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ANCHOR OF THE SOUL Hebrews 6:18 - 20 That vital spark, HOPE; Martin Luther said: everything that is done in the world is done by HOPE Samuel Johnson said; hope is perhaps, the chief happiness this world affords. *The best of humanity has always hoped when there was no way. *Lived what was unlivable, and managed to build when there was little to build on. *Hope is the worlds best alibi against action. The minute one says there is no hope, there is nothing one has to do. NOTE: That word "hope" has been abused and misused, has been inserted into the mind of the masses connecting; no hope, no-assurance, coupled with fear. However, we are saved by hope, a hope that gives one assurance, peace, stability in being placed within a family, that being, in God's family. The Christian is united to Christ by a golden cord consisting of three strands. FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity. NOTICE: *Faith and love look back to the cross and up to the throne, and claiming the fruits of salvation for the past and present, using them to the glory of the LORD. *But HOPE looks up into the heavens and waits for that future day when faith shall be merged into sight *When the labour of love shall be rewarded, when the salvation begun in grace shall be consummated in glory. THE OBJECT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LOVE IS Jesus Christ, and the object of the CHRISTIAN HOPE IS JESUS CHRIST.
OBSERVE: The anchor of a ship is used for securing a ship, particularly in times of storms to prevent it from drifting. It is an invisible thing, sinking down beneath the waters and gripping firmly the ground beneath. The winds may roar and the waves lash the ship but it rides them steadily, being held fast by something outside of itself. *surely the figure is plain* HEBREWS 11:1, Now faith is the substance (assurance, title deed, confirmation) of the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ILLUSTRATION: My boy hope's that he will get a mini-bike for Christmas, through he didn't, he still has hope for receiving it on his birthday. He has faith that he will receive it because of our talks about it. When he receives it, if he does, *his hope will be complete, and faith, his faith, literally rendered present, that being the mini-bike. His hope he will see. With the facing of our country's economic problems, recession, inflation, depression, lay-offs, unemployment, business's closing; "If anyone should have a spark of Hope, it should be the child of God. For even if the world falls apart and crumbles, we have hope". My anchor holds and grips the solid rock, this rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the one, the only one, so be very sure, I'm very sure. ARE YOU? Please continue Here ……… Wayside Baptist Church 2002 |
