Hebrews 6:13-20

[0:00] Please take out your copy of God's Word and turn to Hebrews chapter 6. Our text for this morning is Hebrews chapter 6 verses 13 through 20.

[0:15] Before I read them for our benefit, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's Word to us. It was written for His glory and our good, and so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

[0:29] We begin in verse 13 of chapter 6. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, Surely I will bless you and multiply you.

[0:48] And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.

[1:00] So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath. So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

[1:22] We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. A hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

[1:41] Now, let me remind you in brief who it is this letter is addressed to. Most likely a group of Hellenistic or Greek-speaking Jews, as this book is written in the most lavish, wonderful Greek in all the New Testament.

[2:01] Likely living on the outskirts of Rome. And we know that this church had suffered. And they had suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ.

[2:15] The aim of the writer of this letter is to encourage them to press on. To not give up. And they're being tempted to go back to Judaism. To their old way of worshiping God.

[2:27] Believing it could have been sufficient. And it doesn't come with suffering. Maybe we should go that way. And the author of Hebrews is saying, No.

[2:38] Christ is more excellent. He's better than. Pay attention to this new covenant. And press on in it. As we were discussing what we ought to preach through next.

[2:53] And we're thinking about a number of books of the Bible. Hebrews kept coming up. As we're finding ourselves in a day. Where it is getting increasingly more uncomfortable.

[3:04] To be a Christ follower. I think this is going to go on. And if you spend even a little bit of time on social media. And somebody might say something that to me is so uncontroversial.

[3:18] You'll find the way that it flares up disagreement with people. In the most unhelpful. In the most unhelpful of ways. I am continually shocked at the vitriol.

[3:32] Against the really good positions of God for us in our world. As we continue to contend for the Bible.

[3:43] And God's good and kind commands to man. You're going to be continually hated for it. And we shouldn't be surprised by this.

[3:54] Paul reminds Timothy that all those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. So if it's not already here. If you've not already experienced this.

[4:05] If you're going to remain faithful to Christ. You are going to meet with rejection from the world. So we need to learn these lessons.

[4:15] And maybe we're walking in them already. Or maybe they're merely preparing us for a future day. But none of us should have this lost on us today.

[4:27] Now our text this morning is picking up thematically something the author of Hebrews began. Back at the end of chapter 4. Chapter 4 verses 14 through 16.

[4:38] We were encouraged. Since then we have a great high priest. Who has passed through the heavens. Jesus the son of God. Let us hold fast our confession.

[4:50] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. But one who in every respect has been tempted as we are. Yet without sin.

[5:01] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. That we may receive mercy. And find grace to help in time of need. So he's been beginning to make this case.

[5:13] Jesus is this more excellent. This better high priest. And he has suffered just as we suffer. He's been tempted as we are tempted. And because of who he is.

[5:26] And who he is to us. We can have a great confidence in him. To weather these storms. At the beginning of chapter 5.

[5:37] The author of Hebrews speaks to the origination. Of Jesus' priesthood. Citing Psalm chapter 2 verse 7. And Psalm 110 verse 4.

[5:49] He then tells us in chapter 5 verse 10. That Jesus was designated by God. Psalm 2 7. A high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

[6:01] Psalm 110 and verse 4. So we have the priestly lineage of Jesus introduced. And then the author of Hebrews.

[6:13] Seems to take a moment. Sort of a moment off to the side. To rebuke them. For being dull of hearing. Chapter 5 verse 11.

[6:24] And exhorting them not to become sluggish. Or dull in their acting. Chapter 6 and verse 12. Note that in chapter 5 verse 11.

[6:38] The author says about this. We have much to say. He has just introduced this idea of Jesus. Being in the lineage. Of this forever priest king.

[6:51] Melchizedek. Which we're going to talk a lot about. Over the next three weeks. Get ready for me to say Melchizedek. A lot. Over the rest of the month. He's just introduced this idea.

[7:03] And he says about this. We have much to say. And it is hard to explain. Since you. Have become dull. Of hearing. So.

[7:15] What this. Is he merely referring to. Jesus. As this priest king. When he's talking about. The great confidence. We have.

[7:26] Because. Jesus Christ. Is this priest king. Right. He's a better priest. He's a more. Excellent priest. He's not a Levitical priest. He is a Melchizedekian priest.

[7:38] And it. Brought me such great joy. To have that. Spell checked. And be wrong. Melchizedekian. Is a word. Our text today. Is bringing us. Back. To this point.

