Living as Sojourners: Embracing Our Dual Citizenship
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound concept of living as sojourners in a world that often feels foreign to our spiritual values. We delved into the teachings of 1 Peter, emphasizing our dual citizenship in both the earthly and heavenly realms. This duality challenges us to navigate our daily interactions with grace and intentionality, embodying the kingdom culture amidst diverse cultural backgrounds.
We began by acknowledging our identity as foreigners and exiles, a theme that resonates deeply in 1 Peter. This identity isn't just a theological concept but a practical framework for understanding our interactions in a world that may not always align with our values. As sojourners, we are called to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against our souls. This battle is not against external lists of dos and don'ts but is an internal struggle against the things that disrupt our inner peace and relationship with God.
The sermon highlighted the importance of living out our faith authentically in everyday situations. Whether at Home Depot, in a restaurant, or at the grocery store, we carry the presence of Jesus with us. Our actions and interactions should reflect His grace and love, transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for witness. For instance, the simple act of returning a shopping cart can be a testament to our integrity and character.
We also touched on the challenges of living out this kingdom culture, especially when faced with unearned suffering or injustice. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical principles, I discussed how responding with God's agape love can lead to transformative outcomes, not just for ourselves but also for those around us. This response is not about passivity but about actively choosing to engage with the world in a way that reflects our deep commitment to Christ's teachings.
The communal aspect of our faith was also a focal point, particularly through the practice of communion. This sacred tradition reminds us of our shared identity in Christ and the unifying love that transcends cultural and personal differences. It's a physical representation of our spiritual unity, inviting us to partake in the body and blood of Christ as a community of believers.
Finally, the sermon concluded with a call to embrace our vulnerabilities and bring our whole selves before Jesus. In acknowledging our weaknesses and the areas where we struggle, we open ourselves up to His healing and restoration. This process is not about achieving perfection but about progressing towards a more wholehearted embrace of our identity in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Embracing Our Identity as Sojourners - Recognizing ourselves as foreigners and exiles sharpens our perspective on how we interact with the world around us. This identity challenges us to live out our faith authentically, influencing every area of our lives from personal interactions to public engagements. [36:10]
2. The Internal Battle Against Sin - Understanding sin as anything that wages war against our soul helps us to focus on the real enemy, which is often our own harmful desires and habits. This perspective shifts our focus from external adherence to rules to internal transformation and health. [37:19]
3. Living Out Kingdom Culture in Everyday Life - Our daily actions, such as how we treat service staff or interact in public spaces, are reflections of our commitment to living as kingdom people. These moments are significant opportunities to demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus. [49:09]
4. Responding to Injustice with Divine Love - Facing unearned suffering with a response rooted in God's love can lead to profound personal and communal healing. This approach challenges us to act beyond our natural inclinations and reflect Christ's sacrificial love. [45:09]
5. Communion as a Community Practice - Participating in communion is a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ. It calls us to reflect on His sacrifice and our shared calling, strengthening our communal bonds and reinforcing our commitment to live out the gospel together. [56:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [23:26] - Introduction to Sojourners Series
- [30:44] - Exploring Our Dual Citizenship
- [36:10] - Identity as Foreigners and Exiles
- [42:54] - Choosing a Life of Healing
- [49:09] - Practical Kingdom Living
- [56:55] - Communion and Community
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)
> "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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Peter urge believers to do as "foreigners and exiles"? ([36:10])
2. According to the sermon, how does sin affect our inner peace and relationship with God? ([37:19])
3. What are some everyday actions mentioned in the sermon that can reflect our commitment to living as kingdom people? ([49:09])
4. How does the practice of communion serve as a reminder of our unity in Christ? ([56:55])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to live as "foreigners and exiles" in the context of our modern world? How does this identity shape our interactions with others? ([36:10])
2. How can understanding sin as something that "wages war against your soul" change our approach to dealing with sinful desires? ([37:19])
3. Why is it important to live out kingdom culture in everyday situations, such as at Home Depot or a restaurant? How can these small actions serve as a witness to others? ([49:09])
4. How can responding to unearned suffering with God's agape love lead to transformative outcomes for both ourselves and others? ([45:09])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you be more intentional about embodying the kingdom culture in places like the grocery store or at work? ([49:09])
2. Identify a sinful desire that wages war against your soul. What practical steps can you take this week to abstain from it and seek internal peace? ([37:19])
3. Think of a recent situation where you faced unearned suffering or injustice. How could you have responded with God's agape love? What might you do differently next time? ([45:09])
4. How can you make communion a more meaningful practice in your life, reflecting on its significance for our unity in Christ? ([56:55])
5. Consider a moment when you felt like a foreigner or exile in your own culture. How did you navigate that situation, and what did you learn about living out your faith authentically? ([36:10])
6. What are some specific ways you can bring your vulnerabilities and struggles before Jesus this week, seeking His healing and restoration? ([40:29])
7. How can you ensure that your actions and interactions reflect the love and grace of Jesus, even in challenging or mundane situations? ([49:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Identity as Sojourners
Recognizing ourselves as foreigners and exiles sharpens our perspective on how we interact with the world around us. This identity challenges us to live out our faith authentically, influencing every area of our lives from personal interactions to public engagements. As believers, understanding our identity as sojourners in this world is crucial. It reminds us that our true home is not found in the temporary structures and systems of this world but in the eternal kingdom of God. This perspective not only shapes our spiritual outlook but also our daily behaviors and decisions. When we see ourselves as pilgrims passing through, it becomes easier to resist the temptations and distractions that could derail our spiritual journey. Instead, we are motivated to focus on embodying the values of the kingdom of God, such as love, justice, and mercy, in every interaction, whether it's at work, at home, or in the community. [36:10]
1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: How can you better embody your identity as a sojourner in your current environment? What practical steps can you take to align your daily life more closely with kingdom values?
