Living as Resident Aliens: Engaging with Urban Life

 

Summary

In Jeremiah 29, God speaks to the Israelites exiled in Babylon, urging them to build homes, plant gardens, and seek the prosperity of the city where they find themselves. This message is not just historical but deeply relevant for Christians today. We are called to live as "resident aliens," fully engaging with the world around us while maintaining our distinct Christian identity. This duality is challenging but essential. God placed the Israelites in Babylon for a purpose, just as He places us in our cities today. We are to be ambassadors for Christ, living in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God, which often stand in stark contrast to the values of the world.

The rapid urbanization of our world is not merely a social phenomenon but part of God's providential plan. Cities are growing faster than the church is willing to move, and this is a call to action. Christians are to make cities their home, not just as tourists or temporary residents but as integral parts of the social and economic fabric. Yet, we must remember that our ultimate home is not here. This tension requires us to live with a mindset of both engagement and distinction.

The call to seek the peace and prosperity of the city is radical. It means loving and praying for those who may oppose us, just as Jesus loved and died for His enemies. This is not a pragmatic approach but a deeply spiritual one, rooted in the example of Christ. As Christians, we are to live sacrificially, prioritizing the needs of others over our own, and in doing so, we reflect the cross-shaped values of the Kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Resident Aliens: Christians are called to live as "resident aliens," fully engaging with the world while maintaining a distinct Christian identity. This means being part of the social and economic fabric of our cities without losing our spiritual distinctiveness. [08:14]

2. God's Providential Plan: The rapid urbanization of the world is part of God's providential plan. As cities grow, Christians are called to follow and establish a presence, ensuring that the Gospel reaches every corner of these urban landscapes. [12:32]

3. Ambassadors for Christ: Living as an ambassador for Christ means being fluent in the culture of our earthly city while representing the values of the Kingdom of God. This requires a delicate balance of engagement and distinction. [17:29]

4. Cross-Shaped Values: The Kingdom of God operates on values of self-denial, self-renunciation, and justice, contrasting with the world's focus on self-assertion and individual or tribal advancement. Christians are called to embody these cross-shaped values in their daily lives. [21:08]

5. Loving Our Enemies: Christians are called to seek the peace and prosperity of their cities, even praying for those who oppose them. This radical love is modeled after Christ, who died for His enemies, and is essential for living out our faith authentically. [27:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:52] - Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles
- [01:25] - God's Instructions to the Exiles
- [03:38] - Historical Context of the Exile
- [05:31] - God's Shocking Commands
- [06:16] - Making the City Your Home
- [07:41] - Christians as Exiles
- [09:06] - God's Purpose in Urbanization
- [11:23] - The Church's Call to Cities
- [14:28] - Tension of Home and Ultimate Home
- [16:05] - Ambassadors for Christ
- [18:19] - Cross-Shaped Values
- [21:46] - Radical Love and Justice
- [24:08] - Seeking the City's Prosperity
- [29:02] - Jesus as Our Model

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 29:1-14: This passage contains the letter from the Prophet Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon, urging them to build homes, plant gardens, and seek the prosperity of the city where they find themselves.

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions does God give to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:5-7 about how they should live in Babylon? [01:25]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "resident aliens" and what does it mean for Christians today? [08:14]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of God saying, "I carried you into Exile"? [09:20]
4. What are the three shocking things God tells the Israelites to do in Babylon, as mentioned in the sermon? [05:44]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of being "resident aliens" challenge the way Christians typically view their relationship with the world? [08:14]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that rapid urbanization is part of God's providential plan? How should this influence the church's mission? [12:32]
3. What does it mean to live as an ambassador for Christ, and how does this role require a balance of engagement and distinction? [17:29]
4. How do the cross-shaped values of the Kingdom of God contrast with the values of the world, according to the sermon? [21:08]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current city or community. How can you more fully engage with it as a "resident alien," maintaining your Christian identity while being part of its social and economic fabric? [08:14]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking the peace and prosperity of the city. What practical steps can you take to contribute to the flourishing of your community, even if it means loving those who oppose you? [27:02]
3. Consider the idea of being an ambassador for Christ. In what ways can you become more fluent in the culture of your earthly city while representing the values of the Kingdom of God? [17:29]
4. The sermon discusses the tension between making the city your home and remembering it's not your ultimate home. How can you live with this mindset in your daily life? [15:20]
5. How can you embody the cross-shaped values of self-denial and justice in your interactions with others this week? Identify one specific action you can take. [21:08]
6. Think about someone in your life who might be considered an "enemy" or someone who opposes you. How can you pray for them and seek their well-being, following the example of Christ? [27:02]
7. The sermon calls Christians to live sacrificially. What is one area of your life where you can prioritize the needs of others over your own this week? [21:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Resident Aliens
Christians are called to live as "resident aliens," fully engaging with the world while maintaining a distinct Christian identity. This means being part of the social and economic fabric of our cities without losing our spiritual distinctiveness. The Israelites in Babylon were instructed to build homes, plant gardens, and seek the prosperity of the city, despite being exiles. Similarly, Christians today are to immerse themselves in their communities, contributing positively while upholding the values of the Kingdom of God. This duality of engagement and distinction is challenging but essential for living out our faith authentically. [08:14]

