Thriving in Exile: A Call to Faithfulness
Summary
Today’s focus is on the reality of living in a nation and a time that feels increasingly foreign, uncertain, and even discouraging for many believers. In the midst of political shifts, cultural changes, and spiritual decline, it’s easy to feel like our voice and our faith no longer matter. Yet, the truth is that God has placed us here for a purpose, and our presence—individually and as a church—carries immense significance. We are not called to retreat or to hide our light, but to multiply, to prosper, and to be a blessing wherever we are, even if it feels like exile.
Drawing from Jeremiah 29, we see God’s instruction to His people in Babylon: build, plant, multiply, and seek the welfare of the city. This is not a call to passive survival, but to active engagement and flourishing, even in a culture that does not share our values. The early church faced similar challenges, ministering in places that had no understanding of God, yet the kingdom advanced through their faithfulness, prayer, and bold witness.
The decline of Christianity in Canada is not a sign of defeat, but a primer for revival. God’s plans for us are for hope and a future, not disaster. The call is to take the basket off our heads, to let our light shine, and to pray fervently for our city, our nation, and our workplaces. Revival is not just an event within church walls, but a movement that spills out into every sphere of life, transforming neighborhoods, workplaces, and families through the presence and message of Jesus.
We are invited to be part of a divine movement, to seek God with our whole hearts, and to intercede for those around us. The promise remains: when we seek Him, we will find Him; when we pray, He listens and moves. Now is the time to wake up, to pray, to share, and to believe that God is on the move—right here, right now, through us.
Key Takeaways
- God’s People Thrive in Exile
Even when we find ourselves in a culture or nation that feels foreign or even hostile to our faith, God’s call is not to withdraw but to build, plant, and multiply. Like Israel in Babylon, we are to seek the welfare of the place we live, trusting that God’s plans for us are good, even in unfamiliar territory. Our presence is meant to bring blessing and transformation, not just to survive but to thrive. [01:06:46]
- The Kingdom Advances Through Ordinary Faithfulness
The advance of God’s kingdom is not dependent on favorable circumstances or cultural acceptance. In the early church, and in every age, the kingdom grows through the faithful witness, prayer, and love of ordinary believers. Our daily choices to pray, to bless, and to share Jesus in our workplaces and neighborhoods are the seeds of revival and spiritual awakening. [01:12:46]
- Prayer is the Engine of Revival
Revival is not just a spontaneous outpouring; it is fueled by persistent, intentional prayer. God calls us to pray for our city, our nation, and our leaders—even when their values do not align with ours. Our prayers open the door for God’s blessing and transformation, both for ourselves and for those who do not yet know Him. [01:14:10]
- Take the Basket Off—Boldly Shine Your Light
It is easy to hide our faith out of fear, discouragement, or cultural pressure, but Jesus calls us to be a city on a hill, a light that cannot be hidden. The world needs what we carry—the presence and message of Jesus. Boldness in sharing our faith, in word and deed, is essential for the hope and future God intends for our communities. [01:18:03]
- God’s Plans Remain—Hope is Secure
No matter how bleak the circumstances or how great the spiritual decline, God’s plans for His people are steadfast: plans for well-being, a future, and a hope. Our role is to seek Him wholeheartedly, to pray, and to participate in His movement. The promise is that He will be found, He will restore, and He will move through us to bring renewal to our land. [01:24:05]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:50] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[05:00] - Coffee Break and Community Connection
[10:00] - Introduction: A Future Hope
[11:31] - Reflecting on National Uncertainty
[13:10] - The Church’s Voice in a Divided Nation
[15:36] - Why Your Presence Matters
[17:09] - Revival: God’s Promise for Our Church
[19:06] - What is Revival?
[21:27] - From Jerusalem to Athens: Our Cultural Moment
[22:43] - Jeremiah 29: Exile and God’s Instruction
[26:46] - Multiply and Prosper in a Foreign Land
[28:23] - The Kingdom Advances in Adversity
[31:32] - Partnering with God in Everyday Life
[34:10] - Praying for the City and Nation
[38:03] - Take the Basket Off: Bold Witness
[40:25] - God’s Plans: A Future and a Hope
[44:05] - A Call to Prayer and Revival
[46:41] - Responding in Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “A Future Hope”
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### Bible Reading
Jeremiah 29:4-14 (CSB)
> This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.” ... “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes...”
