Blessing Our City: Engaging with Purpose and Identity
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of blessing our city as Christians, drawing from Jeremiah 29. The Israelites were exiled to Babylon, a place of paganism and idolatry, and God commanded them to seek the welfare of the city where they were placed. This command is relevant to us today as we live in a world that often feels like exile. We are called to engage with our cities, not by seeking cultural power or isolating ourselves, but by working for the peace and prosperity of our communities while maintaining our Christian identity.
We discussed the two ditches to avoid: focusing solely on evangelism without engaging in social issues, and triumphalism, the belief that we can make this world our ultimate home through power and influence. Instead, we are to seek the shalom of our cities, a comprehensive well-being that touches every aspect of life. This involves building relationships, engaging in economic and social activities, and working for justice and mercy.
We also emphasized the importance of listening to the right voices. False prophets and teachers can lead us astray by promising what we want to hear, whether it's an easy life or political power. True teachers help us understand the balance of the "already and not yet"—the blessings we have now in Christ and the future hope we await.
Finally, we can only bless our city when we ourselves are blessed by God. The promises in Jeremiah 29 have both near-term and far-term applications. For the Israelites, it meant God's presence in exile and a future return to their land. For us, it means that through Jesus, we have God's presence and a future hope of eternal life. Understanding these promises empowers us to bless others, even when it’s difficult, because we have been blessed by God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Engage Without Assimilating: Christians are called to engage economically, culturally, and socially in the cities where they live, but without losing their Christian identity. This means working for the peace and prosperity of our communities while remembering that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. We should neither isolate ourselves nor fully assimilate into the culture. [13:44]
2. Avoiding the Ditches: The two ditches to avoid are focusing solely on evangelism without engaging in social issues and triumphalism, the belief that we can make this world our ultimate home through power and influence. True blessing comes from seeking the shalom of our cities, a comprehensive well-being that touches every aspect of life. [05:01]
3. Listening to the Right Voices: False prophets and teachers can lead us astray by promising what we want to hear, whether it's an easy life or political power. True teachers help us understand the balance of the "already and not yet"—the blessings we have now in Christ and the future hope we await. [19:34]
4. Blessed to Bless: We can only bless our city when we ourselves are blessed by God. The promises in Jeremiah 29 have both near-term and far-term applications. For the Israelites, it meant God's presence in exile and a future return to their land. For us, it means that through Jesus, we have God's presence and a future hope of eternal life. [29:44]
5. Transformative Power of Jesus: Understanding how the promises of God are fulfilled in Jesus empowers us to bless others, even when it’s difficult. Jesus embraced exile to bless us, and the more we understand and experience Him, the more we are empowered to bless our cities. This is not about political or cultural power but about the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. [37:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:30] - Introduction to Blessing Our City
[05:01] - Context of Jeremiah 29
[06:36] - Exile and Its Implications
[08:03] - Human Nature and Rebellion
[09:33] - Shalom: Comprehensive Well-being
[11:02] - Living as Exiles Today
[12:32] - Cultural Changes and Exile
[13:44] - Engaging Without Assimilating
[15:24] - Settling in Exile
[18:22] - Listening to the Right Voices
[19:34] - False Prophets and Teachers
[22:35] - Proper Balance of Already and Not Yet
[24:00] - Future Hope and Home
[26:57] - Practical Examples of Blessing the City
[28:22] - Political Engagement and Complex Issues
[29:44] - Near-term and Far-term Promises
[31:07] - God's Plan and Presence
[32:32] - Fulfillment in Jesus
[34:21] - Access to Jesus' Presence
[35:56] - Good Plan for Us
[37:32] - Transformative Power of Jesus
[39:06] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 29:4-14 - This passage provides the context for the sermon, focusing on God's command to the Israelites in exile to seek the welfare of the city where they have been placed.
2. 1 Peter 2:11-12 - This passage speaks to Christians living as exiles and sojourners, urging them to live honorably among the Gentiles.
3. Philippians 3:20 - This verse reminds Christians that their citizenship is in heaven, reinforcing the idea of living in exile on earth.
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:4-14 about how they should live in Babylon?
