Going Home

Hebrews 11:13–16

Veterans Day Message

Pastor Dustin Logan

The following transcript is from a message titled "Going Home"

In this Veterans Day message titled “Going Home,” Pastor Dustin Logan draws from Hebrews 11:13–16 to remind believers that this world is not our final home. Just as soldiers long to return from foreign fields, Christians are pilgrims longing for heaven—a place of perfect peace and unending joy. Through this passage, Pastor Dustin outlines three marks of a believer who is heaven-bound: a faith that perseveres, a faith that proclaims, and a faith that keeps perspective. This encouraging message calls listeners to live with eternity in view and to make sure they are truly ready for their heavenly home. Sermon notes are available on ⁠PrepareandEquip.com

Introduction: The Longing for Home

Take your copy of God’s Word and turn with me to Hebrews chapter 11, beginning in verse number 13.

As we pause to honor our veterans this morning, I want to preach a message titled “Going Home.”The song we just sang captured this longing in our hearts as believers — that this world is not our home. Heaven awaits us!

Aren’t you thankful, church family, that right now, in this very moment, we are already seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus?

Illustration: Homesickness

The theme of our text is homesickness.Have you ever been homesick?I remember the first time I went to 4-H Camp at Cherry Lake in Madison — Mom and Dad had to come pick me up. I was homesick!

Veterans know this feeling well.Sleeping in unfamiliar places, surrounded by gnats, spiders, and strange noises — longing for familiar faces and the comfort of home.

Christians, too, know this feeling.We are pilgrims and strangers in this world, longing for our true home with Jesus.

Transition

I came across a letter written by a World War II soldier named Francis.He wrote to his family:

“The only subject the boys talk about now is coming home. I hope it won’t be long until we are homeward bound.”

Can you identify with that?As Christians, our hearts echo those same words — we just want to go home.We long to see Jesus. We long to be in that place of eternal joy where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more death.

Scripture Reading – Hebrews 11:13–16

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.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.”

Let’s pray.(Prayer)

Three Marks of a Believer Who Is Longing for Home

1. A Faith That Perseveres (v.13)

“These all died in faith…”

All of these heroes of the faith had one thing in common — they persevered to the end.They didn’t lose faith when life got hard; they held on to their faith, and their faith held on to them.

You and I will share something in common with them one day — we, too, will die.But when that moment comes, I want to know that I have a faith that endures to the end.

“It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27)

When I breathe my last breath here, I want my first breath to be in heaven.My faith is not in this world. My faith is in Jesus Christ, the solid rock upon which I stand.

If your faith is in money, it will vanish.If your faith is in good works, you’ll fall short.But if your faith is in Jesus — you will persevere.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7,

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Even in prison, even when abandoned, even when beaten — Paul held on to Jesus.That’s the kind of faith I want. What about you?

2. A Faith That Proclaims (vv.13–14)

Verse 14 says,

“They that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.”

The believer who is longing for heaven isn’t silent about it — their faith is public.They declare it plainly. They live in such a way that others know where their hope lies.

We’re public about our opinions, our teams, and our hobbies —but are we public about our love for Jesus?

Jesus said,

“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed before the Father.” (Luke 9:26)

Let your life proclaim your faith.Be unashamed to say, “I belong to Jesus!”Be unashamed to post, share, sing, and speak His name wherever you go.

The closer we get to heaven, the greater our strides ought to be toward it.As I was walking the other day, my fitness tracker said my average stride was 18 inches.I said, “Let’s get it to 20!”And I started walking harder, faster — because I was almost home.

That’s how we ought to live the Christian life — taking bigger strides as we get closer to seeing Jesus.

3. A Faith That Keeps Perspective (vv.15–16)

Verse 15 says,

“And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out,they might have had opportunity to have returned.”

Perspective matters.If we’re not careful, we’ll let politics, money, or relationships dictate our mood and direction.But when our faith is anchored in Christ, we stay steady.

When sickness comes — Jesus is enough.When finances collapse — Jesus is enough.When relationships fall apart — Jesus is enough.

If your eyes are fixed on the past, you’ll be tempted to go back.That’s why Proverbs says,

“As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.” (Prov. 26:11)

Don’t look back — look forward!Verse 16 says,

“But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one…”

Keep your eyes on heaven.Keep your focus on Jesus.Don’t let the world rob you of eternal perspective.

Jesus said,

“Let not your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1–3)

Heaven is real.He’s prepared a city for those who love Him.

Invitation: Are You Ready for Home?

Let me ask you — if it were just you and me talking face-to-face,and I asked, “Are you 100% sure that heaven would be your home if you died today?”What would your answer be?

If you’re not sure, friend, you can be sure today.Jesus died for you, was buried, and rose again so that you could have eternal life.

Pray something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I realize today I need a Savior.I believe You died on the cross for me, were buried, and rose again.I put my faith in You alone for salvation.From this day forward, I want to live for You.”

If you prayed that, the Bible says,

“Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Conclusion: Keep Your Eyes on Home

Believer, this world is not your home.Like the heroes of the faith, may we live with a faith that perseveres, proclaims, and keeps perspective.

We are just passing through — but one day soon, we’ll see Jesus face to face.And when that day comes, all of heaven will ring with our praise:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!”