THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. We often sing, "this world is not our home; we are just passing
      through."
   B. This is drawn from the passages which teach that we are
      sojourners and pilgrims here on the earth. 1 Pet. 1:17; 2:11
      1. The Bible clearly teaches that this world is not our home.
         a. We are searching, looking, anticipating, and hoping for
            a better place, that home of the soul.

I. THE WORD "PILGRIM." 
   A. It is the Greek word "parepidemos" {par-ep-id'-ay-mos} which is
      a combination of three words: para - (alongside of), epi -     
      (upon), demos - (used in Biblical Greek of the people of a     
      heathen city).
   B. Here is how Thayer defines the word:
      1. "One who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to
         reside by the side of the natives...in the NT metaph. in
         reference to heaven as the native country, one who sojourns
         on earth..."
      2. "One who stays in a place as a stranger or visitor; to      
         describe Christians whose final citizenship is in heaven and
         who are regarded as temporary dwellers on earth." (Zondervan
         Pictorial Encyclopedia Of The Bible)
         a. We would remove the word "final" from the above
            definition because our citizenship is already there and
            we are going there to dwell. Phil. 3:20

II. THE PATRIARCHS HAD NO HOME HERE.
   A. Gen. 23:4; 47:9; 1 Chron. 29:15; Psalm 35:12
      1. Heb. 11:8-10 - Abraham knew there was a far better land,
         one which the heavenly Father had promised.
      2. Heb. 11:13-16 - They confessed (admitted) that they were
         strangers and pilgrims on this earth.
         a. They could have returned to their so-called homeland, if
            that's what they were looking for.
         b. They were not mindful of that country. They did not
            want God to return them there.
         c. We, who are children of God, must be likeminded. We,
            too, are strangers and pilgrims on this earth.
            (1) John Denver had a hit record entitled, "Country
                roads take me home." 
            (2) But we sing beautiful spiritual songs that have
                greater warmth and meaning -- 362, 363.
            (3) This old earth is not our home. The patriarchs
                sought after a place built by the living God. We,
                likewise, seek such a place.

III. THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME BECAUSE IT IS TO BE DESTROYED.
   A. There are those who believe that the earth will be rebuilt or
      rejuvenated by God and those who inherit eternal life will live
      here on this earth.
   B. That, of course, is not the teaching of the Bible
      1. Heb. 1:10-12 - a quote from Psalm 102:25-27
         a. These verses show that some day this world will come
            to an end.
      2. Matt. 5:18
         a. Jesus was saying before heaven and earth passed,
            everything in the law would be fulfilled; thus, His
            prediction is based on the fact that heaven and earth
            would pass.
      3. Matt. 24:35
      4. Rev. 21:1
      5. 2 Pet. 3:10 - "elements" - "the substance of the material
         world" (Vine).
      6. 2 Cor. 4:18 - The earth is something that can be seen; thus,
         it, too, is temporary.
      7. 1 John 2:17 - This world is not our home because it will
         pass away.

IV. THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME; OUR HOME IS IN HEAVEN.
   A. Phil. 3:20-21 - In heaven is where our true citizenship lies.
      1. We are no longer foreigners so far as our heavenly
         citizenship is concerned. We are fellowcitizens with the
         saints of God. Eph. 2:19
      2. We have not come to a literal mountain, but to the heavenly
         mount Zion. Heb. 12:22-24
   B. Let's look at two passages which describe the heavenly home.
      1. 2 Cor. 5:1-9
         a. "A building of God" - God is the architect.
         b. "Eternal in the heavens" - It is age-lasting, endless; it
            will not be burned or destroyed.
         c. Verses 2-4 - While on this earth, we are subject to
            trials, afflictions, and sufferings. The Christian wants 
            to be released from these, and to partake of the         
            happiness beyond.
         d. Verse 5 - God is preparing us for immortality. That is
            His purpose and design.
         e. Verses 6-9 - We likewise have this purpose and goal (of
            obtaining the heavenly home) and thus we make it our
            aim to please Him.
            (1) This is Paul's point regarding "walking by faith." 
            (2) Our faith regarding the heavenly home directs our
                walk.
      2. Rev. 22:1-5
         a. There are some basic things necessary to sustain life as
            we know it: water, food, health, shelter. This passage
            shows the provision for all of these.
            (1) The pure river of water of life is that which
                sustains the new life.
            (2) The tree of life was forfeited and lost in the
                garden of Eden (Gen 2:9; 3:22-24); it is regained in 
                the heavenly home (Rev. 2:7).
            (3) The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the
                nations (of them which are saved, 21:24).
         b. Also, there will be no more curse. Such things as
            weeping, pain, death, will not be in the new home. Rev.
            21:4
   C. If there was such a place here on earth, people would rush to
      go there.
      1. If someone wrote to them describing such a place, even if it
         were to the ends of the earth, they would do all they could
         to be there.
      2. Yet, the heavenly Father has written describing His own
         home, and people today have profound indifference toward
         it.
         a. Instead of wanting to go there, they want to make this
            world their home.
         b. However, how about you and me?

