07/12/26 Worship Guide: By Faith - An Anchor That Holds Forever

1. TRUST IN GOD

2. DON'T FIGHT ALONE                                                                                  

3. MADE NEW

MESSAGE: BY FAITH - AN ANCHOR THAT HOLDS FOREVER

Hebrews 6:13 – 7:28 

THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S PROMISE

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner   sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.”         Hebrews 6:19–20 (ESV)

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.            Hebrews 6:18 (ESV) 

What storm am I in right now? 
Have I actually taken hold of the anchor, or am I still trying to ride it out on my own?

THE PRIEST WHO NEVER STOPS

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. Hebrews 7:1-3 (ESV)

24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.                           Hebrews 7:24 (ESV)

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[b] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.       Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)

THE HOPE THAT OUTCLASSES EVERYTHING

19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.  Hebrews 7:19 (ESV)

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:22 (ESV)

WHEN DOUBT RISES, REMEMBER:

•He is holy

•He is blameless

•He is exalted above the heavens

•He is made perfect forever

What storm are you in right now?

What are you anchoring to instead of Jesus?

START THE WEEK MOVING FORWARD

Read: Hebrews 6:13-20, Hebrews 7:19-28, 22:16, and Psalm 110.

Faith Exercise:

The certainty of Jesus’ promises to us holds the same weight as God’s promises. Since God cannot lie, the same God who kept His promises to Abraham, has sworn to you and me. These promises serve as an anchor to our souls for all of life. Those who have this steadfast hope, find a steady anchor in all they do. This anchor not only prevents us from drowning but also from drifting away from God, the slow and unnoticed movement away from our faith. In chapter 7, we encounter a figure who has puzzled readers for centuries. Melchizedek, the King of Salem and priest to the Most High God, appeared. The lack of his genealogy is intentional, perhaps foreshadowing a priest whose priesthood is indeed eternal. This steadfast anchor exists for everyone. Today’s faith exercise asks us to consider whether we are truly anchored. Please consider the following:

• Name some of the promises made to Abraham, though long held, that have come to pass.

• Who is Melchizedek? Whom did he foreshadow?

• Have you accepted Jesus’ invitation to be the anchor in your life yet?

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, just as you kept your word to Abraham, please come into my life and be my steadfast anchor in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Live:

Although we may not always have a bed of roses in this life, we are guaranteed someone who will guide us through it and never let go. We are also promised an unending life, free from sickness or pain in the next one, and life in the presence of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He is speaking to you today. Won’t you accept his invitation and join us, my friend?

MIDWEEK MOVING FORWARD

READ:  Hebrews 6:13 – 7:28

Faith Exercise: 

The passage today from Hebrews draws a really cool parallel between Melchizedek and Jesus. Melchizedek only pops up briefly in Scripture, and we don't actually know a whole lot about him. But what we do know is that he was both a king and a priest. That points us right to Jesus, our ultimate King and eternal Priest. Because of Jesus, we can completely anchor our lives, our hope, and our prayers in Him. When the storms of life get incredibly tumultuous, Jesus is the anchor that holds us steady. So, let’s keep our eyes on Him, lean into spending time with Him, and keep learning from Him every day.

Live:  

I am reminded of Peter, who dared to ask Jesus to call him out onto the tumultuous sea. He stepped out of the boat and onto the open water. There was nothing stable beneath him, no sure footing, yet he kept his eyes locked on Jesus. He took one step, and then the next, moving forward until his focus suddenly shifted to his circumstances. His eyes caught the waves rising higher and higher, cresting and crashing down around him. Perhaps his mind even drifted to a fleeting thought: Look at me, I am walking on the water. In that exact moment, he felt his footing give way to the storm. Fear and doubt washed over him, and he began to sink. His anchor slipped, his confidence shattered, all because he took his eyes off the only true source of hope—Jesus.

I think we all have "Peter moments." I know I do.   We start out with great faith, but then the quiet exhaustion of life or a sudden, unexpected storm hits, and we start looking at our problems instead of our Savior.

But here is the beautiful truth I take away from this: even when Peter’s personal anchor failed, and he began to sink, Jesus didn’t let him drown. Jesus reached down and caught him.  This is one of my most favorite scenes in The Chosen series.   Hallelujah, Jesus!

That is the kind of anchor we have in Christ. Our security doesn't depend on how tightly we can hold onto Him; it depends on how securely He holds onto us. When your week gets hard, and the waves feel overwhelming, don't try to fight the storm in your own strength. Just anchor deeper. Fix your eyes back on Jesus, because He is the only anchor that holds forever.

Questions:

What are you anchored to?  How big is the anchor in your life?  Are you anchored to Jesus or something or someone else?  On an average day, how much time have you set aside and spent with Jesus alone?   Do you find yourself drifting?  Where is your hope?  Who is your hope in?  Do you find yourself hopeless?     

Pray:  

Thank you, Jesus, for being the anchor that holds us during the storms of life. Thank you that we can anchor our hope in you. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us a sure and stable footing when we keep our focus on you. Help us to take time to examine our lives and our hearts, to see where we stand and what we have anchored ourselves to. Help us return to the One who is sure, the One who is the solid rock, the One to whom we can anchor our lives and in whom we can place our hope—His name is Jesus! Amen.