Living as Dual Citizens of Earth and Heaven
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound truth of our dual citizenship as followers of Christ. We are citizens of both an earthly nation and the Kingdom of God. This duality calls us to live with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility, reflecting our true identity as God's chosen people. We are reminded that our primary allegiance is to God's Kingdom, and this should shape how we engage with the world around us, including our interactions with government, non-believers, and our faith family.
We explored 1 Peter 2, where Peter addresses believers as foreigners and exiles, emphasizing that our true home is with God. This perspective should influence how we live in our current environment. We are called to live such good lives that even those who do not share our faith will see our good deeds and glorify God. This involves abstaining from sinful desires, engaging in good deeds, and showing respect to everyone, including those in authority.
Our respect for authority is not blind submission but is done for the Lord's sake. We honor and submit to governing authorities as a reflection of our obedience to God, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to Him. This respect extends to our faith family, where we are called to love one another deeply and sincerely, fostering genuine community.
Finally, we are reminded that our reverence for God should be the lens through which we view all our relationships. This reverence shapes our identity, our interactions with others, and our engagement with the world. As we navigate the complexities of life, may we do so with a clear conscience, living lives that bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- Dual Citizenship: As believers, we hold dual citizenship in both an earthly nation and God's Kingdom. This duality calls us to live with a sense of purpose, reflecting our true identity as God's chosen people. Our primary allegiance is to God's Kingdom, which should shape our interactions with the world. [33:45]
- Living as Exiles: We are called to live as exiles in this world, remembering our true home is with God. This perspective influences how we engage with non-believers, encouraging us to live such good lives that others see our good deeds and glorify God. [45:00]
- Respect for Authority: Our respect for authority is not blind submission but is done for the Lord's sake. We honor and submit to governing authorities as a reflection of our obedience to God, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to Him. [52:27]
- Loving the Faith Family: We are called to love our faith family deeply and sincerely, fostering genuine community. This involves moving beyond surface-level interactions to build authentic relationships that reflect the love of Christ. [56:23]
- Reverence for God: Our reverence for God should be the lens through which we view all our relationships. This reverence shapes our identity, our interactions with others, and our engagement with the world, guiding us to live lives that bear witness to the Gospel. [59:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:20] - Holy Spirit Invocation
- [05:41] - Worship Covenant
- [21:56] - Church Financial Update
- [24:50] - Generosity and Giving
- [29:22] - Political Environment
- [30:24] - Scripture and Government
- [31:42] - Context of 1 Peter
- [32:40] - Babylon and Exile
- [33:45] - Dual Citizenship
- [35:06] - Our True Identity
- [36:57] - Respect for All
- [38:42] - Respecting Non-Believers
- [45:00] - Living as Exiles
- [52:27] - Respect for Authority
- [56:23] - Loving the Faith Family
- [59:48] - Reverence for God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:9-17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what are the identities and roles given to believers? How does this contrast with being foreigners and exiles? [35:06]
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the relationship between respecting authority and our allegiance to God? [52:27]
3. How does the sermon describe the way believers should live among non-believers, according to 1 Peter 2:11-12? [42:45]
4. What are the different ways the sermon suggests we should show respect to various groups, including the government and the faith family? [37:43]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to live as "foreigners and exiles" in the world today, and how might this perspective influence a believer's daily life? [45:00]
2. How does the concept of dual citizenship in both an earthly nation and God's Kingdom challenge or affirm your current understanding of your identity as a Christian? [33:45]
3. The sermon emphasizes showing respect to everyone, including those in authority. How can this be balanced with the need to stand firm in one's faith when these authorities contradict God's commands? [52:27]
4. What does it mean to love the faith family deeply and sincerely, and how can this be practically demonstrated in a church community? [56:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your interactions with non-believers. How can you live in a way that reflects your identity as a chosen people and a royal priesthood, as described in 1 Peter 2:9? [35:06]
2. Consider your current relationship with governmental authorities. How can you show respect and honor them while maintaining your primary allegiance to God's Kingdom? [52:27]
3. Think about your involvement in your faith community. What steps can you take to move beyond surface-level interactions and foster genuine, deep relationships with fellow believers? [56:23]
4. Identify a situation where you struggle to show respect to someone with different beliefs or values. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching to show respect while maintaining your Christian witness? [49:03]
5. How does your reverence for God shape your daily decisions and interactions with others? Can you identify a specific area where you need to align more closely with this perspective? [59:48]
6. Reflect on a recent decision or action. How did your dual citizenship influence your choice, and what might you do differently in the future to better reflect your identity in God's Kingdom? [33:45]
7. Consider a time when you felt like an "exile" in a particular situation. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now in light of the sermon’s teachings? [45:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Dual Citizenship and Divine Allegiance
As followers of Christ, we hold dual citizenship in both an earthly nation and the Kingdom of God. This duality calls us to live with a sense of purpose, reflecting our true identity as God's chosen people. Our primary allegiance is to God's Kingdom, which should shape our interactions with the world. This means that while we engage with our earthly responsibilities, our actions and decisions should be guided by the values and principles of God's Kingdom. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, representing His love, justice, and truth in all areas of life. [33:45]
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your heavenly citizenship in your daily decisions and interactions this week?
