Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Big Idea: Christians are to live as citizens of heaven and foreigners in this world. The Patriarchs Died in Faith, Not in Fulfillment Hebrews 11:13-14 These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. Genesis 15:18–21 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I give this land to your offspring, from the Brook of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River: the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hethites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.” Philippians 3:18–20 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things, Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Patriarchs Didn't Look Back Hebrews 11:15 If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. They refused to look backward. Times when the Israelites looked back toward Egypt in the wilderness: Exodus 14:11-12 — At the Red Sea, Israel says it would have been better to serve the Egyptians than die in the wilderness. Exodus 16:2-3 — In the wilderness, Israel says it would have been better to die in Egypt, where they had food, than starve in the desert. Numbers 11:4-6, 18-20 — The people crave meat and remember Egypt’s food (cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic), while despising the manna. Numbers 14:1-4 — After the spies’ report, the congregation wishes they had died in Egypt or in the wilderness and wants to return to Egypt. They even say they should vote on a new leader who will take them back to Egypt. 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. What is the Egypt you find yourself wanting to return to? Philippians 3:13–14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. The Patriarchs Desired a Heavenly Home — and God Was Not Ashamed of Them Hebrews 11:16 But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Imagine trusting God so completely that if God spoke to your great-great-grandchildren, he was willing to identify himself as “The God of your great-great-grandparent ” John 14:1–3 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” Revelation 21:1–7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.” Are you living as a foreigner? Or Have you settled into this world? There is a difference between being comfortable with this life, and being comfortable in this life. Get comfortable being uncomfortable in this world.