Anchored in Faith: Trusting God's Promises
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the significance of faith, trust, and hope in God, drawing from the story of Abraham and Isaac in the book of Genesis. The speaker underscores the importance of putting faith and trust in Jesus, which provides confidence for the future and a sense of safety in life's challenges. The hope that believers have in God is likened to an anchor for the soul, firm and secure, as described in Hebrews 6:18-20. This hope allows believers to avoid being overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or other negative emotions.
Abraham's faith is highlighted as an example of patience and trust in God's provision. The speaker encourages the congregation to emulate Abraham's example by not trying to take control or make themselves the center of attention, but rather to allow God to work and be put on display. The Old Testament story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac is presented as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus, with the Lord using the supernatural to inspire belief.
The speaker also shares a personal story about the potential merger of their church with Mars Hill Baptist Church, asking for prayers as they navigate the situation. They remind the congregation of the importance of serving God and not being consumed by worldly desires, emphasizing that God promises a secure and anchored hope.
The sermon further explores the concept of God's promises, noting that they often don't make sense and require faith. The speaker points out that God's timeline is different from ours and that His promises may be meant for future generations. They also discuss the importance of patience and prioritizing the kingdom of God over earthly matters, suggesting that society's infatuation with temporary pleasures pales in comparison to the eternal life offered by God.
The speaker concludes by emphasizing the need to rely on God's promises rather than our own abilities, to trust the Lord in all aspects of life, and to be patient and faithful when God calls us to do something difficult. They also stress the importance of humility and making life about God rather than ourselves, and the significance of living with an open hand and blessing others.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith in Jesus provides a secure foundation for facing the future, as it places one's trust in the sovereignty of God. This trust is not just a passive state but an active reliance on God's control over life's outcomes, which is especially crucial in times of danger or uncertainty. Believers are encouraged to live in the promises of God rather than in fear, anxiety, depression, or sin, by turning their worries over to the Lord and embracing patience. [38:36]
- Hope in God is described as an anchor for the soul, offering strong encouragement and stability. This hope is based on the certainty of God's character, specifically His inability to lie, and provides believers with a firm foundation that prevents them from being overwhelmed by life's difficulties. The story of Abraham's faith, particularly during the test of sacrificing Isaac, serves as a powerful example of seizing hope and trusting in God's provision. [13:05]
- The importance of patience in the journey of faith is highlighted, with the speaker noting that God is not looking for perfection but for patience. Abraham's story is used to illustrate that patience is necessary to inherit God's promises, and that impatience or a desire for instant gratification can hinder the fulfillment of God's plans. The speaker encourages believers to remain steadfast and faithful, even when God's call involves difficult or challenging tasks. [41:05]
- The sermon emphasizes the need to surrender control to God, using the story of Isaac as an example. The speaker reminds the congregation that blessings, such as a job, are ultimately gifts from God, and that taking credit for them is misplaced. The power of Jesus' name is highlighted, and believers are encouraged to recognize that salvation and all good things are orchestrated by Him, not by human effort. [31:40]
- The speaker discusses the supernatural aspect of God's promises, as seen in the story of Abraham and Sarah. Despite their old age, God blessed them with a child, showcasing His authority and power. The speaker emphasizes that God's promises are unique and are guaranteed with an oath, demonstrating His unchangeable purpose. Believers are encouraged to seek and desire to obtain these promises, trusting in God's word and His ability to do the extraordinary. [22:34]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 6:18-20 (NIV)
> "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. 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. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
2. Genesis 22:1-17 (NIV)
> "Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.' Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.' Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?' 'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied. 'The fire and wood are here,' Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?' Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham! Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.' Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.' The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, 'I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 6:18-20 describe as an anchor for the soul, and why is it significant for believers?
2. In Genesis 22:1-17, what was Abraham asked to do, and how did he respond to God's command?
3. According to the sermon, how does the story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadow the sacrifice of Jesus? [21:12]
4. What personal story did the speaker share about the potential merger of their church with Mars Hill Baptist Church, and what did they ask the congregation to do? [07:24]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of hope as an anchor for the soul in Hebrews 6:18-20 provide stability and encouragement to believers in times of difficulty?
