Great Themes of the Bible
it is a strong and substantial thing. It is steadfast as to its object. It is an anchor that has taken good hold. It enters into that which is within the veil. It is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. It does not think to fasten on the sands, but enters within the veil and fixes upon Christ. He is the object. He is the anchor-hold of the believer's hope. As an unseen glory within the veil is what the believer is hoping for, so an unseen Jesus within the veil is the great foundation of his hope. The free grace of God, the merits and mediation of Christ, and the powerful influence of His Spirit, are the grounds of his hope, and so it is a steadfast hope.
5. THE GROUND OF CHRISTIAN HOPE
Jesus Christ is the ground and object of the believer's hope in several respects.
(a) As He ts entered within the veil to intercede with God in virtue of that sacrifice which He offered up without the veil. Hope fastens upon His sacrifice and intercession.
(5) As He ts the Forerunner of His people, gone within the veil to prepare a place for them and to assure them that they shall follow Him, He is the earnest and firstfruits of believers, both in His resurrection and ascension.
(c) As He abides there a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, "a priest for ever'', whose priesthood shall never cease, never fail, till it has accomplished its whole work and design, which is the full and final happiness of all who have believed on Christ.
Now this should engage us all to clear up our interest in Christ, that we may fix our hopes in Him as our Forerunner, who has entered thither for us, for our sakes, for our safety, to watch over our highest interests and concerns. And then let us love heaven the more on this account, and long to be there with Him, where we shall be for ever safe and for ever satisfied.
Hope 113
SERMON OUTLINE
HOPE
THe NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN Hope (a) It Springs from the New Birth (6) It has the Character of a Living Hope (c) It is Grounded in the Resurrection of Christ ii:
THE OBJECT OF THE CHRISTIAN HOPE
(a) The Heavenly Inheritance.
(i) An incorruptible inheritance: constant (ii) An undefiled inheritance: pure (iii) An unfading inheritance: permanent (iv) A reserved inheritance: certain (6) The Glory of God (c) Christ Himself, the Anchor of the Soul THE GROUND OF THE CHRISTIAN HOPE (a) Christ Our Sacrifice Who has Entered Within the III.
Veil (6) Christ Our Forerunner Who is Preparing a Place for Us (c) Christ Our High Priest Who Abides for Ever the
Same