Living as Pilgrims: Purpose, Perseverance, and Generosity

Devotional

Day 1: We Are Pilgrims—This World Is Not Our Home

As Christians, we are called to remember that our time on earth is temporary; we are merely passing through as pilgrims and strangers. Our true citizenship is in heaven, and while we are to contribute and live purposefully here, we must not get entangled in the fleeting pleasures and distractions of this world. Instead, we are to focus on making our days count for God, living with the awareness that our ultimate home is with Him. This perspective shapes our priorities and helps us resist the temptations that wage war against our souls, urging us to live set apart and on mission for Christ. [03:10]

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."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to settle in and get comfortable with the world’s ways, rather than living as a pilgrim with your eyes set on eternity?

Day 2: Make Plans—But Trust God with the Outcome

Paul was intentional about making plans for his ministry, always seeking to discern and follow God’s direction for his life. He didn’t stumble through life aimlessly; instead, he planned his work and worked his plan, understanding that God expects us to be responsible and proactive while also relying on Him for guidance. Even when plans are hindered or go off the rails, we are called to keep moving forward, trusting that God is sovereign over every detail and will direct our steps as we seek to honor Him. [07:21]

Romans 15:23-24 (ESV):
"But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while."

Reflection: What is one specific plan or dream you have for the future, and how can you invite God into the process of shaping and directing it today?

Day 3: Persevere When Plans Are Hindered

Even the best-laid plans can be hindered by obstacles—sometimes by Satan, sometimes by people, and sometimes by God Himself for our protection or growth. Paul experienced repeated hindrances in his desire to visit Rome, yet he did not let discouragement or delay stop him from pursuing God’s ultimate purpose for his life. The true measure of a person is what it takes to stop them; as followers of Christ, we are called to persevere, trusting that God will remove obstacles in His perfect timing and that our ultimate goal—to spread the gospel—remains unchanged. [12:21]

Galatians 5:7 (ESV):
"You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?"

Reflection: Think of a time when your plans to serve God were blocked or delayed—how did you respond, and what would it look like to persevere in faith the next time you face a similar obstacle?

Day 4: Generosity—Giving as a Response to Spiritual Blessing

The early churches, even in their poverty, gave generously to support the struggling believers in Jerusalem, understanding that those who receive spiritual blessings are indebted to share material blessings in return. Giving is not just about money; it is about gratitude, partnership, and obedience to God’s call to support the work of the gospel. We are reminded that our giving should be cheerful and voluntary, recognizing that everything we have comes from God and that we are stewards of His resources, called to invest in His kingdom. [25:33]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV):
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Who or what ministry has blessed you spiritually, and how can you tangibly express your gratitude and support for them this week?

Day 5: Remember and Thank Those Who Helped You Find Christ

Paul felt a deep sense of gratitude and obligation to the church in Jerusalem, where he first encountered Christ, and he made it a priority to serve and bless them in their time of need. We, too, are indebted not only to God but also to those who prayed for us, shared the gospel with us, and supported us in our faith journey. It is important to pause and thank those who have invested in our spiritual lives, recognizing that we stand on the shoulders of others’ faithfulness and love. [21:46]

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (ESV):
"Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Who is one person who played a significant role in your coming to faith or growing in Christ? Can you reach out to them this week to express your gratitude?

Sermon Summary

Paul’s life was a journey, not just in the physical sense, but as a spiritual pilgrimage with a clear purpose. Like many of us, he traveled often, but his travels were never for leisure or self-indulgence. Every step he took was guided by a mission: to share the gospel and fulfill the assignment God had given him. Paul understood that this world is not our home; we are pilgrims passing through, called to make our time here count for Christ. He planned his work and worked his plan, always seeking God’s direction, but he also recognized that plans often get disrupted—by circumstances, by people, by the enemy, and sometimes even by God Himself, who sees the bigger picture.

Paul’s example teaches the importance of making plans, but holding them loosely, trusting that God’s ultimate plan will prevail even when our immediate plans are hindered. Obstacles are inevitable, but they are not reasons to give up. Instead, they are opportunities to trust God more deeply and to persevere in the calling He has placed on our lives. The measure of our faithfulness is not in how smoothly our plans unfold, but in what it takes to stop us from serving Christ. If we are sure we are following God’s will, we must keep moving forward, confident that God will remove obstacles in His perfect timing.

