The Anchor Holds
Introduction
Through the ages many a ship has weathered storms by anchoring to a solid rock. Many feel like their ship is stranded on stormy seas. The storms of doubt, discouragement, despair, and defeat have battered your ship. The winds of temptation, trials, and tears have ripped your sails. The seas of sin, sorrow, and sickness have left you wounded and discouraged. The barriers of fear, frustration, and failure have robbed you of joy, hope, and peace. You sometimes wonder if you are going to make it. All the "stuff" you have anchored your life to, jobs, success, money, relationships, possessions, position, power, etc. have been but shifting sand, leaving your ship adrift and in danger of sinking.
I've got wonderful news for you. There is a Solid Rock! His name is Jesus! If you will anchor your life to Him he will steady your ship, calm your stormy seas, and see you safely home. The Anchor holds!
In the days of the early church the anchor was a symbol of hope. Over sixty (60) pictures of anchors have been found on the walls of the catacombs of Christians in Rome. The words of our text are intended to be a great encouragement to the saints of God and a great motivator to the lost to place their faith in Jesus Christ. When we throw your anchor of faith into the water of the Word of God, it firmly lodges to the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ, and the anchor holds! The anchor holds because...
I. We Are Anchored To Heaven's Precious Promises
Verse 18, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie..."
The foundation of our hope, our confidence, our peace, and our joy is our confidence in the unfailing promises of God.
"Standing on the promises of Christ my King..."
We can anchor our lives to the promises of God because...
A. God's Promises Are Clear In His Word
Verses 13-15. God promised that he would be the father of a great nation, i.e., Isaac. Think about God's promises to us. 2 Peter 1:2-4 tells us, "whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises." They include the promise of...
1. Pardon
Isaiah 1:8, I John 1:9.
2. Peace
John 14:27.
3. Presence
Hebrews 13:5.
4. Power
Philippians 4:13, I Corinthians 10:13.
5. Purpose
Romans 8:28
6. Provision
Philippians 4: 19.
7. Paradise
John 14.
B. God's Promises Are Confirmed By His Nature
Verse 18, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie..."
God's promises are unalterable, unchangeable, and unmovable. God's promises were Confirmed through Abraham's son, Isaac vs. 15, and Confirmed through God's Son, Jesus, 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us." Jesus Christ is God's guarantee that His promises will be kept.
C. God's Promises Are Certified By His Oath
Verse 13, "...because he could swear by no greater, He sware by himself." Why such an oath? Because God wants you to trust Him. The Bible contains the "certified" promises of God! We are anchored to the precious promises of God! The anchor holds because...
II. We Are Anchored To The Heaven's Perfect Provision
Verse 18, "...we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us." God's perfect provision for us is three-fold. He has provided us...
A. A Haven
Verse 18, "...refuge...," i.e., a shelter from the storm.
"I've anchored my soul in the haven of rest, I'll sail the wide seas no more.
The tempest may sweep o'er the wild, stormy deep, In Jesus I'm safe evermore."
The word "Refuge" is taken from the accounts in Numbers 35:6-32 and Joshua 20:1-9 of the Cities of Refuge. Jesus is our perfect provision, our City of Refuge! The anchor holds because God has provided...
B. A Hope
Verse 19, "Which hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast."
"My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand."
The storms may batter you, the winds may blow, the sails may be torn, but THE ANCHOR HOLDS! We have a hope! The anchor holds because we have...
C. A Home
Verse 19, "...and which entereth into that within the veil."
Our anchor is secured in Heaven, the Holy of Holies, because that is where Jesus, our Rock of Ages, our High Priest, is! We have not set our anchor in the shifting sands of this world. Our anchors are set above. We are taking in cable every day. Every foot of the journey brings us closer home. Finally, the anchor holds because...
III. We Are Anchored To Heaven's Peerless Priest
Verse 20, "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek."
A. Heavens Peerless Priest Has Preceded Us
He is our "Forerunner", "One sent before to make observations, acting as a scout, or as one sent before that the way might be prepared." "One who comes in advance to a place where the rest will follow."
B. Heaven's Peerless Priest Has Perfected Us
"even Jesus..." Jesus did what no earthly priest could do, he completed redemption's work. "It is finished." Hebrews 10:12-14 tells us that Jesus "sat down on the right hand of God." Note: There were no chairs in the temple or tabernacle. Hebrews 10:14 tells us, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
C. Heaven's Peerless Priest Is Preparing A Place For Us
Verse 20, "...whither..." ("Within the veil" or in Heaven). What is He doing there? Preparing us a home. You see, this priest is also a carpenter! One day the tide will come in and we will go to Glory!
Conclusion
The anchor holds because it is anchored to the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ, an all-sufficient Savior for every life and situation, the one whose name is above all names.
"In times like these you need a savior. In times like these you need an anchor.
Be very sure, Be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
That Rock is Jesus Yes, He's the one, That Rock is Jesus The only one
Be very sure. Be very sure,
Your anchor holds
And grips the Solid Rock."