Skip to main content

They Desired A Better Country

English
🇵🇭 Tagalog

They Desired A Better Country

Text: Hebrews 11:15–16

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

1. INTRODUCTION

Picture a traveler who leaves his homeland, not because it was easy, but because God called him. Along the way, he sees the glitter of worldly kingdoms, the comfort of old life, and the lure of “going back.” He has the chance to return — but he refuses. Why? Because his eyes are fixed on something far greater — “a better country, that is, an heavenly.”

This is the story of the faithful in Hebrews 11. It’s the choice of Abraham, Moses, and every true Christian — to forsake the temporary offers of this world for the eternal city prepared by God.

The theme today: We must resist the temptation to return to the world, and instead desire the heavenly country above all else.

2. CONTEXT

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians tempted to abandon Christ and return to Judaism under persecution. The writer reminds them of their spiritual ancestors — men and women who lived by faith, often leaving behind earthly comfort.

Hebrews 11 reviews these examples:

  • Abraham — left Ur, never went back (Gen. 12:1–4).
  • Moses — left Egypt’s treasures for Christ’s reproach (Heb. 11:24–26).
  • Others — suffered trials rather than compromise (Heb. 11:35–38).

Historically, the first-century world was full of opportunities to compromise faith for safety, wealth, or acceptance. Rome offered peace if one would only worship Caesar. Judaism offered social belonging if one would deny Christ. The temptations were real, just as they are today.

3. MAIN POINTS

·        They Had the Chance to Return — But Chose Not To (Heb. 11:15)

·        They Desired a Better Country — A Heavenly One (Heb. 11:16)

·        God Was Not Ashamed to Be Called Their God (Heb. 11:16b)

·        God Prepared for Them a City (Heb. 11:16c)

4. SCRIPTURE EXPOSITION

I. They Had the Chance to Return — But Chose Not To

  • “Mindful” (Greek: μνημονεύω, mnēmoneuō) means to keep recalling, to dwell in thought.
  • If Abraham had kept thinking about Ur, he might have been drawn back. This shows the danger of longing for the old life (cf. Luke 9:62 — “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back…”).
  • Israel in the wilderness looked back to Egypt (Num. 11:5) — and fell into sin.

II. They Desired a Better Country — A Heavenly One

  • “Desire” (Greek: ὀρέγομαι, oregomai) means to stretch oneself out in longing.
  • Philippians 3:8 — Paul counted “all things but loss” for Christ, echoing the same heart.
  • Matthew 4:9 — Satan offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” but Christ refused, choosing the Father’s will over earthly gain.
  • This “better country” is described in Revelation 21:1–4 — a place without tears, death, or sorrow.

III. God Was Not Ashamed to Be Called Their God

  • When we live with heaven in view, God identifies with us openly. Compare with Matthew 10:32 — “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father.”
  • Shame comes when people claim God but live for this world (Titus 1:16).

IV. God Prepared for Them a City

  • This city is “the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22) — the eternal dwelling of the redeemed.
  • Jesus promised, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2–3).
  • This is the end goal of faith — not merely escaping hell, but dwelling forever in God’s presence.

5. PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Guard Your Mind — Don’t dwell on the “Egypt” you left behind. What you keep remembering can pull you back.
  2. Value Christ Above All — Like Paul, treat all worldly gain as loss compared to knowing Christ.
  3. Refuse Satan’s Bargains — Every offer to compromise your faith is a counterfeit kingdom.
  4. Live as a Pilgrim — Remember, this world is not your home (1 Pet. 2:11).
  5. Encourage Each Other — Walk together toward the heavenly city; don’t journey alone.

6. REFUTATION

Some say a Christian can enjoy both the world and the hope of heaven — that compromise is harmless. But Scripture denies this:

  • James 4:4 — “Friendship of the world is enmity with God.”
  • Matthew 6:24 — “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Others teach that “returning” to sin after salvation has no eternal consequence (OSAS). But Hebrews warns of the danger (Heb. 10:38–39) — turning back can lead to destruction, not salvation.

7. CONCLUSION

The faithful in Hebrews 11 faced the temptation to go back — but they pressed on. They could have taken Satan’s bargain, like in Matthew 4:9. They could have clung to earthly gain, but instead they saw it as “dung” for the surpassing worth of Christ (Phil. 3:8).

God was not ashamed to be called their God — because they were not ashamed to live as His people. And for them, He prepared a city.

