CHARACTERISTICS OF A PILGRIM
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-16
Text: Hebrews 11:13
Hebrews 11:13 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.
Introduction: The heroes of faith in the first part of Hebrews 11 confessed that they were STRANGERS and PILGRIMS on the earth.
The word “stranger” refers to a foreigner.
The word “pilgrim” refers to someone who is traveling. He is just “passing through.”
Christians should be PILGRIMS.
Are YOU a PILGRIM?
Let me give some characteristics of pilgrims that distinguish them from the people who belong to this earth.
I. THE LAND OF A PILGRIM IS FOREIGN
John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
A. It is a supernatural land
B. It is a sweet land
C. It is a superior land
D. It is the Savior’s land!
There’s a land that is fairer than day
And by faith we can see it afar,
For the Savior waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling place there!
II. THE LAWS OF A PILGRIM ARE FOREIGN
Psalms 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
On this earth people from different countries sometimes drive on a different side of the street, depending on the laws of that land.
As children of God, we are not only going down different sides of the street from the people of this world, we are going down DIFFERENT streets. Read Acts 9 and see how Saul changed streets. He got off of Damascus Highway and went to Straight Street! (Acts 9:3,11)
A. They are the laws of the Lord
B. They are the laws of liberty
1. My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, Of HEAVEN I sing!
2. The TRUTH shall make you FREE!
C. They are the laws of love
1. Love for God
2. Love for others
III. THE LANGUAGE OF A PILGRIM IS FOREIGN
Judges 12:5-6 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay; 6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce
it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
A. It is different in description
1. Alternate lifestyle is what we call abomination!
2. Alcoholic is a drunkard
3. Living together is whoremongery
4. Self-esteem is vanity
5. Straight is natural
6. Gay is sodomite
7. ADD is unrestrained
B. It is different in delight
1. We say, “Praise God!” when we are happy
2. Amen
3. Hallelujah
4. Glory to God
C. It is different in distress
1. No cursing, but confessing our sins, crying to God for help, and claiming God’s promises
IV. THE LOOK OF A PILGRIM IS FOREIGN
Exodus 2:5-6 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
A. A glowing look
B. A growing look
C. A groaning look
1. Groaning for the redemption body (Rom. 8:23)
2. Groaning for the New Jerusalem
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |