Finding Security and Hope in Jesus Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truths found in Hebrews 6:13-20, focusing on the metaphors of Jesus as our refuge, anchor, and forerunner. These images provide us with a deep understanding of the security and hope we have in Christ. Life is filled with storms, challenges, and uncertainties, but in Jesus, we find a steadfast refuge. Just as sanctuary cities provided safety in ancient times, Jesus offers us a place of refuge where we can find safety from the avenger of our souls. When we have done wrong, or when life overwhelms us, we can run to Jesus, our sanctuary, and find peace and protection.

Furthermore, Jesus is our anchor. In the midst of life's storms, when the winds and waves threaten to toss us about, we need an anchor that is sure and steadfast. Jesus is that anchor, holding us firm and preventing us from drifting away. The hope we have in Him is not a flimsy wish but a settled certainty, rooted in the promises of God. This hope keeps us alive, sustaining us through the trials of life.

Lastly, Jesus is our forerunner. He has gone ahead of us, preparing the way and ensuring that the path is safe. He has faced death and emerged victorious, offering us the assurance that nothing we encounter is beyond His understanding or power. As our forerunner, He invites us to follow Him, trusting in His guidance and provision.

In these metaphors, we find the essence of soul security. Jesus offers us an endless hope, a hope that transcends the temporal and anchors us in the eternal. As we place our trust in Him, we are assured of a better end, not a bitter one. Today, we are invited to seek refuge in Jesus, to anchor our souls in His promises, and to follow Him as our forerunner, knowing that He has already secured the victory for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus as Our Refuge: In times of wrongdoing or when life overwhelms us, Jesus is our sanctuary. Just as ancient sanctuary cities provided safety, Jesus offers us a place of refuge where we can find peace and protection from the avenger of our souls. We are encouraged to run to Him, knowing that He is a strong and sure refuge. [41:40]

2. Jesus as Our Anchor: Life's storms can be fierce, but Jesus is our anchor, holding us firm and preventing us from drifting away. This anchor is sure and steadfast, rooted in the promises of God. Our hope in Him is not a mere wish but a settled certainty that sustains us through trials. [48:40]

3. Jesus as Our Forerunner: Jesus has gone ahead of us, preparing the way and ensuring that the path is safe. He has faced death and emerged victorious, offering us the assurance that nothing we encounter is beyond His understanding or power. As our forerunner, He invites us to follow Him, trusting in His guidance and provision. [56:53]

4. The Certainty of God's Promises: God's promises are unchangeable and reliable. He swore by Himself, as there is none greater, ensuring that His word is trustworthy. This gives us strong encouragement to hold onto the hope set before us, knowing that God cannot lie and His promises will come to pass. [40:35]

5. Endless Hope in Jesus: Life without Jesus is a hopeless end, but with Him, we have an endless hope. This hope is not just for this life but extends into eternity, offering us a better end. As we trust in Jesus, we are assured of a future filled with His presence and promises. [53:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:13] - Introduction and Gratitude
- [35:22] - Ministering vs. Preaching
- [37:31] - God's Promise to Abraham
- [39:12] - Jesus as Our Refuge
- [41:40] - Sanctuary Cities and Refuge
- [46:17] - Jesus as Our Anchor
- [48:40] - The Importance of a Strong Anchor
- [51:47] - Hope Keeps Us Alive
- [52:36] - Security for the Soul
- [56:53] - Jesus as Our Forerunner
- [57:43] - The Hope We Have in Jesus
- [58:22] - Encouragement in Jesus
- [59:01] - A Better End with Jesus
- [01:00:01] - Invitation to Seek Refuge
- [01:02:15] - Prayer and Commitment
- [01:03:40] - Celebration of Salvation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 6:13-20

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three metaphors used in Hebrews 6:13-20 to describe Jesus, and how do they relate to our spiritual lives? [39:12]
2. How does the concept of sanctuary cities in ancient times relate to Jesus being our refuge? [41:40]
3. What does it mean for Jesus to be our forerunner, and how is this illustrated in the sermon? [56:53]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of God's promises being unchangeable? [40:35]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of Jesus as an anchor provide comfort during life's storms, and what does it mean for our faith to be anchored in Him? [48:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' role as a forerunner impacts our understanding of life and death? [56:53]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's promises and the hope we have in Jesus? [53:04]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of seeking refuge in Jesus when we have done wrong or feel overwhelmed? [41:40]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you seek refuge, and how might you turn to Jesus as your sanctuary in the future? [41:40]
2. Consider the storms you are currently facing. How can you ensure that your soul is anchored in Jesus, and what practical steps can you take to strengthen this anchor? [48:40]
3. Jesus is described as our forerunner who has gone ahead of us. How does this assurance affect your perspective on future uncertainties or fears? [56:53]
4. The sermon emphasizes the certainty of God's promises. How can you remind yourself of these promises in your daily life, especially during difficult times? [40:35]
5. The sermon mentions that life without Jesus is a hopeless end, but with Him, we have an endless hope. How can you cultivate this hope in your life and share it with others? [53:04]
6. Think about a situation where you need guidance or direction. How can you trust Jesus as your forerunner to lead you through it? [56:53]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to seek refuge in Jesus. What steps will you take this week to run to Him and find peace and protection? [41:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus as Our Sanctuary
In times of distress or when we have strayed, Jesus stands as our sanctuary, offering peace and protection. Just as ancient sanctuary cities provided safety from avengers, Jesus provides a refuge for our souls. When life becomes overwhelming or when we falter, we are encouraged to run to Him, knowing that He is a strong and sure refuge. In His presence, we find solace and the assurance that we are safe from the spiritual adversaries that seek to harm us. [41:40]

Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed or in distress. How can you actively seek refuge in Jesus today, trusting Him to be your sanctuary?


