Living as Exiles: Embracing Our True Identity in Christ
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by addressing the distractions and myths that often preoccupy our minds, particularly the sensational theories that circulate about future events. I reminded us of Paul's advice to Timothy to focus on godliness rather than irreverent myths. This introduction set the stage for our exploration of the Book of Daniel and the concept of living in exile, which is a theme that resonates deeply with our current experience as believers.
I recounted the story of Colby Nolan, a cat who was humorously awarded an MBA degree as part of an effort to expose a diploma mill. This anecdote served as a metaphor for the feeling of not fitting in, which many of us can relate to in various aspects of our lives, whether at work, in social settings, or even within our own families.
We delved into the historical context of the Book of Daniel, starting with the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. I emphasized the significance of this event, which marked a period of suffering and dislocation that left a lasting impact on the Jewish identity. The exile was a consequence of ignoring the warnings of the prophets and served as the ultimate curse for breaking the covenant with God, as outlined in Deuteronomy.
I then bridged the ancient experience of exile with our present reality, explaining that we, too, live in a form of Babylon. Babylon, as depicted in the New Testament, is no longer just a historical empire but represents a world system characterized by wealth, splendor, power, pride, and violence—a system that is pervasive in all cultures and nations throughout history.
I highlighted the contrast between Babylon and the New Jerusalem, the kingdom of God that will be fully realized upon Jesus' return. This tension is captured in the Book of Hebrews, where the faithful are described as strangers and exiles on the earth, longing for a better, heavenly country.
Throughout the sermon, I shared personal anecdotes and observations that illustrated the alienation we often feel as Christians in a world that operates on values contrary to our faith. From the influence of popular culture on our children to the sense of disconnection in various social environments, these examples underscored the challenge of living as people who belong to the New Jerusalem while residing in Babylon.
I concluded by affirming that our true home is the city God has prepared for those who love Him, and until we enter that city, we will inevitably feel out of place in this world. This sense of not belonging is not something that dissipates with age or experience; it is a fundamental aspect of our identity as followers of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. In a world filled with distractions and sensationalism, it is essential to focus on godliness and spiritual training. This requires discernment to avoid getting caught up in irrelevant theories and myths that can derail our faith journey. ([31:21])
2. The feeling of not fitting in, much like Colby Nolan the cat, is a common experience for believers. It serves as a reminder that our ultimate identity and purpose are not found in the accolades and achievements of this world, but in our relationship with God and our citizenship in heaven. ([32:38])
3. The historical event of the Babylonian exile is a powerful illustration of the consequences of disobedience and the enduring impact of displacement on a community's identity. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of heeding God's word and remaining faithful to His covenant. ([35:11])
4. The concept of Babylon in the New Testament symbolizes the pervasive and corrupt world system that stands in opposition to the kingdom of God. As Christians, we are called to recognize this reality and live in a way that reflects our allegiance to the New Jerusalem, even as we navigate the complexities of life in Babylon. ([39:49])
5. The tension between living in Babylon and longing for the New Jerusalem is a defining aspect of the Christian experience. It is a tension that calls us to be in the world but not of it, to engage with the world around us while maintaining our distinct identity as people of God's kingdom. ([43:06])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 1:1 - "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it."
2. Deuteronomy 28:36 - "The Lord will bring you and your king whom you set over you to a nation that neither you nor your fathers have known. And there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone."
3. Hebrews 11:13-16 - "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
#### Observation Questions
1. What event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile as described in Daniel 1:1?
2. According to Deuteronomy 28:36, what was the consequence for the Israelites' disobedience to God?
3. How does Hebrews 11:13-16 describe the attitude of the faithful towards their earthly life and their true homeland?
4. In the sermon, what metaphor was used to illustrate the feeling of not fitting in, and how does it relate to our experience as Christians? ([31:57])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the historical context of the Babylonian exile help us understand the significance of living in a "Babylon" today? ([33:53])
2. What does it mean to live in a world system characterized by wealth, splendor, power, pride, and violence, as described in the sermon? ([39:49])
3. How does the concept of being "strangers and exiles on the earth" in Hebrews 11:13-16 apply to our daily lives as Christians?