2. What does Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac reveal about his faith and trust in God's promises? [15:20]
3. How can the story of Abraham and Isaac help believers understand the importance of patience and trust in God's timing and promises? [41:05]
4. In what ways does the speaker suggest that believers should surrender control to God, and how does this relate to the story of Abraham and Isaac? [32:15]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Hebrews 6:18-20, how can you practically anchor your soul in the hope of God's promises during a current challenge you are facing?
2. Abraham demonstrated immense faith by being willing to sacrifice Isaac. Is there an area in your life where you need to show similar trust in God's plan? How can you take a step of faith this week? [15:20]
3. The speaker emphasized the importance of patience in the journey of faith. What is one area in your life where you struggle with impatience, and how can you practice patience this week? [41:05]
4. The sermon discussed the need to surrender control to God. Identify one aspect of your life where you are holding on too tightly. What steps can you take to release control and trust God more fully? [32:15]
5. The speaker shared a personal story about the potential church merger and asked for prayers. How can you support your church community in times of transition or uncertainty? [07:24]
6. The story of Abraham and Isaac highlights the importance of humility and making life about God rather than ourselves. What is one practical way you can demonstrate humility and put God at the center of your life this week? [49:38]
7. The sermon mentioned the significance of living with an open hand and blessing others. Who is someone in your life that you can bless this week, and what specific action can you take to do so? [46:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Trust Anchors Us in Turbulence
Faith in Jesus provides a secure foundation, much like an anchor, that steadies us amidst life's storms and uncertainties. Trusting in God's sovereignty allows believers to face the future without fear, turning worries over to the Lord and embracing patience. [38:36]
Hebrews 6:19 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."
Reflection: How can you actively practice trusting God as your anchor in a current situation that is causing you worry or fear?
Day 2: Hope as Our Steadfast Companion
Hope in God is a strong encouragement, a companion that walks with us through every trial. This hope is rooted in the certainty of God's character and His promises, exemplified by Abraham's unwavering faith during his greatest test. [13:05]
Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of hope in God's character and promises during challenging times?
Day 3: Patience in the Promise
Patience is not a passive waiting but an active endurance that is essential to inherit God's promises. Like Abraham, believers are called to remain steadfast and faithful, even when God's timeline differs from our own. [41:05]
James 5:7-8 - "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where impatience is hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you practice patience in this area?
Day 4: Surrendering Control to God
Recognizing that all blessings are gifts from God, believers are called to surrender control and give credit where it is due. This act of surrender allows God to work through us and magnify His name. [31:40]
1 Peter 5:6-7 - "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Reflection: What is one aspect of your life where you struggle to relinquish control, and how can you begin to surrender it to God today?
Day 5: Embracing the Supernatural Promise
God's promises often defy human understanding and require faith in His supernatural power, as seen in the miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's word and His ability to do the extraordinary. [22:34]
Genesis 18:14 - "Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise of God that seems impossible by human standards. How can you strengthen your faith to trust in His supernatural ability to fulfill it?
Quotes
"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow and I Know Who Holds my hand. Do you understand what I'm saying Church? You need to put your faith and trust in who Jesus is." [56:01] (Download)
"An anchored soul, firm and secure, doesn't have to be anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed. You can be anchored, you can be firm, you can be secure." [14:39] (Download)
"Let's get out of the way and put God on display. It wasn't about Peter and John and their preaching... it's the God that they're serving. Abraham is like, 'I'm nothing special, I was just the one God chose to show himself.'" [48:58] (Download)
"We don't live for this life, we live for the next one, the kingdom of God. At what point did we start believing that everything we make on this Earth, This Side of Heaven, is what matters when the Lord says seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?" [41:40] (Download)
"The Lord is not looking for perfection, he's looking for patience. Last week we talked about harnessing confession and repentance, right? Have you figured out this week that you're going to still struggle with the same sin?" [43:37] (Download)
"I would rather be in the place of danger with the Lord controlling the outcome because I just know that if I die, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." [38:36] (Download)
"The Lord constantly uses the supernatural to show all of those in the natural realm that it is Him that is working, so that they believe in Him." [21:54] (Download)
"God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." This profound statement reflects a deep trust in divine provision that resonates with the Christian faith. [16:37] (Download)
"The Lord will always carry us further; he's never going to ask you to do something that he absolutely has not already done himself. I love that about the story." [29:36] (Download)
"Let's not make it about ourselves; let's make it about Him. That's the whole point." [49:38] (Download)
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