiersbe pg74 Hebrews).
This warning is an act of love. Love says the hard things. Makes me ask, am I distinctly Christian in my lifestyle, am I reading the word, praying & interceding, am I reaching out with the Good News and in serving? Am I Christ-like? A Mature Christian?
I sensed that I was drifting at one time and each morning for weeks. I sat in my car in a car park before going in to work each morning and played one song. Paul Field’s song, ‘Don’t let me fall from you.’ I was drifting. Praise God, the Lord heard that plea for a closer, deeper walk with God.
If you're thinking OK, enough of the stick, what about a carrot! Hebrews 6:3,9,10 brings encouragement and comfort.
Exercise: Share in pairs – a time when you were in stormy weather and had to anchor up or When you were drifting and made a way to Anchor up to the Lord.
Encouragement
This is the only time this word ‘beloved’ appears in Hebrews- that makes it significant.
The Pastor having warned them about drifting now turns to words of encouragement. A good pastor will balance words of warning with words of encouragement. In Hebrews 6:9 he says, ‘Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realised 12 We do not want you to become lazy… but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The Greek for “beloved” is agapēto meaning “dearly loved by God” This is more than human affection. You are valued as a child of God - more than friends - joint heirs with Christ - highly valued.
Ironically, the first few verses say they must grow up from being spiritual babes but then in 6v9 he says beloved – valued and loved children of God. Beloved of God know his love for you.
Hebrews 6:10 God has not forgotten what you have done or the love you have shown him. You have served and are serving. You have helped and are helping God's people. You have loved and are loving, these are the better things referred to (v9) (better than the world) Notice that this is not about good works gaining spiritual brownie points. This is the outworking of their faith. The pastor revisits this in Hebrews 13:1.
Hebrews 13:1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers….3 Continue to remember those in prison…and those who are mistreated…21 may God…equip you with everything good for doing [Jesus’] will.’ This is about the grace of God working in me, equipping me to do those things in his name and for his glory. God does not love us more because we do these things because God already loves more than we can know. He gave himself for us, He cannot love us more. John 15:10 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’ The writer's Confidence is in the grace of God at work in us. Eg maturing. Eg bearing fruit. Eg heaven.
[Illustration of Christianity in Action] Doris Roberts or think of people in your past who have loved and nurtured you spiritually. Doris has been promoted to the heavenly realm. Hebrews 6:12‘through faith and patience inherit what has been promised’ - Better things. Eternally secure. I mention this because it is an encouragement to us and because they are in glory –that is our ultimate destiny. (This world is not my home - Passing through. Finally…
Anchored
Hebrews 6:19 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 When Hebrews was written an ANCHOR was a symbol of security. A surehold especially in storms of life. In Rome’s catacombs, 66 etchings of anchors have been found. It was found on gravestones and works of art (in 1st 300 years of the church). Symbolising the early Christians belief in steadfast and sure hope in Jesus.
The hymn written in 1882 by Priscilla J Owens said,
‘We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Fastened to the rock that cannot move…’
It was adopted by William Smith founder of the Boys Brigade as their motto a year later in 1883.
In the same way that an anchor keeps a ship from drifting in a storm, so God’s promises and God’s presence keep us from drifting when we encounter storms and trouble in life. Refer to Flip Chart Brainstorm - the collective
· It cannot move, steadfast, God purposes will prevail - we are fastened to the rock that cannot move. (I was boating in Florida with my family. We anchored to swim off the side of the boat but we couldn’t get it back up. So firm so secure - Anchored!)
· It is sure - see what it is made of “two immutable things – God’s promise and God’s Oath. Anchors are strongly made, tough iron/steel, dependable to bear all the strain at the worst of times. God’s sure word and God’s oath.
· It is secure at both ends; our Lord is anchoring up to us as the storms of life arise.
Testimony, everything going well for me, good job as an accountant, doing well at sport, friends, faith, age 23 - 4 bedroomed detached house … Then bottom, fell out of my world….car crash… BUT as I lay broken I was held by his word “I am with you always.” What was going on? Jesus ANCHORING, holding fast to me.
Hebrews 2:18 ‘Because he himself was tested by what He suffered, He is able to help those who are being tested’
The letter to the Hebrews is to a group of Christian converts Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.’ They’d experienced storms (Hebrews 10:32-34). Hebrews is a book of warning to keep pressing on and of solace: you are beloved. Hebrews 6:19 encourages us to anchor to &Trust in God who knows everything about us and still calls us beloved.
Before the throne of God above. I have a strong and perfect plea
A great high priest whose name is love. Whoever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands, My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands, No tongue can bid me thence depart."
When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there. Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free.
For God, the Justice is satisfied, to look on him and pardon me"
1863 Charitie Lees Bancroft