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: In what ways can you actively engage with your community while maintaining your Christian identity? Identify one specific action you can take this week to contribute to the welfare of your city.


Day 2: Embracing God's Providential Plan
The rapid urbanization of the world is part of God's providential plan. As cities grow, Christians are called to follow and establish a presence, ensuring that the Gospel reaches every corner of these urban landscapes. This movement is not just a social phenomenon but a divine opportunity for the church to expand its reach and impact. Christians are to make cities their home, not just as temporary residents but as integral parts of the social and economic fabric. Yet, we must remember that our ultimate home is not here, and this tension requires us to live with a mindset of both engagement and distinction. [12:32]

Acts 17:26-27 (ESV): "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."

Reflection: How do you see God's providential plan in the growth and development of your city? Consider how you can be a part of this plan by sharing the Gospel in your urban context.


Day 3: Ambassadors for Christ
Living as an ambassador for Christ means being fluent in the culture of our earthly city while representing the values of the Kingdom of God. This requires a delicate balance of engagement and distinction. Christians are to be in the world but not of it, understanding the culture around them while living out the values of love, justice, and mercy. As ambassadors, we are to reflect the character of Christ in our interactions, showing the world a different way of living that is rooted in the Gospel. [17:29]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: In what ways can you better represent the values of the Kingdom of God in your daily interactions? Identify one cultural aspect you can engage with more intentionally to reflect Christ's love and truth.


Day 4: Embodying Cross-Shaped Values
The Kingdom of God operates on values of self-denial, self-renunciation, and justice, contrasting with the world's focus on self-assertion and individual or tribal advancement. Christians are called to embody these cross-shaped values in their daily lives. This means prioritizing the needs of others over our own, living sacrificially, and seeking justice for the marginalized. By doing so, we reflect the example of Christ, who lived a life of humility and service, ultimately laying down His life for others. [21:08]

Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How can you practice self-denial and prioritize the needs of others in your daily life? Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your community this week.


Day 5: Loving Our Enemies
Christians are called to seek the peace and prosperity of their cities, even praying for those who oppose them. This radical love is modeled after Christ, who died for His enemies, and is essential for living out our faith authentically. Loving our enemies means extending grace and forgiveness, even when it is difficult. It requires a heart transformed by the Gospel, willing to put aside personal grievances for the sake of peace and reconciliation. By doing so, we become true ambassadors of Christ's love in a world that desperately needs it. [27:02]

Matthew 5:44-45 (ESV): "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Reflection: Who in your life do you find difficult to love or forgive? Ask God to help you extend His love and forgiveness to them today, and consider one practical step you can take towards reconciliation.

Quotes



"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." [00:01:34]

"God says look you lived in a place where everybody believed like you and if you went to work in a morning in Jerusalem and you saw an idol Shrine you could you should tear it down but now I've taken you to another city which is a pluralistic Pagan Earth Urban society and every day you're going to go to work and go buy Idol shrines and I want you to make this your home I don't want you to relate to this as a tourist I want you to live here make it your home." [00:06:42]

"Resident aliens resident means and what God is saying here is I want you to live there I want you to make that your home I want you to not be tourists who consume and simply move to New York City in order to get a New York City thing on your resume and then you know hold your nose so you can move somewhere where you can get a lot more house for your money I want you to I want you to become part of the economic and social fabric." [00:08:07]