Matthew 5:14-16 (CSB)
> “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Acts 16:25-34 (CSB)
> (Paul and Silas in prison, singing hymns, God sends an earthquake, the jailer and his family are saved.)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Jeremiah 29, what specific instructions does God give to the exiles living in Babylon? ([01:05:41])
2. According to the sermon, what does Babylon represent in the Bible, and how does that relate to our current culture? ([01:08:23])
3. What does Jesus say about hiding your light in Matthew 5, and how did the pastor connect this to our lives today? ([01:18:03])
4. In the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16, what happened as a result of their faithfulness and worship in a difficult place? ([01:12:46])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God told the Israelites to build, plant, and multiply in Babylon instead of just waiting to go home? What does this say about God’s purpose for His people in hard places? ([01:06:46])
2. The pastor said, “Every place we go should feel the blessing of having a Christian in the space.” What does it mean for Christians to “seek the welfare of the city” today? ([01:08:23])
3. How does persistent prayer, even for people or leaders we disagree with, open the door for God’s blessing and transformation? ([01:14:10])
4. The sermon described a “basket” that Christians sometimes put over their light. What are some reasons people might hide their faith, and what are the consequences? ([01:18:03])
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### Application Questions
1. The Israelites were told to “build houses, plant gardens, and multiply” in a place that felt foreign. In what areas of your life do you feel like you’re “in exile,” and what would it look like to actively engage and bless that place instead of withdrawing? ([01:06:46])
2. The pastor challenged us to let our workplaces, neighborhoods, and city feel the blessing of our presence. What is one practical way you can intentionally bring blessing or encouragement to your workplace or neighborhood this week? ([01:08:23])
3. Prayer was described as the “engine of revival.” Who or what is one specific person, leader, or situation you can commit to pray for daily this week? How will you remind yourself to do it? ([01:14:10])
4. The sermon talked about taking the basket off our heads and shining our light. What is one area where you have been tempted to hide your faith? What is one step you can take to be more open about your relationship with Jesus? ([01:18:03])
5. The pastor said, “God’s plans for us are for hope and a future, not disaster.” When you look at the news or your own circumstances, do you find it hard to believe this? How can you remind yourself of God’s promises when you feel discouraged? ([01:24:05])
6. The early church advanced the kingdom through ordinary faithfulness, even in adversity. What is one “ordinary” act of faithfulness you can do this week that could make a difference in someone’s life? ([01:12:46])
7. The sermon ended with a call to wake up, pray, and believe God is on the move. What is one area where you need to “wake up” spiritually? How can the group support you in this? ([01:28:35])
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person shine their light, pray boldly, and be a blessing wherever He has placed them.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Sovereignty in Unfamiliar Times
No matter how foreign or unsettling our surroundings may feel, God remains sovereign and in control. Just as He reminded the exiles in Babylon that He is the Lord of armies, we too can trust that He is not asleep or absent from our circumstances. Even when the world around us seems to shift and values change, God owns the board—He is orchestrating His purposes, and nothing escapes His notice. In seasons of uncertainty, we are called to remember His strength and faithfulness, knowing that He is working for our good and His glory, even when we do not recognize the land we live in. [01:05:41]
Jeremiah 29:4
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:”
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel unsettled or out of place, and how can you remind yourself today that God is still sovereign and present in that situation?
Day 2: Multiply and Prosper Where You Are
God’s people are called not to shrink back in difficult environments, but to thrive and multiply. Even in Babylon—a place that represented everything contrary to God—He instructed His people to build, plant, and increase. This is a call to be proactive, to seek the welfare of the places we find ourselves, and to let the blessing of God flow through us into our workplaces, neighborhoods, and cities. Rather than reacting in fear or discouragement, we are to ask God how we can prosper and bring His presence wherever we go, trusting that His Spirit within us is eager to advance His kingdom through our daily lives. [01:09:49]
Jeremiah 29:5-6
“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.”
Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally bring blessing or excellence to your workplace, neighborhood, or family this week?
Day 3: Pray for the City and Its Prosperity
God’s instruction to His people in exile was to pray for the city where they lived—even if it was a place that did not share their values. When we pray for our city, our leaders, and our workplaces, we invite God’s blessing and transformation not only for ourselves but for those around us. Our prayers can be a channel for God’s goodness to permeate even the most unlikely places, and our willingness to intercede can make a tangible difference in the spiritual climate of our communities. [01:14:10]
Jeremiah 29:7
“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 leader, coworker, or neighbor you can pray for by name today, asking God to bless and prosper them?