Call to Action:

Don’t look back. Don’t take Satan’s deals. Desire the better country. Fix your eyes on the city God has prepared. And walk by faith until you see it.

“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Heb. 13:14)

Readers may share, print, teach, or repost these articles if unaltered, intent preserved, not sold or used commercially, and with a clear link back to this blog.

#Sermon #Hebrews11 #BetterCountry #HeavenlyCity #FaithOverWorld #Philippians3 #Matthew4 #EnduranceInFaith #ChristianLiving #TagalogSermon

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Support This Work
🔙 Back to Table of Contents

Ninais Nila ang Higit na Mabuting Bayan

Teksto: Hebreo 11:15–16

15 At katotohanang kung kanilang naalaala yaong lupaing kanilang pinanggalingan, ay nagkaroon sana sila ng mabuting pagkakataon upang bumalik. 

16 Nguni't ngayon ay nagnanasa sila ng lalong magaling na lupain, sa makatuwid baga'y ang sa langit: kaya hindi sila ikinahihiya ng Dios na tawaging Dios nila; sapagka't kaniyang ipinaghanda sila ng isang bayan. 

1. PANIMULA

Isipin mo ang isang manlalakbay na iniwan ang kanyang sariling bayan — hindi dahil ito’y madali, kundi dahil tinawag siya ng Dios. Sa kanyang paglalakbay, nakita niya ang kislap ng mga kahariang makalupa, ang ginhawa ng dati niyang buhay, at ang tukso na “bumalik.” May pagkakataon siyang bumalik — ngunit tumanggi siya. Bakit? Sapagka’t nakatuon ang kanyang mata sa isang higit na mahalaga — “ang lalong mabuting bayan, sa makatuwid baga’y ang sa langit.”

Ito ang kwento ng mga tapat na alipin ng Dios sa Hebreo 11. Ito ang desisyon na ginawa nina Abraham, Moises, at ng bawat tunay na Cristiano — ang iwan ang mga pansamantalang alok ng mundong ito para sa walang hanggang bayan na inihanda ng Dios.

Tema: Tanggihan ang tukso na bumalik sa lumang buhay, at itoon ang ating pagnanasa sa bayan na inihanda ng Dios sa langit.

2. KONTEKSTO

Ang aklat ng Hebreo ay isinulat para sa mga Hudyong Cristiano na natutuksong talikuran si Cristo at bumalik sa Judaismo dahil sa pag-uusig. Ipinaalala ng manunulat ang kanilang mga ninuno sa pananampalataya — mga taong nabuhay sa pananampalataya, na mga nagpasyang iwanan ang kanilang mga taglay o alok na kaginhawaan sa mundo.

Mga halimbawa sa Hebreo 11:

  • Abraham — iniwan ang Ur, hindi na bumalik (Gen. 12:1–4).
  • Moises — iniwan ang kayamanan ng Egipto at “inaring malaking kayamanan ang kadustaan ni Cristo,” (Heb. 11:24–26).
  • Iba pa — nagtitiis ng pag-uusig kaysa magkompromiso ang pagparoon sa bayan ng Dios (Heb. 11:35–38).

Noong unang siglo, malaki ang tukso na magkakompromiso para sa kaligtasan, sa kayamanan, o sa pagtanggap ng lipunan. Ganito rin naman ngayon. Ang nangyari noon sa kanila, ay nangyayari pa din naman sa atin sa ngayon.

3. MGA MAHAHALAGANG PUNTO SA PAKSANG TALATA

I. May Pagkakataon Sila na Bumalik — Ngunit Hindi Nila Ginawa (Heb. 11:15)

  • “Nagsiisip” (Griego: μνημονεύω, mnēmoneuō) — ang patuloy na pag-alaala o pagbulay-bulay.
  • Kung paulit-ulit nilang inisip ang pinagmulan, maaring bumalik sila. Delikado at hindi makabubuti sa ating kaluluwa ang pagnanasa sa dating buhay (Lukas 9:62; Bilang 11:5).

II. Ninais Nila ang Lalong Mabuting Bayan — Ang Sa Langit (Heb. 11:16)

  • “Ninanasa” (Griego: ὀρέγομαι, oregomai) — ang pag-abot o pagnanais nang lubos.
  • Filipos 3:8 — itinuring ni Pablo na “kalugihan” at “sukal” lamang ang lahat upang tamuhin si Cristo.
  • Mateo 4:9 — inalok ni Satanas si Jesus ng “lahat ng mga kaharian sa sanlibutan” ngunit tinanggihan Niya.
  • Apocalipsis 21:1–4 — dito dapat nakatuon ang ating pananampalataya gaya nila… ang bayan na walang luha, kamatayan, o dalamhati.

