Homeward Bound
June 29, 2022

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Craig Smith • Homeward Bound • July 3, 2022

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering… You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. (Heb. 10:32, 34)

One of the distinguishing features of great faith is to live with great



Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb. 10:23)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

Faith fueled by hope will motivate you to…

Live by a different

(It’s not about ) – “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” (Heb. 11:13a)

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. (2 Cor. 1:20a)

Long for a different (It’s not about ) – “And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.” (Heb. 11:13b-16a)

Look to a different (It’s not about ) – “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Heb. 11:16b)

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband… “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:2-4)

Faith means you’re forward-looking while presently serving…

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
(Phil. 1:21-26)