[7:50] As the author of Hebrews. Has stepped to the side. To say. Right. You need to go on. In maturity. You need to grow up. We should be able. To talk about these things.

[8:00] And have you understand. These things. So press on. In your. Knowledge. And then he gets back to. Presenting this idea. Of Jesus. As this greater priest.

[8:13] Hebrews chapter 6. Verse 11. And 12. He writes. And we desire. Each one of you. To show the same. Earnestness. To have the full assurance.

[8:23] Of hope. Until the end. Right. We want all of you. To be confident. Right. That you are in. Christ. So that you may not be sluggish. But imitators.

[8:34] Of those. Who through faith. And patience. Inherit the promises. I told you last week. That the author of Hebrews. Is setting us up. For chapter 11.

[8:44] And that grand list. Of the faithful. Who have gone. Before. Saying. Be imitators. Of them. Who by faith. And patience. Inherit. The promise.

[8:57] But in the immediate context. He is speaking. Of the faith. Of Abraham. This letter. The original audience. Would have had no need.

[9:07] To be reminded. Of Abraham's story. It would have been. Very fresh. In their mind. They would have been. Extremely. Familiar. With him. As a patriarch. And all of the things.

[9:19] That happened to him. And his great faith. And his patience. In those matters. But I think. That we will be well served. In considering.

[9:29] Abraham's faith. To have a bit of an overview. Of his life. So. We're meant. To be imitators. Of. And the author of Hebrews.

[9:40] Is now going to talk about. This faith. Where God swears. On himself. And makes an oath. And we need to think a bit. About this faith.

[9:50] And patience. Of Abraham. So. Let's do that a bit. You're welcome to flip with me. If you want to. But I'll try to keep you. On board. In the book of Genesis.

[10:02] God calls. Abram. He's called at this time. In Genesis chapter 12. Verses 1 through 4. Where we read. Now the Lord said to Abram. Go from your country.

[10:13] And your kindred. And your father's house. To the land. That I will show you. And I will make of you. A great nation. I will bless you. And make your name great. So that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you.

[10:24] And him who dishonors you. I will curse. And in you. All the families of the earth. Shall be blessed. So Abram went. As the Lord had told him. And Lot.

[10:34] His nephew. Went with him. Abram was 75 years old. When he departed. From Haran. So he's sent to a new place. With a promise.

[10:47] So Abram. This is extreme overview. Abram travels to Canaan. Because of a famine. He moves to Egypt. He's then kicked out of Egypt.

[10:58] Because he did some. Inappropriate things with his wife. Gave his wife away. He then goes to the Negev. Dwells there. Separates from Lot.

[11:09] They've got so much possession. That they divide up. And separate. He then rescues Lot. Who's taken captive. By four kings. He then meets the priest.

[11:21] King Melchizedek. Which are text. References. And in all of this. About ten years have passed. Since God made the promises. Of Genesis chapter 12.

[11:32] And then God. In his kindness. Comes to Abraham. So all these events have happened. Right. It's been about ten years. How is it. Oh Lord.

[11:43] I imagine Abram saying. That you will make of me a great nation. I've gathered great possession. How will you make of me. A great nation. Ten years.

[11:56] I just ask you to put yourself. In his shoes. And try to think about. What that would feel like for you. Some of you have. Problems waiting ten days. For something you believe the Lord.

[12:07] Is going to do for you. But he is now. By faith. With some faithfulness mixed in. Been waiting ten years.

[12:17] God in his kindness. Comes. To Abram. We can read of this. In Genesis chapter 15. Verse one and following. After these things. My. Fast summary of them.

[12:28] The word of the Lord. Came to Abram. In a vision. Fear not Abram. I am your shield. Your reward. Shall be very great. But Abram said.

[12:40] Oh Lord God. What will you give me. For I continue. Childless. And the heir of my house. Is Eleazar of Damascus. And Abram said. Behold. You have given me.

[12:51] No offspring. And a member of my household. Will be my heir. And behold. The word of the Lord. Came to him. This man. Shall not. Be your heir. Your very own son.

[13:03] Shall be your heir. And he brought him outside. And said. Look toward heaven. And number the stars. If you were able to number them. Then he said to him. So.

[13:14] Shall your offspring. Be. And then. Verse six. And he believed the Lord. And he. God. Counted it to him. Abram.

