Living as Pilgrims: Hope and Identity in Christ
Summary
In a sermon exploring the identity of Christians as pilgrims and exiles, the speaker begins by acknowledging the uncertainty of the times, particularly in America and the world at large. Despite not knowing what the future holds, the speaker reassures the congregation that their hope and home lie in the Kingdom of Heaven. This theme of Christian identity as pilgrims is further emphasized through the pastor's gratitude for the congregation's support of Convoy of Hope and the biblical references to pilgrims in the Epistle of First Peter and the Book of Daniel. The pastor also draws from a second-century letter to Diognetus, which describes Christians as foreigners in this world with a divine purpose.
The sermon then transitions to the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt, where they identify themselves as shepherds, an occupation abhorred by the Egyptians. This narrative sets the stage for the speaker's main point: the people of God maintain their identity regardless of their circumstances. Whether favored or forced into labor, they are God's chosen people, living for King Jesus. The speaker encourages the congregation to embrace hope, which builds health and resilience, no matter their physical location.
The speaker also addresses the tension Christians face in relation to their culture and nation. While they are called to be distinct and focus on the Kingdom of Heaven, they must not completely separate from or assimilate into their culture. Instead, they are to bless their community and seek its peace and prosperity, guided by the values of Christ's kingdom.
Personal stories and biblical narratives are used to illustrate how Christians, like the Israelites in Egypt, should maximize their opportunities and focus on what matters most. The Israelites grew and multiplied as shepherds in Egypt, and Christians today are encouraged to make the most of their lives, pointing to Christ. The speaker reminds the congregation that they are not in control of their first or last day, but they have hope and a home in the Kingdom of Heaven through Jesus.
Finally, the speaker discusses how Christians, though indistinguishable in nationality, language, and customs, live extraordinary lives as if they were only passing through their countries. They participate fully in society but are considered aliens, with their true homeland being wherever they may be. The sermon concludes with a focus on the peculiar reality of Israel's journey to Egypt and its implications for Christians today.
Key Takeaways:
- Christians are called to live with the understanding that their true identity is not tied to the current political or social climate, but to their citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. This perspective allows them to navigate life's challenges with hope and resilience, knowing that their ultimate home is not of this world. The story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt serves as a reminder that external circumstances do not define one's identity as a child of God. [20:44]
- The tension between engaging with culture and maintaining a distinct Christian identity is a delicate balance. Christians are to be in the world but not of it, influencing their surroundings with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. This means being a blessing to their communities, working for the common good as defined by God, and allowing their lives to be a testament to the transformative power of Christ. [29:55]
- The concept of maximizing one's season, as demonstrated by the Israelites' growth in Egypt, is a call for Christians to focus on what truly matters. Regardless of the length of our lives, our days should point to Christ. This principle encourages believers to use their time and resources wisely, investing in actions and relationships that have eternal significance. [34:01]
- The Christian's peculiar position as both a participant in society and an alien to it is a reflection of their dual citizenship. While fully engaging in the responsibilities and relationships of their earthly citizenship, they are simultaneously aware that their ultimate allegiance is to a heavenly kingdom. This dual identity shapes their values, decisions, and interactions with the world around them. [03:55]
- The story of Israel's journey to Egypt and their subsequent experiences of both prosperity and oppression underlines the providential nature of God's care for His people. It serves as a reminder that God's blessings and the challenges we face are all part of His sovereign plan. As pilgrims and exiles, Christians are to trust in God's providence, recognizing that both abundance and lack can serve His purposes. [17:52]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 46:31-34
2. 1 Peter 2:11-12
3. Jeremiah 29:4-7
#### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 46:31-34, why did Joseph instruct his brothers to tell Pharaoh that they were shepherds? How did this occupation affect their settlement in Egypt? [08:07]
2. According to 1 Peter 2:11-12, how are Christians described in relation to the world? What behaviors are they encouraged to maintain?