4. What are the implications of the tension between living in Babylon and longing for the New Jerusalem for our faith journey? ([43:06])
#### Application Questions
1. In what ways do you find yourself distracted by sensational theories or myths, and how can you focus more on godliness and spiritual training? ([31:21])
2. Reflect on a time when you felt like you didn't fit in, much like Colby Nolan the cat. How did that experience shape your understanding of your identity in Christ? ([31:57])
3. How can the story of the Babylonian exile serve as a reminder for you to heed God's word and remain faithful to His covenant? ([35:11])
4. What practical steps can you take to live in a way that reflects your allegiance to the New Jerusalem while navigating the complexities of life in Babylon? ([39:49])
5. How do you handle the sense of not belonging in this world, and what can you do to remind yourself of your true home in the city God has prepared for you? ([43:06])
6. Think about the influence of popular culture on your life and your family. What changes can you make to ensure that your values align more closely with your faith? ([44:21])
7. How can you support and encourage fellow believers who also feel like strangers and exiles in this world? What specific actions can you take this week to build a sense of community and belonging within your church? ([46:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Discerning Truth Amid Distractions
Distractions and sensationalism can easily lead one astray from the path of spiritual growth. In a world brimming with information and theories, it is crucial to cultivate a discerning heart that seeks godliness above all else. This pursuit involves sifting through the noise to focus on what truly nurtures the soul. It is a call to embrace spiritual training, which strengthens faith and equips believers to withstand the allure of myths that lack reverence and truth. By prioritizing godliness, one can maintain a steadfast journey towards spiritual maturity, even amidst the cacophony of the world's distractions [31:21].
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Reflection: What are some prevalent myths or distractions in your life that may be hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you actively seek to focus on godliness instead?
Day 2: Embracing Our Heavenly Citizenship
The feeling of not fitting in is a familiar experience for many, akin to Colby Nolan the cat, who humorously received an MBA. This sense of alienation can serve as a poignant reminder that the accolades and achievements of this world do not define us. Instead, our true identity and purpose are rooted in our relationship with God and our citizenship in heaven. As believers, we are called to live in a manner that reflects our heavenly belonging, even when we feel out of place in our earthly surroundings. This perspective helps us navigate life's challenges with the assurance that our ultimate home is with God [32:38].
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." - Philippians 3:20
Reflection: In what ways do you feel like an outsider in your current environment, and how can this reinforce your identity as a citizen of heaven?
Day 3: Learning from the Exile
The Babylonian exile serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the profound impact of displacement on a community's identity. It underscores the importance of heeding God's word and remaining faithful to His covenant. The historical context of this event reveals the severity of turning away from divine warnings and the lasting effects it can have on a people's sense of self and place in the world. As modern-day believers, reflecting on this period of suffering and dislocation can inspire a renewed commitment to living in accordance with God's will [35:11].
"And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." - Deuteronomy 28:1
Reflection: How does the story of the Babylonian exile influence your understanding of the importance of obedience to God, and what steps can you take to align your life more closely with His commandments?
Day 4: Resisting the Lure of Babylon
Babylon, as depicted in the New Testament, symbolizes a world system that is in stark contrast to the kingdom of God. It is characterized by wealth, splendor, power, pride, and violence—a system that is pervasive in all cultures and nations throughout history. As Christians, we are called to live counter-culturally, reflecting our allegiance to the New Jerusalem. Recognizing the corrupt nature of Babylon enables us to navigate life in this world while upholding the values of God's kingdom. This understanding empowers us to resist the lure of a system that opposes the divine order and to live lives that bear witness to the truth of the Gospel [39:49].
