Living as Citizens of Heaven: Faith and Courage

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Sojourners: Our True Home is Not Here

Believers are called to see themselves as sojourners and pilgrims on earth, recognizing that this world is not their ultimate home but that they are journeying toward a heavenly country prepared by God. This perspective shapes how we live, make decisions, and endure trials, knowing that our citizenship is in heaven and our deepest allegiance belongs to God, not to the fleeting comforts or values of this world. When we confess that we are strangers here, we declare our hope in the promises of God and our longing for the fulfillment that only He can bring, even if we do not see it in our lifetime. [01:04:56]

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: In what ways do you find yourself clinging to the comforts or values of this world, and how might you intentionally shift your focus toward your true home in God’s kingdom today?

Day 2: The Cost and Reward of Following Christ

Choosing to follow Jesus means giving up the pursuit of worldly gain in exchange for the eternal riches found in Him; what may seem like a loss to the world is, in truth, gaining everything that matters. Jesus Himself warned that gaining the whole world is worthless if it costs us our soul, and the life of faith is marked by a willingness to surrender temporary pleasures for the sake of eternal joy. This perspective challenges us to evaluate what truly holds our allegiance and to remember that the best life God promises is not found in earthly success, but in the hope of eternity with Him. [01:11:16]

Mark 8:36 (ESV)
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to prioritize worldly success or comfort over your relationship with Christ, and what step can you take today to realign your priorities?

Day 3: Seek the Things Above

Those who have been raised with Christ are called to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things, letting their identity and purpose be shaped by the reality of Christ’s kingdom rather than the passing concerns of this world. This heavenly focus does not mean neglecting our responsibilities here, but rather living with a perspective that values what is eternal and allows God’s truth to inform our decisions, actions, and affections. As citizens of heaven, we are to live distinctively, letting our allegiance to Christ be evident in all we do. [01:16:03]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally set your mind on things above today, especially when faced with distractions or worries about earthly matters?

Day 4: Courage and Faith in the Face of Affliction

Faith in God produces courage and endurance, enabling believers to stand firm and speak God’s truth even when facing trials, opposition, or the temptation to retreat. The examples of those who have gone before us, and of modern-day believers who have stood for Christ with courage, remind us that afflictions are part of the journey, but God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He calls us to act and speak out our faith with love and tenacity, trusting that He is with us and that our hope is secure in Him. [01:29:21]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: When you encounter fear or resistance because of your faith, what is one specific way you can choose courage and love instead of shrinking back?

Day 5: Living as Witnesses: Ready to Give an Account

As strangers in this world, believers are called to live in such a way that others notice something different and are prompted to ask about the hope within us. Our lives should reflect the reality of Christ, not through strangeness or withdrawal, but through genuine love, integrity, and readiness to share the reason for our hope. We are to be living letters, written by the Holy Spirit, pointing others to Jesus and inviting them to join us on the journey toward our true home. [01:24:26]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Who in your life might be observing your actions or words, and how can you be intentionally ready to share the hope of Christ with them if the opportunity arises?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to honor the Lord, remembering that our lives are hidden in Christ and that our hope is anchored in His promises. We reflected on the unchanging nature of God, the power of the gospel, and the reality that our ultimate citizenship is not of this world but in heaven. The journey of faith, as seen in the lives of Abraham, Sarah, and the patriarchs, teaches us to live as sojourners—people who are passing through, holding loosely to the things of this world while clinging tightly to the promises of God. These heroes of faith embraced God’s promises from afar, even when they did not see their fulfillment in their lifetimes, and they did so with joy and expectancy.

We also paused to remember the tragedy of 9/11, praying for comfort for those who lost loved ones, and to honor the recent loss of Charlie Kirk, a young man whose courage and faith were evident in his public witness. His life reminds us that our faith should be lived out boldly, with love, and that we are called to engage the world around us—not retreat from it. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel, nor to silence our voices, but to lead with love and truth, even in the face of opposition or misunderstanding.

The call is clear: we must not return to our old ways or seek comfort in the fleeting pleasures of this world. Instead, we are to persevere, endure afflictions, and keep our eyes fixed on the heavenly homeland God has prepared for us. Our allegiance must be to Christ and His kingdom, not to the temporary rewards or identities offered by this world. The choices we make at the many forks in the road of life reveal where our true treasure lies. We are to enjoy the good gifts of this life, but never mistake the inn for our home. Our lives should provoke questions from others, not because we are strange, but because we are strangers—people marked by hope, love, and a different set of values.

Let us stand firm, not in fear, but in the power, love, and sound mind given by the Holy Spirit. May we be found faithful, living as citizens of heaven, ready to give an answer for the hope within us, and always seeking to glorify God until we see Him face to face.

