Living as Outsiders: Our True Home in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Outsiders in Christ

As believers, we are called to live as outsiders in a world that often rejects the principles of the Kingdom of God. This means stepping outside the camp, symbolizing a departure from worldly values and a commitment to follow Christ. Our allegiance is to Him, and we are to bear His reproach, living distinctively as His followers. This call to "go forth" is not merely a suggestion but a command for all who profess faith in Jesus. While we dissociate from the world's rebellion against God, we are still called to be good citizens and contribute positively to society. Our identity is found in Christ, and our closest relationships, worldview, and life's purpose should all be centered on Him. [01:30]

Hebrews 13:13-14 (ESV): "Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come."

Reflection: In what ways can you live more distinctively as a follower of Christ in your daily interactions and decisions today?

Day 2: Compassion Over Societal Reform

The mission of believers is to gather the lost and offer acts of compassion, not to reform society. The notion that Christians are tasked with restoring the world is challenged, as true restoration will only occur after Christ's return. Our role is to reflect Christ's love and offer compassion without placing our hope in societal transformation. This perspective encourages believers to focus on individual acts of kindness and love, trusting that God will ultimately bring about the restoration of the world in His timing. [06:03]

Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV): "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can show compassion to today, reflecting Christ's love in a tangible way?

Day 3: Temporary Life, Eternal Praise

Believers are encouraged to offer continual praise to God, recognizing that their lives are temporary and their true home is in the eternal city to come. This life is a temporary lodging, and our focus should be on the eternal, seeking to bring others into the Kingdom. Our praise and service are sacrifices pleasing to God, keeping us close to Him. By maintaining an eternal perspective, we can navigate the challenges of this world with hope and joy, knowing that our ultimate destination is with God. [21:14]

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: How can you incorporate continual praise into your daily routine, keeping your focus on the eternal rather than the temporary?

Day 4: Distinction in Worship and Service

There is an importance in maintaining a clear distinction between the church and the world. Our worship and service should not be influenced by worldly culture but should reflect the holiness and purity of Christ. By stepping outside the camp, believers find assurance in His presence and live in the hope of the city to come. This distinction calls for a commitment to holiness and purity in all aspects of life, ensuring that our actions and attitudes align with the teachings of Christ. [17:20]

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to ensure that your worship and service reflect the holiness and purity of Christ?

Day 5: Bearing the Offense of the Gospel

Preaching the gospel involves speaking about sin, repentance, and conversion, which may offend, but it is essential. The call of Scripture is to go where Christ is, outside the world, bearing the offense of the cross. This requires courage and a willingness to face rejection for the sake of the gospel. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their faith, sharing the truth of the gospel with love and compassion, even when it is countercultural or unpopular. [42:26]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How can you boldly share the gospel with someone in your life today, even if it means facing potential rejection or offense?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound truth that this world is not our permanent home. As believers, we are called to step outside the camp, symbolizing a departure from worldly values and a commitment to follow Christ. This is not merely a suggestion but a command for all who profess faith in Jesus. Our allegiance is to Him, and we are to live as outsiders in a world that often rejects the principles of the Kingdom of God.

The call to "go forth" is a call to dissociate from the world's rebellion against God while still being good citizens and contributing positively to society. We are reminded that Christ's kingdom is not of this world, and our identity is found in Him. This means our closest relationships, our worldview, and our life's purpose are all centered on Christ. As He was rejected and suffered outside the city, so too are we called to bear His reproach and live distinctively as His followers.

The notion that Christians are tasked with restoring the world is challenged. Instead, our mission is to gather the lost and offer acts of compassion, not to reform society. The world is under judgment, and true restoration will only occur after Christ's return. Our role is to be compassionate, reflecting Christ's love, but not to place our hope in societal transformation.

We are encouraged to offer continual praise to God, recognizing that our lives are temporary and our true home is in the eternal city to come. Our praise and service are sacrifices pleasing to God, and they keep us close to Him. This life is a temporary lodging, and our focus should be on the eternal, seeking to bring others into the Kingdom.

