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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.
(b) We know we are destined for a better place,
(c) A “Promised Land”!
(4) God is honored because we are not ashamed to be called His.
(a) He has prepared for us a city where we might live forever and ever.
C. The Path is not always Pleasant.
1. The children of Israel had their disappointments, trials and heartaches on their pilgrimage out of Egypt to their promised land.
2. Abraham’s journey was not always pleasant.
a) He had trouble with the Egyptians,
b) Trouble between Lot’s servants and his,
c) And many other problems.
3. In like manner, our journey is filled with disappointments.
a) We will have trials, temptations, burdens, and hard fought battles.
(1) Our road to our promised land crosses many mountains, has deep valleys takes us across dangerous bridges and through dark tunnels.
(2) And on top of all of that – there are traps set by out enemy along the way.
b) We must never give up for our faith is alive!
(1) Fight forward – never retreat!
(2) It is easier to stay on your feet when discouragement comes than to get off the ground and make a stand.
(3) Through prayer, reading the Word and our fellowship with other believers we build up a fortification against the enemy.
(4) And we will need it because the fight will be constant and hard.
D. But there is good news…
III. There is an End to The Journey.
A. All that we have hoped for will be enjoyed.
1. The promise you have prayed for,
2. The inheritance you have been promised,
3. The hope you have longed to see,
4. We will receive and enjoy our eternal home.
a) No more wandering in a strange land.
b) For we will finally be home.
B. Paul spoke of the end of the earthly pilgrimage in 2 Timothy 4;
1. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim 4:7-8 -NKJV)
2. One day we will all come to the end of our journey, with all of its hardships and sufferings, and walk into eternity.
a) Those here who have chosen to have Jesus with them on this journey with be escorted into a place where there will be no more tears.
(1) A place where there will be rest from our journey.
b) Others, here today, will be cast out into outer darkness.
(1) In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth
(2) Jesus said they would be cast into the furnace of fire (Matt 13:42)
Where will you be?
