Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Have you seen a ship or boat? Have you ride one?
No matter how small or big the ship or boat, common to all is the part which is very important, and that is the anchor
Anchor is a heavy metal object that connects the vessel to the BED OF BODY of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current (also means to stabilize).
What do you think will happen if a ship doesn't lower the anchor on a sea port?
The ship will drift, no matter how big or heavy the ship (carrier, oil tanker, container, cruise ship) even to a lightest wind or current it will drift away to it's original place.
And the same with our soul, without an anchor, it will drift/move at the slightest current of worldly pleasures and pressures.
Talking about drifting and falling away from the faith.
Just recently, two known people in Christian circle made headlines. I'm not sure real status of their souls before God. God will always save His own not matter what. But these only shows how slippery this world for God's people, and the enemy is always active.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Joshua Harris, the author of the best-selling book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", announced in an Instagram post that "he is no longer a Christian".
The admission comes a week after Harris publicly announced He's divorcing from a 20 years of marriage,
Marty Sampson, who has notably written songs for Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, Delirious and Young & Free, shared a now-deleted post to Instagram, explaining how he is "losing" his faith.
The following is a transcript of the post from Relevant Magazine:
Time for some real talk. I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me. Like, what bothers me now is nothing. I am so happy now, so at peace with the world. It’s crazy.
All I know is what’s true to me right now, and Christianity just seems to me like another religion at this point. I could go on, but I won’t. Love and forgive absolutely. Be kind absolutely. Be generous and do good to others absolutely. Some things are good no matter what you believe. Let the rain fall, the sun will come up tomorrow.
In our text reading in verse 19, we read that our soul needs an anchor called "Hope" (Paglaom)
If we will define hope in the worldly sense, Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Just like a wishful thinking.
- I hope that someday, I'll win the lottery.
- I hope that someday, I'll will go abroad to work.
- I hope that someday, I'll be able to buy a red Ferrari, or any sports car.
- I hope that I'll get to heaven because of my good works.
But, the HOPE mentioned in our verse is the opposite, both sure and steadfast (once anchored it is immovable.)
And to support it based on verse 18, that It's impossible for God to lie.
- What is that hope exactly?
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [a]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The Hope is the assurance of salvation and His promises in the bible.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
John 10:28-29 (NKJV)
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
Salvation is by grace alone, by faith alone, through Jesus Christ alone, we will be like Jesus and live with Him in Heaven.
God's promises can be found in the bible, His nature, life, teachings, miracles and encouragements.
We look forward to that day when will be at the Lord Jesus Christ side in His dwelling place.
We continue with our verse "and which enters the Presence behind the veil"
Like the real anchor of a ship, when lowered down at the sea needs to cling on a stable object (the sea bed, a rock).
The anchor of the soul is attached to an immovable rock our firm foundation (Jesus Christ)
The "Presence behind the veil" is the presence of God in the inner sactuary of the old temple.
(In the old temple only the High Priest - [intercessor between the people and God], can enter the inner Sanctuary (ark of covenant), separated by the huge veil)
Now, Since, Jesus Christ is our intercessor (High Priest) before God the father, we can now access the very presence of God anytime, anywhere
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus Christ, is our High Priest Forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Who is Melchizedek? A mysterious character in the old testament, mentioned only in few passages.
Gen. 14: 18-20
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Most scholars believed that He is the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, and therefore superior than any High Priest from clan of Aaron the levites.
The questions:
Do you have that anchor (Hope)?
Then praise God! Be confident in Christ knowing that the salvation of our soul is safely secured and anchored in Jesus Christ. That no matter how hard life can be, we will never drift and wonder from our faith. (Expound God is our help in times of need)
Let us continue to abide in Him through studying His word and prayers. Hold on to your anchor(Hope) which is firmly attached/secured/in-place on the sea bed (Christ)
Because without the anchor and the sea bed, we can drift far away from the truths of Jesus Christ.
If you don't have the anchor (Hope)/Salvation.