III. Hindi Ikinahiya ng Dios na Sila’y Tawaging Kanilang Dios (Heb. 11:16b)

  • Mateo 10:32 — kung sinoman ang kumilala kay Cristo sa harap ng tao, kikilalanin din ng Ama sa langit.
  • Tito 1:16 — kahihiyan ang mag-angkin ng pagkakilala sa Dios ngunit namumuhay naman na makasanlibutan.

IV. Ipinaghanda Niya Sila ng Isang Bayan (Heb. 11:16c)

  • Hebreo 12:22 — “ang Jerusalem sa kalangitan.”
  • Juan 14:2–3 — “Sa bahay ng aking Ama… ako'y paroroon upang ipaghanda ko kayo ng dakong kalalagyan… ay muling paririto ako, at kayo'y tatanggapin ko sa aking sarili; upang kung saan ako naroroon, kayo naman ay dumoon.  “

4. APLIKASYON SA ATING PAMUMUHAY

  1. Ingatan ang isipan — huwag magnasa sa “Egipto” ng nakaraan.
  2. Pahalagahan si Cristo ng higit sa lahat — Filipos 3:8.
  3. Tanggihan ang alok ni Satanas — Mateo 4:9–10.
  4. Mamuhay bilang manlalakbay — 1 Pedro 2:11.
  5. Magtulungan na palakasin ang isa’t isa — Hebreo 10:24–25.

5. PAGPAPABULAAN SA MALING AKALA

May ilan na nagsasabing maaari mong mahalin ang mundo at asahan pa rin ang langit. Ngunit mali ito:

  • Santiago 4:4 — “Ang pakikipagkaibigan sa sanglibutan ay pakikipagaway laban sa Dios.”
  • Mateo 6:24 — “Hindi kayo makapaglilingkod sa Dios at sa mga kayamanan.”

Mayroon ding nagtuturo na walang masamang epekto ang pagbabalik sa kasalanan matapos ang kaligtasan (OSAS). Ngunit malinaw ang babala ng Hebreo 10:38–39 — ang pagtalikod ay maaaring humantong sa kapahamakan, hindi sa kaligtasan.

6. KONKLUSYON

Ang mga tapat sa Hebreo 11 ay natukso ring bumalik, ngunit nagpursige. Tinanggihan nila ang alok ni Satanas gaya sa Mateo 4:9. Inari nilang walang halaga ang lahat kumpara sa “karunungan at pagkakilala kay Cristo Jesus na aking Panginoon” (Fil. 3:8).

Hindi ikinahiya ng Dios na tawagin silang Kanyang bayan — at inihanda Niya para sa kanila ang isang bayan.

Huwag bumalik sa nakaraan. Huwag tanggapin ang alok ng sanlibutan. Naisin ang lalong mabuting bayan. Ituon ang mata sa bayan na inihanda ng Dios — at magpatuloy sa pananampalataya hanggang makita mo ito.

“Sapagka’t wala tayong dito’y isang bayan na namamalagi, kundi hinahanap natin ang isa pang bayan na darating.” (Heb. 13:14)

Maaaring ibahagi, i-print, ipangaral, o i-repost ang mga artikulo dito kung hindi ito babaguhin, panananatilihin ang tema ng layunin, hindi ipagbibili o gagamitin para kumita, at may malinaw na link pabalik sa blog na ito.

#Sermon #Hebrews11 #BetterCountry #HeavenlyCity #FaithOverWorld #Philippians3 #Matthew4 #EnduranceInFaith #ChristianLiving #TagalogSermon

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Support This Work
🔙 Back to Table of Contents
Topics:

Popular posts from this blog

The Origin and Error of “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS): A Biblical Exposé

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog The Origin and Error of “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS) A Biblical Exposé An Authoritative Study Using the King James Bible Introduction: A Question of Eternal Security The doctrine of Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS) asserts that once a person is saved, they can never lose their salvation, regardless of future behavior, apostasy, or rebellion. It is often linked with the phrase “eternal security” in Protestant theology. This study examines the origin, evaluates the biblical claims, and provides a full refutation using only the Scripture as the final and only authority. I. Historical Roots of OSAS (A Brief Context) Though many today assume OSAS to be an apostolic doctrine, its systematized form arose from John Calvin's doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints (TULIP), later popularized by Baptist theologians like Charles Stanley and modern evangelical churches. However, early church fathers such as Tertullian, Orige...
Read more

“Jesus Called Us Brethren”

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog "Go and Tell My brethren" Text: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’” - Matthew 28:10 I. Introduction: The Significance of the Word "Brethren" After His glorious resurrection, Jesus could have referred to His disciples with any term—“servants,” “students,” or “followers.” But He chose the word “brethren.” This word carries weight. It reflects forgiveness, restored fellowship, and most importantly, a shared relationship with the Father. Why does Jesus now call His disciples brethren? What does that mean for us today? And how did we become worthy of such a name? II. Context and Background Let’s recall that before the crucifixion, His disciples deserted Him in fear (Matthew 26:56). Peter even denied Him three times. They failed Him at His darkest hour. Yet, after rising from the grave, Jesus doesn’t rebuke them—He calls them “My b...
Read more

Restoration Movement: The Illusion of Rebuilding What God Preserved

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog There Is Nothing to Restore — Just Preach the Gospel A Doctrinal Exposition Affirming the Ongoing Existence and Perfection of God’s Church Introduction In recent centuries, many sincere believers have spoken of a "restoration movement"—the idea that the true church was lost to history and must now be recovered or re-established. But is this concept biblical? Does Scripture ever indicate that the church built by Christ (Matthew 16:18) would vanish, become corrupted, and need a future restoration? The answer, as revealed in the inspired Word of God, is  no . What God  planned before the foundation of the world  (Ephesians 3:9–11), what Christ  purchased with His own blood  (Acts 20:28), and what was  established in power on Pentecost  (Acts 2),  continues to exist today . While men may depart from the truth, the truth remains. And what we are called to do is not to restore, but to  pre...
Read more

The Promise and Importance of Christ’s Church

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog     Next ⟶ The Promise and Importance of Christ’s Church "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16:18 (KJV) Introduction The Church of Christ is not a product of human invention or denominational evolution. It is the fulfillment of a divine promise — a structure built not by human hands, but by the Lord Himself. In a time when religious confusion is widespread and thousands of conflicting churches exist, we must return to the simple, authoritative statement of Jesus: “I will build my church.” (Matt. 16:18) These words mark the beginning of a divine blueprint. This was not a vague intention, nor a mystical concept. Jesus was referring to a real, identifiable, and traceable body of people — the church — that He Himself would build, own, and preserve. “I Will Build My Church” — A Divine Dec...
Read more

Grace, Faith, and Works

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog Grace, Faith, And Works A Biblical Exegesis Of Ephesians 2:8–10 “For by grace are ye 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, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8–10 I. Introduction: Why This Study Matters Now More Than Ever In a religious world increasingly divided by theological confusion and denominational doctrines, few passages are more quoted yet more misunderstood than Ephesians 2:8–10 : “For by grace are ye 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, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” While this passage declares foundational truths about salvation, it has been misappropria...
Read more

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog What Must I Do To Be Saved? A Doctrinal Study in Biblical Salvation THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION YOU MUST ASK — AND GOD HAS ALREADY ANSWERED IT There is no question more urgent, more eternal, and more personal than this: “What must I do to be saved?” This question is not a modern invention — it is already found in the New Testament , asked by real people in real moments of conviction, and answered by the Holy Spirit through the apostles of Jesus Christ. This means every truth-seeker today must stop looking elsewhere for answers. God has already spoken. His answer is final. His plan is clear. If the whole world knew God’s answer to this question, no one would be lost. So if what you’ve heard about salvation differs from what the Bible teaches — leave that group, that preacher, or that tradition immediately. “ If anyone preaches another gospel… let him be accursed. ” (Galatians 1:8–9) Are you ready to hear the real answer from...
Read more

Believe That Ye Receive Them, And Ye Shall Have Them.

English 🇵🇭 Tagalog " Believe That Ye Receive Them, And Ye Shall Have Them. " Text: Mark 11:24 Introduction This Bible sermon explains the true meaning of Mark 11:24 , where Jesus teaches about believing prayer. Many misunderstand this verse as a promise that God will grant any request, but Scripture shows that prayer must be made in Christ’s name, according to His will, and from a life of obedience . Learn what the Bible really teaches about faithful prayer. Brethren and friends, listen carefully to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 11:24 : “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” This verse is powerful. It is encouraging. It strengthens our faith in prayer. But it is also one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible today. Many people read this passage and think that Jesus is giving believers a blank check — that whatever we desire, God ...
Read more