Embracing Our Identity as Chosen Sojourners in Faith
Summary
Today, I explored the profound identity and mission of being chosen sojourners in a world that often feels hostile to our faith. I began by emphasizing the unimpeded power of God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ in our lives, despite the challenges posed by the world. This foundational truth assures us that we are never alone, as God is our ultimate ally, guiding and empowering us through every difficulty.
I then delved into the dual identity that Peter imparts to us in his letters—being both chosen and sojourners. This identity is crucial as it grounds us in God’s eternal choice while reminding us of our temporary status in this world. I shared personal anecdotes and biblical insights to illustrate how this identity plays out in real life, emphasizing that our true home is in the kingdom of God, not bound by worldly affiliations or locations.
The concept of living as sojourners was further explored through the historical context of God’s people in the Old Testament. Whether in times of prosperity or persecution, they were reminded that their ultimate allegiance was to God’s kingdom. This historical perspective enriches our understanding of our role in the world—engaging with it constructively while maintaining our distinct identity as God’s chosen people.
I also addressed the practical implications of living out this identity in today’s world. It involves navigating cultural shifts and societal changes with wisdom and grace, ensuring that we neither fully assimilate into the culture nor withdraw from it. Instead, we are called to impact the culture positively while keeping our focus on God’s eternal kingdom.
Throughout the sermon, I encouraged the congregation to embrace this identity of chosen sojourners, to seek God’s guidance in living out this calling, and to support one another as we journey together. This message is particularly relevant in our current cultural context, where the faith is often marginalized. By grounding ourselves in our true identity and mission, we can navigate any cultural hostility with confidence and hope.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Unimpeded Power of God in a Hostile World: Despite the challenges and hostilities we face in the world, God’s will, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ remain unimpeded. This assurance enables us to live courageously and confidently, knowing that our relationship with God brings wholeness and purpose to our lives. [42:26]
2. Chosen Identity Grounds Us: Understanding our identity as chosen by God provides a profound sense of belonging and acceptance, which transcends worldly rejection. This identity fortifies us against the impermanence and fluctuating opinions of society, anchoring us in God’s eternal love and purpose. [44:41]
3. Sojourners in a Temporary World: As sojourners, we are reminded that our stay on earth is temporary and that our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective helps us to live purposefully and invest in eternal values, rather than getting entangled in the transient affairs of the world. [46:20]
4. Engaging the World as Sojourners: While we are not of the world, we are called to engage it constructively. As sojourners, we contribute positively to society, work for justice, and spread kindness, reflecting God’s character and kingdom values in every interaction. [51:34]
5. Embracing Our Sojourner Mission: This identity challenges us to balance engagement with the world and our allegiance to God’s kingdom. By embracing our role as chosen sojourners, we navigate life’s complexities with wisdom and grace, making a lasting impact while looking forward to our eternal home. [52:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [20:37] - Testimonies of Faith
- [35:58] - Tools of Engagement in Hostility
- [42:26] - The Power of Divine Allyship
- [44:41] - Identity as Chosen by God
- [46:20] - Understanding Sojourners
- [51:34] - Practical Engagement as Sojourners
- [52:28] - Closing Thoughts on Our Sojourner Identity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 1:1-2: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
2. John 17:14-16: "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it."
3. Jeremiah 29:4-7: "This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Peter emphasize about the identity of the believers in 1 Peter 1:1-2?
2. How does Jesus describe the relationship between His followers and the world in John 17:14-16?
3. According to Jeremiah 29:4-7, what instructions does God give to the exiles in Babylon?
4. In the sermon, what personal anecdote did the pastor share to illustrate the experience of living in a hostile environment? ([29:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our identity as "chosen" and "sojourners" help us navigate a world that is often hostile to our faith? ([43:14])
2. What are the practical implications of being "in the world but not of the world" as described in John 17:14-16? How can this perspective shape our daily interactions?
3. How can the instructions given to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:4-7 be applied to our lives as modern-day sojourners? What does it mean to seek the peace and prosperity of the place where we live?
4. The pastor mentioned that our natural impulse when facing hostility is to fight back. How does this align or conflict with the biblical approach to dealing with hostility? ([33:22])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hostility or unfriendliness because of your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of the sermon’s message? ([28:05])
2. How can you ground your identity more firmly in being chosen by God, especially when facing rejection or criticism from the world? ([44:41])
3. In what ways can you engage constructively with the culture around you without fully assimilating into it or withdrawing from it? ([51:34])
4. The pastor encouraged us to support one another as we journey together as chosen sojourners. What are some practical ways you can offer support to fellow believers in your small group or church community? ([53:28])
5. How can you seek the peace and prosperity of your community, as instructed in Jeremiah 29:4-7, while maintaining your distinct identity as a follower of Christ?
