1	God’s Unchangeable Promise Hebrews 6:12-20
2	Hebrews 6:12 “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (NIV)
3	Hebrews 6:13-17 “When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, ‘I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.’ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his …”
4	Hebrews 6:17-20 “purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” (NIV)
5	God’s Promise to Abraham “God made his promise to Abraham … saying, ‘I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.’ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” (13-15)
6	The Example of Abraham “After waiting patiently …”
7	The Example of Abraham “After waiting patiently …” “Abraham received what was promised …” His name would be great Made into a great nation Would inherit the land Through him all the world would be blessed
8	John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day.” (NIV)
9	Romans 4:11 “So then, he [Abraham] is the father of all who believe.” (NIV)
10	God’s Unchangeable Oath “Since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself … Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.” (13, 16)
11	Swearing Oaths Gentiles The souls of the dead The ashes of fathers Their own life The life of their friends Their own head Their right hand By their gods Jews Heaven (Mt 5:34; 23:22) Earth (Mt 5:35; Jas 5:12) Temple (Mt 23:16) Jerusalem (Mt 5:35) By God (Gen 14:22; Deut 6:13; Judges 21:7)
12	Three Reasons There is no one greater to swear by. Oaths were character witnesses. Oaths rested on the character of the one who is cited.
13	Three Reasons There is no one greater to swear by. To put an end to all argument Oaths were legally binding statements guaranteeing security. They were legal confirmation.
14	Three Reasons There is no one greater to swear by. To put an end to all argument To make the unchanging nature of his purpose clear God certainly didn’t need to use an oath. However, since men expected them at solemn occasions, God in condescension to human weakness and custom was willing, to give his “firm resolve,” (confirmation, boulomenos) to show that his promise was true.
15	God’s Promise to Us “To make … his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised … we who have fled to take hold of this hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
16	Galatians 3:6-9 “Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that god would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (NIV)
17	Phrase One “We who have fled to take hold of the hope.” Phrase describes the haste & intensity with which we should cling to our hope. Uses language of a sanctuary city from O.T. “Flee to take hold of the refuge, the place of safety, which is your only hope.”
18	Phrase Two “The hope offered” (prokeimenas) Gives us the picture of hope lying spread out before us, in public view for our taking.
19	Phrase Three “We have this hope as an anchor” Used 4x in the N.T. Only here as a metaphor. The ship firmly anchored is safe from idle drifting. Its position and safety are sure.
20	God’s Unchangeable Promise Will You Place Your Trust in God’s Unchangeable Promise?