[13:25] As righteousness. Chapter 15. Goes on to speak of God's. Ratification. Of. The covenant. He follows the form of.

[13:36] Covenants that were made. By. Men. He asked that Abram would. Get a heifer. A female goat. A ram. A turtle dove. And a. Young pigeon. And these animals are divided.

[13:48] They are torn in two. And laid out. In rows on the ground. Except for the birds. And I'm not sure why. If you know why. Please come tell me. But the others are laid out. On the ground. And in human.

[14:00] Covenant ratification. Both parties would walk between. Those animals. That were rent in two. And what they were saying is. If I don't keep my part of this covenant. May it be to me.

[14:11] As it's been to these. Animals. Right. That I would be. Torn in. Two. But God doesn't allow. Abram. To participate. In this covenant ratification.

[14:22] But he himself. Passes through. In a vision. As a smoking fire pot. And a flaming. Torch. Draws back on the imagery. Of God. Draws forward to the imagery.

[14:34] Excuse me. Of God leading his people. Out. Smoking fire pillar. And flaming. Pillar. This covenant. Was all. Of God's.

[14:45] Doing. He is saying. I will bring it to pass. I will do it. I will be faithful. To this covenant. Even if. You are. Unfaithful. To this covenant.

[14:56] Will happen. Because I have. Said it. So. Now. It is not. Until. Chapter. Twenty. One. That a son is born.

[15:07] To Abraham's. Wife. Sarah. Isaac was born. Twenty. Five. Years. After God's. Original. Command. And promise.

[15:18] In Genesis. Twelve. He's 75. When he's called to go. He's a hundred years old. When Isaac. Is born. It has been. Twenty. Five. Years.

[15:29] Of. Faith. And patience. Of him looking. Toward. This. Promise. Of God. This is what the author of Hebrews. Is drawing their minds. Back to. Imitate him.

[15:39] Twenty. Five. Years. Of waiting. Waiting. For this thing. To come to pass. And then. A most curious thing. Happens.

[15:50] In chapter. Twenty. God tests Abraham's faith. By asking him. To sacrifice. Isaac. To him. Genesis chapter.

[16:01] Twenty. And verse. Two. God said. Take your son. Your only son. Isaac. Whom you love. And go to the land. Of Moriah. And offer him there. As a burnt offering.

[16:11] On one of the mountains. Of which. I shall tell you. So his. Progeny. His. One son. His only son. Right. His.

[16:21] Hope. That this promise. Would come true. Twenty. Five. Years. Of waiting. He's beginning to see it happen. And then God says. Sacrifice him.

[16:33] To me. How could Abraham. Do. Such a thing. How could he. Fathom. Having that kind of faith. To still believe God's promise.

[16:44] To do this. Thing. Beloved. We are not obedient. In this way. But we should be. We are sluggish. In our acting.

[16:55] When we consider. Abraham's faith. In this matter. How. Was he able. To do this. When we get a clue. From the text. Genesis chapter twenty. Two. Verses four and five. Says.

[17:06] On the third day. Abraham lifted up his eyes. And saw the place. From afar. The mountain. That God had told him. To go to. Then Abraham said. To his young men. Stay here.

[17:17] With the donkey. I and the boy. Will go over there. And worship. And I don't think. He's lying. And come. Again. To you.

[17:29] Abraham had the power. To tell his servants. To stay. I'm going to sacrifice. My son. You can't do anything. About that. But he doesn't. Stay here. With the donkey. I and the boy. Will go over there.

[17:40] And worship. And come again. We. Will come again. To you. He knew somehow. The promise. And believing the promise.

[17:51] Would come through. His son. Would still. Be fulfilled. And the. Author of Hebrews. Writes to this. Chapter eleven. Verse seventeen. And following. By faith. Abraham. When he was tested.

[18:02] Offered up Isaac. And he who had received. The promises. Was in the act. Of offering up. His only son. Of whom. It was said. Through Isaac. Shall your offspring.

[18:13] Be named. He considered. That God. Was able. Even to raise him. From the dead. From which. Figuratively speaking. He did. Receive him back.

[18:25] So Abraham. Knew. That God. Was going to be good. To his word. So he goes through. The whole process. Right. And we get no record. Of a struggle. From Isaac.

[18:36] I've got to believe. Isaac. Isaac. Had a measure of faith. Father. What are you doing? What about the promise of God? Isn't that supposed to come through me? Yes son. It will come.

