Love, Sexuality and Holiness | Samuel Voo

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Sovereignty in Exile Gives Us Perspective and Confidence

No matter how dominant or pervasive the surrounding culture may seem, God remains sovereign over all history and every nation. Even when it appears that the values of the world overshadow those of God’s people, we are reminded that God’s kingdom is eternal and His purposes are never thwarted. This perspective allows us to engage with the world not from a place of fear or defeat, but with confidence, knowing that we are part of God’s unfolding story and that He is at work even in seasons of exile or cultural displacement. [08:37]

Daniel 1:1-2 (ESV)
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel overwhelmed by the culture around you, and how might remembering God’s sovereignty change your perspective and response today?

Day 2: Conviction and Courage to Live Out Our Identity

Daniel’s example shows that living faithfully in a culture with different values requires deep conviction and courage. He knew who he was and where his boundaries lay, choosing not to defile himself with practices that conflicted with his faith, even when it was costly or countercultural. This kind of conviction is rooted in a clear sense of identity in God and empowers us to engage the world with integrity, drawing our lines not out of fear or reactivity, but out of a desire to honor God above all. [11:46]

Daniel 1:8 (ESV)
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

Reflection: What is one area where you feel pressured to compromise your convictions, and what would it look like to draw a clear boundary out of faithfulness to God?

Day 3: Patient Engagement and Seeking the Welfare of the City

God’s people are called not to withdraw from the world, but to patiently engage with it, seeking the welfare of those around them even in places that feel foreign or uncomfortable. Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles urges them to build lives, pray for their city, and trust that God has a purpose for them in their current circumstances. This patient engagement means investing in relationships and communities, blessing others, and trusting God’s timing for deliverance and restoration. [14:34]

Jeremiah 29:4-7 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 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: Who is one person or group in your community you can intentionally bless or pray for this week, even if it feels challenging or outside your comfort zone?

Day 4: Our Core Identity Is in Christ, Not Sexuality or Gender

While sexuality and gender are significant aspects of who we are, Scripture calls us to place our deepest identity in Christ above all else. Jesus invites every follower to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him—meaning that every part of our lives, including our sexuality and gender, is to be surrendered to Him. This does not erase our experiences or struggles, but it reorders our priorities and gives us a new center from which to live, trusting that Christ defines us more than any other aspect of our identity. [33:15]

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Reflection: What is one area of your identity—whether related to sexuality, gender, or something else—that you need to surrender afresh to Jesus today?

Day 5: Faithfulness and Perseverance in the Midst of Struggle

The journey of discipleship often involves ongoing struggle, self-denial, and perseverance, especially in areas of deep personal challenge. Stories of those who have wrestled with their sexuality or other aspects of identity show that faithfulness is not about the absence of struggle, but about continually bringing our whole selves to God, seeking His transformation, and relying on His grace day by day. God meets us in our weakness and uses even our places of exile or brokenness for His good purposes. [35:23]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection: Where do you feel weak or discouraged in your walk with God, and how can you invite Him to meet you and strengthen you in that very place today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s world presents us with complex questions about sexuality, gender, and identity—questions that often leave us feeling like exiles in our own culture. Rather than offering a comprehensive answer to every scenario, the focus is on how to approach these issues with a posture shaped by Scripture, humility, and faithfulness. Drawing from the stories of Daniel and Jeremiah, we see that God’s people have always had to navigate life in societies with different values and priorities. Daniel’s story teaches us to live with conviction and confidence, rooted in the knowledge that God is sovereign over history, even when it seems like the surrounding culture is dominant and unchangeable. Daniel’s refusal to compromise his identity, even in small ways, was not out of fear or defensiveness, but out of a deep sense of who he was in God.

Jeremiah, writing to exiles in Babylon, urges God’s people not to withdraw or resist in fear, but to settle in, seek the welfare of the city, and trust that God has a purpose for them even in uncomfortable places. Exile is not a mistake or a punishment, but a context in which God works out His plans. This calls for patience and engagement, not retreat. The welfare of the city becomes the welfare of God’s people, and God’s promise is that He has good plans for us, even when we cannot see them.

When it comes to sexuality and gender, the challenge is to discern whether our responses are rooted in confidence in God’s story or simply accommodation to cultural pressures. Change is not inherently wrong, but it must be grounded in God’s purposes, not just in reaction to the world. Personal stories remind us that discipleship often involves self-denial and surrendering even our deepest identities to Christ. Our sexuality and gender are significant, but they are not the core of who we are—our identity in Christ is. The call is to live with conviction, to engage with those around us in love and patience, and to continually surrender every part of our lives to Jesus, trusting that He will guide, transform, and use us for His purposes.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s sovereignty gives us perspective and confidence. When the culture around us feels overwhelming or even hostile, remembering that God is ultimately in control allows us to engage with conviction rather than fear. Daniel’s example shows that our identity in God enables us to draw boundaries and live faithfully, even when pressured to conform. [09:12]
2. Faithfulness in exile means patient engagement, not withdrawal. Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles calls us to seek the welfare of the places where God has put us, even when we feel out of place. Our presence and participation can be a blessing to others and to ourselves, as God works out His purposes through our engagement. [14:13]
3. Discipleship requires surrendering every part of our identity to Christ. While sexuality and gender are deeply significant, they are not the ultimate core of who we are. Jesus calls all of us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him—submitting even our most personal identities to His lordship. [33:15]
4. Change and growth must be rooted in God’s story, not just cultural accommodation. The church has changed over time, but true transformation comes from aligning with God’s purposes, not simply reacting to societal trends. We must discern whether our responses are shaped by confidence in God or by a desire to fit in. [21:52]
5. Personal stories of struggle and faithfulness remind us that God meets us in our weakness. The journey of those who wrestle with sexuality or gender identity is often marked by perseverance, self-denial, and ongoing surrender. God’s grace is sufficient, and He continues to transform us as we hold every part of our lives open to Him. [35:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Real-Life Questions About Sexuality and Gender
[01:41] - Wrestling with How to Respond
[02:59] - Introducing Daniel and Jeremiah
[04:46] - Living as Exiles: Daniel’s Context
[07:07] - Babylon’s Power and God’s Perspective
[09:12] - Confidence in God’s Sovereignty
[10:26] - Daniel’s Conviction and Boundaries
[12:25] - Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles
[14:13] - Seek the Welfare of the City
[16:49] - Practical Engagement: Blessing Others
[18:16] - Testimony: God’s Purpose in Exile
[20:18] - Conviction, Patience, and Engagement
[21:09] - Applying Principles to Sexuality
[23:36] - Personal Story: Healing and Discipleship
[26:50] - Reflections on Genesis and Sexuality
[28:53] - Understanding Gender and Sexuality Today
[32:12] - The Call to Self-Denial in Christ
[34:04] - Another Story: Ongoing Surrender
[36:15] - Two Challenges for Us
[37:38] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Daniel 1:1-8 (ESV) — > In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.
> Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
> The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
> But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10-11 (ESV) — > “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 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.
> ...
> “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Luke 9:23 (ESV) — > And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Observation Questions

