14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:14-18

What will we choose to connect our heart to: the shadow or the substance?

Better Son

The Biblical Understanding of the human heart is more skeptical and more hopeful than any other viewpoint.

1. The Danger of the human heart (The undertow)

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:1

The writer had the drifting of a boat in mind, and such drifting happens naturally without an anchor to something solid. If we are not securely set in the truth of the supremacy of Jesus, we will drift into danger with the currents of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

David Guzik

The human heart is prone to drifting away from Jesus. 

“The Christian life is very much like climbing a hill of ice. You cannot slide up. You must cut every step with the ice axe.”

Charles Spurgeon

Rip Currents Are Invisible

The Ocean Is Constantly Moving

The Ocean Is Stronger Than Concrete

“The ocean is both mother and monster.”

Maritime Folklore

The heart is deceitful above all things,

    and desperately sick;

    who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:1

A heart that is unanchored looks for visible saviors.

“The more we are exposed to the opinions of others, the more unstable we become unless we are rooted in Christ.”

Timothy Keller

1. The Beauty of the human heart (The Surfer)

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

    and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

    and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;

    you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen,

    and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,

    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

Psalm 8:5-8

GARRETT MCNAMARA Photos*** (Big waves)

6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?[b] And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for[c] you, and you must rule over it.”

Genesis 4:6-7

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 

Romans 8:29

 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

1. The Anchor for the human heart (The Lifeguard & Surfboard)

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:14-18

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1