Paul also demonstrated a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. Before heading to Rome, he made a point to serve the struggling believers in Jerusalem, recognizing his spiritual debt to the church where his faith began. He reminded us that we, too, owe a debt of gratitude to those who have invested in our spiritual journey—those who prayed for us, taught us, and gave so that we could hear the gospel. Generosity is not just about money; it’s about giving ourselves, our thanks, and our resources to further God’s work and honor those who have gone before us.

Ultimately, our lives are to be lived with purpose, generosity, and perseverance. We are called to be part of God’s ongoing story, contributing however we can—through planning, giving, serving, and above all, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Our journey may be filled with detours and delays, but the destination remains the same: to glorify God and spread His gospel until we reach our true home.

Key Takeaways

1. Life as a Pilgrim: This world is not our final home; we are travelers with a purpose. Like Paul, we are called to live as foreigners and strangers, resisting the pull of worldly distractions and focusing on making our time here count for God. Our journey is about fulfilling the assignment God has given us, not settling in or becoming too comfortable with temporary things. [03:10]
2. The Necessity and Limits of Planning: God expects us to make plans and pursue them diligently, but we must also be prepared for those plans to be disrupted. Obstacles—whether from the enemy, other people, or even God’s providence—are inevitable. The true test of faith is not in the perfection of our plans, but in our willingness to keep moving forward, trusting God’s ultimate purpose even when immediate plans fall apart. [10:17]
3. Perseverance in the Face of Hindrance: The measure of a person’s faithfulness is what it takes to stop them from serving Christ. When plans are hindered, whether by circumstances or spiritual opposition, we are called to persevere, relying on God’s timing and wisdom. Our confidence comes from knowing the end of the story and trusting that God will clear the way when the time is right. [12:21]
4. Gratitude for Spiritual Heritage: We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have invested in our spiritual lives—those who prayed for us, taught us, and gave so we could hear the gospel. It is important to acknowledge and thank those who have played a role in our faith journey, recognizing that we stand on the shoulders of others’ sacrifices and prayers. This gratitude should move us to invest in others as well. [21:46]
5. Generosity as a Spiritual Principle: Giving is not just a financial obligation but a spiritual act of worship and gratitude. We are called to support the ministries and churches that have blessed us, understanding that generosity is a reflection of God’s grace in our lives. Our giving—of time, resources, and thanks—demonstrates our commitment to God’s mission and our recognition of the debt we owe to Him and to those who have shared the gospel with us. [29:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Paul’s Life of Travel and Mission
[03:10] - Living as Pilgrims in a Temporary World
[06:02] - Paul’s Assignment and the Importance of Finishing
[07:21] - The Value of Planning and Seeking God’s Will
[08:53] - When Plans Are Hindered
[10:17] - Obstacles: Enemy, People, and Providence
[12:21] - Perseverance and Trusting God’s Timing
[14:12] - Immediate vs. Ultimate Plans
[16:19] - Staying Focused on the Ultimate Goal
[17:07] - The Importance of Quiet Time and Hearing God
[18:49] - Paul’s Purpose: Serving the Saints in Jerusalem
[20:48] - Remembering and Thanking Spiritual Influences
[22:31] - The Power of Generosity in the Early Church
[24:40] - Global Perspective on Worship and Giving
[25:33] - The Spiritual Principle of Giving
[29:04] - Our Debt to God and the Church
[32:11] - Giving as Surrender and Accountability

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 15:22-29 — (Paul’s plans to visit Rome and his journey to Jerusalem)
- 1 Peter 2:11
(“Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.”)
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
(The generosity of the Macedonian churches in giving, even out of poverty)

