Let Us: Hold Fast

I. Introduction: The Nature of Hope

• The University of New York Study: Results of a survey involving 3,000 individuals regarding their life’s purpose:
  • 2% Nihilistic: Living for nothing with no direction.
  • 4% Hedonistic: Living only for immediate pleasure.
  • 94% Future-oriented: Living for earthly milestones (graduation, family).
• The Christian Goal: Living for the “great and glorious coming day” of the Lord.

II. Defining Biblical Hope

• Hope vs. Wishing: Distinguishing between a “whimsical wish” and “confident expectation.”
• Basis in the Promise Giver: Biblical hope is built on the character, power, and history of God.
• The Fatherhood Analogy: Trusting a promise because of the one who made it.
  • God’s character is faithful.
  • God’s power is absolute.
  • God’s history is one of consistent fulfillment.

III. The Call: Let Us Hold Fast

• The Meaning of Cleave: Clinging tightly, as in the marital bond.
• Mandate from Hebrews: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
• Community Accountability: The significance of “Let us”—encouraging and strengthening one another in the faith.
• The Danger of Drifting: The necessity of a firm, intentional grip to prevent slipping from the truth.

IV. The Objects of Our Confession

• Public Acknowledgement: The declaration of Christ’s deity and sacrifice.
• Daily Transformation: Living so that Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20).
• The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:11-15):
  • Along the path: Word stolen by the devil.
  • On the rocks: No roots, falling away during testing.
  • Among thorns: Choked by life’s cares and riches.
  • Good soil: Hearing, holding fast, and bearing fruit with patience.

V. The Condition: Without Wavering

• Unyielding Faith: Standing firm without bending or bowing to worldly changes.
• Spiritual Defense: Planting our feet against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11).
• Stability in Truth: Not being tossed by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14) or being double-minded (James 1:6-9).
• Singular Focus: Recognizing that no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).

VI. The Assurance: God’s Faithfulness

• Security in the Parent: Our safety rests on God’s strength, not our own.
• The Unchanging Rock: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
• Biblical Witnesses:
  • God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).
  • He is a God of faithfulness (Deuteronomy 32:4).
  • His faithfulness is our shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4).
  • The Lord is faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

VII. Conclusion and Invitation

• Endurance: Do not throw away your confidence, for it has a great reward (Hebrews 10:35-39).
• The Anchor: Hope as the anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:17-20).
• Living by Faith: Walking by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• The New Birth: The necessity of being born of water and spirit to see the kingdom (John 3:5).