What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving?
Turkey, Big Meal, Family, Friends, Fun, Happiness, Pilgrims<
Thanks to God, What the Lord Jesus has done….
Pilgrims … They had many reasons for coming to the new world.
escape persecution, escape old debts, adventure, a new beginning …
Thanksgiving should remind us of a new beginning.
When you became a Christian, you got a new beginning.
All your sins Past, Present and Future were forgiven!
Consider this: We, Believers are Pilgrims, new creatures, a new life!
As pilgrims how should we live?
Let’s look at Hebrews 11:8-16 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. 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: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 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. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 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.
Verse 8 OBEY Each individual mentioned in the faith chapter OBEYED God. Verse 11:6 The Key to happiness in this Life, that your Joy may be full. Words of Christ, John 15:10-14And if you don’t obey: Words of Christ, Luke 6:46-49
Verse 9 Dwelt in Tents, didn’t settle for this world… What’s the most important thing to you right now? Spouse, Children, Home, Car, Job, Health…?
Words of Christ, Matthew 10:37. The Lord should be first.
Words of the Apostle Paul to Believers, 1 Corinthians 6:14-19
Verse 10 Looked for a city Are you looking forward to Heaven?
Words of Christ, John 14:1-3. Or is your treasure here?
Words of Christ, Matthew 6:19-21. Be like Moses Hebrews 11:26
Verse 11-12 Faith Sara’s faith brought forth the nation of Israel.
Verse 13 Vision (Spiritual) How’s your vision?
They could see afar off, 20/20 spiritual vision FAITH.
Is your hope in HIM or today? Are you willing to suffer a little here to gain there? The scripture speaks over and over again about suffering …Peter…James…Paul…Confessing their Faith.
Words of Christ, Matthew 16:24
Verse 14 Looking to the future. Are you looking for Heaven?
Verse 15 Looking at what you were.
The danger of taking your eyes off of Christ. 2 Peter 2:20-22
Verse 16 Looking for a new Goal. Heaven, David wrote 1 Samuel 20:3 …there is but a step between me and death.
Only a breath, only a heart beat.
Relook at verse 13: These all died in faith
How’s your Faith? Wavering? Why not get right with God, TODAY!
⇛ return to Church