The Faith of a Pilgrim (Hebrews 11:8-10)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
10 January 2021
Abram was a pilgrim (Gen.12:1-6). Christians also are pilgrims.
Consider some aspects of the faith of a pilgrim.
Revelation. It was God who set Abram on the pilgrim way. God came to Abram. So it is with us. God comes to us. He takes the initiative. He speaks; we listen. He speaks today through his Son Jesus Christ and when we believe and obey him we begin our pilgrimage.
Separation. Abram must separate from country and family. He came from an Idolatrous background. There comes a time when the evil that surrounds God's people becomes unbearable and a threat. We can only take so much. Separation becomes an act of obedience to God.
Destination. Abram was to go to the promised land of Canaan. He had a destination. Our promised land is heaven. It is our destination. This world is not our home. We are just passing through.
Peregrination. As a pilgrim Abram was to move from place to place. He was not to settle immediately in the promised land. He went forth not knowing where he was going but was to take one step at a time. We do not immediately get to heaven but must pass through life with all its ups and downs.
Concerning Abram's peregrination we may learn some precious lessons.
He journeyed by faith. He did not know the immediate future. All he knew was that God had called him to go to a land he would be shown. We are called to go to heaven. Like Abram we must live by faith in God.
He had enemies before him. The worldly Canaanites were in the land. Pilgrims will always have enemies who will seek to disrupt their pilgrimage. The world is not your friend, but “what a friend we have in Jesus.”
There was famine in the land which was a threat to Abram. If Abram dies will the messianic promises die with him? God does not lie. His promises will be fulfilled. Abram will live and so he is led to Egypt where there is food.
There was a threat to Abram’s lineage. Abram’s wife Sarai was beautiful woman. She might be taken by Pharaoh to be Pharaoh's wife. Thus the messianic promise was under threat. But the Lord God protected Sarai and Abram. Nothing would stop the fulfilment of God’s messianic purposes.
It is important to note that throughout his pilgrimage Abram received encouragements. The Lord God came to him at particularly challenging times. So it is with every believer in Jesus. The Lord comforts us especially at times of distress and danger.
It is also noteworthy that Abram worshipped God throughout his pilgrimage. He built altars and worshipped. Today, we do not build altars but we worship God with the sacrifice of our lips (Hebrews 13:15).
Note also that Abram, though a man of faith, showed moments of weakness. But God forgave him. This is the testimony of all who live by faith. We make mistakes (and they are inexcusable) but we continue trusting in the Lord for his mercy to forgive and his continuing guidance in our pilgrimage.
Let us continue our pilgrimage ever trusting in the Lord God who is with us every step of our pilgrim way. He was with Abram. Through Christ Jesus he is with us who share a common faith with Abram.