A City to Dwell In

By Faith

We Come to Abraham

This morning as we continue looking at Hebrews chapter 11 what has been called the faith Hall of Fame we come to one of the greatest of all of the heroes of faith. Abraham.

It is of Abraham — that God — In the book of Romans chooses to illustrate the necessity of faith in justification. Take a look with me at Romans 4:1-5

Romans 4:1–5 KJV 1900

1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Now we have to be careful because for sure people get twisted over this passage. All this is saying is that it is the faithfulness of Abraham that ends up being credited to Abraham as righteousness. — it is not that Abraham was righteous on his own merit, he had to have the righteousness of Christ imputed upon him even though he walked the earth long before the son of God was made man. — But make no mistake, just as Jesus said in John 8:58

John 8:58 (KJV 1900)

... Before Abraham was, I am.

And though not yet incarnate — Jesus was already the lamb slain from the foundation of the world — and it was Abraham’s faith in God and the character of that lamb — which Abraham obtained his righteousness — and by extension — his salvation.

And so, we come to Abraham.

Context

Before we go any further I want to begin the way that we have begun each message in this series and that is by looking at the context found in verse one of Hebrews chapter 11. Again, and I know this is something that you've heard before I don't want you to look at Hebrews 11 like the trophy case in a high school. This isn't simply just a passage put in scripture to brag on how wonderful these people are. This is a passage with the intent of stirring you to greater faith by showing you what great things can be accomplished by average men and women who believe in God.

So look with me, as we begin in Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

And to quote again Cockeril’s summation of this verse:

Faith is living as if the things hoped for are real.

And with that mind, I invite you to follow along as we read in the book of Hebrews, Chapter 11, verses 8-10

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.

Our message this morning is entitled A City to Dwell in

Let’s Pray

Comfortable

If I could pinpoint the single greatest difference between Christians living today in America and Abraham, it's that we don't dwell in tents. You do know that is what this word tabernacle in verse 9 means, a tent.

From all indications Abraham had a pretty cushy situation going for him. Verse eight says that he was expected to receive an inheritance where he was.

We read of Abrahams: verse one of chapter 12 in the book of Genesis

Genesis 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Abraham lived in his fathers house. This doesn't mean what it means today today if we were to say that somebody lives in their fathers house means that they're probably living in their parents basement and they need to get a job that's not the same thing. Abraham by living in his father's house and he was part of the family he was part of this sort of almost miniature kingdom. Abraham stood to inherit all that his father had or at least a portion of it with any brothers that lived with him. Abraham may have had great respect coming from the household that he lived in and when he walked in the lands he was met by those that knew how his relatives are Bible calls than kindred. It was a pretty cushy situation. God called him to something else or Bible says Abraham obeyed.

Not that long ago my son Brody and I went to summer camp with the Boy Scouts. We spent the week living in a tent. These tents aren't the kind that you might pick up at Walmart these are heavy duty canvas tents that sit on like a wooden platform and only tie shut so there really wasn’t any deterrent for bugs to get in. — inside the tents were cots at least but really they were in pretty bad disrepair of themselves. — no my wife Kate who has no experience with this sort of thing came to visit camp and was very disconcerted by the state of the sleeping arrangements. These tents were absolutely outside of the Standard of comfort she expects from a dwelling place, whether it's jut one week or not. — see I spoiled her, our family lives in a house, one that incidentally has central air conditioning.

No I'm not advocating that we all go live in the woods. After a week of it I'm pretty well ready to come home myself. My concern is that spiritually we have become very comfortable as Christians in the land we are dwelling in. — how much so that if God calls us to step outside of our comfort zone we have a hard time leaving the house.

A Place to Inherit

Christian, this morning I ask you this. — Have you forgotten that you are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. — Have you forgotten that you aren’t seeking an inheritance in this life? — The the affairs of this world are not supposed to consume you?

Galatians 3:29 KJV 1900

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

As Christians we are heirs. Meaning we are inheritors of the promise of Abraham.

In Hebrews 11:9 we read of Abraham that

Hebrews 11:9 KJV 1900

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:

Abraham was given a promise of an inheritance. Isaac inherited that promise and so did Jacob. — But understand that what Galatians is saying is that if you are a follower of Christ, then you are spiritually Abraham’s descendent. — Just like Isaac and Jacob. — And so you likewise are an inheritor — Not of an earthly Kingdom, but of the Kingdom of God.

