Looking for a City (Heb. 13:14-15))

This sermon was preached on 1/1/2013

‘For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name’ (Heb. 13:14-15).

One of the striking features of changes taking place throughout the world is the growth of cities. No doubt there are many reasons why this phenomenon is taking place, but I suspect one major factor is that life in a city provides some stability. In a city there will be employment, protection and provisions. A city often has a sense of history because its inhabitants can build on what their predecessors did. Obviously, too, within a city there is a sense of community as people interact with one another.

Obviously those aspects of city life are essential. Yet we also know that within cities can be found danger, deprivation, loneliness, depravity, and disappointments. Many who have moved to cities have discovered that life there can be very disappointing. The reason is because the inhabitants have a problem – the problem of what the Bible calls sin.

Realism about the earthly city

The people to whom this letter was written once delighted in a city – the city was Jerusalem. At that time, it was a city with a mixed past, a rather meaningless present and a disturbing future. In the past it had seen the great days of Solomon and the terrible days of the Babylonian captivity; in the present it was under the rule of Rome, the last of several empires that had captured it; and in the future it was about to be destroyed by the Roman armies because of its rebellion. Their city had failed.

One of the most famous books ever written is called The City of God. It was written by Augustine, one of the Church Fathers. He wrote it after the city of Rome had been captured and the Roman Empire defeated. What had seemed impossible had taken place. So he wrote a book about the city which will never experience such a disaster, the city of God. Both Jerusalem and Rome, and countless other examples, tell us that the political and military power of cities cannot guarantee their survival. What happened to them will happen eventually to all cities. Their grip on power will be replaced by someone else. 

But it is not only on the political and military levels that cities disappoint. They also fail to provide substance for our souls. Cities are full of restaurants of various kinds and no doubt many of them are providing a very good service. Yet cities also aim to provide food for the souls of humans who are longing for inner satisfaction, and in this regard there are probably as many options as there are literal restaurants, and sadly those provisions fail to meet the needs of our hearts. From this point of view, the city cannot meet the needs of our souls, no matter what is offered. We need to know about another city, the city of God.

Riches of the heavenly city

The author of Hebrews has a lot to say about the heavenly city.  In Hebrews 11:10, he says that Abraham was looking forward to this city; in 12:22, he says that there is a sense in which Christians already participate in the activities of the city. Of course, the author of Hebrews is using the concept of a city as a picture of the blessed state that the redeemed will experience in the next life. The Bible has many images of that future experience – it is a country, it is a home, it is a feast, it is a new universe – and each is needed in order for us to have a grasp of what it will be like. So what does the image of a city tell us about heaven?

The first detail we can note is its preparation. I recall being in Washington a few years ago and noting the way it had being planned and laid out, at least in the important sections of it. I have no idea how many were involved in the planning and production of that great city, but it would have required the input of many. In contrast the city of God only has one provider and builder – himself. He will design it by his wisdom and will erect it by his power and provide for it out of his infinite resources.

A second detail to reflect on is the permanence of the city of God. Unlike the earthly Jerusalem, the heavenly city will last. There are no enemies powerful enough even to make a dent anywhere. Some cities on earth, such as Damascus, have been around for centuries – it was old when Abraham was young. One day it will disappear. But the city of God will last forever. In fact, on that day, it will be the only city in existence.

A third detail concerns the population of the city when its gates will be opened for the residents to enter (in the imagery of it in this verse, it has not yet come, so the writer is not referring to heaven, which is already in existence). Numerically, it will be a number that no-one can count, which may mean that not even the redeemed will know how many will be there. There are other unusual marks of this population. One is that previously each one of them had been a rebel against God and had sinned against him on numerous occasions. Yet all of them have been forgiven – most of them were pardoned when they repented of their sins and others of them, such as children who die, were regenerated by God – and rejoice in his mercy. Furthermore each one of them belongs to the family of God and they all receive the city as their inheritance.

A fourth feature is the atmosphere of the city. We are familiar with the idea of a city having certain traits, perhaps certain aspects of culture. What will be the ambience of this city? It will be marked by peace, harmony, joy and love. There will never be an argument in this city, never a hostile look, never a bored expression. Instead it will all be perfect, and will be so forever.

The fifth detail to consider is the Prince of this future city, and he is the Lord Jesus Christ. A great deal can be said about him. It is because he came to rescue his people by dying on the cross that any of them are there. He led them to the city through all the ups and downs of life and he will lead them in the city. He loves each of them and will always do so – they love him and will always do so. 

Rejoicing on the Journey

Because we are travelling to such a city, it is expected that we should ‘continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.’ I don’t know if you made any New Year resolutions, but this would be a good one to make, that in 2013 we would do this. Note the word ‘continually’.

Of course, the context indicates that it is heavenly-minded people who will have such a song in their hearts. It also indicates that it is people who are dependent on Jesus who will offer this song because they do so through him (even their holiest activities need his perfection). Further, the activity is not only done among fellow believers because the thrust of the word ‘acknowledge’ suggests that the confession is made at times to those who don’t know Jesus. But it is a glad and not a grudging acknowledgement.  And in order to help us sing, we should by faith tune our ears and listen to the song that is being sung by those who have gone ahead of us.