Nov 27, 2022
Hebrews 6:13-20
The Power of Hope
1. Our hope is based on certainty, v.17
a) to show
b) more convincingly
c) to the heirs of the promise
d)the unchangeable character of his purpose
“There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love for me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery can now disillusion Him about me, in the way that I am so disillusioned about myself, and quench His determination to bless me.”
-J.I. Packer, Knowing God
e) he guaranteed it with an oath
f) so that by two unchangeable things
The two unchangeable things…
1) God’s promise
2) the oath that confirms it
2. Our hope gives us a refuge, v. 18
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”
-Psalm 62:5-8
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
-Psalm 91:1-2
3. Our hope encourages us to continue, v. 18
4. Our hope is in what has been accomplished, v. 19
"And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.”
-Hebrews 7:20-28
Mental worship…
Is it enough for God to show you or does he have to convince you of certain things?
Is there anybody or anything you are close to giving up on?
Is your life more about “from” or “for?”
If God were to accommodate you this Advent season, how would He come to you?
What encourages you when you feel hopeless?