In this message, Dr. Brian Windsor exhorts us to make our hope in Christ’s character, promises, and saving work certain and firm as an anchor.
Here is the edited YouTube transcript with improved clarity, grammar, and point headings:
Introduction and Gratitude
It is a privilege to stand before you this morning as we explore “Making Your Hope Sure” from Hebrews 6:10-20. Before I begin, I want to express my gratitude to several individuals. First, I thank our pastors for this opportunity to share with you. Matt, I usually address you as Pastor Matt in front of others, but today I thank you as my friend and pastor. Muriel and I are pleased to follow you and Krie as you follow Christ. I’m also thankful for our care group, which allows me to provide some leadership on Tuesdays and Thursdays—you are a source of encouragement for both Muriel and me.
I want to thank Grace Overden for the beautiful display this morning and the basket that will receive your anchors—I’ll explain that further as we proceed through the message and respond. I also thank my good friend Peter, who keeps me theologically honest. It’s great to build things with you, and I appreciate your friendship. I thank my son Jonah, whose story is a significant part of today’s message—without his permission, I couldn’t share what I will today. I thank my wife, honey, as it’s been a tough season with lots of sickness. I’ve been struggling with seasonal depression and hopelessness, and I find myself needing this message perhaps more than all of you. Finally, I thank the Lord, who is gracious in all things and the hope of our glory.
The Anchor and the Message
The anchor you’ll find in your bulletin ties into the sermon I’m privileged to share today—a message to our hearts that evokes a response. The phrase “making your hope sure” uses “making” as a verb. I encourage you to hold onto those anchors, listen to the message, and hear the Spirit of God. Reflect on all the messages from Hebrews we’ve had so far. During our last song, you’ll have the opportunity to bring your anchor forward and perhaps write something on the back—to the Lord, yourself, or someone else. That’s what this anchor represents.
A Personal Story of Hopelessness
In 1998, I experienced the worst period of hopelessness and despair in my life. My son Jonah was about three years old then. For those familiar with foster parenting, we were approaching Jonah’s Crown Wardship hearing. This is a critical point in a foster child’s life where the court decides whether to return them home or make them a ward of the court, eligible for adoption. You wouldn’t know it from looking at him, but Jonah is our miracle boy. Two years earlier, at 10 months old, he was the worst case of child abuse in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. He had three brain lesions from his mother violently shaking him. Found limp in a feces-crusted crib by his mother’s boyfriend, he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors weren’t sure he’d survive. He spent a month in ICU, entering at nine months weighing just 11 pounds—red-tinged hair, bloated belly—his mother thought she was overfeeding him, but she was starving him.
We were asked to foster this little person. We hadn’t been fostering infants, but they said, “You’re the only family we can trust with Jonah. You might find him dead one morning, and if he survives, he’ll likely be severely brain-damaged and blind.” Blood behind his eyes caused him to wear glasses then, though he grew out of it. Three weeks into his hospital stay, Muriel began visiting, holding him, rocking him, feeding him. He’d projectile vomit because he couldn’t handle food, and Muriel would cry over him, pray over him, and sing, asking the Lord for a miracle. Wouldn’t you agree, looking at the back of this sanctuary, that Jonah is that miracle boy?
A Crisis of Faith in 1998
In 1998, I was beginning an internship as a pastor in London. As was my habit in our small town, I’d take morning prayer walks up a hill past our church. That morning, Matt, I was broken. I’d just come from a supervised visit with Jonah’s mother, something I did every Monday. I’d play with his sister Cecilia, a year and a half older. That day, as Crown Wardship approached, Jonah’s mother told me, “The lawyer says there’s a good chance he’ll come back to my home.” She was excited, but I had to remain emotionally neutral. On that walk, I cried out to God, “How can you send this child back? How can I preach about your goodness, that you answer prayer and protect the innocent?” I was undone. As I passed the church, I saw two dead sparrows on the road.
