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Mar 03, 2024

Hebrews: Homeland

Passage: Hebrews 11:13-22

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Hebrews: Fulfilled in Christ

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: hope, strangers, aliens, exiles

"By Faith" -- this phrase happens over and over in Hebrews 11. In this passage it is applied to the foundational covenant family of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph - who by faith were blessed by God to be a blessing to the world, to spread the hope, life and love of God to everybody. As they did this they were "strangers and exiles" wherever they went, which is exactly what believers are today. We live IN this world but our hope, identity, citizenship and life is in God's Kingdom. We are IN but not OF this world, but we feel the tug of each every moment of everyday. Jesus entered into this world-struggle by coming out of Heaven and entering our world so that he could redeem us and creation around us.

CENTRAL PASSAGE

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

 

Sermon Discussion Questions

Read through Hebrews 11:13-22

  • Talk about when you have really felt like an outsider?
  • In what ways are Christians “outsiders” in this world?
    • How do you see this in our values, goals and (ultimately) identity?
    • What are specific ways you feel this (Romans 7) push/pull in your life?
    • How are we “insiders” in God’s Kingdom? How is that our true home?
  • As we grow in seeing our true identity as God’s Children and NOT of this world, we are set free...FROM, and FOR.
  • What are we set free FROM?
    • What would it be like if I truly didn’t seek my satisfaction from this world?
    • What are things I need to be set free FROM?
  • What are we set free FOR?
    • What does it mean to be “in the world, but not of the world?”
    • How can realizing that I am fully satisfied in Christ make me a better neighbor?
  • Talk about this prayer from A.W. Tozer: "Make heaven more real to me than any earthly thing has ever been.”