"And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.'" - Revelation 18:4-5
Reflection: What aspects of the 'Babylon' system do you find most challenging to resist, and how can you actively live out your allegiance to the New Jerusalem in your daily life?
Day 5: Longing for the New Jerusalem
The tension between living in Babylon and longing for the New Jerusalem is a defining aspect of the Christian experience. It calls believers to be in the world but not of it, engaging with the world around us while maintaining our distinct identity as people of God's kingdom. This tension is a reminder of our true home and the city God has prepared for those who love Him. As we navigate life in this world, we are encouraged to hold fast to our faith, knowing that our sense of not belonging is a sign of our heavenly citizenship and the promise of a better, eternal country [43:06].
"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." - Hebrews 13:14
Reflection: How does the tension between living in this world and longing for the New Jerusalem manifest in your life, and what practical steps can you take to live as a faithful exile, awaiting our true home?
Quotes
1) "Jesus only Jesus may be seated this time kids are dismissed for children's church morning church as I understand it Uh something's going to happen tomorrow big traffic JY or something like that I I just want to put this out there as your your pastor um a word that Paul wrote to Timothy have nothing to do with irr irreverent silly myths but rather train yourself in godliness seems like every crackpot out there is trying to put out some theory about what's going to happen tomorrow all that's going to happen tomorrow is a mild let down now let's get into the message." [31:21]
2) "In the year 2004 Colby Nolan received an MBA from Trinity Southern University graduating with a GPA of 3.5 Colby Nolan is a cat uh he was part of the efforts of an attorney general to shut down a diploma Mill that would give anyone a degree for a few hundred so he went ahead and got one for his cat but I like to picture Nolan the cat going on to enter the corporate world getting a job in middle management and those quarterly reports are late again Nolan because you don't have thumbs." [31:57]
3) "The reign of Taylor Swift all that to say that the number 587 BC doesn't really mean anything to you that's when this starts more important than the number of the year is the event the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon and the start of the period of Exile uh again our our memory for historical stuff tends to be pretty short uh do does anybody here know the year that the British burnt down the White House 1812 is Sarah's here second service so she'll fact check me on that that was only 200 years ago and they're like yeah I think that's the thing that happened." [33:53]
4) "The Lord will bring you and your king whom you set over you to a nation that neither you nor your fathers have known and there you Shall Serve other gods of wood and stone so in 587 Nebuchadnezzar laid Siege to Jerusalem he carries off the king and the people in Exile to Babylon now that when we are uh where are we if you don't know where Babylon is it is situated right between the tigress and the Euphrates still blank stairs remembering my audience um it's 50 miles south of Baghdad." [36:31]
5) "Babylon shows up again in the New Testament now it's no longer a description of a particular Nation or regime but something much wider uh in First Peter listen to how he opens and closes his letter Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ to those who are elect Exiles of the dispersion and ponus galatia capadia Asia and bethenia and then he closes out 1 Peter 5:13 she who is at Babylon who is likewise chosen sends you greetings." [37:46]
6) "Fallen Fallen is Babylon the great she has become a dwelling place for demons a haunt for every unclean Spirit a haunt for every unclean bird a haunt for every unclean and detestable Beast for all nations have drunk the wine of The Passion of her sexual immorality and the kings of the Earth have committed adultery with her and the merchants of the Earth have grown Rich from the power of her luxurious living." [39:07]
7) "The Book of Revelation draws this contrast with with Babylon this world system that is going to fall at the return of Jesus and that's paired with the arrival of the New Jerusalem the arrival of the kingdom of God in its fullness and so we can say say yes I live in Babylon but I belong in New Jerusalem here here's how the book of Hebrews describes this tension people like Abraham who've left their Homeland." [41:52]
8) "These all died in faith not having received the things promised but having seen them and greeted them from afar and having acknowledged that they were strangers and Exiles on the earth for people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a h if they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out they would have had opportunity to return but as it is they desire a better country that is a Heavenly one." [42:28]
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