Sovereign Grace Chapel, located at 135 Annabel Lane in Beaver, West Virginia, invites you to listen to a gospel message concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. Welcome to today's broadcast. I want to read a couple passages as my text. They have a similar subject in it.

My first one is Hebrews 11, verse 13. And I'm just gonna read for now the one verse. And listen to what Hebrews 11, verse 13 says. 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 there were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. All right, that's my first passage.

The second passage is in 1 Peter 2, a couple verses there. 1 Peter 2, Peter writing to believers says this. Dear beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims. You see the same thing there? The others, they confessed and embraced the promises of God and confessed they were what? Strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Here, Peter says, dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims. Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Having your conversation, that's your way of life, your deportment. having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

That's my title this morning, Strangers and Pilgrims. That's my title, that's my subject, Strangers and Pilgrims. Think about this. A stranger, just a stranger. A stranger is one who's away from home. one in a land that's foreign to them. I'm talking about not just here in the scripture, not just a stranger, just in general, a stranger in this world. A stranger is one who's away from home, maybe in a land that's foreign to them, maybe in a land that's even hostile to them.

A pilgrim is one that's heading home, we might say. A person whose heart and mind is set on a place, maybe set on some people, or maybe even this pilgrim's heart is set on just one particular person. They're a stranger and a pilgrim. You see, one may be a stranger, but not a pilgrim. And one may be a pilgrim but not a stranger because of either assimilation or capitulation or maybe conformity, but God's people confess that they are both strangers and pilgrims, you see it?

God's people, when I say God's people here, I'm talking specifically about gospel called men and women. Gospel called men and women, and that's, I know a lot of people think about calling and they think about calling to service, but you're never called to service till God first calls you to salvation. Now, God may have called many people to, he called Cyrus the king, back in the days of the captivity of the Israelites in Babylon, he called Cyrus and Cyrus was his servant, but Cyrus wasn't a pilgrim and a stranger, but God's people are called. They're called, they're gospel called people. And gospel called men and women are both strangers and pilgrims in this world. They're strangers and pilgrims on this earth.

Our God has made this thing, all of it, this whole universe, God just spoke it into existence by the person of his son. But man fail, we fail in Adam, we fail in the garden. When our daddy Adam partook of that fruit and he rebelled against that one thing, God said, don't you eat of that fruit. The day you eat that fruit, you'll surely die. And when Adam ate that fruit, he died. He died not physically, but he died spiritually in that day he ate of it. And all of his posterity, that's every one of us, the whole human race, black or white, Old or young, male or female, it doesn't matter. All of us were made sinners by that one man's disobedience. And we're in this world that God made, but that happened, the fall happened. and were plunged into this place of darkness and corruption. The apostle Paul says in Romans 8 that even the creation groans and travails in pain together.

You see, God's people, these gospel-called men and women are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. They're strangers to the unbelieving in this world. Sure, we try to get along with folks, and this we ought to do, even as Peter goes on to tell us here. The second passage I read, and people know us as family members, or they know us as co-workers, and we try to get along, we try to do what's right, but they don't really get us. They don't understand what makes us tick. They don't understand that we're strangers and pilgrims.

The unbelieving of this world, they're connected to the world, stuck in this world. Their finite minds can think of nothing of this world, but God's people are strangers and pilgrims. They're that person that's in a foreign land. They're that pilgrim, that stranger that's in a foreign land, that pilgrim that's kind of heading home, and we're really, we're looking for one person. That's what we're looking for, one person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now granted, we will rejoice to see all of God's people when we're all gathered together, and God winds this thing up, and we drop this veil of flesh, and we awake in Christ's likeness. And we'll rejoice in the presence and the fellowship of one another as we've never done it before. But our main goal is to see Jesus Christ, that one person. You see, again, I say we're strangers and pilgrims. And as strangers and pilgrims in this world, unbelieving in this world, our hearts and minds are set on Jesus Christ. Paul put it that way. Listen to Paul's language. This is just remarkable. And every believer, I don't care how strong a believer you are or weak a believer you are, we might say. You can relate to this. Listen to this.

The Apostle Paul writing in Philippians chapter three says, though I might have confidence in the flesh, If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof that he might trust in the flesh, I more circumcise the eighth day of the stock of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, as touching the law of Pharisee. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church, touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But what things were gained to me, those I counted lost for Christ. Strangers and pilgrims can relate to that. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I've suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung. All those other things, even my legal righteousness, you see it? Even my legal law righteousness, and do count them but dung.

but not just because they're dumb, that I might win Christ and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness, which is of God by faith, that I might know him. You see, strangers and pilgrims can relate to that.

that I might know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."

See, we're strangers and pilgrims. We're away from home, we're in a strange land, and we're heading home. and we got a king that we're going to meet. He's with us now in the person of the Holy Spirit. He's Christ in us, the hope of glory, but one day we'll see him face to face. We're strangers and pilgrims, and our heart and mind set on Christ.