Day 4: God’s Plans for Hope and a Future
Even when circumstances seem bleak or when we feel far from where we thought we’d be, God’s plans for us remain good. He promises well-being, not disaster, and offers us a future and a hope. This assurance is not based on our surroundings or the state of our nation, but on His unchanging character and faithfulness. We are invited to trust that God knows what He is doing, and to hold onto hope, believing that He is working out His purposes for our lives, our church, and our nation. [01:18:56]
Jeremiah 29:10-11
“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.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God’s promise of hope and a future, and how can you surrender that to Him in prayer today?
Day 5: Revival Begins with Seeking God Wholeheartedly
Revival and transformation begin when God’s people seek Him with all their hearts. The promise is that when we call, pray, and search for Him, He will be found and will restore what has been lost. This is a call to become a movement of prayer—not just for ourselves, but for our city, nation, and those who do not yet know Jesus. As we intercede and pursue God passionately, we open the door for His Spirit to move, bringing renewal, healing, and hope to our communities and beyond. [01:26:41]
Jeremiah 29:12-14
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”
Reflection: When and how will you set aside intentional time this week to seek God in prayer for your city, your church, and those who need hope?
Quotes
the reason why we don't lose hope is because we have something supernatural inside of us that wants to multiply, that wants to see power flow and transformation flow. I said this one time, and I'll say it again, that the spirit of God is inside of you. If you're a Christian, God has set up his home in you, and the spirit of God wants out. [01:11:32] (23 seconds)
See, I had a word that the Lord had spoken to me a few years ago. And in the word he had said that you'll see these nations and stuff, and they're playing chess on the board, thinking they're winning. But what they don't realize is that I own the board. [01:05:41] (17 seconds)
Go be Jesus in your workplace. Go be Jesus in your city with love and goodness. And number one, most of all, don't be ashamed of it because you carry the message and the presence of God the world needs. They need you. The world needs you. Your workplace needs you. Your neighborhood needs you because of what you carry inside. [01:17:26] (29 seconds)
And the big picture is that the kingdom of God and the message of Jesus Christ will grow and it will have its effects. We are a part of a divine movement that carries truth that has shaped the course of history. [01:25:34] (20 seconds)
Regardless of politics, economics, persecution, or danger, no matter what, our destiny as a church will still come to pass. We are having revival. Do not, do not believe in the discouragement or the fear that wants to be cast over you. I don't care where you stand politically. I don't care where your life stands. Do not believe in it. Don't give yourself to it. Don't surrender to the anxiety and fear and the weight. Whether you're saying, I don't know if I can buy a house based on our future. Whether you're saying, I don't know if I'll lose my house based on the economy. It doesn't matter. It's not the point. The point is Jesus Christ is going to have his day in this country and in this city and in our church. [00:59:06] (44 seconds)
When we talk about this, it's because we recognize our vision, our heart, it's because we recognize as a church that in Canada and in Vernon there's generally been, and even somewhat in our own individual lives, a spiritual decline that has happened. And we look at the spiritual decline in our world, in our city, and in our hearts and we start to say no more. No more decline. No more. [01:00:46] (31 seconds)
And so when you're at your job, rather than not doing well, you seek to see the multiplication of your workplace. You seek to see the blessing. I fully believe every place we go should feel somewhat the ramification and blessing of having a Christian in the space. Every place you go. Doesn't matter where. Doesn't matter when. Doesn't matter if you are working in the most godless work environment that believes totally different than you. Trust me, Babylon believed totally different than Israel. [01:07:50] (33 seconds)
And a lot of times what has happened is we felt the weight, and I don't exactly know why it's there, whether it's a strategy of the enemy, something, but the weight to not share Jesus with your neighbor. The weight to not talk about Jesus at your workplace. We felt the pressure. But I'm telling you this, your voice, your voice, as a voice that represents God to a community, to a nation, to a city, needs to be heard. [00:56:59] (30 seconds)
As your pastor, I want to state to you today that you as an individual and us as a collective in the church matter more than we could ever think possible. We actually carry the most important message message that this country could, that the world could ever hear. We carry the good news of Jesus Christ. [00:56:44] (26 seconds)
Whether you're up, down, left, or right, whether you feel discouraged and encouraged this week, whether you feel that life is great, or you feel like life is hurting and wrong and falling apart, no matter where you camp or stand, to never lose sight of what the Bible says, because what God has said and what God has spoken will come to pass. [00:57:32] (26 seconds)
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