TEXT: Hebrews 11:13-16
TOPIC: “Products of a Living Faith”
INTRODUCTION:
I. A PROPER OUTLOOK ON THIS EARTHLY LIFE (V.13).
A. It is an outlook that refuses to give up (v.13a).
1. God’s timetable is not ours.
a. Delay does not mean that He has failed in His promise.
b. Abraham and Sarah thought God needed help in giving an heir and brought heartache for themselves and their descendants.
B. It is an outlook that “sees” the promise being fulfilled (v. 13b).
1. God will not fail to fulfill His promises; even death will not stop Him.
2. We must move in faith as though we can “see” the promise fulfilled.
a. Being “persuaded of” God’s faithfulness we can embrace (aspazomai =to draw to one’s self) his promises.
C. It is an outlook that understands the reality that this world is not our home (v.13c; Psalms 119:19; 1 Peter 2:11).
1. We are strangers. (Xenov = a foreigner, a stranger)
2. We are pilgrims. (parepidhmov = one who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives)
II. A PLANNED SEEKING OF A HOMELAND (V.14).
A. Seeking the true homeland begins with the open confession that this world is not home.
1. Open confession is a powerful thing. It is also a Biblical thing.
a. There are 44 Bible references that contain the word “confess”.
1. Note Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 19:18; Luke 12:8
B. Seeking the homeland is an unending process.
1. As long as we are living on this earth we are to be seeking it.
2. Even though it is already sealed for us (Rom. 8:38-39), we are to keep our eyes fixed on it (Heb. 12:2).
III. A PURPOSEFUL DECISION TO LEAVE THE OLD LIFE (V.15).
A. Part of this purposeful decision involves a refusal to camp in the past.
1. We are not to focus on the past, but upon what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13-14).
B. It is possible to go back, but things will never be the same.
1. Going back to our old way of life will be a miserable experience, because it does not fit with who we are (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. Drawing back from commitment to Christ brings sorrow.
a. Note the apostles’ response to this issue (John 6:68).
b. Example of personal experience.
C. It is time to decide to leave the old and pursue what God has in store.
1. God has greater things in store for us than we can imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9).
IV. A PREPARED PLACE BUILT BY A PROUD FATHER (V.16).
A. Our desire must be for that prepared place (v. 16a).
1. Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3; 16c).
2. We must allow the Lord to develop a desire in us for that homeland (Philippians 1:23).
B. God is not ashamed of us; we must not be ashamed of Him (v.16b).
1. Real faith develops a boldness in us (Romans 10:11; 2 Timothy 1:7).
CONCLUSION:
