Faithful Living in a Modern Babylon
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we took a break from our series in the Gospel of John to address something God laid on my heart amidst the chaos in our country. We turned to Jeremiah 29:11, a verse often misinterpreted as a promise of immediate prosperity and success. However, understanding the context reveals a deeper, more profound message. Jeremiah wrote to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, a time of immense suffering and displacement. He encouraged them to build houses, plant gardens, and raise families, even in captivity. This was not a promise of immediate relief but a call to faithfulness and hope in God's long-term plan.
Jeremiah's message is relevant to us today as we navigate our own "modern Babylon." Our country, plagued by moral decay, materialism, and a departure from God's ways, mirrors ancient Babylon. Yet, God’s instructions to the exiles offer us a blueprint for living faithfully in a hostile culture. We are called to be distinct, to build godly families, and to influence our communities positively. Despite the challenges, we can be faithful, fruitful, useful, and hopeful because God's promises are eternal and His sovereignty unchanging.
Jeremiah's letter reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in earthly prosperity but in God's eternal kingdom. We are to live as sojourners, impacting our culture without conforming to it. Our mission is to share the gospel, make disciples, and pray for our cities. Even in the face of persecution and societal decay, we can thrive because our hope is anchored in Christ, not in the transient systems of this world. Let us embrace our role as God's people in modern Babylon, living out our faith boldly and faithfully.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithfulness in Modern Babylon: We are called to be faithful to God even in a culture that is hostile to Him. This means building godly families and living distinct lives that reflect God's values, not conforming to the surrounding culture. Our faithfulness is a testimony to God's enduring presence and sovereignty. [26:08]
2. Fruitfulness in Adversity: God commands us to multiply and not decrease, even in difficult circumstances. This involves not just physical procreation but also spiritual multiplication through evangelism and discipleship. Our influence should grow, impacting the community around us for God's kingdom. [35:30]
3. Usefulness in Our Communities: We are to seek the well-being of the cities where God has placed us, praying for them and working towards their prosperity. Our presence should be a blessing, demonstrating God's love and truth in tangible ways. Our enemies are not our enemies; they are our mission field. [41:15]
4. Hope in God's Promises: Our hope is rooted in God's eternal promises, not in temporary circumstances. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God's plans are for our ultimate good, giving us a future and a hope. This hope empowers us to live confidently and joyfully, regardless of external conditions. [45:05]
5. Living with Eternal Perspective: We are sojourners in this world, with our ultimate home in God's eternal kingdom. This perspective helps us prioritize eternal values over temporary gains, focusing on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our mission to share His love with others. [29:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:44] - Introduction and Context
[06:32] - Emotions Amidst Chaos
[07:17] - Jeremiah 29:11 Overview
[08:52] - Prayer for Understanding
[10:31] - Misinterpretation of Jeremiah 29:11
[12:10] - Historical Context of Jeremiah's Prophecy
[17:13] - Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles
[18:57] - God's Instructions to the Exiles
[20:42] - Living as Exiles in Babylon
[22:18] - Modern Babylon: A Parallel
[24:24] - Identifying Modern Babylon
[26:08] - Faithfulness in Modern Babylon
[35:30] - Fruitfulness in Adversity
[41:15] - Usefulness in Our Communities
[45:05] - Hope in God's Promises
[49:17] - Call to Stand Firm
[53:13] - Encouragement and Call to Action
[57:18] - Invitation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 29:4-14
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to the Jewish exiles in Babylon through Jeremiah? ([17:13])
2. How does the sermon describe the modern-day equivalent of Babylon? ([22:18])
3. What are the four key ways we can live faithfully in modern Babylon according to the sermon? ([26:08])
4. What does Jeremiah 29:11 actually promise, according to the sermon? ([07:17])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the pastor emphasize the importance of understanding the context of Jeremiah 29:11? How does this change our interpretation of the verse? ([10:31])
2. How can the instructions given to the Jewish exiles in Babylon be applied to our lives today in a culture that is often hostile to Christian values? ([27:54])
3. What does it mean to be "fruitful in adversity" and how can this be practically lived out in our communities? ([35:30])
4. How does the concept of being "sojourners" with an eternal perspective influence our daily decisions and priorities? ([29:30])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. In what ways have you conformed to the surrounding culture rather than living distinctly as a follower of Christ? What steps can you take to change this? ([27:54])
2. The sermon calls us to be fruitful even in difficult circumstances. Identify one area in your life where you can be more proactive in sharing the gospel or making disciples. What specific actions will you take this week? ([37:05])
3. How can you seek the well-being of your community? Think of one practical way you can contribute to the prosperity of your city and commit to doing it this month. ([41:15])
4. Our hope is rooted in God's eternal promises. How can you remind yourself of this hope daily, especially when facing challenges? Share a specific practice or habit you can adopt. ([45:05])
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer for our cities and leaders. How often do you pray for your community and its leaders? Set a specific time each day this week to pray for them. ([42:06])
6. Consider the idea of living with an eternal perspective. How does this change the way you view your current struggles and successes? Share one way you can shift your focus from temporary gains to eternal values. ([29:30])
7. The pastor mentioned that our enemies are not our enemies but our mission field. Think of someone you find difficult to love. How can you show them God's love this week? ([43:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Faithfulness in Modern Babylon
In a world that often feels like a "modern Babylon," we are called to remain faithful to God. This means living lives that reflect His values, even when the surrounding culture is hostile to those values. Building godly families and living distinct lives are not just acts of personal piety but testimonies to God's enduring presence and sovereignty. Our faithfulness serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the unchanging nature of God amidst a rapidly changing world. We are not to conform to the culture around us but to stand out as examples of God's love and truth. [26:08]
Jeremiah 29:5-7 (ESV): "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: In what specific ways can you demonstrate faithfulness to God in your daily life, even when it goes against the cultural norms around you?