Observation Questions

According to Romans 15:22-24, what reasons does Paul give for not visiting the believers in Rome sooner? What does this reveal about his priorities and planning? [06:02]
In 1 Peter 2:11, what does Peter call believers, and what does he urge them to do as a result? [03:10]
How did the churches in Macedonia and Achaia respond to the needs of the believers in Jerusalem, according to Romans 15:25-27 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5? [18:49]
What kinds of obstacles does Paul mention that can hinder our plans, and how does he respond to these obstacles? [10:17]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul see himself as a “pilgrim” or “traveler” in this world, and how does that shape his decisions and actions? [03:10]
What does it mean to “plan the work and work the plan,” and why does Paul also emphasize holding plans loosely before God? [07:21]
How does Paul’s attitude toward obstacles and delays challenge the way most people respond when their plans are disrupted? [12:21]
Why does Paul feel a sense of debt or responsibility toward the church in Jerusalem, and how does this relate to the idea of spiritual heritage? [20:48]

Application Questions

Paul lived as a pilgrim, not getting too comfortable in this world. Are there areas in your life where you’ve become too settled or distracted by temporary things? What would it look like to “travel light” and focus more on God’s assignment for you? [03:10]
When was the last time your plans for serving God were disrupted—by circumstances, people, or even what seemed like God’s own intervention? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to trust God’s timing? [10:17]
The sermon said, “The measure of a person’s faithfulness is what it takes to stop them from serving Christ.” What are the things that most often stop you from serving or sharing your faith? How can you push through those obstacles this week? [12:21]
Paul made a point to thank and serve the church where his faith began. Who are the people who invested in your spiritual journey—prayed for you, taught you, or gave so you could hear the gospel? Have you ever thanked them? If not, what’s one way you could do that this week? [21:46]
The early churches gave generously, even out of poverty, to help others. How do you view generosity—not just with money, but with your time, encouragement, or skills? Is there a specific way you feel called to give or serve right now? [25:33]
The sermon mentioned that as soon as we hear the gospel, we are “in debt”—first to God, then to those who shared it with us. How does this idea of spiritual debt change the way you think about your role in the church and in God’s mission? [29:04]
Paul’s ultimate goal was always to share the gospel, no matter where he was or what plans got changed. What is your “ultimate plan” as a follower of Jesus? How can you keep that front and center, even when life gets messy? [16:19]

Sermon Clips

If you're sure that what you're doing is honoring God, if you're sure you're following God's plan, if you're sure God has ordained your plan, then by all means keep marching forward. And what you will see is when the timing is right, he'll move every obstacle out of the way that prevents you from accomplishing what you think you need to accomplish. [00:13:13] (23 seconds)

Our quiet time, call it Bible reading, call it prayer, call it quiet time, call it whatever you want to call it, is the most important time that we have because God always speaks in a gentle whisper. And the problem is most people's lives are too chaotic to hear that gentle whisper. [00:17:19] (20 seconds)

Have you ever taken the time to thank the people that led you to Christ? Have you ever thanked the people that were involved in the most important decision that you've ever made in your life? Because I think it's something that we should do. Have you thanked people for praying for you? Because I'm telling you, there's some of us who are only here today because there was somebody praying for us. [00:21:30] (29 seconds)

He says that these Gentiles gave of their material wealth, because the saints in Jerusalem had given them their spiritual wealth. And here's a spiritual principle some people don't like, but it's the truth whether you like it or not. If you received a spiritual blessing from any ministry, be it on the radio, be it on TV, be it in a church, be it anywhere, then you owe that ministry some kind of material blessing because they've blessed you. [00:28:17] (30 seconds)

The minute you hear the gospel, you're in debt. The very moment you hear the gospel, you're in debt. That's something else people struggle with. The first thing we're indebted to, the first person we're indebted to is God. We ought to always feel like we're indebted to God because he made it all possible when we came to him in faith. And he's the one that allowed himself to be nailed to a cross, you and me. I would call that owing somebody something at the end of the day. [00:30:47] (37 seconds)

You either allow God into every part of your life or no part of your life. There's no part of your life that you have secret from him. Your sex life isn't a secret. Your financial life isn't a secret. There's no part of it. It's all out in the open. So you might as well throw it out there on the table and ask God what it is he wants you to do with it because that's what you need to do at the end of the day. [00:32:36] (25 seconds)

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