Returning Home: Embracing God's Presence and Love

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I explored the profound concept of 'home' and its spiritual significance, drawing from various biblical texts to illustrate the journey of returning to a place where we are settled, known, and loved. I began by acknowledging the universal longing for a place called home, a place that transcends the physical realm and touches the core of our being. This place, I argued, is not merely a physical location but a state of being in the presence of God, where we find true peace and belonging.

I reflected on the story of the Israelites, who were exiled from their homeland and longed to return. Their story is a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual exile and the journey back to God. I emphasized that, like the Israelites, we often find ourselves in a cycle of rebellion, discipline, and rescue, which can leave us feeling far from home both literally and spiritually.

The sermon highlighted the role of repentance as the path to returning home. Repentance is not about shame or guilt; it is about forgiveness and restoration. I shared the example of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus, emphasizing the need for us to prepare our hearts through repentance.

I spoke of Jesus' humility and sacrifice as the ultimate expression of God's love and the means by which we are brought back home. Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away the sins of the world and bridges the gap between our brokenness and God's perfection. His death and resurrection are the foundation of our hope and the promise of our eternal home.

As we approach Holy Week, Good Friday, and Easter, I encouraged the congregation to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and the new covenant established through His blood. This covenant is everlasting and assures us of our place in God's kingdom.

Finally, I called on everyone to live in anticipation of Jesus' return, to remove the 'scales of Babylon' from our eyes, and to see the nearness of the kingdom of God. I urged the congregation to repent, believe the good news, and live as though we are already home, even as we await Jesus' second coming.

Key Takeaways:

- The concept of 'home' is deeply embedded in our spiritual DNA, and our ultimate home is found in the presence of God. This is not a physical location but a state of being where we are fully known, loved, and at peace. The biblical narrative, from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, is a story of humanity's journey back to this divine home. [57:09]

- Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual posture of the heart that aligns us with God's will. It is through repentance that we find our way back to God, who does not respond with condemnation but with open arms of forgiveness. This is the beauty of the gospel: that we are called back to a place of belonging, no matter how far we have strayed. [53:42]

- Jesus' humility and sacrifice are the epitome of God's greatness. His willingness to become the Lamb of God and bear the sins of the world reveals a strength that confounds our expectations. In Jesus, we see a God who chooses the path of self-giving love to bring us back home. [55:37]

- The new covenant established by Jesus through His blood is superior to any previous covenant because it is everlasting and based on the ultimate sacrifice. This covenant assures us of our eternal home with God and calls us to live in the light of this truth, embracing the hope and promise it offers. [49:32]

- As we await Jesus' return, we are called to live as though the kingdom of God is already here. This means actively participating in God's work by caring for the marginalized, living out our faith, and helping others to do the same. In doing so, we embody the reality of our heavenly home here on earth. [57:51]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Chronicles 36:11-23 - The story of King Zedekiah and the exile of the Israelites to Babylon.
2. Ezekiel 37:26-27 - The prophecy of the new covenant and God making His home among His people.
3. Mark 1:14-15 - John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus and the call to repentance.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the cycle that the Israelites experienced according to 2 Chronicles 36:11-23? How did this cycle affect their relationship with God? ([42:13])
2. In Ezekiel 37:26-27, what promises does God make about His covenant and His presence among His people?
3. According to Mark 1:14-15, what was John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for Jesus? What message did he preach?
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of 'home' in a spiritual sense? ([37:42])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the cycle of rebellion, discipline, and rescue in the Israelites' story reflect our own spiritual journeys? ([42:13])
2. What does it mean for God to make His home among His people as described in Ezekiel 37:26-27? How does this relate to the new covenant established by Jesus? ([48:55])
3. In what ways does repentance serve as a path to returning 'home' spiritually, according to the sermon and Mark 1:14-15? ([53:42])
4. How does Jesus' humility and sacrifice exemplify God's love and the means by which we are brought back home? ([55:37])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually 'exiled' or far from God. What steps did you take, or can you take, to begin the journey back home? ([40:18])
2. The sermon emphasizes that repentance is not about shame but about forgiveness and restoration. How can you cultivate a continual posture of repentance in your daily life? ([53:42])
3. Jesus' sacrifice is described as the ultimate expression of God's love. How can you embody this self-giving love in your interactions with others this week? ([55:37])
4. As we await Jesus' return, we are called to live as though the kingdom of God is already here. What practical steps can you take to actively participate in God's work in your community? ([57:51])
5. The sermon calls us to remove the 'scales of Babylon' from our eyes. What are some modern-day distractions or influences that might be preventing you from seeing the nearness of God's kingdom? How can you address these distractions? ([56:21])
6. Reflect on the new covenant established through Jesus' blood. How does this assurance of an eternal home with God influence your daily decisions and actions? ([49:32])
7. The concept of 'home' is deeply embedded in our spiritual DNA. How can you create a sense of spiritual 'home' in your personal life and within your church community? ([37:42])

Devotional

Day 1: Discovering Our Spiritual Home
The ultimate home is a spiritual state in God's presence. [57:09]

The concept of 'home' resonates deeply within the human heart, yet the truest sense of home cannot be confined to the physical spaces we inhabit. It is a spiritual reality, a place where one's soul is fully embraced in the warmth of divine love and acceptance. This spiritual home is not found on any map, but rather within the presence of God, where peace and belonging are not just promised but profoundly experienced. The narrative of Scripture weaves this theme throughout, from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, depicting humanity's quest to return to this sacred space where we are fully known and loved.

The journey to this home is not without its challenges, as it requires a navigation through the complexities of life and the distractions that can lead one astray. Yet, the path is illuminated by the light of God's grace, beckoning each person to step forward in faith, trusting that the divine embrace awaits at the journey's end. This spiritual homecoming is the heart's deepest longing and the soul's greatest fulfillment.