[18:47] It's been said. That it would come. Through you. And. Isaac. Allows himself to be bound. Allows himself to be put. On the altar. This is my. Imagination. Of the matter.

[18:59] And as the. Dagger is raised. We know. That God. God spared. Isaac. By providing a ram. To die. In his stead. Right.

[19:09] We are familiar. With this part of the story. At least I hope. That we are. But do you know. How this episode. Ends. God speaks.

[19:19] And this is what. He said. Genesis chapter 2. Verse 16. And following. By myself. I have sworn. Declares the Lord. Because you have done this.

[19:31] And have not withheld your son. Your only son. I will surely bless you. And I will surely multiply your offspring. As the stars of the heaven. And as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess.

[19:43] The gate. Of his enemies. And in your offspring. Shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Because you have obeyed. My voice. And this has everything to do.

[19:55] With our text. Today. The writer of Hebrews. Is addressing. Abraham's life of faith. Generally. But this is the episode.

[20:06] That the writer of Hebrews. Is addressing. Specifically. In fact. The writer of Hebrews. Is citing. Genesis chapter 22. Verse 17. In. Hebrews chapter 6.

[20:17] Verse. 14. Right. He says. Surely. I will bless you. And multiply you. In verse. 14. So then here again.

[20:28] Verse 13. For when God made a promise. To Abraham. Since he had no one greater. By whom to swear. He swore. By himself.

[20:39] Because God. Has. Promised. We can have. Unshakeable. Faith. Immovable. Faith. Faith. And then verse 15.

[20:52] And thus Abraham. Having. Patiently. Waited. Obtained. The promise. Realized. The promise.

[21:04] James. Writes to this. In James. Chapter 2. Verse 21 and 22. Was not Abraham. Our father. Justified. By works. When he offered up. His son Isaac. On the altar.

[21:16] You see that faith. Was active. Along with his works. And faith. Was completed. By his works. He showed himself. Faithful. And he. Obtained.

[21:27] The promise. So the author of Hebrews. Is writing to this. Beleaguered church. This tired. Exhausted. Worn out church. A church that had suffered. And would. Suffer.

[21:38] More. And he's saying. Imitate. Imitate. This faith. And patience. Like. Look to the promise. To the reward. And he gives them.

[21:49] Two. Things we have. In order to be able to do that. First. We have. God's. Word. We have.

[22:01] God's. Word. Verse 16. And following. For people swear by something greater. Than. Themselves. And in all. All their disputes.

[22:12] An oath. Is final. For confirmation. So God. Right. In order to. Make. An oath. Trustworthy. Right. He swears upon.

[22:23] Something. Greater. Than himself. He can't. There is. Nothing. Greater. Than. Him. The reason. That human. Oaths.

[22:34] Were. And are. Often. Used. Today. To end. Disputes. Is because of the sinfulness. Of human speech. We are not. Naturally. Very. Trustworthy. In ancient culture.

[22:46] People would swear. On something. Greater. Than. Themselves. So they would. Swear on. The temple. They would swear on. Caesar. They would. Appeal.

[22:56] To something. Outside. Of. Themselves. And amongst the Jews. The greatest. Oath. That could be given. Will be. One sworn. On the name. Of God.

[23:07] God. This is because. They were afraid. Of transgressing. The third commandment. To not misuse. The name of God. So if. A Jew. Wanted to totally.

[23:17] Put a dispute. Like. Listen. Believe me. He or she. Would swear. On God. Himself. Which is exactly. What God. Does here.

[23:28] People swear. By something. Greater than themselves. And in all their disputes. An oath. Is final. For confirmation. Verse 17. So when God. Desired to show. More convincingly. To the heirs.

[23:39] Of the promise. The unchangeable. Character. Of his purpose. He guaranteed it. With an oath. So that by two. Unchangeable things. In which it is impossible.

[23:49] For God to lie. We who have fled. For refuge. Might have strong. Encouragement. To hold fast. To the hope. Set before us. So two. Unchangeable.

[23:59] Things. God himself. His person. His character. There is nothing higher. By which. He could. Swear. And his oath.

[24:10] His word. Right? In which. It is impossible. For God. To lie. So those of us. Who have. Fled for refuge.

[24:21] Are running away. From sin. And the condemnation. Of it. And have. Fled to God. In Christ. Have. Strong. Encouragement.