6. What specific steps can you take this week to reflect God’s character and kingdom values in your interactions at work, school, or in your neighborhood? ([51:34])
7. Consider the balance between engaging with the world and maintaining allegiance to God’s kingdom. What areas of your life might need adjustment to better reflect this balance? ([52:28])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Unimpeded Power
Despite the world's hostilities, God's power in our lives remains unimpeded, enabling us to live with courage and purpose. This divine strength is not just a comforting thought but a transformative reality. As believers, we are assured that no matter the opposition or difficulty, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ work tirelessly on our behalf. This unyielding support from our heavenly Father allows us to face life's challenges with a boldness that is rooted not in our abilities, but in God's unchanging power and purpose for our lives. This assurance is crucial, especially when we feel overwhelmed by the pressures and conflicts that life in a secular world presents. [42:26]
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
Reflection: How can you rely more on God's power in current challenges you face, rather than your own strength?
Day 2: Anchored in Our Chosen Identity
Understanding that we are chosen by God provides a profound sense of belonging and purpose, transcending the fleeting and often negative opinions of the world. This identity as God's chosen not only offers comfort but also empowers us to stand firm against societal pressures and impermanence. It reminds us that our value and purpose are derived from God's eternal love and not from our status or acceptance in society. This grounding in divine selection helps us navigate life's uncertainties with faith and confidence, knowing we are securely held in the grasp of God's unchanging hand. [44:41]
<1 Peter 2:9 ESV>
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your identity as God's chosen in your daily interactions and decisions?
Day 3: Living as Temporary Residents
As sojourners, we are reminded that our time on earth is temporary and that our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating earthly wealth and status to investing in what is eternal. By understanding our role as temporary residents, we are encouraged to live purposefully, prioritizing spiritual growth and heavenly values over worldly achievements. This mindset helps us to navigate life with an eternal perspective, influencing how we use our time, resources, and talents in a way that honors God and builds his kingdom. [46:20]
"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come."
Reflection: What are some worldly concerns that you need to deprioritize to focus more on your eternal home?
Day 4: Engaging the World from a Heavenly Perspective
While we are not of this world, we are called to engage it positively, reflecting God's character in every interaction. As sojourners, our engagement is not passive but active, working for justice, spreading kindness, and contributing positively to society. This approach allows us to be salt and light, offering a glimpse of God's kingdom to those around us. By maintaining our heavenly perspective, we can navigate cultural shifts and societal changes with wisdom and grace, ensuring that our actions always align with our ultimate allegiance to God's kingdom. [51:34]
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: How can you more effectively reflect God's character in your community and workplace?
Day 5: Balancing Engagement with Allegiance to God
Embracing our identity as chosen sojourners challenges us to balance our engagement with the world and our allegiance to God's kingdom. This dual role requires wisdom to discern when to advance and when to stand firm in our values. It calls for a grace-filled approach to interactions, ensuring that while we contribute to society, our actions and decisions are always informed by our commitment to God. This balance is not always easy but is essential for making a lasting impact while looking forward to our eternal home. [52:28]
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel."
Reflection: What does balancing engagement with the world and allegiance to God look like in your current life situation?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We have a lot of worldly weapons we can use when we face unfriendliness for our friends. And I'm not saying all these tools are worthless. I'm not saying they're necessarily all bad. But they're not spiritual weapons. These are tools of this world. And if we rely on them as our primary means, we will win battles, but we will lose the war." [35:58]
2. "When I was in fifth grade, I moved from a private Christian school to a rural public school. I went from relative safety to a bit of unfriendliness, a place where I didn't quite fit. Living life in a culture that is not friendly is hard. I know some of you have moved to neighborhoods where you've experienced not friendly in a far more serious way." [29:36]
3. "We can know that we don't have to lose sight of three things. A hostile world cannot impede the will of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and through the power of Jesus Christ and his blood, impede the wholeness that we can find in Jesus. That no matter what we experience in the world, that cannot get in the way." [42:26]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The fullness of God is in it all. As we're walking through a world that we're trying to figure out, how do we live out faith in this changing world, the fullness of God is there with us. That God's fingerprints are all over, that he is not surprised, he is not absent, he has not forgotten us." [39:15]
2. "Peter wants us to carry two identities: Chosen, or the fancy word is elect, and exiles, where the simple word is sojourners. Elect, exiles, chosen, sojourners. We are chosen by God, and we are sojourners. This identity grounds us in God’s eternal choice while reminding us of our temporary status in this world." [43:14]
3. "We are not getting out of the first two verses this week. But good news is I already preached on the living hope. So we'll be making progress. But we're actually living in the first two verses as Peter's grounding us in what we need to walk through a hard world." [43:14]
4. "You are staying there long enough that our call is to make an impact. Without identifying, without overlapping who we are with the culture that we are in. And so, it's this identity that we need to learn to embrace in an unfriendly world. A sojourner chosen by God to be exactly where you are." [52:28]
5. "We can ignore the culture too much. So we can cling to it. To the culture we want. Or we can ignore the culture that's not ours. But if we're a sojourner, there's two things. We, we, we make an impact because we're not just passing through. We're living, and working, and doing." [51:34]
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