TEXT: Hebrews 11:13 (Read vv. 11-14)
READING: Psalm 37:1-11
SUBJ: The view that we have of our citizenship as it relates to our present citizenship, that to which we look regarding our relationship to the Lord and His people, and the future to which we look.
AIM: That we might properly engage with this present world, embrace our status as pilgrims, and look with anticipation to the future.
INTR: It is interesting to note Jeremiah’s instructions to the captives in Babylon, or those that soon would be: Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; (Jeremiah 29:5)
1. It seems that the intent here was that they should be submissive to their estate as being the will of God for that time. This must have seemed strange to a people had thought themselves to be the Lord’s people.
2. Even so we might note that their situation is not unlike our own in that we are in this word observing the purposes of God work out according to His will.
3. But our text today speaks to us of the perspective that we are to have regarding our present estate. (Even as Jeremiah had prophesied of 70 years). So are we to embrace our present situation but from the perspective as strangers and pilgrims, confessing who we are, and looking to the future with the hope that maketh not ashamed.
THESIS: The perspective of believers is one of separation from this world while living in this world. Such is the way we see in the examples presented here.
I. Promises claimed
1. Abraham’s long journey of faith began in Ur of the Chaldees as we have often considered early in Genesis.
1) We can only imagine what life for Abraham might have been like in Ur, but we do know that he was living amid idolaters. Many questions remain such as did how much faith was involved at this time.
2) But then came the call to move out and we know that the man settled in Ur became the sojourner and entered the next hundred years as a pilgrim.
2. And so, on three occasions promises were given, Genesis 12, 15, 17.
3. The thought came to include others such as those that were name before in this chapter who died in faith, not having received the promises.
4. Likewise, we have not received all that has been promised but we have seen them certified to us in the person of Christ Jesus our Lord. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20).
5. So then, we find others such as Peter urging the same mindset on those to who he wrote: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:9-11). We note also that Peter begins by addressing those to whom he wrote as the strangers scattered throughout.
6. It is important that we note the vision of faith and that we, as did these, be persuaded of what we see and embrace them as well. To embrace is to take to heart and if it is believed, this we should do. Truly, we see that which is to be believed and loved in the person of Christ Jesus our Lord. May He enabled so enable us.
II. They confessed who they were
1. Abraham had received the promises and had realized the same in the birth of Isaac. He was told that the land was to be the possession of his offspring and yet we find the following confession being uttered to the children of Heth: I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. (Genesis 23:4).
2. Likewise, Jacob made a similar confession before Pharoah: And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. (Genesis 47:9). (We note that Jacob’s trials had been many, but perhaps he never lost sight of the vision at Bethel).
3. Of particular interest is the fact that David took the title of stranger and pilgrim to himself. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. (1 Chronicles 29:14-15). This coming from one who had been so abundantly established.
III. Our Future Home
1. Our present estate and that which is to come: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20-21). (Our citizenship now and foever).
2. Some select Scriptures:
1) As to our hope: For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14).
2) The nature of our new home: In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. (Isaiah 26:1).
3) Jerusalem above which is the mother of us all Galatians 4:26.
4) The fellowship we know: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (Ephesians 2:19).
5) Our future dwelling place: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13).