The Need for a Sure Hope
We all face times of hopelessness and despair, and we need this message. If you don’t need it today, you know someone who does, and you must be Jesus with skin on for them. In previous weeks, we’ve seen that Jesus is better than the angels, Moses, and a better high priest. He’s like us in our humanity, knows us intimately, and is the source of our eternal salvation. Last week, Pastor Matt encouraged us to cultivate hope. Have you done that this week? I haven’t—it’s been tough. He spoke of the key of grace and mercy that sets us free from despair’s cage. Today, we explore making your hope sure—or, as the New American Standard Bible says, “realizing the full assurance of your hope until the end.”
Prayer
Father, I ask that by your Spirit, you fill, guide, and lead us. It’s not my words that have power, but yours, which cut to the heart like a sword. It’s good to be in your house, Lord. Make this a message of hope for all who hear, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
What Is a Sure Hope?
A sure hope is not wishful thinking—like a girl hoping for a doll or us hoping good works outweigh our sins. No, it’s a firm assurance. Strong Gordon defines it as a confident expectation based on God’s character and faithfulness. In the first century, a sure hope was a deep conviction that moves us to action—so firm in Christ’s work that it compels us to respond. That’s why I’ll ask you to act on this message. Faith, hope, and love are linked (1 Corinthians 13). Hebrews 11:1 says faith is being sure of what we hope for. Colossians 1:5 shows hope as the glue between faith and love, driving faith deeper so love becomes radical, like Jesus’. A sure hope anchors faith in Christ, moving us to supernatural love and fruit of the Spirit. Amen.
The Source of Sure Hope
What’s the evidence for this hope? The text offers three points:
- God’s Sure Character (Hebrews 6:10): God is just and remembers your love and good works. He sees when you forgive, care for others, or rise for a crying baby. He forgets your sin—amazing grace! We love God by loving others (1 John).
- God’s Sure Promise (Hebrews 6:13-14): God promised Abraham, “I will bless you and make you a blessing.” This promise echoes through history, the cross, and us. He swears by Himself, confirming it with an oath (2 Corinthians 1:20: all promises are “yes and amen” in Him).
- Jesus’ Sure Salvation (Hebrews 6:19-20): Jesus entered the Holy of Holies on our behalf, not for His own sin, but ours. He’s our eternal high priest in Melchizedek’s order, the source of eternal salvation.
How to Make Your Hope Sure
The Hebrews faced persecution—Rome burned in 64 AD, Nero blamed Christians, burning them at stakes and feeding them to animals. Jews and Gentiles alike were mocked. Wouldn’t you lose hope? Nick Vujicic, born without limbs, said, “I was never crippled until I lost hope.” Loss of hope is worse than losing limbs. If you’re not hopeless today, be a grace ambassador. How do we make hope sure?
- Be diligent in love, good works, and faith (Hebrews 6:11-12).
- Be patient (Hebrews 6:15).
- Take hold of hope by grace (Hebrews 6:18).
- Anchor your hope to Jesus in the inner sanctuary (Hebrews 6:19-20).
Encouragement from Scripture
In 2 Peter 1:3-9, God’s power gives us everything for life and godliness. His promises are ours in Christ. Make every effort to add to your faith—goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, love. Cooperating with the Spirit keeps us effective and productive, preventing us from forgetting our forgiveness, unlike the man in the iron cage.
In Psalms 42-43, David, depressed in a cave, far from the temple, longed for God. Four times he asks, “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” and answers, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him.” Hope moved his faith to trust despite despair. Some face medical depression and need us to speak faith for them.
Conclusion and Response
Seeing those sparrows, the Spirit said, “Brian, I care about them and Jonah. Relax, I’ve got it.” Jesus’ promises are now. At Jonah’s trial, he became a Crown Ward, and we adopted him. Then, the judge asked if we’d adopt Cecilia too. Six weeks later, by God’s grace, we did. Be diligent to make your hope sure—a firm assurance based on God’s character, promises, and Christ’s salvation, moving us to action.
Take your anchor, connect it to Jesus, and place it in the basket. As we pray and the worship team plays, listen to the Spirit and respond during the song.
Closing Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, our hope of glory. May this message spur us to love, good works, and daily attention to your presence, where there is joy. Settle on your people and guide their response to your grace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.