-Have you ever passed through a strange town or city and stopped for gas or to eat and someone

asked you, #SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"65are you from here?#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"64

-Then have you answered, #SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"65no I#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61m not, I#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61m only passing through!#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"64

-As Christians, we are only truly passing through here.

-Sometimes I think about how much of my life that was spent in other places.

-Some places are better than others, but I#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61ve not really been at home in any of those places.

-Some pulpits are better than others, but I am only comfortable and feel at home in this pulpit,

here at WSBT.

-The Bible tells each Christian, that our Citizenship is in Heaven, and that we are but strangers

and foreigners here.

-We are to govern our lives by the rules and laws of the country we are citizens of first, then

pay attention to the laws of where we are sojourning through.

-No matter how lonely and tired we can get sometimes, my heart is always cheered by thoughts

about my earthly home, my church home and my heavenly home!

-Some people accuse Christians of being to Heavenly minded to be any earthly good.

-But you and I as Christians will always be criticized when we set ourselves apart from this world

and live and give for the world to come.

-Work hard for Christ, and will make true friends and true enemies.

-Work hard for Christ, and people will accuse of being self-righeous.

-If you have to go against them, they will accuse you of being a hypocrit.

-But, work as hard as you can for Jesus Christ anyway!

-I want to talk to you today about PILGRIM LIVING!

A. Heavenly minded is a great state to be in when you consider the filth it takes to be earthly minded.

1. God calls us Pilgrims, because we are not at home in this present world, as we seek a

Home yet to come!

B. We are also called strangers, so we need to remember some things since that is so.

1. While on this journey , it is important that we dress, speak, and act in such a way that

it will bring honor, and not reproach on the name of Jesus and our real homeland.

2. Our Pilgrim living should be consistent with our knowledge of the Word of God.

C. We are Citzens of Heaven, temporarily detained here on planet earth.

1. In God#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61s mind we arae already seated with Him in Heaven. Eph. 1:3

A. We are to be a solid believer by faith in the Word of God!

1. We are to be calm and restful in our Salvation, but we must roll up our sleeves and

And work hard for the Lord Jesus.

2. Why, because we are Pilgrims and not tramps!

3. We have a direction and a destination.

4. We have a duty and a discipline to live by.

5. Tramps have none of the above as they just wonder around lost in the crowd of

Humanity.

B. The Lord is coming to take us and welcome us home one day soon.

1. Then we will feel at home and everything will be perfect in our brand new home.

(That is not so in this worldly home.)

C. We are to be a Holy People. Heb. 11:13

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.

1. In other words, it is by God#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61s measurements we live by and not ours.

2. There will sometimes be a temptation to go back, as Israel wanted to do that after

They got out in the Wilderness.

3. But, as we stay surrendered to the will of God to our lives, we will find out that

Holiness is to the Soul what health is to the body.

a. Since God is Holy, we must bear the same resemblance.

D. We are to be a helpful people. Heb. 11:14

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

1. We must have genuine Love for Christ and for others.

2. We are to provoke each other in love.

3. The end result of God#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61s Holiness was love for Unholy people, and it should work the

Same in us!

Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

A. There is something to look forward to, and that is Heaven with Jesus Christ and other

Christians for all of eternity.

1. There will be an Examination time will we get there.

2. There will be something to look back to, #SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"65Our day of Salvation#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"64

a. Saved from Hell and Saved to Heaven.

3. There is something to count on.

a. The Cross was not an ambulance sent to the scene of a wreck, but it was God#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61s

Divine plan to bring the sure hope of everlasting life to us that will be saved.

b. We will always be in the presence of Jesus and He will always take care of us for-

ever and ever.

-Don#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61t get so attached to things on this earth and it won#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61t bother you to give them up when you

need to in order to do the will of God in your life here.

-Remember, don#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61t be like Esau and sell your priviledges as a Christian on this earth for a bowl

of the Devil#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61s Stew!

-We are traveling towards a marked destination, for judgment, rewards, and a Heavenly Home

for all of eternity.

-Don#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61t settle on this world#SYMBOL \f "WP TypographicSymbols"61s side of Jordon, but cross on over and enjoy what the Lord has for

you here and there.

-Lay up treasures in Heaven, where you will have longer to enjoy them!