Day 2: Jesus as Our Anchor
Life's storms can be fierce, but Jesus is our anchor, holding us firm and preventing us from drifting away. This anchor is sure and steadfast, rooted in the promises of God. Our hope in Him is not a mere wish but a settled certainty that sustains us through trials. In the midst of life's challenges, we are reminded that our anchor in Christ keeps us grounded, ensuring that we do not lose our way. [48:40]

Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel adrift. How can you rely on Jesus as your anchor to provide stability and direction in this area today?


Day 3: Jesus as Our Forerunner
Jesus has gone ahead of us, preparing the way and ensuring that the path is safe. He has faced death and emerged victorious, offering us the assurance that nothing we encounter is beyond His understanding or power. As our forerunner, He invites us to follow Him, trusting in His guidance and provision. We are encouraged to walk in His footsteps, knowing that He has already secured the victory for us. [56:53]

John 14:2-3 (ESV): "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

Reflection: Consider a challenge you are currently facing. How can you trust Jesus as your forerunner to guide you through this situation, knowing He has already paved the way?


Day 4: The Certainty of God's Promises
God's promises are unchangeable and reliable. He swore by Himself, as there is none greater, ensuring that His word is trustworthy. This gives us strong encouragement to hold onto the hope set before us, knowing that God cannot lie and His promises will come to pass. We are invited to rest in the certainty of His promises, finding strength and encouragement in His unchanging nature. [40:35]

Numbers 23:19 (ESV): "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you deepen your trust in His faithfulness and reliability today?


Day 5: Endless Hope in Jesus
Life without Jesus is a hopeless end, but with Him, we have an endless hope. This hope is not just for this life but extends into eternity, offering us a better end. As we trust in Jesus, we are assured of a future filled with His presence and promises. We are encouraged to anchor our souls in this hope, knowing that it transcends the temporal and secures us in the eternal. [53:04]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a mindset of eternal hope in your daily life, focusing on the promises of Jesus rather than the temporary challenges you face?

Quotes

"We're grateful and thankful yet again for what the Lord is going to do in our presence. And I understand that life brings storms and financial struggles and health issues and losses in life. And in those moments, we need something to hold us steady. And I believe Hebrews 6, these verses that we've read, give us a few pictures, a few colorful metaphors of the power and the security and the truth that is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our refuge." [00:38:52] (39 seconds)


"In the same way, God desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise, the unchangeableness of his purpose interposed with an oath in order that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, that we may have strong, strong, strong, strong, strong, strong, strong, strong encouragement. We who have bled for refuge in laying hold of the hope that is set before us. This hope we have." [00:37:52] (37 seconds)


"Jesus is our anchor. And when you're looking at these anchors they have these heavy chains and they're interwoven through the deck of the ship on one end of the chain is connected to the anchor the other end of the chain is connected to the mast of the ship and so whenever listen whenever the the chain of the anchor is dropped and if it's not attached to the ship you want to know where they get this word from this phrase from that says that uh I'm gonna hold on to the bitter end." [00:49:30] (32 seconds)


"Jesus Christ is our anchor. And Jesus Christ has been our forerunner because he has gone further for us in order that we might understand what God wants to do in our lives. These metaphors come to us, first of all, let me set a little bit more of the context for us. They spring from the words that come, from the life of Abraham and his communication with God. You remember when God told Abraham to go and take your son, your only son." [00:39:12] (35 seconds)


"Jesus is the place where we can go and run and find refuge when we have done wrong we can run to Jesus anybody ever done wrong everybody in the room wrong everybody's done something wrong and listen he said don't run nowhere else run to Jesus because he can keep you safe from the avenger there is somebody that's after us there's someone who was the enemy of our souls and he wants to get us but as long as we are in the in the refuge of of Jesus he's a strong refuge he's a sure refuge he's a place where we can be safe safe in the arms of Jesus." [00:42:40] (45 seconds)


"Jesus is our anchor. And when you're looking at these anchors they have these heavy chains and they're interwoven through the deck of the ship on one end of the chain is connected to the anchor the other end of the chain is connected to the mast of the ship and so whenever listen whenever the the chain of the anchor is dropped and if it's not attached to the ship you want to know where they get this word from this phrase from that says that uh I'm gonna hold on to the bitter end." [00:49:30] (32 seconds)


"God wants to change someone's trajectory tonight. Today rather. God wants to take somebody and give you refuge. You may not want to run to God, but he's running to you. You may not want to hold on to God, but he'll hold on to you. Matter of fact. Now, who do you think holding on anyway? I almost let go. I was right at the edge. Couldn't see my breakthrough. My problems had me down." [01:00:01] (32 seconds)


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Transcript
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