Finally, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between the church and the world. Our worship and service should not be influenced by worldly culture but should reflect the holiness and purity of Christ. By stepping outside the camp, we find assurance in His presence and live in the hope of the city to come.

Key Takeaways

1. Command to Go Forth: The call to "go forth" is a command for believers to dissociate from the world's rebellion against God while maintaining good citizenship. Our identity is in Christ, and we are to live as outsiders, bearing His reproach and living distinctively as His followers. [01:30]
2. Mission of Compassion, Not Restoration: Our mission is to gather the lost and offer acts of compassion, not to reform society. True restoration will occur only after Christ's return, and our role is to reflect Christ's love without placing hope in societal transformation. [06:03]
3. Continual Praise and Temporary Life: We are encouraged to offer continual praise to God, recognizing that our lives are temporary and our true home is in the eternal city to come. Our praise and service are sacrifices pleasing to God, keeping us close to Him. [21:14]
4. Distinction Between Church and World: Our worship and service should not be influenced by worldly culture but should reflect the holiness and purity of Christ. By stepping outside the camp, we find assurance in His presence and live in the hope of the city to come. [17:20]
5. Offense of the Gospel: Preaching the gospel involves speaking about sin, repentance, and conversion, which may offend, but it is essential. The call of Scripture is to go where Christ is, outside the world, bearing the offense of the cross. [42:26]
** [42:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Command to Go Forth
[01:30] - Leaving the World
[02:16] - Christ Outside the Camp
[04:42] - Misconceptions of Restoration
[06:03] - Mission of Compassion
[08:30] - The World's Rebellion
[10:15] - Historical Examples of Going Forth
[12:10] - Acts of Compassion
[13:19] - Appreciation of Beauty
[15:03] - Distinctive Worship
[17:20] - No Continuing City
[21:14] - Continual Praise
[27:04] - Sacrifice of Praise
[32:04] - Sacrificial Service
[42:26] - Offense of the Gospel

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 13:13-14: "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come."

Observation Questions:

What does the phrase "go forth therefore unto him without the camp" mean in the context of Hebrews 13:13? How does it relate to the believer's relationship with the world? [01:30]
How does the sermon describe the world's reaction to believers who openly profess their faith in Christ? [04:04]
What is the significance of the statement "here we have no continuing city" in Hebrews 13:14, and how does it relate to the believer's focus on the eternal city? [17:48]
According to the sermon, what is the role of compassion in the life of a believer, and how does it differ from the idea of restoring society? [06:43]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the command to "go forth" challenge the common belief that Christians are responsible for restoring society? What implications does this have for the church's mission? [05:02]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers should maintain a clear distinction between the church and the world? How does this distinction impact worship and service? [17:20]
How does the sermon interpret the concept of "bearing his reproach" in the life of a believer? What does this mean for daily living and interactions with others? [11:55]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between continual praise and the believer's temporary life on earth? How does this perspective influence one's priorities? [21:14]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your current lifestyle and values. Are there areas where you feel too aligned with worldly values? How can you begin to "go forth" and align more closely with Christ's teachings? [01:30]
Consider your interactions with non-believers. How can you share your faith in a way that is compassionate yet truthful, even if it risks offending others? [04:04]
How can you cultivate a mindset that focuses on the eternal city rather than temporary worldly achievements? What practical steps can you take to shift your focus? [17:48]
Identify a specific act of compassion you can perform this week. How can you ensure that this act reflects Christ's love without the expectation of societal transformation? [06:43]
Evaluate your worship practices. Are there elements influenced by worldly culture that need to be reconsidered? How can you ensure your worship reflects the holiness and purity of Christ? [17:20]
How can you incorporate continual praise into your daily routine? What specific times or activities can you dedicate to praising God throughout the day? [21:14]
Think about a recent situation where you felt the reproach of being a Christian. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently next time to bear Christ's reproach with grace? [11:55]

Sermon Clips

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach and we shall look in an expository way this morning at these verses there is so much to learn from them so much encouragement and exhortation let us go forth sounds like a suggestion but it isn't a suggestion it's a command let us go forth it's one word in the Greek let us go forth. [00:30:59]