V. SINCE THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME, WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE
TOWARD IT?
   A. Let us earnestly desire that heavenly city as did the
      patriarchs. Heb. 11:10,16
      1. Luke 13:24 The word "strive" is the word "agonize" in the
         Greek.
         a. We should give agonizing efforts to go there. 
   B. Since this world is not our home, let us not be overly
      concerned about material possessions.
      1. This was Paul's point regarding "walking by faith." 2 Cor.
         5:7
         a. Our faith in obtaining the heavenly home directs our
            walk, and not the ordinary worldly vision of things.
      2. Matt. 6:19-20; Luke 12:33-34
      3. As the patriarchs of old, we can't afford to be overly
         attached to any place, purpose, or person that would        
         distract us from our goal. 
   C. Since this world is not our home, let us not be overly
      concerned about making ourselves comfortable here.
      1. This old world will always be full of troubles. Job 14:1-2
      2. God's people will always be persecuted because our way of
         life condemns their's. Heb. 11:7
      3. Many people of the world have life rather comfortable here.
         Let us not be jealous; let us not be deceived.  Instead of
         being happy and complacent, those people should be
         mourning and weeping. James 4:8-9; Matt. 5:4
   D. Since we are only strangers and pilgrims here, let us abstain
      from fleshly lust. 1 Pet. 2:11
      1. The Christian should:
         a. Flee youthful lusts. 2 Tim. 2:22
         b. Deny ungodliness and worldly lust. Titus 2:12-14
         c. Crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal.
            5:24
   E. Since this world is not our home, let us be separate from the
      world. Rom. 12:2
      1. Our responsibility as "pilgrims" is to be separate - 1 Pet.
         2:12
         a. Remaining separate will cause those in the world to
            think we are strange - 1 Pet. 4:3-4
      2. Figuratively speaking, we should be like those foreign
         refugees now in our country:
         a. Who resist giving up their heritage, their language, etc.
         b. Who resist attempts to "Americanize" them and destroy
            their cultural traditions.
      3. Are we allowing the world to influence our speech, dress,
         conduct, and even our thinking?
         a. If so, then we are no longer strangers and pilgrims, but
            fellow-citizens with those of this world.
         b. Remember John's warning in 1 John 2:15-17.
   F. Peter admonished that we pass the time of our sojourning in
      fear. 1 Pet. 1:17
      1. Psalm 119:120
      2. Rom. 11:20-22
      3. Peter is referring to that awesome respect and reverence
         toward Almighty God.
         a. Psalm 111:9 - How could anyone take upon himself the
            names which belong to God?
      4. Isa. 66:2 - Let us tremble (show utmost respect) for God's
         holy word, so much so that we will continue to weed out any
         errors in our faith and practice.
      5. Prov. 14:16; Rom. 3:18
      6. Phil. 2:12; Heb. 12:28-29

Concl.
   A. This world is not our home, because this world will pass away. 
      1. Everything on this earth is fleeting and transitory. 
      2. We view, as our true home, the heavenly city God has
         prepared for those who confess they are strangers and
         pilgrims on this earth.
   B. In that great day, we will no more be homeless wanderers, but
      will have our eternal home.
      1. We will not be as refugees, who are often hated and scorned,
         but we will be the beloved of the Father.
      2. We will not be as strangers in a foreign land, but we will
         be surrounded by an innumerable company of angels. 
      3. We shall not be as pilgrims in a strange country, but we
         shall be with that great multitude standing before the      
         throne in robes made white by the blood of the Lamb.
   C. Truly, this world in not our home.
      1. Have you begun your spiritual sojourn by obeying the gospel
         of Christ? If you haven't, why not obey today?
      2. Having done so, have your allowed worldly attractions
         caused you to discontinue your journey toward heaven? If
         so, why not make the necessary changes to make yourself
         right with God.

Chart:
Since this world is not our home, What should our attitude be? How
should it affect our lives?

Let us earnestly desire that heavenly city.

Let us not be overly concerned about material possessions.

Let us not be overly concerned about making ourselves comfortable
here.

Let us abstain from fleshly lust which war against the soul.

Let us be separate from the world.

Let us pass the time of our sojourning in fear.