Homesick

Introduction

Hebrews 11:8–10 KJV 1900

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Body

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years, and they were returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions.

No one paid much attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President’s entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man.

As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, “Something is wrong. Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us.”

“Dear, you shouldn’t feel that way,” his wife said.

“I can’t help it; it doesn’t seem right.”

When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were full of the President’s arrival, but no one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.

That night, the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this; God is not treating us fairly.”

His wife replied, “Why don’t you go into the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?”

A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?”

“The Lord settled it with me,” he said. “I told him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and simply said, ‘But you’re not home yet!’”

From Talking To My Father, by Ray Stedman. Barbour & Co. 1997.

I was talking with Sis. Parker about this awhile ago.

Abraham was one who realized something - that he was a stranger in a strange land

He was obedient to the will and plan of God for his life and went out from the world into the land of promise

He understood I believe, that the land of promise he was walking around on was not all there was to look forward to

He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God

Difference between tabernacles and a city

Hebrews 11:13–16 KJV 1900

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

The promises were so real to Abraham that he saw them, was persuaded of them, and he embraced them

Abraham declared that this world was not his home. He was looking forward to something greater. Something more. Something permanent and something eternal.

v.15: Stay as far away from this world as you can possibly get. Don’t give yourself any opportunity to return to the place God called you out from!

Because Abraham was fixed on his heavenly home, he desired that country, and the city God had prepared for him.

Philippians 1:20–26 KJV 1900

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Paul’s outlook on life was conflicted

If he was living, it was entirely for Jesus Christ

If he was to die, he entered into his reward and he gains everything he was ever hoping for

He was “in a strait betwixt two”

I like how his arguments for remaining here were for the benefit of others, and his arguments for departing were for his benefit.

His mindset was “I will stay in this tabernacle because it serves the purpose of Jesus Christ. It’s beneficial to all of you for me to remain.”

Everybody wants to go to heaven, just not today! - This could not be said of Paul!

We must realize that we, all of us, are pilgrims. Wayfarers. Sojourners. Walking through this life according to the will and plan of almighty God in tabernacles

These “vehicles” our spirits move around in are temporal. We dwell presently in tabernacles

We are looking for something more. Something permanent. Something eternal.

1 Corinthians 15:50–55 KJV 1900

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

We’re looking forward to the rapture of Christ’s church and an eternity spent in His presence.

Our hope is not in this world. It’s not in this life.

This life is important however. This is where the battle rages for the souls of men and women all over the world.

Everyone’s eternal destination is determined in this life. In this pilgrimage. Dwelling in this tabernacle.

More and more I see miracles, healings, etc. as a sign to those who are not yet spiritual.

If God heals my body a thousand times, ultimately I’m still going to die. My eternal destination remains unchanged whether I’m healed or not.

If God heals an unbeliever, that unbeliever’s eternal destination remains unchanged by the healing.

But those healings can get people’s attention and cause them to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. It can lead to their salvation.

Ultimately though, we look for a city, whose builder and maker is God.

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 13:8–12 KJV 1900

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

This has become one of my favorite scriptures.

I will see Jesus face to face.

I’ll hear His voice

I’ll see His face

I’ll feel His touch

The One who died for me