Vol. 04, No. 13

Steven J. Wallace
04/06/25 - Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

CHRISTIANS, PILGRIMS, AND SOUJOURNERS

Dennis Abernathy

God told Abraham to leave His homeland and journey to another land God promised to show him, and Abraham obeyed God and went. Hebrews 11: 8 says: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was told to go out to the place which he would (afterward) receive as an inheritance.” It further says: “And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Verses 9-10 says: “By faith he dwelt (sojourned) in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents…for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” One preacher made the observation that “Abraham did not know where he was going immediately, but he knew where he was going ultimately” and that believing God and being sure of His destiny, Abraham “did not worry about his destination,” Shouldn't that be a description of Christians today?

Like Abraham, the Scriptures describe Christians as pilgrims and sojourners; people just passing through this world to a better world. We often do not know what the immediate future holds, but if we really believe and trust God, we can know what our ultimate destination is. We know that we are traveling toward what the Bible calls a “better” country, a city prepared by God. 

In a world with insecurity and uncertainty, we must learn to walk by faith, trusting in God or our lives will simply fall apart. Living by faith means trusting and obeying God's Word despite of feelings, circumstances, or consequences. It means holding to God's Truth no matter how heavy the burden, or how dark the day, believing He is working out His perfect plan. It means living by His promises and not by our expectations. 

Abraham and Sarah are excellent teachers in the “school of faith.” But we need to understand that faith is not just something that we study, it is something that we practice and live by. Heb. 11: 8 says: “By faith Abraham…obeyed!” Therefore, if we want our faith to grow and mature, we too must be obedient. It is not so bad not knowing what tomorrow holds, if we know eternity holds God's promise of eternal salvation “to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5: 9). Our faith will be tested to be sure, but we need to remember the words of Job: “But God knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23: 10).

Albert Brumley's hymn says it well: “This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.”

SENTENCE SERMONS:

“If some men grew physically at the rate they grow spiritually, they would spend their lives in a play-pen.”

“Don’t put a question mark where God puts a period.”

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

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“LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD”

Romans 8:10-15

1. Identify the emphasis of Romans 8:14, 15.
2. When do we become children of God?
3. How do we prove we are children of God?
4. When do we graduate from our journey as children of God?
    
5. Identify the two spirits in Romans 8:15 and the things associated with each one in the chart below.

“THE SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT”

Romans 8:16-18
 

1. Identify the emphasis of Romans 8:16, 17.
2. How does the Spirit bear witness with our spirit, and what evidence shows that we are children of God?
   
    
3. Hebrews 10:15-18
   1. Who witnesses?
   2. To whom does He witness?
   3. Where and in what did He witness?
4. Exodus 3:6
   1. Who did God speak to? (Mark 12:26)
   2. What did Moses show? (Luke 20:37)
   3. Who was God speaking to? (Matthew 22:31)
5. How does God remember our sins no more? (Jeremiah 31:34)
6. What are some blessed assurances imparted from the written word?

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