A CITY WITH FOUNDATIONS

Passage: Hebrews 11:8-16

Key verse: 8

NIV

8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,(A) obeyed and went,(B) even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land(C) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,(D) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.(E) 10 For he was looking forward to the city(F) with foundations,(G) whose architect and builder is God.(H) 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,(I) was enabled to bear children(J) because she[a] considered him faithful(K) who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,(L) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.(M)

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;(N) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,(O) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.(P) 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.(Q) 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.(R) Therefore God is not ashamed(S) to be called their God,(T) for he has prepared a city(U) for them.

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Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was too old to have children—and Sarah herself was not able to conceive—was enabled to become a father because he
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

8 By faith (A)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place (B)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 (C)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (D)living in tents (E)with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to (F)the city that has (G)foundations, (H)whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith (I)Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered (J)him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and (K)him as good as dead, were born descendants (L)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, (M)not having received the things promised, but (N)having seen them and greeted them from afar, and (O)having acknowledged that they were (P)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, (Q)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 (R)to be called their God, for (S)he has prepared for them a city.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Abraham's life of faith (8-1

)

Abraham's life shows us what it means to live by faith. First, by faith he obeyed God and went to Canaan. Second, he lived in the promised land like an alien. Even though he did not own a foot of ground, he believed God's promise, so he lived in tents and moved around from place to place. He and his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob looked like restless wanderers, but they were not. They had a clear destination: the city with unshakable foundations--the kingdom of God.

2. Children of promise (11-1

)

Abraham and Sarah were old; Sarah was past the age of childbearing, but they believed that God who promised was faithful. So by faith, they bore Isaac and from him came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. All who believe God's promises, and believe his almighty power, and obey him are children of Abraham.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live by faith, with a clear destination--your kingdom.

One Word: Live like a holy pilgrim