Key Takeaways

1. Living as Sojourners: The faithful of old, like Abraham and Sarah, understood that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They lived with a sense of detachment from this world, not because they despised it, but because they longed for a better, heavenly country. This perspective frees us to hold loosely to earthly things and to invest our hearts in what is eternal. [76:03]
2. Faith Embraces Promises Unseen: True faith is not measured by the immediate fulfillment of God’s promises, but by the joyful anticipation of what is yet to come. The patriarchs died in faith, having seen the promises from afar, and their joy was rooted in the assurance that God is faithful, even when His timing is beyond our understanding. This challenges us to trust God’s character more than our circumstances. [85:59]
3. Allegiance and the Fork in the Road: Life repeatedly brings us to moments of decision—forks in the road—where our true allegiance is revealed. The path we choose in those moments shows what we value most: the kingdom of God or the comforts of this world. Our decisions, especially in times of testing, are the clearest indicators of where our hearts truly belong. [78:30]
4. Engaging the World with Love and Truth: We are called to engage the world, not withdraw from it, addressing its brokenness with the love and truth of Christ. Our faith should inform our actions, our speech, and even our civic engagement, but always with a spirit of humility and love. We are not to be strange for the sake of being different, but to be strangers whose lives provoke curiosity about the hope we have in Christ. [72:55]
5. Courage in the Face of Affliction: The Christian life is not immune to suffering or loss, but we are called to persevere with courage and hope. Whether facing personal trials, national tragedies, or the loss of faithful witnesses like Charlie Kirk, we are reminded that our strength comes from the Lord. We are more than conquerors in Christ, and our hope is secure in Him, no matter what this world brings. [89:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:16] - Worship and Exalting Christ
[31:24] - The Incarnation and God’s Plan
[32:07] - Our Life Hidden in Christ
[33:09] - The Call to Evangelism and New Life
[34:25] - Boldness and Praying for Revival
[35:16] - Living Letters and Revival in Our Homes
[36:53] - Honoring God and Denying Ourselves
[38:03] - The Word and the True Image of Christ
[39:58] - Remembering 9/11 and Praying for Comfort
[41:54] - Ministry to the Homeless
[43:14] - Honoring Charlie Kirk’s Legacy
[44:15] - Courage, Faith, and Leading with Love
[64:56] - Enduring Affliction and Persevering in Faith
[76:03] - Living as Citizens of Heaven
[78:30] - Allegiance and Life’s Forks in the Road
[85:08] - Strangers in the World, Hope in God’s Promises
[89:21] - Standing Firm in Truth and Courage
[90:19] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) — > If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Peter 2:11 (ESV) — > Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Observation Questions

In Hebrews 11:13-16, what did the patriarchs do with God’s promises, even though they did not see them fulfilled in their lifetimes?
According to Colossians 3:1-4, what are believers instructed to seek and set their minds on?
In the sermon, what does it mean to be a “sojourner” or “stranger” on the earth? [[01:16:03]]
What was the response of Abraham, Sarah, and the patriarchs to the idea of returning to their old homeland? [[01:17:04]]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that the patriarchs “embraced” God’s promises from afar and confessed they were strangers and exiles? How does this shape a believer’s perspective on life? [[01:16:03]]
What does it look like practically to “hold loosely” to the things of this world while “clinging tightly” to God’s promises? [[01:16:03]]
The sermon mentions that life brings us to “forks in the road” where our allegiance is revealed. What are some examples of these forks, and why do they matter? [[01:18:30]]
How does the call to engage the world with love and truth differ from withdrawing or becoming “strange” for the sake of being different? [[01:12:55]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to live as sojourners, not getting too attached to the things of this world. Is there something in your life right now that you are holding onto too tightly? What would it look like to “hold it loosely” this week? [[01:16:03]]
When was the last time you faced a “fork in the road” moment—a decision that revealed where your true allegiance lies? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? [[01:18:30]]
The patriarchs trusted God’s promises even when they didn’t see them fulfilled. Is there a promise of God you are waiting on? How can you cultivate joyful expectancy instead of frustration or doubt? [[01:25:59]]
The sermon remembers the courage and faith of Charlie Kirk, who lived out his faith boldly. Is there an area where you feel called to be more courageous or vocal about your faith? What is holding you back? [[44:15]]
The message calls us to engage the world with love and truth, not to withdraw. Who is someone in your life or community you can reach out to this week with Christ’s love, even if you disagree with them? [[01:12:55]]
The pastor said our lives should provoke questions from others because we are “strangers”—marked by hope and a different set of values. Has anyone ever asked you about your hope or your faith? How did you respond, or how would you like to respond next time? [[01:24:26]]
The sermon ends with a call to stand firm “not in fear, but in the power, love, and sound mind given by the Holy Spirit.” What is one practical way you can stand firm in your faith this week, especially in the face of fear or uncertainty? [[01:29:21]]

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