September 18th, 2025
by Pastor Dave Haney
by Pastor Dave Haney
Have you ever found yourself drifting through life, slowly but surely moving away from the things that matter most? It's a common experience, one that can leave us feeling lost and disconnected. But there's hope, and it comes in the form of Jesus Christ – our anchor, our brother, our captain, and our king.
As we delve deeper into the book of Hebrews, we're reminded of the supremacy of Jesus. He is God's final word to us, the ultimate revelation of His love and purpose for humanity. Jesus stands above all, superior in every way. Yet, despite His greatness, He invites us into an intimate relationship with Him.
It's easy to think that staying close to Jesus is solely our responsibility. We might believe that if we just try hard enough, if we just "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps," we can avoid drifting away from our faith. But here's a liberating truth: it's not all up to us. In fact, if it were, we'd be in serious trouble.
The reality is, none of us have the strength or ability to anchor ourselves firmly to Christ through our own power. If we did, there would have been no need for Jesus to come in the first place. Our human efforts, no matter how sincere or determined, are simply not enough to keep us from drifting.
This realization might seem discouraging at first, but it's actually incredibly freeing. It reminds us that our relationship with God isn't based on our performance or ability to "stay put." Instead, it's rooted in His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Think of it like this: Imagine you're in a small boat on a vast lake. Your intention is to stay in one spot and fish, but before you know it, you've drifted halfway across the water. This is what life can be like without an anchor. We may have the best intentions to stay close to God, but the currents of life – stress, distractions, temptations – can easily carry us away.
But here's the good news: there's an anchor in your boat. It's the Holy Spirit, ready to keep you grounded in your relationship with Christ. Our job isn't to white-knuckle our way through faith, desperately trying not to drift. Instead, it's to recognize our need for that anchor and to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
This truth doesn't negate our responsibility in our spiritual journey. We still need to make choices that align with God's will and actively pursue a relationship with Him. But it does mean that we don't have to rely on our own strength. We have a helper, a comforter, a guide in the Holy Spirit.
As we continue to explore who Jesus is and why He is the greatest of all, we're invited to see Him in new and profound ways. He is our brother, identifying with our humanity and understanding our struggles. He is our captain, leading us through the storms of life with wisdom and authority. And He is our king, ruling with justice and mercy, deserving of our ultimate allegiance.
This multifaceted view of Jesus challenges us to expand our understanding of who He is and how He relates to us. It's not just about acknowledging His divinity from afar, but about embracing the intimate roles He plays in our lives.
Consider this: What if Jesus was walking down the street next to you right now? How would you see Him? As a distant historical figure? As an unapproachable deity? Or as a close friend, a wise guide, a loving brother?
The truth is, Jesus is all of these things and more. He is both transcendent and immanent, both holy and approachable. And through the work of the Holy Spirit, He is ever-present in our lives, ready to keep us anchored in His love and truth.
As we navigate the complexities of life, it's crucial to remember that staying close to Jesus isn't about our own willpower or ability. It's about surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to be our anchor. It's about recognizing Jesus as our brother who understands us, our captain who guides us, and our king who rules over us with love.
This perspective shift can radically change how we approach our faith. Instead of constantly striving and worrying about drifting away, we can rest in the assurance that the Holy Spirit is at work in us. We can trust that Jesus, in all His greatness and nearness, is holding onto us even when we feel like we're losing our grip.
So, as you go about your day, remember that you're not alone in your journey of faith. The Holy Spirit is your anchor, keeping you grounded in Christ. Jesus is walking beside you as a brother, leading you as a captain, and reigning over your life as a king.
Take a moment to reflect: How can you more fully embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? In what ways can you see Jesus as your brother, captain, and king today? How might this change your approach to challenges, decisions, or relationships?
Let these truths sink deep into your heart: You are not alone. You are not relying solely on your own strength. You have an anchor in the Holy Spirit and a Savior who is the greatest of all, yet intimately involved in your life.
As you move forward, may you find peace and strength in knowing that your faith is not about your ability to hold on, but about allowing yourself to be held. May you discover the joy of walking closely with Jesus, seeing Him in new and profound ways each day. And may you experience the transformative power of being anchored in Christ, secure in His love, and guided by His Spirit.
