Promise and Patience

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Hebrews 6:13-20 An Anchor of the Soul Sermon Outline for July 24, 2005 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri I. Introduction Anchors in the Cemetery II. The Text Hebrews 6:12 12 that you do not become sluggish , but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The Example of Abraham – Promise and Patience 13 For when God made a promise [v. 12] to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “ Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” --- 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise . The Meaning To Us – Guarantee and Anchor 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute [war of words]. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed [guaranteed, mediated] it by an oath , 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil , 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek [7:1]. Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem , priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, III. Remarks on the Text A. We are to be imitators Calvin “to sloth he opposes imitation” Example better than just abstraction Calvin “examples convey to us a more impressive idea of things. When a naked truth is set before us, it does not so much affect us, as when we see what is required of us fulfilled in the person of Abraham.” From the outside in, Howard Hughes B. Of Abraham (seed, land; Isaac, burial plot) (Hb. 2:16 ; 6:13 -15; 7:4,5; 11:9-19) Father of the Faithful (faith – grace not works, inheritance says same thing) Center of the hall of fame: Sarah, Abraham and Isaac Gen. 22:16 followed Abraham’s “Isaac test,” for whom he had waited 25 years. Patience here, not of Job (James 5:11 ), but of Abraham. Genesis: 3 falls (Adam, Cain, Sethites); 3 recoveries (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph); 3 traits (patience, kindness, holiness) C. Rooting Our Consolation and Assurance in the Character of God The immutability of God is not an abstract doctrine, but one of great consolation. The condescension of God is manifold. The self-sacrifice of God is our anchor. IV. Conclusion Charlie and the Chocolate Factory What’s Your Anchor? 1 Cor. 2:9 Questions from Hebrews 6:13-20 for Young Hearers 1. Pastor Tuuri saw ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ on grave stones. 2. We are supposed to act like ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 3. In order to act like him, we need to ___ ___ ___ ___ about him! 4. Today’s text points us back to Genesis ___ ___: ___ ___ 5. It is his ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ that we are to imitate. 6. We are ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ of the same promises God gave him. 7. God has made us great promises and He never ___ ___ ___ ___. 8. Who is the forerunner? ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 9. We can ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ God. 10. Children should ___ ___ ___ like their parents and other godly people. 11. ___ ___ ___ ___ was not patient, but Abraham was. 12. ___ ___ ___ ___ wasn’t kind to his brother, but Jacob was. 13. The Sethites weren’t holy, but ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ was. 14. We should act like we have ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 15. We can be patient because God does not ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 16. We can be patient because God graciously gives us so many reminders that He will ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ us in His love. 17. We can be patient because God loves us so much that ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ died for us, and opened heaven’s blessings to us.