This is a command for all believers let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp there is something we are to act on we are to leave the world to dissociate from it to forsake its aims and its values and it's rebellion against God we do not leave it physically of course we endeavor to be good citizens we endeavor to pay our dues and to do everything we can to make this world better. [00:57:29]

The task of the Christian is to win the culture of the world for Christ now this sort of idea has always been around but the vast majority of Bible believing Christians have quite rightly rejected that sort of thing but it's made a great comeback in our time and it's becoming extremely popular and it's even said very boldly oh the purpose of your salvation and mine is so that Christ can restore society and restore the world. [04:39:62]

There will be a restoration there will be a renovation of all things there will be the beautification the transformation the rejuvenation of this physical world and there will be a glory of society but that all comes after the day of judgment after this present order is burned up and judged the work of God is by his great grace together out of the world undeserving sinners and to save them by His grace and to build them up and to use them employ them in his service to bring others also to inhabit the eternal heavens as the people of Christ. [05:31:69]

We are to be compassionate people and we are to operate works of compassion and Christians have always done that in fact the Christian Church is the most compassionate institution in the history of the world and all compassionate works that operated today by the state started with the churches and the state eventually shamed into inactivity took them over one by one but the Church of Jesus Christ has always been a compassionate institution compassion is one thing it isn't restoration. [06:40:58]

We cannot restore the world we cannot accomplish things that will last for the good of the world we cannot put our roots down here and enjoy its things people try today don't they it says very sad to think that there are people who think they're Christians maybe they are but I rather wonder and they depend for their lift on the iPod and the world's things being relayed from it to them all the time the head so in the world. [17:55:66]

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name this is about our role here and so is verse 16 and there are two sides to our role while on earth in verse 15 it is the work of praise and in verse 16 it is service for Christ and gospel service in particular. [21:14:19]

Certainly refers to direct praise to him in worship in hymns in daily praise and thanksgiving and prayer because it's the fruit of our lips so we need not confine that to what is said or sung what is thought also our private prayers but it's all about praise is offered to God and this is our great role there'll be many contrasts in this epistle about the Old Testament order and the new there were priests in the Old Testament for now we're priesthood of all believers. [21:50:82]

The sacrifice of praise is offered continually all through the day from the hearts of Christian people so there's just some of the contrasts reflected in Hebrews and particularly in these verses verse 15 again by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually giving thanks to his name adoration not just in the time of morning prayer or evening prayer but through the day to pray off and through the day sometimes just for a few seconds. [22:56:16]

You cannot close your eyes you're in the middle of various things but you adore him and you thank him and you express your love to him and you offer prayers of acclamation that is to say you thank him for some doctrine for some blessing for some deliverance you commit everything you're doing to him and every potentially dangerous thing especially you express your joy and your trust and your anticipation of future blessing and glory you dedicate your life to him to do it through the day. [23:36:03]

Let us go forth therefore out of the world giving up its sinful aspects of entertainment it's sin promoting culture let us go forth therefore unto Him he's outside synagogue idle temple worldly things preoccupation with this world is that your problem any of us or I only come once a week to church because I am so occupied with life now I'm often saying this but there may be people here who are to keep house and home together you do two jobs or more you've got great problems a sickness in the home a great difficulty. [34:49:95]

The call of Scripture is lets us go forth therefore to where he is outside the world and there is the offense of the cross and while we're going to be as winsome and appealing as we can be we've got a talk about sin and Calvary and repentance and conversion it's not popular Christ was put out of the city and so we will be disapproved off and looked down upon but this sister can haunt us and this is where Christ is and this is where his presences for Christian people outside the camp. [42:46:79]

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Living as Outsiders: Our True Home in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Outsiders in Christ

Day 2: Compassion Over Societal Reform

Day 3: Temporary Life, Eternal Praise

Day 4: Distinction in Worship and Service

Day 5: Bearing the Offense of the Gospel

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living as Outsiders: Our True Home in Christ

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