A Christian Pilgrimage

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A pilgrim is defined by Webster as “one who journeys in foreign lands.”

We, of course, learn that a pilgrim wears a funny hat and shoots turkeys every November…

If you watch television news you know that every year around Easter and Christmas there are millions who make their way to Bethlehem, Jerusalem and other parts of the Promised Land and Muslims go to Mecca for Ramadan. They are “pilgrims” in the truest since of the word.

Today I want to show you how YOU are a pilgrim if you are a Christian. But first let’s look at the ultimate pilgrim:

I. Abraham – The Pilgrim

A. Abraham left his own home and relatives and, by faith, went into a strange land among strange people and dwelt there.

1. Because God appeared to him and called him to go.

a) “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.”’

(1) Abraham was 75 years old when the Lord appeared to him.

(2) His father was old, feeble and probably wouldn’t live much longer.

b) Abraham responded to the call of God:

(1) He left his home and the people he loved.

(2) He became a pilgrim to a distant land.

c) Abraham stepped out on faith

(1) It was by faith that he started,

(2) It was by faith that he traveled,

(3) It was by faith that he rested,

(4) It was by faith that he settled

2. It was his faith in God who ordered him to leave his home that made him willing to start.

a) There wasn’t anything along the way that was particularly encouraging.

(1) The road was long

(2) The road was tiresome.

(3) The road was hard.

b) Yet Abraham trudged on.

(1) Toward the end of his journey,

(2) Toward what he was promised.

B. The Purpose of this Pilgrimage.

1. “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:2)

2. God needed a nation through which He could make himself known.

a) To grow a nation, God needed a man to start with.

b) So God called Abraham who became the head of this nation.

c) God chose to bless the world through this new nation.

(1) I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3)

II. You – The Pilgrim.

A. As a Christian, you are a pilgrim.

1. One who steps out on FAITH.

a) Not knowing the trials before you,

b) Not knowing the afflictions that awaits,

c) Just following where your Lord leaves you.

2. From the moment you are saved until the end of your earthly life, you are on a pilgrimage.

B. The Christian Pilgrim is often misunderstood in the world.

1. In a sense we are “unknown” in the world.

a) Our citizenship is in Heaven.

(1) This is why we feel like a stranger at times.

(2) Our interest is over there,

(3) We spend this life preparing for that life.

(4) We are his ambassadors while here, but we are ready to return home when possible.

2. Let’s take a close look at this pilgrimage.

a) It begins when we are separated from this world.

(1) At our conversion we take on a “new nature”.

(a) We are no longer a part of this world.

(b) The course of our life is changed.

(2) And we begin our heavenly journey by bidding this world goodbye.

b) It continues as we travel, seeking a better country.

(1) The writer of Hebrews states in Chapter 11, as he list the honor roll of Old Testament heroes,

(a) “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. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Heb 11:13-16 - NKJV)

(2) We have received the Promise!!!

(a) Now we declare plainly and unmistakably that we are not seeking the things of this world!

(b) We are after something better!

(3) Our testimony is sure and steadfast.

(a) We speak as one who knows where he’s going.