This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church Sunday October 26, 2025.
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 6:13-20 NIV [13] When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, [14] saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” [15] And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. [16] People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. [17] Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. [18] 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. [19] We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, [20] where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Sermon
The central question for us today is: When the storms of life hit—the financial fears, the health crises, the relational turmoil—where do we find solid ground? The answer, as it has been for generations of believers, is found in our faith.
Our text for today is Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. “
Faith is not a tentative hope; it is a firm assurance, a confident conviction. Faith in God and His promises acts as an anchor for our soul, holding us steady even when the world around us feels like a raging sea.
The Unchanging Nature of Our Anchor
The journey of life is marked by inevitable storms. Some storms come up immediately like a sudden, unexpected, and devastating medical diagnosis. Life is normal—planning for the weekend, working, running errands then there is the diagnosis. Everything instantly changes. Priorities are shattered, fear and confusion rush in, and our entire future is thrown into complete turmoil. The calm of life is instantaneously replaced by a raging, urgent "storm" that requires immediate action, profound emotional strength, and a complete shift in focus.
Other storms come gradually.
Unlike a sudden diagnosis, this storm builds slowly over many years, often going unnoticed until the damage is nearly irreversible. There is no one catastrophic event, but a slow, steady leak.
This storm is often a silent one, sneaking up over many years until a major health crisis forces it into the open. Chronic inflammation builds, arteries harden, blood pressure slowly creeps up, None of these changes trigger a sudden, dramatic event, so you don't feel a need to fix the issue. Then comes the Near-Irreversible Crisis. It could be a heart attack or stroke, which is the sudden, catastrophic consequence of years of silent high blood pressure and clogged arteries. It could be a diagnosis of advanced degenerative joint disease, the result of decades of carrying excess weight.
Whether the storm comes suddenly or slowly we are tempted to endure them solely by relying on ourselves—on the precision of our plans or the force of our will.
However we are reminded by the Bible that this path of ultimate self-trust is one we should avoid.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV says Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
This is a clear directive to avoid the path of ultimate self-reliance. It reminds us that our own wisdom is finite and flawed compared to God's guidance. When we submit to God we place our ultimate confidence in His will instead of our own.
The prophet Jeremiah put it plainly
Jeremiah 17:5-6 NIV [5] This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. [6] That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
When you put all your eggs in your own basket—or in other people's—you end up spiritually dried-up and feeling empty inside. But when you anchor your life in God and let Him be your foundation, you get a deep, unshakable stability, real nourishment, and you're able to keep producing good things, no matter how tough it gets.
You know, the thing that holds us steady can't be something that's eventually going to crumble. Our faith isn't resting on whether we can manage to believe hard enough; it's resting on the rock-solid, unchanging character of the One we actually believe in—which is God.
Hebrews 6:16-18 NIV [16] People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. [17] Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. [18] 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.
When you are out at sea, and the waves are tossing your boat—that's life's storms. You drop an anchor to keep from drifting onto the rocks. But how do you know that anchor will hold?
It's not about the strength of your grip on the rope; it's about the strength of what that anchor is fastened to!
Our eternal hope is not just given, it is guaranteed with absolute, fail-safe certainty. It is secured by two independent, unchangeable facts that make it impossible to fail.
The First is God's Word (His Promise). This is the foundation. Since God is perfectly holy, He cannot lie. His very nature means His promise stands true forever—it is a secure anchor in itself.
Numbers 23:19 NIV [19] God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
The Second independent and unchangeable fact is God's Oath. To accommodate our human frailty and make the truth completely undeniable, God added a second layer of security. He swore an oath on His own name. This acts as a Divine Seal or a second, unbreakable lock, confirming that His purpose will never, ever change.
This is a truth that David celebrated in Psalm 62.
Psalms 62:5-7 NIV [5] Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. [6] Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. [7] My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Stop seeking comfort, security, and hope in anything that is subject to change—that includes wealth, power, and human validation. Look only to God, the one unshakeable source. He is your Rock—the stable foundation—and your Fortress—your indestructible stronghold. This relationship with God gives you the confidence that no earthly circumstance can shatter. Your ultimate safety is found only by making Him your sole priority. When the wind and waves are at their worst, your stability is guaranteed, not by the strength of your belief, but by the unchangeable, eternal nature of the One holding your anchor.
Aligning Our Priorities in the Storm
When trouble strikes, our instinct is to become consumed by worry, focusing entirely on the immediate danger.
Faith reminds us that the trial we are facing is temporary and calls our attention to what is eternal. When we prioritize God’s kingdom, the things that often consume our earthly worry—like money, status, or comfort—naturally recede in importance.
Matthew 6:33-34 NIV [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
When our priorities are aligned with God's will, we are free to focus on the things that truly last. This faithful refocusing is what gives us a peace that the world cannot offer
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Maintaining the Connection to Our Anchor
An anchor is only useful if the cable connecting it to the ship is strong. How do we keep our connection to this spiritual anchor firm?
1. Regular Self-Reflection and Openness:
Life's trials are the heat and stress that reveal the weakness in our spiritual foundation. True stability requires work: we must actively nurture a heart that listens for God's guidance, and at the same time examine what truly drives our actions and forms our beliefs.
The storms of life often reveal the weak spots in our foundation. We need to be open to God's guidance and regularly check our hearts and motives.
We need to always examine ourselves to make sure that we are open to God’s guidance
2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV tells us [5] Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
This must be an open, honest and ongoing self examination in addition to letting the Holy Spirit also examine us.
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV [23] Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
2. Stand on the Assurance of Scripture:
The ultimate strength of our anchor lies in God’s unfailing Word. When doubt creeps in, we must hold fast to the written assurance of His promises.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
"We need to consistently use God's Word as our guide and compass through every uncertain moment. Doing this builds the overcoming faith required to conquer the trials of this world."
1 John 5:3-5 NIV [3] In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, [4] for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
If you are facing a trial today, do not try to hold back the storm with your own fragile hands. Draw closer to the One whose character is your assurance. Let your faith be the strong anchor for your soul, a hope that is both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence of God Himself.
Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV [19] We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, [20] where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Concluding Prayer
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that You are our unshakable rock and our constant defense. We confess that too often we trust in our own strength and are quickly overwhelmed when the storms of life arrive. Forgive us for our fear and our wavering.
Lord, we ask that you strengthen our faith, not as a feeling, but as a firm assurance in Your promises. Help us to be open to Your guidance and commit ourselves to the continuous process of aligning our priorities with Your will. When the waves crash, remind us that our citizenship is in heaven and our true security is in Christ alone. Anchor our souls to Your unfailing love and eternal purpose, through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest and Forerunner. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment