Searching for the City

God called a man named Abram to leave his childhood home and go to a place he did not know. A place God would only reveal after Abram stepped out in faith and obedience. Abram’s epic search for God’s chosen city would become the catalyst for the nation of Israel and ultimately, the redemption of all humanity. Join us for part one of For the City, where we explore the great cities of the Bible and how they are pointing us to God’s ultimate plan for His Church. 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11:8-16

Principles (KNOW THEM):

The City as it was intended: 
- A place designed and built by God to reflect His glory on the earth 

The City as it is: 
- A place the magnifies the brokenness of humanity 

The City as it will be: 
- A place redeemed by God for His glory 

Practices (DO THEM):

• Ask: Where is God at work around me? How can I join Him there? 
• Prayer Walk DA and Landon today after church 
• Participate in Saturate 
• Delivery: September 7 

Daily Readings:

Sunday: Hebrews 11 
Monday: Hebrews 12 
Tuesday: Genesis 11 
Wednesday: Genesis 18-19 
Thursday: Matthew 6 
Friday: John 18 
Saturday: Revelation 21-22 

Suggested Resources:

Books:

The City of God, by St. Augustine  
Center Church, by Tim Keller 

Sermon series on ssbc.org:

Built to Last (2015)