The Faith of the Patriarchs
(Hebrews 11:13–16)

Introduction (Hebrews 11:13–16)
Hebrews 11:13–16 shows the patriarchs living as strangers and pilgrims, seeing God’s promises afar off, embracing them, and seeking a better—heavenly—country. God was not ashamed to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them.

Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth
Scripture says the patriarchs “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). They understood that life here is temporary. Their tents and travels were living testimonies that their true citizenship was elsewhere. David prayed, “I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were” (Psalm 39:12). Peter pleads with disciples as “sojourners and pilgrims” to keep their conduct honorable (1 Peter 2:11–12). The faithful accept this identity. They hold this world loosely and order their steps as travelers moving toward God’s country.

Seeing the Promises Afar Off
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, were assured of them” (Hebrews 11:13). Abraham was promised land, nation, and seed (Genesis 12:1–3), yet he died without receiving those promises in their fullness. He saw them by faith because God spoke, and he trusted God. Isaac and Jacob received the same promises and walked the same path. Faith looks beyond sight. The patriarchs could not touch the heavenly city, but they welcomed it by trusting the God who cannot lie.

Embracing and Confessing
The text says they “embraced” the promises (Hebrews 11:13). The word carries the warmth of greeting and welcoming. They took God’s promises to their hearts with gratitude, then “confessed” their pilgrim status openly. Gratitude fuels confession; confession strengthens endurance. When God’s people gladly welcome His promises, they freely speak of them and live like they are true.

Forward Faith: Desiring a Better Country
“For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland” (Hebrews 11:14). If they had set their minds on the land they left, they could have returned, but they desired “a better, that is, a heavenly country” (Hebrews 11:15–16). Abraham obeyed the call to leave and kept going (Genesis 12:1–4). He did not dwell on what was behind. The faith that pleases God looks ahead, walks ahead, and keeps on obeying when fulfillment is still far off. Paul captures the aim of such a life: “We make it our aim…to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:6–9).

Two Great Rewards
First, “God is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16). What higher approval could any soul receive? Peter declares, “In every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). To live each day well pleasing to the Lord is the believer’s constant goal (2 Corinthians 5:9). Second, “He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16). Jesus promises a prepared place for His own: “I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1–3). On that day the King will say, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).

Living as Pilgrims Today
This world and its treasures are temporary and will be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10–11). The patriarchs teach us to invest in the world to come, to endure setbacks, and to keep obeying even when we have not yet received. When God commands, faith acts; when God promises, faith rests. The faithful greet the promises with gratitude, confess their pilgrim identity, and walk toward the city God prepared.

The Faith of the Patriarchs Sermon Outline:

• Introduction: The patriarchs’ pilgrim faith and God’s prepared city (Hebrews 11:13–16).

• I. Strangers and Pilgrims

  • Confession of pilgrim identity (Hebrews 11:13).

  • David’s prayer as a sojourner (Psalm 39:12).

  • Peter’s charge to sojourners (1 Peter 2:11–12).

• II. Seeing and Embracing the Promises

  • Seeing “afar off” and being assured (Hebrews 11:13).

  • Abraham, Isaac, Jacob receiving yet waiting (Genesis 12:1–3).

  • Embracing and confessing with gratitude (Hebrews 11:13).

• III. Forward Faith: Seeking a Better Country

  • No turning back; desiring the heavenly homeland (Hebrews 11:14–16).

  • Abraham’s obedient departure (Genesis 12:1–4).

  • Daily aim to please the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6–9).

• IV. God’s Two Rewards

  • Divine acceptance—God not ashamed to be their God (Hebrews 11:16; Acts 10:35).

  • A prepared city and kingdom (Hebrews 11:16; John 14:1–3; Matthew 25:34).

• V. Application

  • Hold the world lightly; invest in the eternal (2 Peter 3:10–11).

  • Keep obeying when fulfillment is yet to come.

  • Live openly as pilgrims, welcoming the promises with gratitude.

Call to Action
Set your heart on the heavenly country. Welcome God’s promises with gratitude, confess your pilgrim identity, and keep obeying when sight is scarce. Make it your aim to be well pleasing to Him in every choice and every day. If you have not obeyed the gospel—believing, repenting, confessing Christ, and being immersed for the forgiveness of sins—obey today and begin walking toward the city God has prepared.

Key Takeaways

• God’s people live as strangers and pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11–12).

• Faith sees promises “afar off,” welcomes them, and confesses them (Hebrews 11:13).

• Forward-looking faith seeks the heavenly country and does not turn back (Hebrews 11:14–16; Genesis 12:1–4).

• God accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness (Acts 10:35; 2 Corinthians 5:6–9).

• Christ has prepared a place for the faithful (John 14:1–3; Matthew 25:34).

• Live for the eternal, knowing this world will be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10–11).

Scripture Reference List

• Hebrews 11:13–16 – Strangers and pilgrims; seeking a heavenly country; God’s approval and prepared city.

• Psalm 39:12 – A sojourner with God, as the fathers were.

• 1 Peter 2:11–12 – Sojourners and pilgrims called to honorable conduct.

• Genesis 12:1–4 – Abraham obeys the call to leave and go.

• Acts 10:35 – God accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness.

• 2 Corinthians 5:6–9 – We walk by faith with the aim to be well pleasing to Him.

• John 14:1–3 – Jesus prepares a place and will receive His own.

• Matthew 25:34 – “Inherit the kingdom prepared for you.”

• 2 Peter 3:10–11 – The present world will be dissolved; live in holiness and godliness.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO