Faithful Pilgrimage: Trusting God's Promises Beyond Sight

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Trust in God's Timing

True faith is not about achieving immediate results but trusting in God's ultimate plan and timing. The patriarchs in Hebrews 11 exemplified a faith that transcended the need for immediate fulfillment. They believed in God's promises, even when they seemed distant, and lived their lives with the assurance that God's plan would unfold in His perfect timing. This teaches us that faith is not a tool to manipulate outcomes but a deep trust in God's sovereignty. In a world that often seeks instant gratification, this perspective challenges us to be patient and steadfast, knowing that God's promises are sure, even if they are not immediately visible. [02:14]

Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to wait for? How can you practice trusting in His timing today?

Day 2: Faith as an End in Itself

Modern teachings often suggest that faith guarantees immediate results, but the patriarchs' faith was about trusting God's sovereignty, not manipulating outcomes. This challenges us to reject the notion that faith is merely a means to an end. Instead, we are called to embrace faith as an end in itself, a relationship with God that is valuable regardless of the circumstances. True faith is about trusting in God's character and His ultimate plan, even when we do not see the results we desire. This perspective encourages us to deepen our relationship with God, finding contentment in His presence and promises. [05:07]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: In what ways have you been treating faith as a means to an end? How can you begin to see faith as a relationship with God today?

Day 3: Living with an Eternal Perspective

The patriarchs lived as strangers and pilgrims, embracing eternal promises over temporal comforts. This calls us to let go of worldly attachments and live with an eternal perspective, focusing on the heavenly city God has prepared for us. By living as pilgrims, we acknowledge that our true home is not in this world but in the eternal promises of God. This perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and encourages us to invest in our spiritual journey rather than temporary pleasures. [16:21]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one worldly attachment you need to let go of to focus more on your eternal home? How can you begin to shift your perspective today?

Day 4: Confession Through Lifestyle

Our confession of faith is demonstrated by how we live, not just by what we say. The patriarchs' lives reflected their faith in God's promises, challenging us to live in a way that aligns with our heavenly citizenship. This means that our actions, decisions, and priorities should reflect our faith and trust in God. By living out our faith, we become witnesses to God's promises and His transformative power in our lives. This calls us to examine our daily lives and ensure that our actions align with our beliefs. [18:46]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: How does your current lifestyle reflect your faith in God's promises? What is one change you can make to better align your actions with your beliefs?

Day 5: Clinging to God's Promises

Despite challenges and delays, we must cling to God's promises, trusting that He will fulfill them. This unwavering faith is crucial as we await the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells. The patriarchs' example encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus and His promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain. By holding onto God's promises, we find hope and strength to persevere through trials, knowing that His plans are good and His promises are sure. [33:06]

2 Peter 3:13 (ESV): "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to cling to more tightly? How can you remind yourself of this promise daily to strengthen your faith?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through Hebrews 11, we reflect on the profound faith of the patriarchs, who died without seeing the fulfillment of God's promises. They remained steadfast, believing in a heavenly homeland, a city prepared by God. This chapter challenges us to hold onto faith, even when promises seem distant or unfulfilled. The patriarchs' faith was not about immediate results but about trusting God's ultimate plan. They saw promises from afar and embraced them, living as strangers and pilgrims on Earth. This perspective is crucial for us today, as we often seek instant gratification and tangible results.

Modern teachings on faith often mislead us into believing that faith guarantees immediate fulfillment of our desires. However, true faith is about trusting God's sovereignty and timing, not about manipulating outcomes. The patriarchs' faith was an end in itself, pleasing God by trusting Him despite circumstances. This trust is a testament to God's reliability and faithfulness throughout history.

We are reminded that our true home is not in this world but in the heavenly city God has prepared. Our lives should reflect this eternal perspective, living as pilgrims and sojourners. This means letting go of temporal things and embracing eternal promises. Our confession of faith is demonstrated by how we live, not just by what we say.

The patriarchs' example encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus and His promises, even when the church seems to falter or when personal promises seem delayed. We must cling to the assurance that God will fulfill His promises, building His church and preparing a glorious bride. Our faith should not waver, even in the face of challenges, as we await the new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Beyond Fulfillment: The patriarchs exemplified a faith that transcended immediate fulfillment. They trusted in God's promises, even when they seemed distant. This teaches us that true faith is not about achieving results but about trusting God's ultimate plan and timing. [02:14]
2. Rejecting Modern Misconceptions: Modern teachings often suggest that faith guarantees immediate results. However, the patriarchs' faith was not about manipulating outcomes but about trusting God's sovereignty. This challenges us to reject the notion that faith is a means to an end and to embrace faith as an end in itself. [05:07]
3. Living as Pilgrims: The patriarchs lived as strangers and pilgrims, embracing eternal promises over temporal comforts. This calls us to let go of worldly attachments and live with an eternal perspective, focusing on the heavenly city God has prepared for us. [16:21]
4. Confession Through Lifestyle: Our confession of faith is demonstrated by how we live, not just by what we say. The patriarchs' lives reflected their faith in God's promises, challenging us to live in a way that aligns with our heavenly citizenship. [18:46]
5. Clinging to God's Promises: Despite challenges and delays, we must cling to God's promises, trusting that He will fulfill them. This unwavering faith is crucial as we await the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells. [33:06]
** [33:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Hebrews 11
[00:35] - Faith of the Patriarchs
[01:58] - Dying in Faith
[02:49] - Faith and Salvation
[03:22] - Unfulfilled Promises
[04:21] - Believing Without Evidence
[05:07] - Modern Misconceptions of Faith
[06:47] - Faith as an End in Itself
[08:43] - Trusting God's Faithfulness
[10:37] - Seeing Promises Afar
[14:29] - Embracing Eternal Promises
[18:34] - Confession Through Lifestyle
[24:36] - Seeking a Heavenly Homeland
[30:20] - God's Acknowledgment of Faith
[33:06] - Clinging to God's Promises

