Living as Faithful Exiles in a Hostile World
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we embark on a new series titled "A Place to Call Home," focusing on our identity as believers and as a church. We began by reflecting on 1 Peter 2:11-12, which urges us to live exemplary lives among non-believers so that our good deeds may glorify God. This sets the stage for understanding our role and mission as Christians.
We delved into the concept of exile, drawing parallels between the Babylonian exile of the Israelites and our own experiences of feeling out of place in a world that often seems hostile to our faith. Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29) was a central focus. Contrary to what one might expect, God did not instruct the exiles to rise up and overthrow their captors. Instead, He told them to build houses, plant gardens, and seek the prosperity of the city where they were taken. This message is profound: even in difficult circumstances, we are called to live faithfully and contribute positively to our surroundings.
We also discussed the importance of understanding that God's plans often require patience and long-term faithfulness. Jeremiah's prophecy included a promise that after 70 years, God would bring the exiles back to their homeland. This teaches us that God's timing is not our timing, and we must remain steadfast even when immediate relief is not in sight.
The sermon concluded with a call to embrace our roles as exiles in this world, living out our faith in tangible ways that benefit our communities. We are reminded that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, but our mission field is right here on earth. By living good lives and seeking the welfare of our cities, we can be a light in the darkness, drawing others to the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living as Exiles: Just as the Israelites were instructed to build houses and seek the prosperity of Babylon, we too are called to live faithfully and contribute positively to our communities, even when we feel out of place. This teaches us that our circumstances do not define our ability to live out God's calling. [52:24]
2. God's Timing and Patience: Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years in exile reminds us that God's plans often require long-term patience and faithfulness. We must trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our immediate desires. This teaches us to cultivate a steadfast faith that endures through trials. [57:13]
3. Faithfulness in Adversity: The story of the exiles shows that faith is not about having an easy life but about remaining faithful in difficult circumstances. True faith is demonstrated through steadfastness and a commitment to God's ways, even when life is challenging. [59:29]
4. Community and Contribution: We are called to seek the welfare of our cities and communities. By living good lives and contributing positively, we can be a light in the darkness, drawing others to the love and truth of Jesus Christ. This is our mission field, and we must embrace it wholeheartedly. [01:10:55]
5. Ultimate Citizenship: While we live in this world, our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. This dual identity calls us to live as foreigners and exiles, understanding that our true home is with God, but our mission is to bring His kingdom to earth through our actions and lives. [01:07:25]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[10:36] - Introduction to New Series
[26:40] - Communion
[27:31] - God's Unchanging Nature
[28:31] - Confession and Grace
[29:52] - Communion Elements
[30:37] - Prayer and Mission
[31:11] - Series Overview
[36:43] - Personal Story: Chicago Winter
[41:01] - Thought Experiment: Living in Exile
[45:08] - Historical Context: Babylonian Exile
[48:01] - Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles
[52:24] - God's Instructions: Build and Prosper
[57:13] - God's Timing: 70 Years
[01:00:00] - Faithfulness in Adversity
[01:07:25] - Ultimate Citizenship in Heaven
[01:10:55] - Community and Contribution
[01:11:35] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:11-12: "Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
2. 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.'"
3. Jeremiah 29:10-14: "This is what the Lord says: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to the exiles in Babylon through Jeremiah? ([52:24])
2. According to 1 Peter 2:11-12, how are believers urged to live among non-believers?
3. What promise does God make to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:10-14 regarding their future? ([57:13])
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of living as exiles in today's world? ([49:33])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God instruct the exiles to build houses, plant gardens, and seek the prosperity of the city in which they are exiled? What does this teach us about God's expectations for us in difficult circumstances? ([52:24])
2. How does the promise of God's plans in Jeremiah 29:11-14 provide hope and encouragement to believers facing long-term challenges? ([57:13])
3. In what ways does living as "foreigners and exiles" as described in 1 Peter 2:11-12 challenge our understanding of our identity and mission as Christians? ([01:07:25])
4. How can the story of the Babylonian exile and God's instructions to the exiles inform our approach to living faithfully in a world that often feels hostile to our faith? ([49:33])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt out of place or like an exile in your own life. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of Jeremiah's instructions to the exiles? ([52:24])
2. God's timing often requires patience and long-term faithfulness. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing in your current circumstances? ([57:13])
3. What are some practical ways you can seek the welfare of your community, as instructed in Jeremiah 29:7? How can you be a positive influence in your neighborhood or workplace? ([52:24])
4. How can you live out your faith in tangible ways that benefit your community, even when you feel out of place or face adversity? ([49:33])
5. Reflect on the idea that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, but our mission field is here on earth. How does this dual identity shape your daily actions and decisions? ([01:07:25])
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to demonstrate steadfast faith. What steps can you take to remain faithful and committed to God's ways in that area? ([59:29])
7. How can you be a light in the darkness and draw others to the love and truth of Jesus Christ through your actions and lifestyle? ([01:10:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Living Faithfully in Exile
Description: Just as the Israelites were instructed to build houses and seek the prosperity of Babylon, we too are called to live faithfully and contribute positively to our communities, even when we feel out of place. This teaches us that our circumstances do not define our ability to live out God's calling. In a world that often seems hostile to our faith, we are to be beacons of hope and love, demonstrating through our actions the transformative power of Christ. By engaging with our communities and seeking their welfare, we reflect God's love and purpose, showing that our faith is not confined to the walls of a church but is lived out in everyday interactions. [52:24]
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: Think of one way you can contribute positively to your community this week. How can you be a source of hope and love in a place where you might feel out of place?
