QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

~CS Lewis 20th century British writer and theologian.

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you...’ So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”

~Genesis 12:1 & 4 (ESV)

“In exile here we wander: In heaven is our abode. The city of the angels, the city of our God. And here we toil, and strive, and fight. With sin and woe oprest, there God will give the sons of light eternal joy and rest.”

~“In Exile Here We Wander” (1872), William Cook 19th Century British pastor and hymnwriter

SERMON PASSAGE

Hebrews 11:8-16 (ESV)

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

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.