Church in Age of Change 3- Exile

Devotional

Day 1: Living Faithfully in Exile

Exile is not just displacement but a discipleship classroom where God reforms His people, teaching them to live faithfully amid loss and uncertainty. In times when the church’s influence has waned and society seems to move in new directions, God uses these liminal seasons to clarify our identity and purpose. Rather than longing for a return to former power, we are invited to embrace the discomfort of exile as a space for spiritual growth, honest grief, and renewed hope. In this classroom, God’s people are shaped for a new kind of witness, learning to trust in His promises even when the future is unclear. [08:13]

1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel “in exile” or out of place, and how might God be using this season to reform and deepen your faith?

Day 2: Seek the Shalom of the City

God calls His people not to withdraw or rebel in exile, but to invest in the welfare of their community, seeking its peace and flourishing. Even when uprooted or marginalized, the faithful are to build, plant, and form relationships, contributing to the common good and embodying public discipleship. This long view of ministry means being present and active where God has placed us, trusting that our rootedness and service will bear fruit in God’s time. Our calling is to seek the shalom—the holistic peace—of our city, loving our neighbors and working for justice and mercy. [14:14]

Jeremiah 29:4-7 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 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: What is one concrete way you can contribute to the peace and well-being of your neighborhood or city this week?

Day 3: Hope and Promise in the Midst of Uncertainty

Exile is not a sentence of doom but a season with a limit, marked by God’s enduring promise and hope for renewal. Even in the midst of chaos and loss, God invites His people to invest in the future, as Jeremiah did by buying land during a siege. This act of hope demonstrates trust in God’s faithfulness and a willingness to believe in new beginnings, even when circumstances seem bleak. We are called to live by promise, not panic, holding fast to the assurance that God’s purposes will prevail and that exile will give way to restoration. [16:03]

Jeremiah 32:6-15 (ESV)
Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me: Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’ Then Hanamel my cousin came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the Lord, and said to me, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. And I bought the field at Anathoth from Hanamel my cousin, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver. I signed the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighed the money on scales. Then I took the sealed deed of purchase, containing the terms and conditions and the open copy. And I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my cousin, in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard. I charged Baruch in their presence, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’”

Reflection: Where do you sense God inviting you to invest in hope, even when the situation around you feels uncertain or discouraging?

Day 4: Place-Rooted Partnerships and Vocation-Focused Action

God calls His people to form deep, place-rooted partnerships and to act with vocational focus, shaping ministry that is grounded in the needs and opportunities of their immediate context. Rather than seeking influence elsewhere or longing for the past, we are to discern our unique role in the neighborhood and invest in relationships that reflect God’s love and justice. This means being steadfast, creative, and adaptive, allowing our discipleship to be shaped by the realities around us and equipping ourselves to serve faithfully. In doing so, we become credible witnesses to God’s presence and purpose in our time and place. [18:15]

Acts 17:26-27 (ESV)
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.

Reflection: Who in your immediate community or neighborhood could you reach out to this week to begin building a partnership rooted in God’s love and justice?

Day 5: Resurrection Hope—Not a Return, But Newness

The journey through exile is not about returning to former glory but about expecting resurrection—a newness that God brings in His own time and way. While we grieve what has been lost, we are summoned to a credible presence marked by cruciform holiness, creative adaptation, and stubborn hope. God does not abandon His people in exile; instead, He calls them to live as holy, hopeful exiles whose identity is secured in Christ. Our story is not one of decline but of transformation, as we trust God to bring forth new life from what seems like loss. [19:25]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life or your church’s life where you need to let go of the past and open yourself to the new thing God may be doing?

Sermon Summary

In a time when the church’s influence in society has dramatically waned, it is crucial to reflect on what it means to be a faithful community in a post-Christian Canada. The days when churches like Dominion Chalmers held central roles in shaping public life, policy, and culture are gone. This shift is not just a loss of status, but an invitation to re-examine our identity and purpose. Living in this “exile”—a term rich with biblical meaning—calls us to see ourselves not as victims of decline, but as participants in a new reformation, a season of being reshaped by God for a different kind of witness.