"Social forces brought you into a pluralistic Urban Society, but I was using those social forces why because I brought you here and he tells you down in verse 10 and 11 I brought you here because I have a purpose for it oh it looks it's terrible it's hard it's difficult and yet I have a purpose I'm going to refine you I'm going to make you something better than you would have been if you didn't come here and I also have a purpose to bless the city too." [00:09:38]

"God is moving the people of the world into cities faster than Christians or the church are willing to follow and that is not right A friend of mine some years ago Roger Greenway wrote this he says it may be helpful to reflect on the fact that urbanization as a present fact of life is a reality under the providential control of God acts 17 says this God determined the exact places where men should live he did this so they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for him and find him." [00:11:34]

"An ambassador is someone who who lives in country a representing country B now on the one hand a good Ambassador is absolutely bilingual and fluent in the language of country a speaks it hopefully without an accent so the so an ambassador though from country B is completely fluent and totally coherent to the the people of country a and secondly appreciates country a enormously you're an ambassador your job is to bring people together it's to it's to show commonalities it's to build Bridges right and yet if you're an ambassador you never forget that you're there to represent the values and the interests of a different country." [00:16:41]

"The kingdom of God is cross-shaped it's based on what Jesus Christ did on the cross well what is that all right well let's let's put it like this you don't have to teach a child to say me first have you ever noticed that you know you always say can you say mama can you say dead we never say can you say me first you're not going to have to do that child will just automatically say me first okay it's the default mode of the human heart me in the west it's me the individual first in the in the East other places it's our family first our clan first our race first." [00:18:52]

"Self-affirmation self-definition and and Christianity the Christian the kingdom of God is based on self-denial self-renunciation self-sacrifice and Justice you know why I put those two things together self-sacrifice and Justice it's because you can't do justice for the downtrodden without making a sacrifice uh if you're not downtrodden you in other words if you're trying to do if you're not downtrodden and you want to seek Justice for the downtrodden that can only happen at your expense it only happens if the non-d downtrodden share something that they weren't sharing before basically love and Justice is it's the name of it is self-sacrifice not self assertion." [00:21:11]

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you in Exile pray to the Lord for it because if it prosper you two will prosper now the listeners must have been totally Thunderstruck let me explain why first of all notice it says seek the peace and prosperity of Babylon now many of you may know that there's only one Hebrew word there it's the word Shalom uh there is no single English word that can convey the full lexical range of the Hebrew word Shalom the word shalom means full full thriving and flourishing uh to seek the shalom of a city means that you want it to be economically prosperous you want to be the people to be psychologically joyful and hopeful you want uh we want spiritual social economic flourishing and thriving in every way and you're supposed to seek that." [00:24:20]

"Pray for the Shalom of Babylon now the fact of the matter is the Jews knew they were supposed to pray for the Shalom of Jerusalem go read Psalm 122 that's all it's a prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem and it's remarkable I'll just read you one verse this is from Psalm 122 pray for the Peace of Jerusalem May those who love you be secure you can't pray for the Peace of baby you can't pray for someone Shalom without loving them but these are the people who this these are their enemies they probably the Babylonians probably killed many of their friends as they were Conquering the place and bringing them captive how in the world could you love your enemies this is the closest thing in the Old Testament to what Jesus says in the New Testament love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." [00:26:03]

"Jesus Christ lived in heaven and he moved into our neighborhood and I have to tell you it was much smaller quarters than he was used to he incarnated he moved into our neighborhood and then of course he was persecuted because he represented the kingdom of God but he died for his enemies and listen this is not the only way we could Prosper is not if he prospered but if he died it's almost like the father said son if you prosper they will die if you die they will prosper you have to go to the Cross you have to die and what did Jesus say I will now if you just see Jesus Christ dying for enemies out there that makes him an example kind of daunting but if you see him dying for you Romans 5 when we were yet enemies he died for us when we were indifferent he died for us if you see him doing that that will burn the shape of the Cross into your heart and you'll be able to live this way." [00:29:31]

"Thank you Father for your word that shows us how we should live in our day thank you for your son who gives us not just the model but the power to live that way and make us into a movement of Christians and churches and Ministries who do in New York City what you called the children your children to do in Babylon years ago we pray this in Jesus name amen." [00:30:53]

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Transcript
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