[24:33] To hold fast. To hang in. To not give up. Because of the hope. Set before us. Right? The hope. Of realized promise.

[24:43] We have a confidence. That it will. Be. Realized. This is why Jesus. Has the confidence. To pray. In John chapter 17. And verse 17. Sanctify them.

[24:56] In the truth. Your word. Is truth. Faith. On your bulletin. John Trapp. Who was a. 17th century. Anglican.

[25:06] If I'm. I'm remembering that correctly. Said this. It is the nature of faith. To believe God. Upon his bare word. God has said something. Faith believes that thing.

[25:18] It is the nature of faith. To believe God. Upon his bare word. It will not be. Saith. Since. It cannot be. Saith. Reason.

[25:28] It both can. And will be. Saith faith. For I. Have a promise. God's word.

[25:39] Reveals to us. His loving kindness. Toward us. And it speaks. Greatly. Of his purpose. For his people. We ought to take it up.

[25:50] And we ought to. Know it. If you don't have a. Confident foundation. On which to set your salvation. You need to be. In his word. You need to be. Studying it.

[26:01] What does it have to say. For you. And. For us. We have. God's. Word. Secondly. We have.

[26:12] God's. Anchor. We have. God's. Anchor. I feel like. We've. Referenced. These two verses. More than any other. In the book of Hebrews.

[26:22] As we've been studying. Elsewhere. In it. So here we. Have finally come. To verses 19. And. 20. I have a feeling. We're going to reference. Back to it. Quite a bit. As well. He uses this.

[26:34] Beautiful imagery. We have this. As a sure. And. Steadfast. Anchor. Of the soul. A confident.

[26:45] Anchor. An immovable. Anchor. Of the soul. A hope. That enters. Into the inner place. Behind the curtain. Where Jesus is gone.

[26:56] As a forerunner. On our behalf. Having become. A high priest. Forever. After the order. Of Melchizedek. An anchor. Is the lifeline.

[27:07] Of a ship. Right. It holds it firm. In the shelter. Of a bay. And it steadies it. On a storm. Tossed. Sea. Right. A ship. Is safe.

[27:18] Because it has. An anchor. And Jesus. Is God's. Anchor. And he's given. To us. Jesus is the surety.

[27:29] Of all. The promises. Of God. Paul tells us in. Second Corinthians. Chapter one. Verse twenty. For all the promises. Of God.

[27:40] Find their yes. In Jesus Christ. That is wise. Through him. That we utter. Our amen. To God. For his glory. Right. By we have confidence. As we pray.

[27:51] God's will. Because the promises. Of God. Find their yes. In Jesus Christ. Now. The author of Hebrews. Here speaks.

[28:02] Again. Of something. That his original audience. Would have been. Extremely familiar with. And we may. Not be quite. As. Familiar with. If you've been here. Long.

[28:13] We've talked about. The temple. The tabernacle. And the temple. And the way that it was arranged. With. A series of. Courts. And in the inner part of the temple. There was a place called the.

[28:24] Holy place. For the worship of God. And then inside of that. There was a. Much smaller place. Called the. Holy. Of holies. This is the place that contained. The ark of the covenant. This is the place where.

[28:36] Only once a year. The high priest. And only the high priest. Would enter. And make. Atoning sacrifice. On the day of atonement. For the people. Of Israel. Right. This. This was the significant place.

[28:47] Where God's glory. Dwelt. He dwelt. Amongst his people. But separate. From them. And in the temple. There was a massive.

[28:58] Curtain hung. A heavy. Curtain. That was hung. Light. Didn't get through. This curtain. It was. A significant. Separation.

[29:08] From. God's people. Levitical priesthood. And himself. So this one day a year. High priest. Would go in. To this place.

[29:20] And it is. Massively significant. That when Jesus died on the cross. We read in Matthew chapter 27. And verse 51. And behold. The curtain of the temple.

[29:33] Was torn. In two. From top to bottom. Right. No man accomplished. This. Right. God himself. Tore. The curtain. And the earth shook.

[29:43] And the rocks. Were split. Right. Jesus. Through his death. And his resurrection. Has gone in before.

[29:54] He's gone as a forerunner. As a better priest. Right. A high priest forever. After the order of. Melchizedek. He has entered. Into God's.

[30:05] Presence. Serving on our behalf. Interceding on our behalf. As a priest. And he himself. Being the atoning. Sacrifice. That washes away the sins.

[30:16] Of God's people. This is massively. Significant. And there. Is where he is. Our anchor. At the right hand. Of God.

[30:27] The author of Hebrews. Has said this. Hebrews chapter 1. In verse 3. Jesus Christ. Is the radiance of the glory of God. And the exact imprint. Of his nature. And he upholds the universe. By the word of his power.

[30:37] After making purification. For sins. He sat down. At the right hand. Of the majesty. On high. It's a massive significance.

[30:49] That we have. Jesus. As a priest. Why would we ever want to go back. To serving God. Through the Levitical priesthood. Would be the original. Audience's response.

[31:00] Why would we ever. Go. That way. When we have. The way. Of Christ. The sure. And steadfast. Anchor.

[31:12] And the only sensible answer. Is we wouldn't. Why would we do. Such. A thing. We have. Such. A hope. For the promise.

[31:25] And here's the. Further. Astounding. Thing. And Paul writes. In Ephesians chapter 2. Verses 4 through 6. The memory work. For the children.

[31:35] God being rich. In mercy. Because of the great love. With which he loved us. Even when we were dead. In our trespasses. Made us alive.

[31:45] Together. With Christ. By grace. You have been saved. Verse 6. And raised us up with him. And seated us. With him. In the heavenly places.

[31:56] In. Christ. Jesus. Jesus. We have all the. Benefit. Of God's. Presence. Because Jesus Christ. Sits in his presence.

[32:07] And Paul says. And we are sitting. There. With him. So we live in this. Interesting tension. In our day. Between the kingdom of God.

[32:20] Not yet. Realized. Us being fully. Drawn up into the presence. Of God. Not yet. Realized. But because of the sacrificial work of Christ. It has already been.

[32:31] Actualized. It's not yet realized. But it's already. Actualized. Right. And the author of Hebrews. Is making this case. Back in chapter 4.

[32:42] We have such. Confidence. To go. To the throne of grace. And receive help. In time of need. That we would be. Faithful.

[32:53] And patient. Perseverers. To the end. So we have. God's word. And we have. If you've placed your faith.

[33:04] In Christ. You have him. As. Your anchor. And this is what. The author of Hebrews. Is writing about. Chapter 6.

[33:14] Verse 11 and 12. And we desire. Each one of you. To show the same. Earnestness. To have the full. Assurance of hope. Until the end. So that you may not be sluggish. But imitators of those.

[33:25] Who through faith. And patience. Inherit. The promises. We are not. Saved. By works.

[33:37] We're saved. By faith. But that faith. Is a faith. That. Works. This assurance. That we're meant to have.

[33:48] Is an assurance. That we do in fact. Have the word of God. And we do in fact. Have Christ. As our. Anchor. So don't be sluggish. Pick up the promises.

[33:59] Of God. Know that you are steady. Because you are Christ. And press on. Press on. In knowing him. And serving him. And loving him. Showing yourself.

[34:10] To be. His sons. And his daughters. This is what's being encouraged. All. Along the way. Through. This book. And I'm really. Really glad.

[34:21] That we've been saying this. For many years. And we're going to keep on saying it. Because it is so. Important. For. Our souls. That we would be those. That would have. Immovable faith.

[34:32] In who. Our God. Is. We're to have. Faith. Like a child. But we are not. To have childlike faith. Faith. Faith like a child.

[34:43] But we are to be. Growing up. Into Christ. This past Monday. I. Hesitated to share the story with you. Because it. Shows me to be a bad father.

[34:53] But. I think it helps make. The point. This past Monday. Which is typically our family day. Sam. My wife and I. Took. Our three boys. To the Tallulah River.

[35:06] Way up north. Near Clayton. Where the water is shallow. And fun to play in. With kids. And. There was this island. In the middle of the river. And most of the current. Went around one side.

[35:17] And we had brought. An inflatable pool toy. Alligator. With us. To float around. And goof off with. In the water. And there was a bit of. Bit of current. It was like.

[35:28] A foot and a half deep. Wasn't all that deep. But it had. Was moving quick. In this one spot. And then it mellowed out. Fairly quickly. After that. And so. My nine year old.

[35:40] Cade. Tested it out. Jumped on. Rode down. Woo hoo. Good fun. Judah. A seven year old. Followed him. Also had a good time.

[35:51] And then Silas. My three year old. Who has to do everything. His brothers do. Was totally down. For a turn. And. We had. What's called a puddle jumper. Parents. You know. What I'm talking about.