3. What specific instructions does God give to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:4-7 regarding their conduct in Babylonian exile?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt illustrate the concept of maintaining one's identity as God's people regardless of circumstances? [20:01]
2. What does it mean for Christians to live as "pilgrims and exiles" in today's world, according to the sermon? How does this dual identity shape their interactions with society? [21:29]
3. How can the tension between engaging with culture and maintaining a distinct Christian identity be navigated effectively? What are some practical ways to balance these aspects? [29:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like a "pilgrim" or "exile" in your own life. How did you navigate that experience, and what did you learn about your identity in Christ? [20:44]
2. In what ways can you actively bless your community and seek its peace and prosperity, as instructed in Jeremiah 29:4-7? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [32:02]
3. How can you maximize your current season of life, regardless of its challenges, to point others to Christ? What specific steps can you take to use your time and resources wisely? [34:01]
4. Consider the idea of living in the world but not being of it. What are some areas in your life where you might be tempted to either completely separate from or fully assimilate into the culture? How can you find a balance? [29:55]
5. How does the understanding that your ultimate home is the Kingdom of Heaven influence your daily decisions and interactions? Share a recent decision or interaction where this perspective made a difference. [36:19]
6. Think about a specific relationship or situation where you feel out of place or like an "alien." How can you embrace this feeling to live out your faith more authentically? [37:03]
7. How can you cultivate hope and resilience in uncertain times, knowing that your true identity and home are in the Kingdom of Heaven? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this truth daily? [22:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Identity Anchored in Heavenly Citizenship
Christians are encouraged to understand that their identity is anchored not in the world's political or social climate but in their citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. This perspective provides resilience and hope, as they navigate through life's uncertainties, knowing their ultimate home transcends this world. The story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt exemplifies that one's identity as a child of God is not contingent on external circumstances. [20:44]
Hebrews 11:13-16 - "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
Reflection: How does your heavenly citizenship shape your response to the current events in your country?
Day 2: Engaging Culture with Kingdom Values
Believers are called to engage with their culture without losing their distinct Christian identity, balancing their earthly presence with heavenly purpose. They are to be a blessing to their communities, working for the common good as defined by God, and allowing their lives to be a testament to the transformative power of Christ. This delicate balance involves influencing their surroundings with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. [29:55]
Jeremiah 29:7 - "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."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively work for the peace and prosperity of your community while maintaining your distinct Christian values?
Day 3: Maximizing Our Season for Christ
The principle of maximizing one's season, as demonstrated by the Israelites' growth in Egypt, calls Christians to focus on what truly matters. Regardless of the length of our lives, our days should point to Christ, encouraging believers to use their time and resources wisely, investing in actions and relationships that have eternal significance. [34:01]
Colossians 4:5 - "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."
Reflection: What is one way you can make the most of your current season to point others to Christ?
Day 4: Dual Citizenship: Earthly Engagement, Heavenly Allegiance
Christians live with the awareness of their dual citizenship, fully engaging in their earthly responsibilities while their ultimate allegiance is to a heavenly kingdom. This dual identity shapes their values, decisions, and interactions with the world around them, living extraordinary lives as if they were only passing through their countries. [03:55]
Philippians 3:20 - "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How does your understanding of your heavenly citizenship influence your daily life and interactions with society?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Providential Care
The story of Israel's journey to Egypt, with its experiences of both prosperity and oppression, underlines the providential nature of God's care for His people. Christians, as pilgrims and exiles, are to trust in God's providence, recognizing that both abundance and lack can serve His purposes. [17:52]
Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life where you can see God's providential care at work, even if it was challenging at the time?
Quotes
"One definition I came across in looking up this word pilgrim is this: one who journeys in foreign lands... we're pilgrims, we're exiles, we're foreigners; our home is not here and yet we are very much here and we have a purpose and a part to play here." [02:37]
"We are called to show peace and kindness to our neighbors and our co-workers. This is why as Christians we work for the common good, good defined by God." [33:20]
"Pilgrims and Exiles also maximize their opportunities towards what matters most. They maximize their opportunities." [34:01]
"They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens but labor under all the disabilities of aliens." [04:32]
"God in certain seasons and times providentially can bless with great abundance for his purposes and God can at times allow great lack for his purposes." [17:52]
"Our identity, we are pilgrims and Aliens. Our Hope and home are the Kingdom of Heaven." [37:03]
"We are to be distinct amongst the peoples of our Nations and we're to live with our eyes on the ultimate Promised Land, the Kingdom of Heaven." [29:55]
"Our identity as people of God is foremost; it's primary and it influences everything we see and everything that we do." [23:38]
"Neither of those circumstantial realities framed their identity; they were the people of God even if they had Shackles on their wrists." [20:01]
"Our Hope and home are the Kingdom of Heaven; this has been what the people of God have confessed for Millennia." [22:11]
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