Hebrews 11:13-14 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them… I. THE DISTANT FULFILMENT OF UNFULFILLED PROMISES. II. THE ATTITUDE OF FAITH WITH REGARD TO THIS. 1. Faith assured them that the city was their fatherland. 2. Faith recognises the promised blessings in the city. 3. Faith reaches forth with eager desire towards these promised blessings. III. THE REARING OF THIS FAITH ON OUR PRESENT LIFE. It makes "strangers and pilgrims" of us. A pilgrim life includes — 1. A pressing on through the present to the future. The great concern of the pilgrim is concerning the home to which he is going. The road and the present accommodation are something, but not chief. 2. An endurance of privation by the prospect of the coming satisfaction. The discomforts of the way are a small matter when we are. going home. A lively faith goes far to break the power from time-sorrows. 3. A growing happiness in the consciously advancing journey. Men do not naturally like to get old. That, in the Christian's case, must arise from limiting the view of life by what is seen. Let faith go beyond the seen, and make real to our hearts the glory there, and we shall pass on with joy and hope and quickened step. (C. New.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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