[36:02] With us. But. We did not put it on him. Because why? There's a big float. And it's got handles. Well. Silas is a champ. So he. Rode down.

[36:13] That current. Four or five times. Throughout the afternoon. And I would get him going. And then I would run along the bank. Next to him. In case anything went wrong. I'd be ready to. Jump out there with him.

[36:23] When the last time. We had said. Okay. Last time guys. We're going to pack up. We got to get going. We got to get back down. South. Silas. In his excitement. For the last time. I'm holding the thing. And he jumped on it.

[36:34] And he jumped. Exuberantly. And went off the far side of it. So. I'm standing on the. Calmer water side. He's standing. Again. It's like halfway up my shins. It's not extremely deep.

[36:45] But for a three year old. Current. Of that depth. Is kind of a big deal. And he went. Head down. Face. Face down in. And this little rapid. That was right there. Turned him sideways.

[36:55] As I'm chunking the alligator. And I'm going after him. Trying not to fall. Because I want to get to him. And it rolls him over. And I can see the panic on his face. Of. My head's underwater. And.

[37:06] I can't get my head above water. I see his little arms. Trying to go down. And reach something. And it was scary. It was. Frightening. As this current. Is starting to carry him away. From me.

[37:16] And my wife is now. Screaming. From the bank. Which. Women is not helpful. It does not speed. A man's brain up. If anything. It makes us more panicky.

[37:27] But I'm trying to just get to him. As quickly as I can. And try not to slip. The thing going through my mind. Is don't fall. Because then you can't get to him. And so finally. I was within a body's length of him. And I just dove. I just did a full on.

[37:38] Dive. For him. And put my. Hand under his head. And grabbed his leg. So he couldn't get away. And got him up above the water. I stood up. I mean. I stood up in this current. It really wasn't moving. That quickly.

[37:50] But I just had to stand there with him. It was scary. So he cried a little. No water was in his lungs. It went fine. Put his head on my shoulder. We composed ourselves.

[38:01] And we walked up out of the water. So I'm telling you all this to say. I think most children. I think our first two children. Would have been done for the day.

[38:12] They would have been like. Not. I'm good. Right. My head went underwater. I almost got swept away from dad. God. He heroically saved me. But still. That was tragic. That was tragic.

[38:25] I don't want to do it again. But Silas got his head on my shoulder. And we had arranged for one more turn for Judah. So Judah said. Dad. Is it my turn now? And Silas' head snapped up.

[38:37] And he said. He said. No. It's still my turn. It's still my turn. And I couldn't believe it. Sam said. I think very wisely. She goes.

[38:47] You probably ought to let him. So it's not a trauma to him. And we did. Very carefully. Got him. Got him back on. And let him float down. And I've just been thinking about it this week.

[38:59] Of course. I was thinking about it a lot. Just as a major dad fail. But also. By the end of the day. He had almost altogether forgotten about it. I think I was still processing it.

[39:12] So I brought it up. Hey buddy. You fell in the water today. Didn't you? And he went. Yeah. But it illustrated to me.

[39:23] The kind of faith we should have in our father. Who doesn't do dumb dad fail things. If we are ever swept in current. It's because he knows it's good for us.

[39:34] And he places us there. And he is so ready and quick. To also rescue us from those places in which he puts us.

[39:44] But the way that Silas was just so willing to get back in the mix. Right? To press on. To not have his confidence in me shaken. I'm the one that put him back out there.

[39:57] I'm the one that got him out of the water at the end. He didn't ask for mom to do it. He let me do it. We're to have faith like a child. But not childlike faith.

[40:11] And this is the encouragement. This is the pressing all along. Because we have God's word. His sure promise to us. And we have Christ. Right?

[40:22] As the confirmation of his promise. As the anchor of our souls. So in closing. I want to read to you. A verse and a chorus from a hymn.

[40:35] Called My Anchor Holds. By Daniel B. Towner. This may come up in our songs. Sometime soon. He wrote.

[40:45] I can feel the anchor fast. As I meet each sudden blast. And the cable though unseen. Bears the heavy strain between.

[40:59] Through the storm I safely ride. Till the turning of the tide. And it holds. My anchor holds. Blow your wildest then O Gale.

[41:12] On my bark so small and frail. By his grace. I shall not fail. For my anchor holds. My anchor holds.

[41:23] Let's pray together.