2. According to the sermon, what are the two "ditches" Christians should avoid when engaging with their cities? ([03:30])
3. How does the concept of "shalom" in Jeremiah 29:7 expand our understanding of peace and well-being? ([09:33])
4. What does 1 Peter 2:11-12 say about how Christians should conduct themselves among non-believers?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God command the Israelites to seek the welfare of Babylon, a pagan city, and how does this apply to Christians today? ([05:01])
2. How can Christians balance engaging with their cities without losing their Christian identity, according to the sermon? ([13:44])
3. What are the dangers of listening to false prophets or teachers, and how can Christians discern the right voices to follow? ([19:34])
4. How does understanding the "already and not yet" aspect of God's promises help Christians live faithfully in their current circumstances? ([24:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own community. In what specific ways can you seek its welfare while maintaining your Christian identity? ([13:44])
2. Have you ever found yourself focusing solely on evangelism or social issues to the exclusion of the other? How can you find a better balance? ([03:30])
3. Think about the voices you listen to for spiritual guidance. How can you ensure they align with the true teachings of the Bible? ([19:34])
4. How can you practically live out the concept of "shalom" in your daily interactions and activities within your community? ([09:33])
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel like an exile. How can you embrace this season and seek to be a blessing in that context? ([06:36])
6. How does the promise of God's presence and future hope in Jeremiah 29:11-14 encourage you in your current struggles or challenges? ([31:07])
7. Jesus embraced exile to bless us. How can you follow His example in blessing others, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable? ([37:32])
Devotional
Day 1: Engage Without Assimilating
Christians are called to engage economically, culturally, and socially in the cities where they live, but without losing their Christian identity. This means working for the peace and prosperity of our communities while remembering that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. We should neither isolate ourselves nor fully assimilate into the culture. Instead, we are to be in the world but not of it, contributing positively to society while maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. This balance allows us to be effective witnesses of God's love and truth in a world that often feels like exile.
In Jeremiah 29, God commands the Israelites in Babylon to seek the welfare of the city where they were exiled. This command is relevant to us today as we navigate our own "exiles" in a world that may not share our values. By engaging with our communities and working for their well-being, we reflect God's love and care for all people. However, we must do so without compromising our faith or adopting practices that contradict our beliefs. [13:44]
Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the well-being of your community while maintaining your Christian identity? Think of one specific action you can take this week to engage with your city without compromising your faith.
Day 2: Avoiding the Ditches
The two ditches to avoid are focusing solely on evangelism without engaging in social issues and triumphalism, the belief that we can make this world our ultimate home through power and influence. True blessing comes from seeking the shalom of our cities, a comprehensive well-being that touches every aspect of life. Shalom involves peace, justice, and prosperity, and it requires us to address both spiritual and physical needs in our communities.
Focusing solely on evangelism can lead to neglecting the practical needs of those around us, while triumphalism can result in an unhealthy pursuit of power and influence. Instead, we are called to a balanced approach that seeks the holistic well-being of our cities. This means sharing the gospel and also working for justice, mercy, and economic stability. By doing so, we reflect God's heart for comprehensive well-being and demonstrate His love in tangible ways. [05:01]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you tend to focus more on evangelism or social issues at the expense of the other? How can you seek a more balanced approach to pursuing the shalom of your city?
Day 3: Listening to the Right Voices
False prophets and teachers can lead us astray by promising what we want to hear, whether it's an easy life or political power. True teachers help us understand the balance of the "already and not yet"—the blessings we have now in Christ and the future hope we await. It is crucial to discern the voices we listen to and ensure they align with biblical truth.
In a world filled with conflicting messages, it is easy to be swayed by teachings that cater to our desires or fears. However, true spiritual growth comes from listening to voices that challenge us to live faithfully in the tension of the present and future realities of God's kingdom. These voices remind us of the hope we have in Christ and encourage us to live out our faith with integrity and perseverance. [19:34]
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: Reflect on the voices you listen to for spiritual guidance. Are they leading you towards a deeper understanding of God's truth and the balance of the "already and not yet"? How can you ensure you are listening to the right voices?
Day 4: Blessed to Bless
We can only bless our city when we ourselves are blessed by God. The promises in Jeremiah 29 have both near-term and far-term applications. For the Israelites, it meant God's presence in exile and a future return to their land. For us, it means that through Jesus, we have God's presence and a future hope of eternal life. Understanding these promises empowers us to bless others, even when it’s difficult, because we have been blessed by God.
Recognizing the blessings we have received from God enables us to extend those blessings to others. This includes sharing the hope and love we have in Christ, as well as meeting practical needs in our communities. When we understand that we are blessed to be a blessing, we are motivated to serve others selflessly and sacrificially, knowing that our ultimate reward is in heaven. [29:44]
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's blessings in your life? In what ways can you extend those blessings to others in your community this week?
Day 5: Transformative Power of Jesus
Understanding how the promises of God are fulfilled in Jesus empowers us to bless others, even when it’s difficult. Jesus embraced exile to bless us, and the more we understand and experience Him, the more we are empowered to bless our cities. This is not about political or cultural power but about the transformative power of Jesus in our lives.