Day 2: Fruitfulness in Adversity
God's command to the Jewish exiles in Babylon was to multiply and not decrease, even in their difficult circumstances. This call to fruitfulness extends beyond physical procreation to include spiritual multiplication through evangelism and discipleship. Despite the adversity we face, we are called to grow and influence our communities positively for God's kingdom. Our faithfulness in adversity can lead to spiritual growth and a greater impact on those around us. [35:30]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you actively seek to be spiritually fruitful in your current circumstances, and who can you disciple or share the gospel with this week?
Day 3: Usefulness in Our Communities
We are called to seek the well-being of the cities where God has placed us, praying for them and working towards their prosperity. Our presence should be a blessing, demonstrating God's love and truth in tangible ways. This means engaging with our communities, serving others, and being a positive influence. Our enemies are not our enemies; they are our mission field. By seeking the welfare of our communities, we reflect God's love and contribute to the common good. [41:15]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to seek the well-being of your community and demonstrate God's love in a tangible way?
Day 4: Hope in God's Promises
Our hope is rooted in God's eternal promises, not in temporary circumstances. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God's plans are for our ultimate good, giving us a future and a hope. This hope empowers us to live confidently and joyfully, regardless of external conditions. When we anchor our hope in God's promises, we can face any challenge with a sense of peace and assurance. Our ultimate hope is not in earthly prosperity but in God's eternal kingdom. [45:05]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's promises daily, and how does this hope change the way you approach your current challenges?
Day 5: Living with Eternal Perspective
We are sojourners in this world, with our ultimate home in God's eternal kingdom. This perspective helps us prioritize eternal values over temporary gains, focusing on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our mission to share His love with others. Living with an eternal perspective means making decisions that reflect our ultimate destination and purpose. It helps us to stay focused on what truly matters and to live in a way that honors God. [29:30]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What changes can you make in your daily life to prioritize eternal values over temporary gains, and how can this shift in perspective impact your decisions and actions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When you wake up in a country that leads the world in producing pornography and exporting it around the world, you are living in modern Babylon. When you wake up in a country plagued with materialism, you are in modern Babylon. When you wake up in a country that no longer regards the sanctity of human life and offers its children uproar, on altars of greed and hedonism, you are living in modern Babylon." [22:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We can be faithful as the children of God in modern Babylon. Church, we may have woken up this morning in modern Babylon. We may have woken up in a place that we don't even recognize anymore. But God has not abandoned us. God has not forsaken us. We may wake up in a culture that is hostile to God. But God's arm has not been shortened and God's plans have not been thwarted. God's kingdom is still advancing. So even in modern Babylon, we can be faithful to God." [26:08] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We can be hopeful in modern Babylon. Look at verse 11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you what? Hope and a future. Many of those Jews would die in exile in Babylon. But the prophecy of Jeremiah, the prophecy of God, would echo in their hearts until their dying breath. Folks, listen. As believers, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be hopeful, not doubtful. We are to be people that see the glass half full, not half empty." [45:05] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our hope does not rest on a donkey, and it certainly doesn't rest on an elephant. Our hope lies in an empty tomb. A risen savior, a powerful gospel, and a kingdom that cannot and will not ever be shaken. You need to listen to me this morning. This is our declaration of faith. Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is Lord. Did you hear me? Jesus Christ is Lord. How about saying it with me one time? Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen? That's our declaration of faith. Nothing else matters. That is all that matters." [46:12] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Do you realize God is for us? That He's not against us? The Bible tells us that. The Bible says there's no greater love than this that a man laid down his life for his friends. That's what Jesus did at Calvary. He laid down his life for the church. You realize that all of heaven this morning, according to Hebrews chapter 11, or chapter 12, is up there cheering us on? It's like a huge coliseum. And everybody up there saying, Hey, we've been where you are. We walked the path. We made it to the end. You can do it too." [53:13] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When it comes to interpreting scripture, the Bible, you need to understand that the text is always determined by the context. You have to start with the text, and in order to interpret that text, you've got to understand the context in which that text is given. When you do those, and you bring those two together, you've got a really good, solid, hermeneutical understanding of scripture." [10:31] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The problem isn't so much Babylon. The problem is us when we become like Babylonians. I figured he'd get quiet. We live in a culture today within the church where it's very hard for somebody to look at somebody inside the church and outside the church and be able to tell them apart. It was never supposed to be like that. We are foreigners. We are aliens. We are sojourners. The United States of America is not my home." [28:32] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We can be useful in babbling. Look at verse seven. Pursue the well-being of the city. I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf. For when it thrives, you will thrive. Well, let me just let you in on something. I don't know if you live in Wilmington. I don't know if you live in Leland. I don't know if you live in Castle Hayne or, what is it, Rocky? Thank you. Thank you. I'm still learning geography around here. It doesn't matter where you are living at. God himself has put you there." [41:15] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We can be fruitful in modern Babylon. Look at verse 6, the last part of it. He says, multiply there, do not decrease. Multiply there, do not decrease. I have literally heard Christians saying this this past week. Listen to what I'm fixing to say because you've heard it too. We are not about to have children and bring them into this environment. Who gave you that authority? Who told you you could make that decision?" [34:30] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We can be faithful in the face of persecution and difficulties. Why? Because this is only temporary. We are just passing through. This is not our home. I want to say this as lovingly and as affectionately as I can because I'm trying to encourage you this morning. But in encouraging you, I need to wake you up. Church, you need to stop worrying. You need to stop whining. You need to stop wringing your hands and realize that our God is still in control. He's still in charge, folks. What are you worried about?" [33:01] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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