What Is Your Anchor?

What Is Your Anchor?

August 5, 2007

Introduction

(Acts 27:29 NKJV) "Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come."

From MicroSoft Encarta Encyclopedia, we have this definition of an anchor:

Anchor: device used to attach a floating vessel to the water bottom for the purpose of holding the vessel in place. Anchors are connected to the vessel by ropes, cables, or chains. Primitive anchors held a vessel only by their enormous weight and friction along the sea bottom. The structure of modern anchors enables them to dig into the underwater surface and grip the seabed powerfully against the drift of the vessel. The common anchor consists of a shaft with a movable crosspiece called the stock at its top end and two curved arms ending in spadelike points called flukes at its bottom end. Modern anchors usually are made of forged steel and may weigh thousands of pounds. Large ships usually carry several heavy anchors.

Hymn # 467 in our books is entitled:

“We Have An Anchor.”

“Will your anchor hold in the storms of lfie, When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides life, and the cables strain, Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

It is safely moored, ‘twill the strom withstand, For ‘tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;

And the cables, passed from His heart to mine, Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

It will firmly hold in the straits of fear, When the breakers have told the reef is near;

Tho’ the tempest rage and the wild winds blow, Not an angry wave shall our bark o’er-flow.

When our eyes behold through the gathering night The city of gold, our harbor bright, We shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore, With the storms all past forevermore.

Chorus:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul Steadfast and sure while the billow roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

What else does the Bible about an anchor?

(Hebrews 6:19 NKJV) "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,"

Our hope in Christ is to serve as an anchor of our soul.

Acts 27:29: “they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come."

Body

I. Difficult times --

A. They dropped four anchors. -- just hold on.

B. They prayed for day.-- Why do you pray for day--day is coming!--Maybe it was “Lord, help us hold on till day.”

1. They prayed for light that they might see.

2. They prayed for the hope of a new day-- a better day-- a better tomorrow.

II. What is the Christian’s hope?

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

A. Our final ultimate hope is in God.

B. Jesus spoke of trials and problems while He was still here on earth.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1. As long as we are in this world, we can expect to have trials, problems, and tribulations of various kinds.

2. Jesus expresses cheer and confidence for us because He has overcome the world.

B. Paul spoke of the Christian’s hope.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

C. What was Paul’s experience in Acts 27, as we began our study this morning?

Acts 27:20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.22 “And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.23 “For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’25 “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

D. What was Paul’s summary of the difficulties of life?

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

E. The Hebrew writer put it this way.

Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

1. Man can put you in prison, he can put you to death, he cause cause you all kinds of suffering and headaches.

2. Man cannot separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion

I. How do we have this anchor--this hope?

A. It is those who can share with Paul this statement:

Acts 27:23 “For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve

B. It is through prayer, and pouring out out hearts to God.-- The prayer for day.

II. Does God always solve all of our problems the way we want them solved?

A. There is Daniel who was spared being eaten by the lions.

B. There is John the Baptist who lost his head.

III. There is that final harbor. The city that God has prepared for those who love Him.

Sermons I have Preached Bible Study with Harley

Hit Counter