Exile, both in scripture and in our present context, is not simply about being displaced or marginalized. It is a “discipleship classroom,” a space where God reforms his people through challenge, loss, and the stripping away of old securities. The biblical pattern is clear: times of judgment and truth-telling are followed by grief and loss, but ultimately lead to hope and renewal. The prophets, and Jesus himself, model this journey—naming hard truths, enduring suffering, and pointing toward God’s promise of new life.

Jeremiah’s counsel to the exiles in Babylon is instructive: build houses, plant gardens, seek the welfare of the city, and invest in the place where you find yourself. This is not a call to retreat or to create a separatist enclave, but to be deeply rooted and engaged in the community, contributing to its peace and flourishing. Likewise, Peter urges the early Christians to live as “holy, hopeful exiles”—to be disciplined, ethical witnesses whose hope is anchored in Christ, not in cultural power.

For Dominion Chalmers, this means embracing “place-rooted partnerships” and “vocation-focused action.” Our calling is to be present, invested, and faithful in our neighborhood, even amid uncertainty and change. Exile is not abandonment; it is God’s way of reteaching us how to live, clarifying our identity, and summoning us to a credible, hopeful, and creative presence. We grieve what is lost, but we look for resurrection—not a return to the past, but the emergence of new life in God’s time and way.

Key Takeaways

1. Exile as a Discipleship Classroom: Times of exile—when the church loses influence and status—are not merely periods of decline, but opportunities for God to reform and deepen our faith. In these seasons, God strips away our reliance on cultural power and invites us to rediscover our true identity and calling as his people. Exile is a space for honest truth-telling, grief, and ultimately, hope. [08:13]
2. Rooted Presence Over Retreat: Jeremiah’s instruction to the exiles is to build, plant, and seek the welfare of the city, even in a foreign and hostile environment. This challenges us to resist the temptation to withdraw or create a countercultural bubble, and instead to invest deeply in the community where God has placed us. Our faithfulness is measured by our commitment to the common good and the shalom of our neighborhood. [13:51]
3. Hope Anchored in God, Not Nostalgia: The longing for a return to former influence can blind us to the new things God is doing. True hope is not found in reclaiming past glory, but in trusting God’s promise of renewal and resurrection. Exile is not forever; it is a season that prepares us for newness, if we are willing to let go of nostalgia and embrace God’s unfolding future. [15:18]
4. Ethical Witness and Discipleship in Exile: Peter’s call to “prepare your minds for action” and to live as ethical witnesses reminds us that exile demands disciplined, intentional discipleship. Our credibility comes not from power, but from holiness, hope, and public witness marked by mercy, justice, and love. This is the vocation of the church in a post-Christian world. [17:12]
5. Place-Rooted Partnerships and Vocation-Focused Action: The way forward is not to seek influence elsewhere, but to form deep, place-rooted partnerships in our immediate context. By investing in our neighborhood and equipping ourselves for faithful action, we embody the hope and presence of Christ. God does not abandon his people in exile; he calls us to live by promise, not panic, and to expect resurrection in surprising ways. [18:41]
** [18:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - The Changing Place of Church in Society
[01:36] - Dominion Chalmers’ Historical Influence
[02:17] - The United Church and Societal Impact
[02:51] - Reflections on Past Debates and Loss of Influence
[04:50] - Religion’s Perceived Impact Today
[05:38] - Living in a Post-Christian Canada
[06:33] - Exile as a Theological Principle
[08:13] - Exile as Discipleship and Reformation
[11:43] - The Constancy of God’s Word
[12:32] - Clarifying Identity and Purpose in Exile
[13:16] - Jeremiah’s Counsel to the Exiles
[14:43] - Seeking the City’s Shalom
[15:39] - Jeremiah’s Act of Hope
[16:29] - Peter’s Call to Ethical Witness
[17:57] - Place-Rooted Partnerships
[18:41] - Living by Promise, Not Panic
[19:25] - Grieving Loss, Expecting Resurrection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 29:4-7 (ESV) — > Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 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.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV) — > Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Observation Questions

