Talk

Soul’s Anchored

Camilo Buchanan
June, 4, 2024

Camilo Buchanan opens up Hebrews 1-2, encouraging and reminding us to keep our faith anchored in Jesus, our High Priest, who is superior overall.

Key Takeaway

Jesus is our High Priest, so keep the faith.

The Book of Hebrews addresses the question, "Is this Jesus thing worth sticking with?"

In Hebrews 1:1-4, we see how the Son is superior over everything, including angels. Jesus didn't die and resurrect to be first in your life; He died to be the center of your life.

The entire Book of Hebrews can be summarized in eight words: Jesus is our high priest, so keep the faith.

What does this mean? How do I keep the faith?

We must first understand who Jesus is.

Jesus is not just a messenger; He is God. We cannot comprehend with our finite human brains all there is to know about God; He is Triune.

As stated by the theologian Francis Schaeffer, "We know God truly, but we do not know God exhaustively."

There used to be one high priest selected from the people who would make a sacrifice once a year to purify sins. We were all created to be priests, but our sins make us unable to meet the requirements.

In Hebrews 2:6-10, we see how Jesus became a human to be that Priest. He did it this way to be near to you and uses death to offer resurrection.

The old high priest would only help you after you sinned. However, Jesus is a different kind of High Priest; he offers a way out of temptation.

When we neglect our time with Jesus, we use Him to serve us. Do not keep Jesus on "do not disturb" when you have the Spirit of the Living God inside of you.

God is not the means to an end; He IS the end. Nothing is fulfilling without Him.

Faith is not a feeling; it's a muscle that grows when you work it. Keep the faith and hold on; obedience is faith.

We must pay attention so that we do not drift away. If you get off a boat to go snorkeling in the water, you will drift away even though the boat itself did not move.

Our faith is an anchor, but the anchor can't do anything while it's in the boat. We must anchor our faith down deep into the bedrock of Jesus.

Who is your faith in?

In 2 Timothy 1:9-14, we are reminded that the One whom we have believed in is steady. Keep holding on to Who is holding on to you, so that on that day you can say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

“
"Faith is not a feeling; faith is a muscle that grows when you work it."
”
Camilo Buchanan

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the areas in your life where you keep Jesus on "do not disturb?"

  2. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. How does knowing that Jesus offers a way out of temptation, encourage you in your daily struggles?

  3. Do you tend to follow your emotions or rely on your faith when you face difficulties?

  4. What are three practices you can implement daily to remind yourself to anchor your faith in Jesus?

  5. Think back over the past 24 hours. Are there any times where you tried to "use" Jesus to serve you with wrong motives?

  6. If you asked your closest friends and family to look at your life right now, would they say that Jesus is at the center?

  7. How does knowing that we "know God truly, but not exhaustively" increase your awe of Him?

  8. What is something in the world that is vying for your attention and affection of Jesus?

  9. Share encouragement, either in person or over text, with a friend about how they can trust Jesus to anchor them through whatever they are facing this week.

  10. When was a time in your life where you have struggled to keep the faith?

Scripture References

God’s Final Word: His Son

1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

5For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son”?

6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,

and his servants flames of fire.”

8But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

10He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

12You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

and your years will never end.”

13To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet”?

14Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Warning to Pay Attention

1We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Jesus Made Fully Human

5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,

a son of man that you care for him?

7You made them a little lower than the angels;

you crowned them with glory and honor

8and put everything under their feet.”

,

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.9But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.12He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;

in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

13And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

9He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Camilo Buchanan
Camilo Buchanan
Camilo Buchanan is a speaker, writer, podcaster, and leads the Young Adult ministry at Passion City Church. He holds a Bachelors degree from Georgia State University, a masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing his Doctorate from Southeastern University. He enjoys spending his time pouring into students and leaders, writing content, working on real estate, traveling, and eating with friends & family, alongside his wife, Emily, and their puppy, Rummi.