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection demonstrate the ultimate act of blessing others through self-sacrifice. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we are transformed by His love and empowered to serve others with the same selflessness. This transformative power enables us to make a lasting impact on our communities, not through worldly power, but through the love and grace of Christ. [37:32]
Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
Reflection: How has your relationship with Jesus transformed your life? In what specific ways can you allow His transformative power to work through you to bless your city this week?
Quotes
1. "So, when we think about what it looks like to bless our city as Christians, if we think about blessing our city as a road that we are called to walk down, there's going to be ditches on either side. On one side is the ditch, of thinking that our call to bless the city is only sharing the gospel with people. Now, I don't minimize sharing the gospel with people. It's a big part of what we're here to do, but when we fall into this ditch, we abdicate our real responsibility to engage in social issues in the cities in which we live." [03:30] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So, exile, you know, it's not something I think that we think about a lot these days. Our life is very different, but exile historically has been one of the strongest forms of punishment that someone can experience. So, when you're exiled, you are cast out of your home. You leave everything that's comfortable. You leave your possessions, you leave the people that you know and you love. All of that is true for Israel. And in addition to that, they have been exiled from the city that contained the temple. So, for them, the temple represented God's presence in their lives." [05:01] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So, God tells the Israelites here that they are to seek the welfare of the city where He has sent them into exile. The Israelites have been forcibly removed from their land. They are living in the heart of paganism and idolatry. And I just kind of want to sit for a minute in how that would have felt to them. I mean, they would have felt fear. They would have felt sadness. They would have felt grief. They would have felt uncertainty. And all of these feelings for a normal person can have paralyzing effects in their lives. And God first is telling them, embrace your new normal. This is your season. This is where you are." [06:36] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So, this is a word we typically translate peace. This word shalom is used all over this passage. And it's basically a comprehensive way of saying, seek the type of well-being in this city that touches every aspect of your life, every aspect of civilization. It means that in all that you do, your call is to make things more the way that they should be. Things are not the way they should be, and you're here to help make things more the way that they should be. So, He's telling them, not only can you have peace, but you can also make things more the way that they should be." [09:33] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We shouldn't wall ourselves off, and we should never wholesale adopt the culture in which we find ourselves. This is the heart of being, you know, not being of the world, but being sent into the world. So, we should, as Christians, engage economically, culturally, and socially in the city in which we dwell, but we should never lose our identity as Christians as we do it. So, we should work as Christians for the peace and prosperity of our city while never forgetting that we are Christians. We are different from the city that we are seeking to bless." [13:44] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We will bless the city when we ourselves are blessed by God. Okay, so this brings us to the really famous part, the really misunderstood part, the misused part. These kinds of promises in the Old Testament, we have to understand they have what's called a near-term application and a far-term application. So, when we come across Old Testament promises, we need to understand what's the near-term application, what's the far-term application. So, in this passage, God has two promises for His people. And so, in the near term, He promises in verse 10 that He is going to visit His people in exile, that He is going to be with them, that they are going to have His presence." [28:22] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So, remember the two promises. In Jesus, they're fulfilled in us. His presence. What does Jesus say at the ascension when He gives us the great commission? Lo, I am with you always. All of us, no matter what we're doing, no matter what's happening in our lives, we have access to His presence. Yesterday morning, I woke up and one of my kids had woken up early, and I turn over, and I don't know if you can see me, but I'm Angela's face. I see my kid, you know, which is okay. That's fine. The older my kids get, the sweeter it is because it's not going to happen much longer. But what if I had rolled over and I had seen one of you there? Not okay. I would probably call the police because you don't have that kind of access to me, but my kids do." [34:21] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Our task isn't just to stick it out until we die. Stick it out until Jesus comes back. Our task is to change the world. Now, we're never going to be able to make this world home, but our task is still to change this world. Jesus embraced exile so that He could bless us. And the more we understand this and the more that we experience Him, the more we're going to be able to make this world home. We're going to have the power to do the same thing, to bless other people whether we feel like they deserve it or not. We're going to have the freedom to be wronged and not retaliate. We're going to have the freedom to be opposed and to bless." [37:32] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "No other worldview has this kind of society. It's transforming power because no other worldview has Jesus. It's Him and His presence. It's not political power or cultural power or economic power. It is Him and His real presence in our life that gives us this power to go and bless our cities. That's God's promise for our shalom and our future hope. And that's our fuel to bless the city in which we live because we have been blessed. You know, the world says that we demand that those around us change so that we can be blessed. That's what the world says. The world sees everyone who won't change as the problem. But the gospel of Jesus Christ says that we bless this world and we seek its welfare because we were the enemy of God and we were blessed anyway." [39:06] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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