God's Unchanging Promise: Assurance Through Faith

In this message, we explore the profound assurance and encouragement that God offers through His promise and oath, as highlighted in Hebrews 6:13-18. God desires for us to have unwavering confidence in Him, and He has gone to great lengths to ensure that we are encouraged and hopeful. By swearing by Himself, God provides us with a double assurance—His promise and His oath—both of which are unchangeable and reveal His will for our encouragement.

The foundation of this assurance is rooted in the story of Abraham, where God made a promise and an oath to bless him and his descendants. This promise is not limited to ethnic Israel but extends to all who share the faith of Abraham, regardless of their ethnicity. The key to inheriting this promise is not one's lineage but one's faith, as demonstrated by Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. This faith is characterized by a complete trust in God and a willingness to flee to Him for refuge.

God's promise to bless us is comprehensive, encompassing acceptance, forgiveness, love, cleansing, glorification, and eternal joy. However, the writer of Hebrews is most excited about the oath God made, which serves to reinforce the promise. God did not need to swear an oath, as His word is inherently true, but He did so to provide us with the strongest possible encouragement. By swearing by Himself, God assures us that His promise is as certain as His own existence.

This assurance is meant to fill us with strong encouragement, enabling us to live with hope and confidence. God is not a distant deity demanding obedience without concern for our future. Instead, He is a loving Father who desires to encourage and uplift us, providing us with the security we need to follow His commands joyfully.

Key Takeaways

• 1. encompassing, including acceptance, forgiveness, love, and eternal joy. This promise is meant to fill us with hope and motivate us to live for Him. [11:20]
  4. God's Oath for Our Encouragement: God swore by Himself to provide us with the strongest possible encouragement. This oath underscores the certainty of His promise and His desire for us to be fully assured of His faithfulness.
  
  5. Fleeing to God for Refuge: We are invited to flee to God for refuge, trusting in His reliability and turning away from false hopes. This act of childlike faith is the key to experiencing the fullness of His promises.
  
  ** [11:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:19] - God's Desire for Our Confidence
• [00:39] - Exploring God's Promise and Oath
• [01:17] - The Purpose of Strong Encouragement
• [02:06] - Common Ground in the Old Testament
• [03:11] - The Promise to Abraham
• [04:20] - Gentiles in the Promise
• [06:02] - Faith Over Ethnicity
• [07:16] - The Basis of the Promise
• [08:10] - Inheriting the Promise by Faith
• [09:35] - The Promise for All Nations
• [10:59] - The Power of God's Promise
• [12:07] - The Excitement of God's Oath
• [13:21] - The Purpose of God's Oath
• [19:07] - God's Oath for Our Encouragement
• [21:20] - Fleeing to God for Refuge

1. What are the two unchangeable things mentioned in Hebrews 6:13-18 that provide us with strong encouragement? How do these relate to God's promise and oath? [13:21]
2. In Genesis 22:16-17, what specific actions of Abraham led to God's promise and oath? How does this relate to the concept of faith over ethnicity? [07:33]
3. According to Romans 4:16, who are considered the descendants of Abraham, and what qualifies them to inherit the promise? [09:35]
4. How does the sermon describe God's intention behind swearing an oath by Himself? What does this reveal about God's character and His desire for our encouragement? [19:21]

1. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of God's oath in addition to His promise? How does this dual assurance impact a believer's confidence in God's faithfulness? [13:21]
2. How does the story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac illustrate the principle of faith over ethnicity? What does this teach about the nature of true faith? [07:33]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's promise of blessing is comprehensive? How should this understanding influence a believer's perspective on God's promises? [11:20]
4. How does the concept of fleeing to God for refuge, as mentioned in the sermon, relate to the idea of childlike faith? What does this imply about our relationship with God? [21:20]

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in God's promises. How can the understanding of God's double assurance through His promise and oath strengthen your faith in similar situations? [13:21]
2. Consider the role of faith in your life. How can you cultivate a faith like Abraham's that is willing to trust God completely, even in challenging circumstances? [07:33]
3. God's promise of blessing is described as all-encompassing. Identify one area of your life where you need to embrace God's promise of acceptance, forgiveness, or love. How can you actively live out this promise? [11:20]
4. The sermon invites us to flee to God for refuge. What are some false hopes or distractions in your life that you need to turn away from to fully experience God's promises? [21:20]
5. How can you practically remind yourself of God's faithfulness and encouragement in your daily life? Consider creating a habit or practice that helps you focus on God's promises.
6. Think about a situation where you felt distant from God. How can the assurance of His promise and oath help you draw closer to Him and find refuge in His presence? [19:21]
7. In what ways can you share the message of God's double assurance with others who may be struggling with doubt or uncertainty? How can you be a source of encouragement to them?