If you're a believer, if you're a stranger and a pilgrim, you can relate to what the apostle was talking about there. Strangers and pilgrims. Just being caught up with the person and work of Jesus Christ. You see, they're pilgrims for they seek to be with Christ. And they seek to be like Christ. And that's exactly what Paul went on to say to the Philippian believers.

When he, in Philippians chapter three, listen to these words. Last part of Philippians chapter three. Verse 17, brethren, be followers together of me and mark them which walk as so you have us for an example. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and I'll tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. And that's still sad, it's sad, but it's still true today. whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind what? What do they mind? Earthly things.

For our conversation, that is our way of life, you see, for our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. As a stranger and a pilgrim, you hear those words and you say, I can relate to that. I believe just like the apostle Paul believed. We can relate to that.

You see, gospel called people. And what do I mean by gospel called people? Well, let me just read the scriptural, say it, the inspired word of God will say it far better than I can say. Here's what I mean by gospel called people. 2 Thessalonians 2, verse 13. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.

You see, that's the way it works. And you can't put the cart before the horse here. The spirit of God must specifically set an individual apart to believe the truth. And believe the truth they will. Once the spirit of God does this sanctifying work, this regenerating work, this resurrection from the spiritually dead work, sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.

But then look at it, whereunto he called you by our gospel. That's what I mean by gospel called believers. There are a lot of people in this world, they believe in Jesus, they believe in God, they believe in the Holy Ghost, they believe and go to church, they do good works, but they've never been called by the gospel. And they're lost. I pray God changes that for us. I pray that God calls them by it.

But look, whereunto he called you by the gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you've been taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God, even our Father, which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. Do you see that? See, gospel-called people, that's what I mean by gospel-called people. Gospel-called people do not, listen to me now, They are not attempting to be. They are not trying to be strangers and pilgrims. They confess that they are strangers and pilgrims. Do you see it? This is the difference between someone's trying to work up something they call salvation as opposed to someone upon whom God has bestowed salvation.

Look, here's what they are. Again, our text, Hebrews 11, 13, these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off and were persuaded of them. Do you see that? And were persuaded of them and embraced them. There's the difference, you see it? Embraced them and confessed. They're not trying to be, this is what God's made them to be. They're strangers and pilgrims because God's made them to be that and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Oh, what a glory for such people as this. These gospel, again, these gospel called people are not attempting to be or trying to be strangers and pilgrims, they are. And they can relate to the language of scripture of those that it clearly says they are strangers and pilgrims. Now note something. about a stranger and a pilgrim. You see, now think about this. May God give us a thinking cap. You know, the old phrase is put your thinking cap on. Well, that's not something we can do when it comes to spiritual things. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for their foolishness unto him, neither can he know them because they're spiritually discerned. God must bestow this upon a person. So I'm not saying put your thinking caps on, but oh, may God cause our hearts and mind to be melded toward the truth of his word.

Note something about a stranger in a pilgrim. You cannot just decide. You cannot just choose. You cannot just exercise your will to be a stranger in the pilgrim. Ever consider that? You either are a stranger or a pilgrim, or you're not. You don't just decide to be one. You don't just choose to be one. You don't exercise your will to be one. You have to be made to be one.

When it comes to this, 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. God makes us strangers and pilgrims. Have you ever considered that? You either are or you're not.

Now hear me now. God makes that difference. God makes that difference. I don't make it for you, you don't make it for me. You don't make it for yourself. Not the preacher, he doesn't make the decision for you. It was not the soul winner's decision. No, sir. No, it's not the church. It's not your deeds. It's not your efforts. Again, God must make the difference.

And that's exactly what Paul told the people at Ephesus when he wrote these words to them. Now listen, we're gonna read how God makes the difference. Now listen, God makes the difference. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. So how dead is dead? Dead. And people say, well, that's not physical death. No, it's not physical death, it's spiritual death. And spiritual, the death of spiritual death is as dead as the dead of physical death. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all had our conversation in time past in the lust of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

At one time we were not strangers and pilgrims, We lived here in this world just like everybody else. We were just like everybody. We were no better than anybody else. We were all just alike.

Verse four, but God. Do you see that? There's the difference. There's always the difference, and that's the only difference when it comes to this, being a stranger and a pilgrim in this world.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace you're saved, you see it? And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ, that in the ages to come, he might shew, or that is show, the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are you saved through faith. And that not of yourselves, do you see it? The grace, the faith, the salvation, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works, it's not of human effort. We don't work up salvation, we don't work for grace, and we don't work up faith.

For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast, for we are his workmanship." Do you see that? His workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. There's the difference.

You see, again I say, You don't just decide to be a pilgrim and a stranger. You don't just choose to be a pilgrim and a stranger. Our Lord told the disciples, ye have not chosen me, I've chosen you. And we, listen to me, now you listen to what I'm saying. We do not choose Jesus Christ. We, by the grace of God, choose to believe him, follow him by his enablement, by his power, but we don't choose him.