As we delve deeper into the book of Hebrews, we're reminded of the supremacy of Jesus. He is God's final word to us, the ultimate revelation of His love and purpose for humanity. Jesus stands above all, superior in every way. Yet, despite His greatness, He invites us into an intimate relationship with Him.
It's easy to think that staying close to Jesus is solely our responsibility. We might believe that if we just try hard enough, if we just "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps," we can avoid drifting away from our faith. But here's a liberating truth: it's not all up to us. In fact, if it were, we'd be in serious trouble.
The reality is, none of us have the strength or ability to anchor ourselves firmly to Christ through our own power. If we did, there would have been no need for Jesus to come in the first place. Our human efforts, no matter how sincere or determined, are simply not enough to keep us from drifting.
This realization might seem discouraging at first, but it's actually incredibly freeing. It reminds us that our relationship with God isn't based on our performance or ability to "stay put." Instead, it's rooted in His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Think of it like this: Imagine you're in a small boat on a vast lake. Your intention is to stay in one spot and fish, but before you know it, you've drifted halfway across the water. This is what life can be like without an anchor. We may have the best intentions to stay close to God, but the currents of life – stress, distractions, temptations – can easily carry us away.
But here's the good news: there's an anchor in your boat. It's the Holy Spirit, ready to keep you grounded in your relationship with Christ. Our job isn't to white-knuckle our way through faith, desperately trying not to drift. Instead, it's to recognize our need for that anchor and to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
This truth doesn't negate our responsibility in our spiritual journey. We still need to make choices that align with God's will and actively pursue a relationship with Him. But it does mean that we don't have to rely on our own strength. We have a helper, a comforter, a guide in the Holy Spirit.
As we continue to explore who Jesus is and why He is the greatest of all, we're invited to see Him in new and profound ways. He is our brother, identifying with our humanity and understanding our struggles. He is our captain, leading us through the storms of life with wisdom and authority. And He is our king, ruling with justice and mercy, deserving of our ultimate allegiance.
This multifaceted view of Jesus challenges us to expand our understanding of who He is and how He relates to us. It's not just about acknowledging His divinity from afar, but about embracing the intimate roles He plays in our lives.
Consider this: What if Jesus was walking down the street next to you right now? How would you see Him? As a distant historical figure? As an unapproachable deity? Or as a close friend, a wise guide, a loving brother?
The truth is, Jesus is all of these things and more. He is both transcendent and immanent, both holy and approachable. And through the work of the Holy Spirit, He is ever-present in our lives, ready to keep us anchored in His love and truth.
As we navigate the complexities of life, it's crucial to remember that staying close to Jesus isn't about our own willpower or ability. It's about surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to be our anchor. It's about recognizing Jesus as our brother who understands us, our captain who guides us, and our king who rules over us with love.
This perspective shift can radically change how we approach our faith. Instead of constantly striving and worrying about drifting away, we can rest in the assurance that the Holy Spirit is at work in us. We can trust that Jesus, in all His greatness and nearness, is holding onto us even when we feel like we're losing our grip.
So, as you go about your day, remember that you're not alone in your journey of faith. The Holy Spirit is your anchor, keeping you grounded in Christ. Jesus is walking beside you as a brother, leading you as a captain, and reigning over your life as a king.
Take a moment to reflect: How can you more fully embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? In what ways can you see Jesus as your brother, captain, and king today? How might this change your approach to challenges, decisions, or relationships?
Let these truths sink deep into your heart: You are not alone. You are not relying solely on your own strength. You have an anchor in the Holy Spirit and a Savior who is the greatest of all, yet intimately involved in your life.
As you move forward, may you find peace and strength in knowing that your faith is not about your ability to hold on, but about allowing yourself to be held. May you discover the joy of walking closely with Jesus, seeing Him in new and profound ways each day. And may you experience the transformative power of being anchored in Christ, secure in His love, and guided by His Spirit.
Posted in Sunday Messages
Pastor Dave Haney
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