Day 2: The Internal Battle Against Sin
Understanding sin as anything that wages war against our soul helps us to focus on the real enemy, which is often our own harmful desires and habits. This perspective shifts our focus from external adherence to rules to internal transformation and health. The battle against sin is not just about avoiding wrong actions but about transforming our desires and thoughts. By recognizing that our primary struggle is within, we can begin to cultivate habits and thoughts that align with God's will. This internal transformation is essential for living a life that truly reflects Christ's love and grace. It involves daily decisions to choose God's ways over our own and to seek His strength in overcoming the temptations that threaten our spiritual health. [37:19]
Romans 7:22-23 (ESV): "For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members."
Reflection: What are some specific desires or habits that you recognize as harmful to your spiritual health? How can you begin to address these issues with God's help today?
Day 3: Living Out Kingdom Culture in Everyday Life
Our daily actions, such as how we treat service staff or interact in public spaces, are reflections of our commitment to living as kingdom people. These moments are significant opportunities to demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus. Living out kingdom culture means that every aspect of our lives—how we shop, work, and interact with others—should reflect the transformative power of Christ's love. This approach turns ordinary moments into extraordinary opportunities for witness and ministry. By choosing to act with integrity and love in everyday situations, we make the kingdom of God visible and tangible to those around us. [49:09]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: Can you think of a recent interaction where you could have better demonstrated kingdom values? What might you do differently next time to reflect Christ's love more clearly?
Day 4: Responding to Injustice with Divine Love
Facing unearned suffering with a response rooted in God's love can lead to profound personal and communal healing. This approach challenges us to act beyond our natural inclinations and reflect Christ's sacrificial love. When confronted with injustice or suffering, it's easy to react with anger or despair. However, choosing to respond with divine love—a love that forgives, heals, and restores—can transform even the most challenging situations. This kind of response not only aids in our own spiritual growth but also serves as a powerful witness to others of the depth and reality of Christ's love. [45:09]
1 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you faced injustice or suffering. How did you respond? How might a response rooted in divine love look different in future similar situations?
Day 5: Communion as a Community Practice
Participating in communion is a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ. It calls us to reflect on His sacrifice and our shared calling, strengthening our communal bonds and reinforcing our commitment to live out the gospel together. Communion is not just a ritual; it's a celebration of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that unites us as believers. This shared practice serves as a constant reminder of our common identity in Christ and our collective mission to embody His love and grace in the world. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacrificial love that should characterize our lives and our interactions with one another. [56:55]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: How does participating in communion shape your understanding of community and unity within the church? What steps can you take to foster a deeper sense of community in your local congregation?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "From an honest place. The second part. Is simple too. So this is about being good to yourself. Being good to others. That's what this next piece is about. Live such good lives. Among the pagans. So in this host culture. That though they may accuse you. Of doing wrong. Though they falsely accuse you. Though they. You experience unearned suffering. They may see your good deeds. And glorify God. On the day that he visits us." [43:34]
2. "And I know. I've worked with teens a lot of years. And I always have this conversation. I don't know if I love myself pastor. If you put on a sweatshirt. When you are cold. You love yourself. Loving yourself. Can be a very simple thing. You do love yourself. It might be complicated for you. And your pastors are here. To talk about it. We want you to come to us. When that feels very complicated. But in a general sense. If you put a sweatshirt on. When you are cold. Or if you turn a fan on. When you are hot. You do love yourself." [38:33]
3. "The goal. Let me see if we can get. Can you advance the slide. Just one. Oh there's nothing there. That's fine. It's real simple. We talked about this website. Where it says Sundays are the worst. As exiles. In our culture today. As we leave this place. The challenge. is to remember that we take Jesus with us, even at Home Depot, even at restaurants. Our goal should be, for waitstaff, Sundays are the best." [49:09]
### Quotes for Members
1. "But you know laws are no laws. Many of you know what it is like. To receive. Undeserved. Hardship. You know what that is like. And that has nothing to do with whether or not. There is a line. Or no line. Here. Let's go to the text. This is the beginning here. It says dear friends. I urge you as foreigners and exiles. Okay. And when we say that. I just really need us to know. We are all in that boat." [35:36]
2. "Stay away Jesus. You're not welcome here. I can't cope with you here. When I'm like this. It's awkward. And maybe a bit scary. It's uncomfortable to sit with the reality of who we are. There is a powerlessness. In acknowledging the depths of our wounds. Weariness and weakness. There's a helplessness. In admitting we won't bounce back from this. As quickly as we'd hoped. It's certainly vulnerable." [40:58]
3. "I think you guys already know. Is that. There is a reason why. Christians. Don't have the best. What is the word I am looking for? Reputation. So what you see on the screen. Is a receipt. And it actually says. Under tip. It says. I give God 10%. Why do you get 18? And some of you are like. Amen. This picture comes from. A website called. Sundays are the worst." [30:44]
4. "To abstain from sinful desires. Which wage war against your soul. When we hear the word sin. We stop listening. I know that. Because when we hear the word sin. We think it is about. All these don't dos. That are totally irrelevant. To our lives. What does this text. Tell us that sin. Does to us. It wages war. Within you. That is what sin does." [36:44]
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