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:13-22
- John 8:56
- 1 Peter 2:11

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Observation Questions:

What does Hebrews 11:13-22 say about the patriarchs' faith and their perspective on God's promises? How did they view themselves in relation to the world? [00:35]
According to the sermon, what modern misconceptions about faith are contrasted with the faith of the patriarchs? [05:07]
How does the sermon describe the patriarchs' attitude towards the promises they saw "afar off"? What does this reveal about their faith? [10:37]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and lifestyle, particularly in the context of living as strangers and pilgrims? [18:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the patriarchs' faith challenge the modern understanding of faith as a means to achieve personal desires? What implications does this have for contemporary believers? [05:07]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the patriarchs' faith was an end in itself? How does this perspective affect one's relationship with God? [07:20]
How does the concept of living as "strangers and pilgrims" influence a believer's priorities and values according to the sermon? [18:34]
What does the sermon imply about the importance of clinging to God's promises despite challenges and delays? How does this relate to the assurance of a heavenly homeland? [33:06]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a promise from God that you feel is yet to be fulfilled in your life. How can you maintain faith in God's timing and sovereignty in this situation? [03:22]
Consider the modern misconceptions of faith discussed in the sermon. How can you guard against these misconceptions in your own faith journey? [05:07]
What are some temporal things you find yourself clinging to? How can you begin to let go of these and focus more on eternal promises? [16:21]
How does your lifestyle reflect your confession of faith? Are there areas where your actions do not align with your belief in a heavenly citizenship? [18:46]
Identify a specific challenge or delay you are facing. How can you use this as an opportunity to strengthen your faith and trust in God's promises? [33:06]
How can you cultivate a mindset of living as a "stranger and pilgrim" in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to focus on your heavenly homeland? [18:34]
Reflect on the assurance that God is preparing a city for you. How does this promise impact your perspective on current struggles and future hopes? [30:20]

Sermon Clips

Hebrews 11:13 says, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth." This verse highlights the enduring faith of the patriarchs, who trusted in God's promises despite not seeing their fulfillment. [00:00:30]

The problem we have is that when our faith is not answered, when things don't happen that we believe, we give up hope and we say, "Well, it's not going to happen," and we stop believing. Now, this is at two different levels. The first level obviously is concerning our Salvation. [00:02:27]

The modern teachings of faith say that if you believe, you will get what you believe for. And so we have a saying, "Blab it and grab it" or "Name it and claim it." If you believe, then God's going to do what you believe Him for. If you don't get what you believe for, it's because you didn't exercise enough faith. [00:05:03]

Faith is an end in itself. Too many of us see faith as a means to an end, so if I have faith, then I can get certain things. It's not about the faith; it's about the stuff I get, whether it's healing or financial stuff or spiritual stuff. No, faith is an end in itself. [00:07:14]

God is trustworthy. God is reliable. He is Dependable. He is faithful. And so when we lose trust or confidence in God, it's not because God has done or not done something that resulted in us not believing; it's because we have stopped believing. So it's on us. [00:08:32]

The problem we have today, and the problem it's been with the church from the beginning, is that we want to embrace things that we can see and handle and touch. We embrace material things. We embrace political power. We embrace influence and control, things that we can get now. [00:14:42]

You can't hold on to temporal things and eternal things at the same time. You have to let go of the temporal if you're going to hold on to the eternal. And these men didn't hold on to the temporal. Remember Abraham again; he leaves his city and goes and lives in a tent. [00:15:42]

Our citizenship is in heaven. Because that is true, it affects the way that we live. If you are invested in this world, you're going to live in a certain way. If you're invested in heaven, you're going to live differently. And so how do we know then that the majority of Christians are confessing that they are not strangers and pilgrims? [00:20:10]

Abraham didn't do that. He said, "I'm waiting for God's promise, and until that day, I'm going to live as a stranger and as a pilgrim. I don't belong." Now, unfortunately, the majority of Christians today belong in this world. They're comfortable here. They speak its language. They embrace its values. [00:22:00]

God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. God is not ashamed to be called their God. Now notice He doesn't say that they were not ashamed to call God their God, but God was not ashamed to be called their God. [00:30:23]

We cannot afford to lose faith in God's promise. Unfortunately, many of us are being encouraged to be motivated by the promises of a false revival. There is no promise of a revival, but there is a promise of survival. And that's where we're at at the moment. The church is in survival mode. [00:35:39]

Can we fix our eyes on the Promises of God? Can we fix our eyes on Jesus's coming? Can we fix our eyes on the promise of a new Heaven and a new Earth in which righteousness dwells? And can we embrace those things and live as those who are indeed strangers and pilgrims in the earth? [00:36:15]

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Faithful Pilgrimage: Trusting God's Promises Beyond Sight

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Trust in God's Timing

Day 2: Faith as an End in Itself

Day 3: Living with an Eternal Perspective

Day 4: Confession Through Lifestyle

Day 5: Clinging to God's Promises

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Faithful Pilgrimage: Trusting God's Promises Beyond Sight

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