Pulling Up Stakes

I already mentioned camping once. I camp a lot. And then fairness I do as much as I can to make sure that I have a very comfortable sleeping arrangement even while I am camping. — that said I am never under the delusion that my tent is my permanent home. — everything about a campsite reflects it's temporary nature. — everything man-made that enters the site does so in some sort of bag or tote so the more compact and lightweight the equipment, the more desirable it is for the camper, especially backpackers who are concerned with every ounce.

But when you're camping you never feel like the place you're dwelling as your home. You are on someone else's land. — and as much as I like camping, after a few days I start a log for another place to dwell, I start to long for my home, my bed, and most importantly my shower.

Some of us have our spiritual tents tied down to permanently. — I’ve observed this happening homeless communities, tent cities. A tent has been set up way too long. Tents aren’t designed to be permanent dwellings and over time the fabric will wear out and mildew and mold will start to form on the outside. — but all of that happens slowly over time and those dwelling in the tent permanently get used to it.

But, Christian you aren’t homeless. — Christ has prepared a place for you. If you aren’t able to pull the stakes up and move with obedience when God calls you to act — Then I need to warn you of this. Your tent is going to decay. — In fact, it is likely decaying all around all ready — But it has happened so slowly and so suddenly that you have become used to the filth. You may have even convinced yourself that you prefer it.

A Better Destination

The author of Hebrews mix certain that inverse 10 of chapter 11 that the reader cannot mistake his point to be the Abraham look forward to the promised land, into the city of Jerusalem. He writes this:

Hebrews 11:10 KJV 1900

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

The Jewish historian Josephus wrote of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem:

(63) Now, therefore, the king laid the foundations of the temple very deep in the ground, and the materials were strong stones, and such as would resist the force of time; these were to unite themselves with the earth, and become a basis and a sure foundation for that superstructure which was to be erected over it; they were to be so strong, in order to sustain with ease those vast superstructures, and precious ornaments, whose own weight was to be not less than the weight of those other high and heavy buildings which the king designed to be very ornamental and magnificent.

Throughout his works, Josephus spares nothing in proclaiming the awesomeness and beauty of the temple in Jerusalem. In the passage I just read he starts with the great foundations that were laid to support everything that would rest upon it.

You know 1 Corinthians 3:11 says

1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV 1900

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Joseph this continues speaking of the Greek buildings that were set upon those foundations and the ornamentation of those buildings. Josephus calls them magnificent. — God calls the temporary.

My imagination is captivated by the temple. I have books in my library at home devoted entirely to the structure in building of the temple in fact one of my books has a model with it, very detailed model in it made entirely out of matchsticks. I would've loved to been able to see the temple, the one in Jerusalem that the one made out of matchsticks, with my allies. But I have seen some very impressive buildings. I've seen the Statue of Liberty, and I've seen the Eiffel tower. Before it burned I was able to see Notre Dame. I see the White House. I've walked down the streets of Las Vegas and I've seen create buildings covered in light. — but what I haven't seen and what I most look forward to seeing is the city that Abraham looked for. A city as verse 10 puts it

Hebrews 11:10 (KJV 1900)

… which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Abandon Your House

It is first letter Peter opens the book this way:

1 Peter 1:1 KJV 1900

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

He is addressing strangers. What do you mean by that is he is addressing sojourners, foreigners in strange lands. — he is no doubt addressing a group of Jews known as the diaspora, those who were dispersed among the gentile lands. — but as you read through the book of first Peter and you get the chapter 2 you find out that there is more to what peter is saying. Look with me what he writes in 1 Peter 2:11-12

1 Peter 2:11–12 KJV 1900

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

And that sums up the conclusion of our message today. Believe in God so much that your faith is demonstrated by how temporary you view the treasures of this world. Believe in God so much when he leads you to abandon what's comfortable you obey. — don't forget to this world isn't your home, there are things to be hired in this world that war against your soul. Stay away from them, they're not yours.

Live a life of obedience that this world rejects, this world speaks out against, but this world even May used to accuse you of doing evil. Do so knowing that your life of obedience will be a glory to God upon his return.

Let’s Pray