I. The full assurance of hope

• "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 who through faith and patience inherit the promises" 
(Hebrews 6:12-13 ESV).
• "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain" 
(Hebrews 6:19 ESV).
• HOPE is not something you do right before you fail. Hope is an expectation, a vision of victory. It is what drives you forward when you want to quit.

II. Five sources of HOPE

1. Hope is GOING FORWARD.

• Paul gave us the six foundations of the gospel: repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment. We have to go on in learning more of the things of God or we begin to fall backward.

2. Hope is HONORING CHRIST (Hebrews 6:5-6 ESV).

• The word for "fallen away" is a very strong word. It is a complete falling away, a total abandonment of Christianity. It is personal denial of Christ. It is total renunciation.
• This passage gives us five levels of their former state of Christianity: knowledge (enlightened), heavenly gift (salvation), received the Holy Spirit (Spirit baptism), revelation (tasted of the Word of God), and power (moved in the gifts of the Spirit).
• When a person falls away beyond repentance, they put Christ to "open shame," as several translations say it. They are crucifying Him all over again and care nothing about it.

3. Hope is BEARING FRUIT (Hebrews 6:7-12).

• Hopeless Christians are barren Christians.
• Hope is actively removing those things in your life that are stopping your growth. It is bearing the fruit of working and showing God’s love.

4. Hope is PATIENT FAITH (Hebrews 6:12-18 ESV).

• "Imitators of those who through FAITH and PATIENCE inherit the promises" (verse 12). A promise is the basis of faith. HOPE is the PATIENCE OF FAITH.
  • He not only made a PROMISE, but He also swore an OATH.
• God could not find anyone to swear by, so He swore by Himself. He said, "SURELY I will bless you and multiply you" (verse 14). HE became the SURETY (cosigner) for His own promise!

5. Hope is a STEADY ANCHOR (Hebrews 6:18-20 ESV).

• "We who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast ANCHOR of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain" (verses 18-19).
• He is the FORERUNNER.
  • "Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (verse 20).