Day 2: Trusting God's Timing
Description: Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years in exile reminds us that God's plans often require long-term patience and faithfulness. We must trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our immediate desires. This teaches us to cultivate a steadfast faith that endures through trials. In a world that demands instant gratification, learning to wait on God's timing can be challenging. However, it is in these periods of waiting that our faith is tested and strengthened. By trusting in God's perfect timing, we acknowledge His sovereignty and wisdom, understanding that His plans for us are far greater than we can imagine. [57:13]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation in your life where you are struggling to see God's timing. How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect plan today?
Day 3: Faithfulness in Adversity
Description: The story of the exiles shows that faith is not about having an easy life but about remaining faithful in difficult circumstances. True faith is demonstrated through steadfastness and a commitment to God's ways, even when life is challenging. Adversity often reveals the depth of our faith and our reliance on God. It is in these moments of struggle that we are called to lean on Him, trusting that He will provide the strength and guidance we need. By remaining faithful in adversity, we become living testimonies of God's grace and power, inspiring others to seek Him in their own trials. [59:29]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how can you demonstrate greater faithfulness in similar situations in the future?
Day 4: Community and Contribution
Description: We are called to seek the welfare of our cities and communities. By living good lives and contributing positively, we can be a light in the darkness, drawing others to the love and truth of Jesus Christ. This is our mission field, and we must embrace it wholeheartedly. Our actions and attitudes towards our communities can have a profound impact on those around us. By actively seeking ways to serve and uplift others, we reflect the heart of Christ and create opportunities for meaningful connections and conversations about faith. [01:10:55]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Identify a specific need in your community. How can you take action this week to meet that need and be a light to those around you?
Day 5: Ultimate Citizenship
Description: While we live in this world, our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. This dual identity calls us to live as foreigners and exiles, understanding that our true home is with God, but our mission is to bring His kingdom to earth through our actions and lives. This perspective helps us navigate the challenges and temptations of this world, reminding us that our ultimate allegiance is to God. By living with an eternal mindset, we prioritize our relationship with Him and our mission to share His love and truth with others. [01:07:25]
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does knowing your ultimate citizenship is in heaven change the way you live your daily life? What steps can you take to align your actions with this eternal perspective?
Quotes
1. "And here's the thing about what we just sang. We're naming, we're saying, declaring who God is. Not because God changes, but because God never does. This is who God has always been. And so even when you're in times of disappointment, when you are struggling, even when things are working out in other ways that you didn't anticipate, what you can trust is that God is still there. Good. That God is still at work. And that God's goodness is not dependent upon whether or not you've been to church lately. That God's goodness is not dependent upon how much you prayed this week." [27:31] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "But that your Father in heaven loves you unconditionally. And wants to take care of you without exception and without qualification. you get to be invited into that kind of a relationship. And we celebrate that. We remind ourselves every single week of this. And what happens is when you meet and encounter a God like that who is holy, you cannot, if you know any experiences that people have when they encounter God or they encounter an angel or something in Scripture, is they typically fall flat on their face. And as Isaiah says, woe am I, a man of unclean lips." [28:00] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So what I want us to do is not fall into a rut about, like, oh yeah, I just, I just show up, it's what I do out of a sense of obligation, but rather I want to help you see why we feel such passion about what we do, not just every week, but all throughout the week, because this is God's calling on our lives." [38:18] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So stop. Now, plant. Also, verse seven, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, the very people who kidnapped you, for the very people who killed your friends, your family, and your neighbors. Pray for them because if it prospers, guess what? You too will prosper." [53:47] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You just have to be faithful. You just have to be patient through all of this. So here's what God promises in verse 10. It says, When 70 years are completed for Babylon, hold on, 70 years. Some of you in this room are older than 70 years. And I got news for you. You're old. All right? And if you don't think it, I'm just saying I'm going to be the first one. I'm breaking the news to you. I'm sorry. It's just a fact." [57:13] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Just because you are going through one of the most difficult seasons of your life, just because what you're experiencing is extremely disheartening and disorienting does not mean you are not living in God's plan. And that is hard to hear, isn't it? It's not that God has inflicted it on you. It's complex, isn't it? But rather it doesn't mean that God is just going to come along and the moment you start being faithful to him just wipe away and make everything easy." [58:57] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You can get a little bit more and a little bit more and a little bit more and that's fine. You might think that if you ever achieved this or that or got to certain milestones with your bank account or retirement or whatever else, you might think that that's where I'll find peace and fulfillment and you will quickly realize that some of the scariest things in the world are getting what you've always wanted. He wants to point us back to where we get real truth and real meaning and it's grounded in the way of Jesus and nothing else. Jesus brings us deep, meaningful life." [01:01:25] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Christians win not when we fight for legislative efforts or force people to do every single thing we think is right. That's not a win for us. The win for us is when we plant gardens. When we start businesses. When we have families. The win for us is when we show our community why we're here. We're here to seek the good of Scottsdale. We're here to seek the good of the valley. That is why God has placed us where we're at." [01:10:18] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Our faith does not have borders. Our faith does not have a flag. Our faith does not have a legislative agenda outside of love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love others as yourself. That's our agenda. We'll die on that hill because that's the hill that Jesus died on. Our home is not of this world yet we still find ourselves in Scottsdale and Phoenix and PV. We pray for our city. We pray for the valley because we are exiles just as Peter writes where we know that this is our home on one hand but it's also not our home on the other." [01:07:55] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So whether you're at the top, or the bottom, what we know is we have these practices as a church. We seek truth together that we grow together in our own faith journeys and we live to make a difference in the world. That's why we're here. First Peter, this is one of Jesus' disciples, I read this at the beginning of the service, it says, Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles. See that exiles word? This is how the church viewed itself." [01:04:46] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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