An Anchor to Our Soul
Pastor Josh Martin
September 1, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Reference to Genesis 15: The author of Hebrews calls back to this story for comfort and encouragement.
Personal anecdote about motivating children and how people respond to different types of encouragement.
In the book of Hebrews, the author gives both positive and negative encouragement, much like a coach at halftime, motivating his team with both warning and assurance.
The same strategy is applied to us: Encouragement through warnings and reminders of God’s promises.
Recap of Previous Message in Hebrews
The author of Hebrews strongly rebuked his readers to mature in their faith, emphasizing that growth requires endurance.
In Hebrews 6:9, despite the strong rebuke, the author expresses confidence in their salvation, offering comfort after the warning.
The question arises, "How can we be sure?" The answer is rooted in Abraham's story.
God’s Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12-22)
Genesis 12: God's initial call to Abraham—promise to bless him and make him a great nation.
Genesis 17: Despite waiting 25 years, God promises Abraham a son at the age of 99. Isaac is born as the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Genesis 22: The sacrifice of Isaac—God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son but intervenes, providing a ram. This shows that God does not demand the ultimate sacrifice from Abraham but foreshadows God's sacrifice of His own Son.
The Covenant of Genesis 15
Genesis 15:1-6: God reassures Abraham of His promise, despite Abraham's doubts.
Verses 7-21: The covenant ceremony—God instructs Abraham to prepare animals for sacrifice. In an ancient ritual, walking between the divided animals signifies the consequences of breaking the covenant.
Key Moment: Instead of both God and Abraham walking through the pieces, God alone passes through them (symbolized by a smoking fire pot and blazing torch), indicating that God takes full responsibility for the covenant's fulfillment.
God is essentially saying, "If I don’t fulfill My promise, may I suffer the consequences." This prefigures Jesus bearing the curse of sin for us.
Trusting in God's Promise
Abraham’s journey teaches us the difference between believing in God and trusting God.
Belief is intellectual; trust is demonstrated through patience and obedience during seasons of waiting, difficulty, and doubt.
God built Abraham’s trust by showing that His promises are sure, even when fulfillment seems impossible.
Application: The Gospel Connection
Genesis 15 and Hebrews: The author of Hebrews connects this story to the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ.
God’s covenant with Abraham mirrors the gospel—Jesus bore the curse for our failure to keep the covenant, securing our salvation.
The Gospel as an Anchor: The author of Hebrews likens this truth to an anchor for the soul, giving the believer's assurance, stability, and security.
The Importance of Anchoring in Jesus
An anchor keeps a ship from drifting, ensuring it stays where it’s supposed to be.
Likewise, anchoring our lives in Jesus is crucial for spiritual stability. Without the gospel, we will drift into dangerous places, guided by unstable circumstances.
Everything else in life is like water—shifting and unreliable—but Jesus is the solid anchor that keeps us steady.
Conclusion
Main Point: Jesus is our anchor. Everything else is water.
We must move beyond mere belief and learn to trust God fully in every area of our lives.
Trust in the promises of God and the gospel, especially in times of waiting, doubt, or struggle.
Invitation to examine where we are drifting in our lives and return to Jesus, the anchor for our souls.
Closing Prayer:
A prayer asking for trust in God’s promises and for hearts to be anchored in Jesus, not in the shifting circumstances of life.
Biblical References
Genesis 15: The core passage discussed in the sermon, which highlights God’s covenant with Abraham. The pastor refers to Genesis 15:1-18, where God makes a promise to Abraham and seals it by passing through the pieces of sacrificed animals, signifying God's faithfulness and His assurance to uphold the covenant.
Hebrews 6:13-18: This passage in Hebrews calls back to the story of Abraham in Genesis 15. It speaks about God’s promise and oath, reinforcing the idea that God is trustworthy and does not lie. It emphasizes the confidence believers can have because of God's unchangeable promises.
Isaiah 53: The pastor refers to this passage to explain that Jesus was "cut off" for our sins, drawing a parallel to the sacrificial covenant seen in Genesis 15. This points to Jesus bearing the punishment for humanity’s failures to keep the covenant.
2 Corinthians 5:21: This verse is used to explain how Jesus became sin for us so that we might receive the righteousness of God, emphasizing the theme of substitutionary atonement seen in the Genesis narrative.
Mark 13: The sermon refers to the darkness that came over the world at the crucifixion of Jesus, symbolizing the darkness of sin. This relates to the darkness that overcame Abraham in Genesis 15.
These verses support the sermon's message about the assurance of salvation through God's covenant and Jesus' sacrifice.
Reflection Questions
How do you respond to both positive and negative encouragement in your faith journey? Can you think of a time when God used both to motivate you?
What can you learn from Abraham’s journey of waiting on God’s promises, especially when the fulfillment seemed impossible?
In what areas of your life are you struggling to move from simply believing in God to actively trusting Him?
How does the imagery of God walking alone through the pieces in Genesis 15 strengthen your understanding of God’s commitment to fulfilling His promises?
What are some areas in your life where you feel like you are drifting? How can you anchor yourself more firmly in Jesus and the gospel?
Daily Activities
Monday: Reflect on God's Promises
Activity: Spend 15 minutes reading Genesis 15 and meditate on God’s promise to Abraham. Reflect on how God reassures Abraham, even in moments of doubt.
Application: Identify an area of your life where you are waiting on God. Write down a prayer of trust, asking God to strengthen your faith in His promises.
Tuesday: Anchor Your Life in Jesus
Activity: Take time to read Hebrews 6:13-18 and journal about what it means for Jesus to be your anchor. Consider moments in your life where you felt adrift.
Application: List areas where you may be "drifting" and commit to anchoring those areas in Jesus’ promises. Pray for the strength to trust in Jesus rather than circumstances.
Wednesday: Practice Trust Over Belief
Activity: Reflect on the difference between simply believing in God and trusting God, using Abraham's example in Genesis 15 and 17.
Application: Write down one area of your life where you struggle to fully trust God. Make a practical plan to trust Him more in that area (e.g., surrendering control or seeking Him in prayer before making decisions).
Thursday: Embrace Waiting with Faith
Activity: Read Hebrews 6:9-12, where the author encourages endurance. Think about a season of waiting in your life.
Application: Consider how waiting can strengthen your faith, as it did for Abraham. Spend time in prayer, asking God for patience and trust during your waiting season.
Friday: Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Covenant
Activity: Read Isaiah 53 and reflect on how Jesus took the curse of sin for you, fulfilling God’s covenant promise.
Application: Reflect on areas of your life where you still carry guilt or shame. Ask God to help you embrace the freedom and forgiveness offered through Jesus’ sacrifice. Pray for a deeper understanding of His grace.
