How to Stay Anchored

We’re living in a world where scamming is rampant among us, and it’s becoming even more difficult to discern truth from a counterfeit.  As we continue in our “Abide Series” through the book of 1 John, this week’s sermon title is “Abiding in Truth:  Our Anchor Against Deception.” You’d think John was writing his letter in 2025 when you hear him give such a sober warning of the many deceptions lurking around us that we need to be aware of. 

On a sunny summer day recently, Carmelita and I took a stroll along Coal Harbor right past a giant cruise shipped docked as passengers were boarding.  I noticed on the bow of the ship, on each side were two giant anchors that are used when those ships are waiting for a berth or where docking is not possible.  It’s very likely that the travelers on board that ship pay little or no attention to those anchors, but they are vital to keeping that ship steady and to keep it from drifting.

It led me to ask what anchors we have as Christians to keep us steady in our faith, and to keep us steady and to keep us from drifting.  Clearly the first and most important anchor is:

1. The Promises of God

Without question, our greatest anchor is ‘the Word of God’ because as the writer of Hebrews said,

“God has given both His promise and His oath.  These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.  Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

In a life group recently, as we looked into God’s Word, we felt challenged by the Holy Spirit to begin to memorize God’s Word.  Since that time, I’ve been struck by how many times we are commanded in Scripture to bury His Word in our hearts, and to meditate on it day and night. 

“My child, never forget the things I have taught you.  Store My commands in your heart.  If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. . . write them deep within your heart.  Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.”   – Proverbs 3:1-4

Many times we despair because it seems as though God hasn’t answered our prayers – I asked Him last week and nothing has happened yet.  Romans 4 tells us of a man who was given a promise by God, and then he waited . . . and waited . . . and waited.  His name was Abraham, and the promise was that he was going to be the “Father of many nations” and he waited, and trusted God’s promise for 25 years before it came to pass.  Did I forget to mention he was 75 years old when God made him that promise?  You’re right – that means he was 100 years old when that son was born. 

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping – believing that he would become the father of many nations. . . and Abraham’s faith did not weaken . . . Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise.  In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.  He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.”  – Romans 4:18-20

To keep anchored in your faith, and to keep from drifting, you must know God’s Word and cling to His promises.

2. The Presence of God.

The presence of God is something that only comes from a personal relationship with God.  After God led the people of Israel out of Egypt, He called Moses to Mount Sinai where Moses had a very unique face to face encounter with the presence of God.  “When Moses came down Mount Sinai . . . he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord” (Exodus 34:29 NLT).  Being in the presence of God will change your life, and even as in Moses’ case, your countenance. 

Having been involved in Alpha for many years, I’ve been blessed to see many lives transformed by an encounter with the Lord.  Over time however, it’s sad to say that in many cases, I’ve watched the bright light shining as a result of that encounter with God begin to fade.  I can tell you that, as a Pastor, that is one of the most disheartening things to watch, but it’s led me to ask, “What must we do to continue experiencing the presence of the Lord.  As with my main points in this blog, I want to share three points with you, all beginning with ‘P.’

Prayer

I always say, “If Jesus couldn’t do His earthly ministry, without an intensely faithful private, prayer life, how do we think we can get away without it?”  He was constantly sending the crowds and His disciples away so He could spend time alone with the Father.

Not only is private prayer imperative, but we then need to make corporate prayer a priority.  All of the greatest moves of the Holy Spirit, birthing revival in the history of the church, have been birthed out of corporate prayer – believers coming together, to implore God for an outpouring of His Spirit.  I guess God meant it when He said,

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

May I challenge you?  Put corporate prayer on your calendar and make it a priority – the return on investment will be heavenly!

Praise

When we visit Haro Park Senior Care Facility each week and lead the residents in singing, I like to ask the residents, how many of them have a prescription.  It’s a bit of a joke, because the likelihood that everyone of them have a prescription is quite high.  I then proceed to tell them that the Lord gave us a prescription – a prescription on how to enter His presence.  It’s in Psalm 100, and it says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise,” and then in the New Testament, James says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).

Apologies for talking about Alpha again, but one of the observations I have at every Alpha Weekend, is that as the weekend progresses, people move closer and closer to the front for the praise and worship, because the worship is such a vital part of being filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  A bit of a suggestion here – don’t follow your feelings in worship.  Many times it begins with pure and simple obedience, sometimes even sacrifice,  and begins to build as you get your focus off yourself and onto God. That’s why you will often see the intensity begin to build throughout a worship service. 

If you are more of an observer in the worship part of the corporate gatherings, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you in worship.  Secondly, put on praise and worship music in your own private prayer time and practice entering into His presence when it’s just you and Him.

People of God

Last year, as we travelled through the book of Acts, I couldn’t help but notice what a constant and integral part, the “gathering together” of the believers was in the building of the church.  The church was birthed in a gathering of believers that were waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and it continued throughout the New Testament. 

I’ve noticed over and over again, that when a believer begins to avoid being together with other believers, they begin to drift, like a ship without an anchor.  Before long you don’t see them at all – not at prayer, worship, life groups or even at social get togethers.  God knew that not only do we need Him, but we need each other.  Stay anchored!

3. The Peace of God

As we experience a rise in mental health issues, we also see a rise in the best solutions the world can offer from pharmaceuticals, to meditation, to endless self-help programs.  While many of these may have something valuable to offer, and God often uses professionals to help those battling in this area, the only true peace is one which man can’t offer apart from God.  In John 14:27, Jesus said:

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Those that are regular attenders at our “Sunday at 5” service hear me say often that in the very first sermon we have record of that Jesus preached publicly, He said,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to . . . proclaim       that captives will be released . . . the oppressed will be set free.” – Luke 4:18 (NLT)

The reason this Scripture is so important to me is that it tells me that the Lord is touched by the need of those who struggle in this area, and it certainly is an area you can be tossed to and fro if you are not anchored in peace.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 (NIV)

As we look at 1 John 2 in our messages this week at Coastal, let us heed John’s warning that there are many antichrists at work to get us off course, but more than ever, we need to be “anchored against deception.”