Lessons for Pilgrims

Lessons for Pilgrims 8-16-20 Beginning Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:25 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. (New Living Translation) Today’s Sunday School Lesson is on Chapter 11 of Hebrews. Hebrews 11:4-12 tells the stories of faith of several Old Testament figures including Noah, Abraham & Sarah. And verse 13 points out that all of them died in faith. Some of them did not receive God’s promises, but their faith endured. They saw the promises “afar off.” Remember this as I move forward here this morning: They saw the promises “afar off.” Forward Looking Faith I’d like to really delve into verse 13. This verse ties the faith stories in the preceding verses together and the point is that each of these people had a faith that "looked forward." Despite not having a crystal-clear view of the future, they chose to trust in God and obey him (Hebrews 11:1–2). And the outstanding thing is that their perspective was eternal, rather than temporary. These were men and women "looking forward" to God's ultimate plans. (Hebrews 11:10) My beginning scripture from Chronicles was probably one of the Old Testament bases for Hebrews 11:13 that I’m diving into here. I prefer the King James Version of the last part of that verse. It goes like this: “… and [they] confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth.” Eternal Perspective Here, the writer points out the depth of this eternal perspective. He is writing this to inspire that Hebrew community. An important point he is making is for those who truly trust in God, life on earth is merely a temporary journey. Christian songwriters and poets often refer to the idea that this life, and this earth, is not our real home. We are but pilgrims and strangers on earth. But with faith we can obey difficult and confusing commands, as did Noah (Hebrews 11:7), We can trust God to make good on His word, even when it seems as if He's waited too long, as did Abraham and Sarah (Hebrews 11:8–12). Over and over in this chapter we are reminded of the importance of faith and being able to accept God’s promises from afar. The writer of Hebrews wants to inspire his readers – including us of course - to this kind of faith.. True godly faith is defined as trust, relying on God when looking to the future, and obeying even when we don't fully understand all details. Ultimately, that means trusting God's eternal perspective. The previous 5 paragraphs are quoted from or are based largely on: BibleRef.com: https://www.bibleref.com/Hebrews/11/Hebrews-11-13.html You know, Scripture often says that God is pleased with his people and what they are doing. As I read and reflected on this chapter I wondered if God is pleased with me and with the degree of my trust in him. I finally decided, after some prayer and contemplation, that God is probably pleased with my attempts to be in relationship with him and I think he likes, that in some small way, I try to be part of his creative work. But I am really humbled by Abraham and Sarah who saw God’s promise “afar off.” That brought home to me that I need to imitate them, especially Abraham who knew he needed God, listened to him and became willing to sacrifice his son Isaac as God had commanded. Not only that, he decided to do that and then acted on that decision by gathering wood and making the trip up the Mount Moriah with Isaac to slay his son as a sacrifice. But all the while Abraham trusted God to bring Isaac back after death because of the promise God had made to him that he would have millions of descendants. So you see the tremendous overlay of trust in God that Abraham had. What an example for us! I would imagine there are many in this church who have a similar strong faith and trust in God. This IS a faith community! A Pilgrim’s Process So finally I would like to spell out the lessons for a pilgrim. I see this process of Abraham’s journey as a method or path any pilgrim should follow. I really identify with this idea of being a pilgrim, that is, a traveler on a journey to a holy place. I would like to be a pilgrim looking forward - as Hebrews 11:13 urges – and to do so, here are five steps for the pilgrim to follow, the same five steps Abraham used in his sacrificial journey to Mount Moriah with Isaac: Five Steps 1. I must admit that I need God and that I cannot progress purely based on my own power 2. I must trust God or at least have the beginnings of faith 3. then I must be willing to do what God leads me to do, 4. then I have to decide to do it 5. and finally I have to actually DO SOMETHING to carry our God’s guidance and commands. To me these five steps are also a prerequisite for true repentance, that is turning around one’s life and moving forward to a new future in relationship with God. Questions and Challenges • • • What does “looking forward in faith” mean to you? Who do you know who obeys or has obeyed God even though they did not understand all the details of what God wanted for them? How are you a pilgrim? Prayer Father strengthen my trust in you and help me to accept that there are many aspects of your plan for me that I must see from afar. Thank you, Father for this faith community and for the example they show of what it means to be a true pilgrim on their way to your holy city. Father, I pray that you will lift up all of our leaders and guide them in your ways. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our precious savior. Amen.