According to Jeremiah’s letter, what specific instructions does God give to the exiles living in Babylon? (Jeremiah 29:4-7; [13:16])
In the sermon, what are some ways the church’s influence in society has changed over time? ([01:36])
What does Peter urge the early Christians to do as they live as exiles? (1 Peter 1:13-16; [16:29])
How does the sermon describe the pattern of exile in the Bible—what usually follows times of judgment and truth-telling? ([08:58])

Interpretation Questions

Why might God instruct the exiles to “build houses, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of the city” instead of telling them to withdraw or rebel? What does this reveal about God’s purpose for his people in difficult circumstances? ([13:51])
The sermon calls exile a “discipleship classroom.” What does this mean, and how might times of loss or marginalization help deepen faith? ([08:13])
Peter calls believers to be “holy, hopeful exiles.” What does it look like to have hope anchored in Christ rather than in cultural power or nostalgia for the past? ([16:29])
The sermon mentions grieving what is lost but expecting resurrection. How can grief and hope exist together in the life of a church or an individual believer? ([19:25])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to resist the temptation to withdraw from society or create a “countercultural bubble.” In what ways have you seen churches or Christians either retreat or engage with their communities? Which approach do you tend to lean toward, and why? ([13:51])
Jeremiah tells the exiles to “seek the welfare of the city.” What is one practical way you (or our group) could invest in the well-being of our neighborhood this month? ([14:43])
The sermon warns against longing for a return to former influence or “the good old days.” Are there ways you find yourself holding onto nostalgia for the past? How might this affect your openness to what God wants to do now? ([15:18])
Peter calls for disciplined, ethical witness. Is there an area of your life where you feel called to be more intentional or public about your faith, even if it’s uncomfortable? ([16:29])
The idea of “place-rooted partnerships” was emphasized. Who are some people, organizations, or groups in our immediate context that we could partner with for the common good? ([17:57])
The sermon describes exile as a time when God “reteaches us how to live.” Is there a specific area where you sense God is reshaping your identity or calling right now? ([18:41])
The sermon ends with the hope of resurrection—not a return to the past, but new life in God’s way and time. What is one area of loss or disappointment you need to grieve, and what would it look like to expect God’s newness there? ([19:25])

Sermon Clips

It's always about seeking what's our resurrection story here? What is this exile period, this kind of process of dying and rebirth that we have to go through? And continue? Can we sense it? Can we see it? [00:12:47] (17 seconds) #ResurrectionInExile

But in being vested in where you are, in to being vested in where you are, in planting and taking root, understand what the foundations have to be. He then says this to those who would constitute the conquerors. He says, seek shalom of the city's welfare, city's shalom, city's peace. He says, contribute to the common good. Think about public discipleship, Jeremiah says. Mercy, justice, love thy neighbor. [00:14:07] (36 seconds) #SeekCityShalom

He doesn't say, fight, revolution, rebellion. He says, find the strength of God's word in you into that place where you find yourself living. And there, he says, you will find hope. [00:14:43] (18 seconds) #HopeInGodsWord

He says, you have to live as ethical witnesses while in exile. Ethical witnesses. Live as holy, hopeful exiles. The dispersion is how the text calls it. So these things of holiness and hope and public witness and ethical witness, are how we should respond to being, living in exile. And I think that means something for us today. [00:17:09] (34 seconds) #PlaceRootedPartnerships

In exile, God does not abandon his people. He reteaches them how to live. Jeremiah calls us to settle, to seek our city's shalom, to live by promise, not panic. Peter names us as holy exiles, whose hope and identity are secured in Christ. [00:18:52] (21 seconds) #PostChristendomHope

``Post-Christendom feels like a lie, loss of home, but it's also a gift, a summons to credible presence, cruciform holiness, creative adaptation, and stubborn hope. We grieve what's gone, but we expect resurrection, not a return to yesterday, but newness in God's time and way. [00:19:13] (27 seconds)

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