The bible says in, Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Have you seen a ship or boat? Have you ride one?
No matter how small or big the ship or boat, common to all is the part which is very important, and that is the anchor
Anchor is a heavy metal object that connects the vessel to the BED OF BODY of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current (also means to stabilize).
What do you think will happen if a ship doesn't lower the anchor on a sea port?
The ship will drift, no matter how big or heavy the ship (carrier, oil tanker, container, cruise ship) even to a lightest wind or current it will drift away to it's original place.
And the same with our soul, without an anchor, it will drift/move at the slightest current of worldly pleasures and pressures.
Talking about drifting and falling away from the faith.
Just recently, two known people in Christian circle made headlines. I'm not sure real status of their souls before God. God will always save His own not matter what. But these only shows how slippery this world for God's people, and the enemy is always active.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Joshua Harris, the author of the best-selling book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", announced in an Instagram post that "he is no longer a Christian".
The admission comes a week after Harris publicly announced He's divorcing from a 20 years of marriage,
Marty Sampson, who has notably written songs for Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, Delirious and Young & Free, shared a now-deleted post to Instagram, explaining how he is "losing" his faith.
The following is a transcript of the post from Relevant Magazine:
Time for some real talk. I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me. Like, what bothers me now is nothing. I am so happy now, so at peace with the world. It’s crazy.
All I know is what’s true to me right now, and Christianity just seems to me like another religion at this point. I could go on, but I won’t. Love and forgive absolutely. Be kind absolutely. Be generous and do good to others absolutely. Some things are good no matter what you believe. Let the rain fall, the sun will come up tomorrow.
In our text reading in verse 19, we read that our soul needs an anchor called "Hope" (Paglaom)
If we will define hope in the worldly sense, Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Just like a wishful thinking.
- I hope that someday, I'll win the lottery.
- I hope that someday, I'll will go abroad to work.
- I hope that someday, I'll be able to buy a red Ferrari, or any sports car.
- I hope that I'll get to heaven because of my good works.
But, the HOPE mentioned in our verse is the opposite, both sure and steadfast (once anchored it is immovable.)
And to support it based on verse 18, that It's impossible for God to lie.
- What is that hope exactly?
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [a]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The Hope is the assurance of salvation and His promises in the bible.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
John 10:28-29 (NKJV)
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
Salvation is by grace alone, by faith alone, through Jesus Christ alone, we will be like Jesus and live with Him in Heaven.
God's promises can be found in the bible, His nature, life, teachings, miracles and encouragements.
We look forward to that day when will be at the Lord Jesus Christ side in His dwelling place.
We continue with our verse "and which enters the Presence behind the veil"
Like the real anchor of a ship, when lowered down at the sea needs to cling on a stable object (the sea bed, a rock).
The anchor of the soul is attached to an immovable rock our firm foundation (Jesus Christ)
The "Presence behind the veil" is the presence of God in the inner sactuary of the old temple.
(In the old temple only the High Priest - [intercessor between the people and God], can enter the inner Sanctuary (ark of covenant), separated by the huge veil)
Now, Since, Jesus Christ is our intercessor (High Priest) before God the father, we can now access the very presence of God anytime, anywhere
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus Christ, is our High Priest Forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Who is Melchizedek? A mysterious character in the old testament, mentioned only in few passages.
Gen. 14: 18-20
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Most scholars believed that He is the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, and therefore superior than any High Priest from clan of Aaron the levites.
The questions:
Do you have that anchor (Hope)?
Then praise God! Be confident in Christ knowing that the salvation of our soul is safely secured and anchored in Jesus Christ. That no matter how hard life can be, we will never drift and wonder from our faith. (Expound God is our help in times of need)
Let us continue to abide in Him through studying His word and prayers. Hold on to your anchor(Hope) which is firmly attached/secured/in-place on the sea bed (Christ)
Because without the anchor and the sea bed, we can drift far away from the truths of Jesus Christ.
If you don't have the anchor (Hope)/Salvation.
The bible says in, Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
