Greater Part 8. A Greater Country
Greater Part 8. A Greater Country
Hebrews 11:13,16
According to faith these all died not having received what God
promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it.
They acknowledged that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth... But they were looking for a greater country, a heavenly one.
Hebrews 11:13,16
According to faith these all died not having received what God
promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it.
They acknowledged that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth... But they were looking for a greater country, a heavenly one.
IS IT EVER GOOD TO BE A STRANGER?
IS IT EVER GOOD TO BE A STRANGER?
Hebrews chapter 11 is the most famous part. It talks of “a greater faith
and a greater country.” Throughout we have read the word “by faith”
over and over. But in one place (vs 13) this rhythm is broken and we get
the words “according to faith these all died”. What’s being said?
Hebrews chapter 11 is the most famous part. It talks of “a greater faith
and a greater country.” Throughout we have read the word “by faith”
over and over. But in one place (vs 13) this rhythm is broken and we get
the words “according to faith these all died”. What’s being said?
The writer says that faith is not just about believing in God, but also
believing or acknowledging two things about yourself! What are they?
The writer says that faith is not just about believing in God, but also
believing or acknowledging two things about yourself! What are they?
FAITH IS BEING A PILGRIM. (JUST PASSING THROUGH)
FAITH IS BEING A PILGRIM. (JUST PASSING THROUGH)
Psalm 90:10,12. The years of our life are seventy, or eighty; yet their span
is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. So teach us
to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:10,12. The years of our life are seventy, or eighty; yet their span
is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. So teach us
to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
It’s basic wisdom to accept that you are temporarily here! Christians
used to talk about faith as being a pilgrim or sojourner. Are we getting
too comfortable? Why has this ‘pilgrim’ language has disappeared?
It’s basic wisdom to accept that you are temporarily here! Christians
used to talk about faith as being a pilgrim or sojourner. Are we getting
too comfortable? Why has this ‘pilgrim’ language has disappeared?
William Williams (1717-1791AD)
“Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah… pilgrim through this barren land.”
William Williams (1717-1791AD)
“Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah… pilgrim through this barren land.”
Nicholas Von Zinzendorf (1700-1760AD)
“Guide us by your hand to our fatherland.”
Nicholas Von Zinzendorf (1700-1760AD)
“Guide us by your hand to our fatherland.”
Tertullian (160-220AD)
"On earth we are pilgrims and our dignity is in heaven.”
Tertullian (160-220AD)
"On earth we are pilgrims and our dignity is in heaven.”
Clement of Alexandria (150-215AD)
"We have no homeland on earth."
Clement of Alexandria (150-215AD)
"We have no homeland on earth."
Augustine (354-430AD)
"We are refugees exiled from our homeland."
Augustine (354-430AD)
"We are refugees exiled from our homeland."
Hebrews 11:9. By faith Abraham went to live in the land of promise, as in
a foreign land, living in tents…
Hebrews 11:9. By faith Abraham went to live in the land of promise, as in
a foreign land, living in tents…
What do all these have in common:
Travellers, wanderers, pilgrims, tourists, refugees, nomads?
What do all these have in common:
Travellers, wanderers, pilgrims, tourists, refugees, nomads?
Pilgrims live light. When you are travelling or walking you don’t take
more than you need because it weighs you down. To follow Jesus is to
firstly treat this life as if you are a traveller here. Don’t get weighed down
by too much stuff. Tread lightly. Live light. Travel light.
Pilgrims live light. When you are travelling or walking you don’t take
more than you need because it weighs you down. To follow Jesus is to
firstly treat this life as if you are a traveller here. Don’t get weighed down
by too much stuff. Tread lightly. Live light. Travel light.
What possessions take too much of your energy or emotion?
What are you carrying that is weighing you down?
What could you give away this week to lighten your load as a pilgrim?
What possessions take too much of your energy or emotion?
What are you carrying that is weighing you down?
What could you give away this week to lighten your load as a pilgrim?
FAITH IS BEING A STRANGER. (CITIZEN OF A GREATER PLACE)
FAITH IS BEING A STRANGER. (CITIZEN OF A GREATER PLACE)
Have you ever seen someone have an ‘awakening’ at a funeral where
they realise the shortness of life and decide to use their time well? They
are awakening to the fact that we are all sojourners or pilgrims. But
there’s more to wisdom than that. What else is needed?
Have you ever seen someone have an ‘awakening’ at a funeral where
they realise the shortness of life and decide to use their time well? They
are awakening to the fact that we are all sojourners or pilgrims. But
there’s more to wisdom than that. What else is needed?
The word used in Hebrews 11 for stranger is “xenos”. A “xenos” is a
stranger – someone who belongs somewhere else. Strangers know that
we belong to another state of things, another place, another kingdom.
The ‘xenos’ has allegiance to another king!
The word used in Hebrews 11 for stranger is “xenos”. A “xenos” is a
stranger – someone who belongs somewhere else. Strangers know that
we belong to another state of things, another place, another kingdom.
The ‘xenos’ has allegiance to another king!
Jesus gives a destination. He sets our sights on something greater – what
Hebrews calls ‘a greater country and a city prepared for them!’ We are
under the authority of a higher king so we don’t have to fear. If the worst
should happen we will end up in our home, where we belong!
Jesus gives a destination. He sets our sights on something greater – what
Hebrews calls ‘a greater country and a city prepared for them!’ We are
under the authority of a higher king so we don’t have to fear. If the worst
should happen we will end up in our home, where we belong!
How is Jesus calling you to be a stranger in this world?
How is Jesus calling you to be a stranger in this world?
JESUS – PILGRIM AND STRANGER FOR US!
JESUS – PILGRIM AND STRANGER FOR US!
Jesus is the ultimate pilgrim and stranger. How? He was a pilgrim and
stranger for you. How? Don’t give up pilgrims! Put all your confidence in
Christ. Let Jesus be your journey and your destination!
Jesus is the ultimate pilgrim and stranger. How? He was a pilgrim and
stranger for you. How? Don’t give up pilgrims! Put all your confidence in
Christ. Let Jesus be your journey and your destination!