Bible passage: Hebrews 11:13-16
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Reflection: How does your understanding of 'home' change when you consider it as a spiritual state rather than a physical place?


Day 2: The Heart's Continuous Return
Repentance aligns us with God's will and leads to restoration. [53:42]

Repentance is often misunderstood as a momentary act, a fleeting admission of wrongdoing. However, it is far more profound; it is a continuous posture of the heart that seeks to align with the divine will. True repentance involves a transformation that goes beyond feelings of shame or guilt, leading instead to a place of forgiveness and restoration. It is the turning of one's entire being towards God, acknowledging the missteps and choosing a different path—one that leads back to the spiritual home where God's open arms await.

This journey of repentance is not embarked upon alone. It is guided by the Holy Spirit and supported by the community of faith, encouraging each step taken in humility and hope. The beauty of the gospel shines brightly on this path, revealing that no distance is too great to separate one from the love and belonging found in God's presence. The call to repentance is an invitation to shed the burdens of the past and embrace the freedom of a life lived in harmony with the Creator.

Bible passage: Hosea 14:1-2
"Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to embrace repentance, and how can you take a step towards that today?


Day 3: The Strength in Divine Humility
Jesus' sacrifice reveals God's strength and love. [55:37]

In a world that often equates strength with power and dominance, the humility and sacrifice of Jesus present a stark contrast. His willingness to become the Lamb of God and bear the weight of humanity's sins unveils a strength that defies human expectations. It is in this divine humility that the greatness of God's love is most clearly seen. Jesus' choice to walk the path of self-giving love, even unto death, is the means by which all are invited back into the spiritual home with God.

The cross stands as a testament to this unparalleled love, a love that chooses to suffer for the sake of others. In Jesus, one finds a God who is not distant or detached but intimately involved in the human experience, sharing in its sorrows and offering a way to redemption. His resurrection is the foundation of hope, assuring that death and brokenness do not have the final word. In the risen Christ, the promise of an eternal home with God becomes a reality to be grasped with both hands.

Bible passage: Philippians 2:6-8
"Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: How does the humility and sacrifice of Jesus challenge your own understanding of strength and greatness?


Day 4: The Everlasting Covenant of Hope
Jesus' blood establishes an eternal covenant and home. [49:32]

The new covenant established by Jesus through His blood surpasses any previous agreements between God and humanity. It is an everlasting covenant, rooted in the ultimate sacrifice that cannot be broken or diminished by time. This covenant is the assurance of an eternal home with God, a promise that stands firm amidst life's uncertainties. It invites each person to live in the light of this truth, to embrace the hope and promise it offers, and to let it shape the way one engages with the world.

Living under this new covenant means recognizing that one's actions, words, and thoughts are all part of a larger story—a story of redemption and restoration. It calls for a life that reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus, a life that seeks to embody the values of the kingdom of God here and now. The blood of Christ not only secures a future home but also transforms the present, empowering believers to live as agents of grace and ambassadors of the eternal kingdom.

Bible passage: Jeremiah 31:33-34
"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

Reflection: In what ways can you live out the reality of the new covenant in your daily interactions and decisions?


Day 5: Anticipating the Kingdom Now
Live as if the kingdom of God is already present. [57:51]

The anticipation of Jesus' return is not a passive waiting but an active engagement with the reality of God's kingdom. Believers are called to live as though the kingdom is already here, removing the 'scales of Babylon' from their eyes to see the nearness of God's reign. This means actively participating in God's work, caring for the marginalized, living out one's faith authentically, and helping others to do the same. It is a call to embody the reality of the heavenly home here on earth, to be a reflection of divine love and justice in a world that yearns for both.

Living with this anticipation transforms one's perspective, priorities, and practices. It challenges believers to consider how their lives can be a foretaste of the kingdom to come, how each action can be a signpost pointing to the eternal home with God. It is a life marked by hope, service, and a deep-seated joy that comes from knowing that the kingdom of God is both a future promise and a present reality.

Bible passage: 1 Peter 2:11-12
"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: What is one way you can demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom in your community today?

Quotes

"We have this hardwired into us, the desire to have a place where we belong. And yet for so many of us, that place feels out of reach. Even as I'm talking about home today, some of you are having maybe memories from your childhood that aren't very good... But it's a place where we can actually feel settled and known and loved." [39:06](Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

"The truth that it's more than just a physical place with a nice white picket fence and a big backyard and a dog, but it's a place where we can actually feel settled and known and loved... We've been sent away from that place and at times it feels like do I even want to make the effort to try to get back home." [39:41]( | | )

"Will we go back in Repentance to our God? He doesn't shame us, he doesn't guilt us, what does he do? He forgives us. Isn't that beautiful? I know I need that over and over and it's because of how great our God is... Jesus comes in his greatness to bring us back home, to bring us forgiveness, to show us how wonderful our God is." [54:21]( | | )

"Jesus comes in his greatness to bring us back home. Jesus comes in his greatness to bring us forgiveness. Jesus comes in his greatness to show us how wonderful our God is. Yet here's the thing about our God, his greatness is always displayed in such an unexpected way, it's displayed in incredible humility." [55:37]( | | )

"Jesus says the time promised by God has come at last, the kingdom of God is near. Jesus is near, friends. Do not let the scales of Babylon cover your eyes to the truth that the kingdom of God is near and that Jesus is coming again very soon. Repent of your sins and find wholeness as you believe the good news." [57:09]( | | )

"Thank you that we can now live waiting for you, not without work to do. We get to make this place more like it will be when you come again, more like it was in the beginning. As we care for orphans and widows, as we live out our faith, as we become more like you, Jesus, as we help others to do the same." [57:51]( | | )

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Transcript
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