In Daniel 1, what specific action did Daniel take to maintain his identity and convictions while living in Babylon?
According to Jeremiah 29, what instructions did God give to the exiles about how to live in Babylon?
The sermon mentioned that Daniel’s refusal to eat the king’s food was not just about food laws, but about something deeper. What was the deeper reason? [[10:26]]
In Luke 9:23, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Daniel chose to draw the line at eating the king’s food, and what does this reveal about his understanding of faithfulness in a foreign culture? [[10:26]]
Jeremiah tells the exiles to “seek the welfare of the city.” What might this have looked like for them, and what does it suggest about how God’s people should relate to a culture that doesn’t share their values? [[14:13]]
The sermon emphasized that exile is not a punishment, but a context in which God works out His plans. How might this perspective change the way we view uncomfortable or challenging situations in our own lives? [[15:51]]
Jesus’ call to deny ourselves and take up our cross is challenging. How does this teaching relate to the way we think about our identity, especially in areas like sexuality and gender? [[33:15]]

Application Questions

The sermon described Daniel’s confidence and conviction in God’s sovereignty, even when surrounded by a dominant culture. Is there an area in your life where you feel pressure to compromise your convictions? How might remembering God’s sovereignty help you respond differently? [[09:12]]
Jeremiah called the exiles to “seek the welfare of the city” rather than withdraw. What are some practical ways you can engage and bless your workplace, neighborhood, or community, even if you feel out of place? [[14:13]]
The sermon challenged us to consider whether our responses to cultural changes are rooted in confidence in God’s story or simply accommodation. Can you think of a recent situation where you had to choose between fitting in and standing firm in your faith? What guided your decision? [[21:52]]
The pastor shared stories of people who surrendered their deepest identities to Christ, even when it was difficult. Is there an area of your identity—whether related to sexuality, gender, career, or something else—that you find hard to surrender to Jesus? What would it look like to take a step of surrender this week? [[33:15]]
The sermon mentioned that change is not inherently wrong, but it must be rooted in God’s purposes. How can you discern whether a change in your life is aligned with God’s story or just a reaction to cultural pressure? [[21:52]]
The pastor asked, “Where in your life do you need greater conviction?” Take a moment to reflect: is there a specific relationship, habit, or area where you need to live with more conviction and less fear? [[36:15]]
The call to patient engagement means not withdrawing from difficult conversations or relationships. Is there a person or group you’ve been avoiding because it’s uncomfortable? What is one step you could take to re-engage with love and patience this week? [[36:52]]

Sermon Clips

According to the text, God is sovereign over Babylon, right? Verse 2 says, Yes, exile happened, but guess what? That's not outside of God's will. It's not outside of God's purpose. In fact, it was God sending his own people into Babylon. So, it's not Nebuchadnezzar who is sovereign and all-powerful. It's not Nebuchadnezzar who is sovereign and all-powerful. And Babylon, which is eternal, it's God, Yahweh, the God of Israel who is sovereign. It's God's kingdom, which is eternal. That's the biblical perspective. [00:08:00] (44 seconds) #godsovereignty

Jeremiah is saying, Don't listen to them. And in opposition to that, in contrast to that, he says, No, it's not going to be a short time. Put down your roots. He says, Raise a family. Build houses. Seek the welfare of the city in which you live. Because in its welfare, you will find your welfare. He's saying, We're going to be there for a long time. So, get used to it and engage the city culturally. Its welfare will be your welfare. [00:13:46] (36 seconds) #rootedinexile

God has a purpose for us in exile. When we, as God's people, find ourselves in the midst of a culture with different values and different priorities, don't just withdraw. Don't just retreat. Live in it. Stay in it. Be engaged with it. Understand it. And continue to try to bless it. [00:19:40] (26 seconds) #convictionandpatience

``Yes, our gender, our sexuality forms a core part of our identity, but it seems to me that it's not the core. It's not the identity of our lives anymore. As those who are in Jesus Christ, that forms our core identity. Not our gender, not our sex, not our sexual attraction, not any other form of our identity. What we do, who we are, only Jesus Christ forms that core of our identity. [00:33:08] (33 seconds) #rootedengagement

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Love, Sexuality and Holiness | Samuel Voo | Oct 19, 2025