Day 2: Living as Exiles with Purpose
We are called to live as exiles in this world, remembering that our true home is with God. This perspective influences how we engage with non-believers, encouraging us to live such good lives that others see our good deeds and glorify God. As exiles, we are to abstain from sinful desires and engage in good deeds, showing respect to everyone, including those who do not share our faith. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, drawing others to the love and grace of God. [45:00]
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 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." (1 Peter 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally live in a way that reflects God's love and truth to those around you, especially those who do not share your faith?
Day 3: Respect for Authority as Obedience to God
Our respect for authority is not blind submission but is done for the Lord's sake. We honor and submit to governing authorities as a reflection of our obedience to God, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to Him. This respect is an expression of our faith and trust in God's sovereignty, even when we may not agree with those in power. By respecting authority, we demonstrate our commitment to living out the values of God's Kingdom in a world that often operates by different standards. [52:27]
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." (Romans 13:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you struggle to respect authority? How can you align your attitude with God's call to honor those in leadership?
Day 4: Loving the Faith Family Deeply
We are called to love our faith family deeply and sincerely, fostering genuine community. This involves moving beyond surface-level interactions to build authentic relationships that reflect the love of Christ. In a world that often values individualism, the church is called to be a place of unity and support, where believers can grow together in faith and love. By loving one another deeply, we create a community that is a powerful witness to the world of God's transformative love. [56:23]
"Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God." (1 Peter 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to building a genuine and loving community within your faith family this week?
Day 5: Reverence for God as Our Guiding Lens
Our reverence for God should be the lens through which we view all our relationships. This reverence shapes our identity, our interactions with others, and our engagement with the world, guiding us to live lives that bear witness to the Gospel. By keeping God at the center of our lives, we are able to navigate the complexities of life with a clear conscience and a heart aligned with His will. Our reverence for God empowers us to live out our faith authentically and courageously. [59:48]
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life." (Proverbs 9:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, allowing it to influence your decisions and relationships?
Quotes
1. "Whatever your story is this morning, maybe in a sense you're feeling face down and you're looking around and you're saying, God, I'm open if you want to do something for me. And you're maybe wondering why certain things haven't happened yet, but know that God is here. God is able. God is good." [00:04:43] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The leadership team, that is people that you have elected to serve alongside the pastors in making decisions, we believe that, and we sense that God is wanting us to finish off this debt so that we can determine what is our next right step. And so we're feeling like, let's put it out there to say, can we finish this by the end of this year?" [00:23:42] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Peter is challenging us here to say, remember your true identity. Remember your true home. Remember your true citizenship. Yes, you have an akama. You have a work visa. You are in this world. And you need to make a difference. And it matters what you do here. But never forget who you ultimately are. And may that shape how you live." [00:45:09] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Live such good lives among the pagans, that is among the non-believers, that though they accuse you of doing, wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. In other words, when he comes again." [00:36:02] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So do you love your faith family sincerely enough, deep enough, purely enough that you're willing to take a risk for genuine, authentic relationship? Do you love sincerely enough, deep enough, pure enough that you're willing to prioritize building relationship with them? Do you love them deep enough, sincerely enough, purely enough that you're willing to put them above your political preference?" [00:59:46] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Live such good lives, moral lives, lives filled with good deeds, lives that show respect. And this good witness manifests itself to the point that people ask and we are able to share." [00:50:27] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Honor and submit to governing authorities. One more, and then we're going to come to the lens through which we watch all of this, but the last one is the faith family." [00:54:39] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I don't know all of their motivations. I don't know all of their stories. I don't know all that, what God, what God is doing. But I know one thing is that what's most important is how we bear witness in all of this, by respecting others, by loving the faith family, by living a life of doing good deeds and showing moral integrity, showing graciousness, that matters above all." [01:01:42] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So for the Lord's sake, on the one hand is even if you don't want to do it, you do it for the Lord's sake. But also for the Lord's sake is because there is a limit to it. It is not absolute submission." [00:52:54] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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