God the Father chose him according to Isaiah, Isaiah chapter 42. He is the elect one. He's the only individual elected on his own merits. His own perfections, His own righteousness. We were chosen, those who are chosen, were chosen in His perfections, His merits, His righteousness. That's where it's all at. That's what makes the difference.

Again, your preacher doesn't make the difference. You don't make the difference for yourself. The soul winner doesn't make the difference. Your deeds doesn't make the difference. Your church doesn't make the difference. Your efforts don't make the difference. It is God that makes the difference.

Paul asked the question, who maketh thee to differ? What hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received it, why do you boast as if you have not received it? Oh my goodness. Look at what it says. Created in Christ Jesus unto good works before the world began. Isn't that a glory?

So again, I say gospel called preachers, or gospel called people are not attempting or trying to be stranger than people. Pilgrims, they confess that they are. They confess that they are. You see, strangers and pilgrims. Those who are such scripturally, that's what I'm talking about. Those who are such scripturally are those who believe God's promises. You see it? These all died in faith. I don't care how much profession you got. I don't care how much you claim you adhere to the truth of the gospel of free reign and grace. You give it up and you abandon that and you turn your back on Jesus Christ, you will perish.

These all, all these people, Abel and Abraham, and Enoch, and Noah, and Abraham, and Sarah, and all these people, these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them, how, by faith, afar off, you see. far off. Why? Because God that promised is able to do it. We'll see that in a moment.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off and were persuaded of them and embraced them. That's what strangers and pilgrims do. This is not something they just come to a three-tile Sunday morning, Sunday night, a Tuesday, or Wednesday, or Thursday, or a midweek service, and just have a little religion, they do what? They are persuaded of the promises of God, and they embrace them, and they confess that they're strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They hold to and believe and trust in the promise of God.

Here's a glory. Here's something amazing to think about. Now there are many promises of God. And what God has promised, he's able to perform, as I said before. We'll look at that, we'll see that. There are many promises of God, but there is one promise. Now listen to me, again, hear what I'm saying. There are many promises of God, but there is one promise which is a hallmark of faith, okay? There is one promise that's a hallmark of faith.

If you're reading along, turn to Romans chapter four, and we will read about this hallmark thing called faith in the promise of God. And we'll read, look at it. Romans chapter four and verse 16. Therefore, it is a faith. that it might be by grace. Why? Because God has to give the faith. It's the gift of God. Therefore, it is a faith that it might be by grace. To the end, the promise might be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, like the apostle Paul, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of Abraham, didn't even have the law. Do you see it? As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Who against hope, this is Abraham, believed in hope that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. Now we're getting there, look at it. Here's this hallmark thing, this thing called faith. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb, he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, what promise? That he would have a son, and it would be through Sarah. Sarah, who was barren from the get-go, never had had children, and was now past the age even of buried children. He could bear children, but now was past the age of buried children, and God said, you'll have a son.

And he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but look at it, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Now here is faith. Here's that hallmark. and being fully persuaded that what God had promised, God was able to perform. Yes or no? That determines whether your faith is of God or whether your faith is of your flesh, of your religion, of your pastor, of your church, of your soul winner. Those that God gives faith, they are persuaded, they know that God, they're fully persuaded that what God has promised, God is able to perform, do you see it? And therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness, you see that?

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus, our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for, or that is on account of our offenses, and was raised again for, or that is account of our justification. Do we believe God's able to do what he promised? That's true faith.

These kind of people confess that they're strangers and pilgrims. Now, in closing, the last few minutes I have for today. Strangers and pilgrims have necessities in this world, there is no doubt. In this foreign land in which we are passing, as do all strangers, we all have necessities in this world. but we do not conform nor assimilate to the world, to the society in which we live. We do things differently. And that's what our second passage goes on.

Peter goes on to say, where he says, 1 Peter 2, verse 11, dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Having your way of life, your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may buy your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God, when in the day of visitation, when God wraps this whole thing up, they're gonna know God Almighty was doing this.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him to punish for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God that with well-doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God honor all men Love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward, the difficult, the tough. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endured grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently? This is acceptable with God."

So we got needs, but we keep on going in this world. We're strangers in pilgrims, but we just keep on going in this world because God put us here for a reason. And God left us here for a reason. For even here unto where ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow in his steps.

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not, he committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. Who his own self. bear our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins should live under righteousness by whose stripes you're healed. For ye were as sheep going astray. We weren't strangers and pilgrims, but now are returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

You see, the question is this, am I a stranger or a pilgrim in this world? It's one way or the other. I pray if you're not, that God works on you. shows grace to you and mercy to you, but I'm talking about those he has. Are you a stranger and a pilgrim? If you are, you understand that. You can relate to what these writers in this book says. And what do you do? Here's what you do. Remember what you do? Here's what it says you do. Listen to it.

We are persuaded of God's promises and we embrace them and we confess that we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth.