As we gather at the start of a new season, we find ourselves reflecting on what it means to live as followers of Jesus in a society where Christian faith is no longer at the center. Many of us feel a sense of displacement, a subtle but real experience of not quite fitting in with the culture around us. This feeling is not new; Scripture calls it “exile.” But Peter, in his letter, reminds us that we are not just exiles—we are “chosen exiles.” This identity is not an accident or a punishment, but part of God’s purposeful plan for us.

Exile in the biblical sense is more than physical displacement; it is a mindset and a spiritual reality. Even when the Israelites returned to their homeland, they still felt out of place because their hearts were not fully at home. Similarly, as Christians today, we may have all the freedoms and comforts of our society, but our values and convictions often set us apart. Peter’s encouragement is that this sense of not belonging is not a sign of failure, but a sign of being set apart for God’s purposes.

God uses our experience of exile to refine us, much like gold is purified by fire. The discomforts and challenges we face are opportunities for our faith to be tested and made genuine. This refining process exposes the impurities in our faith—those things we have adopted from culture or comfort that are not truly rooted in Christ. Two particular dangers are “cultural Christianity,” where faith is merely a reflection of societal norms, and “comfortable Christianity,” where our pursuit of ease and convenience dulls our spiritual edge.

We are called to make choices that reflect our true allegiance to Jesus, even when those choices are costly or inconvenient. Whether it’s prioritizing worship over other commitments or resisting the urge to blend in like a chameleon, our distinctiveness as God’s people is both a challenge and a gift. The call is not to withdraw from the world, but to live honorably, to bless even when wronged, and to use our blessings to serve others. In this post-secular age, as society becomes more open to spiritual things, we have a renewed opportunity to live out our faith authentically, letting God’s refining work make us holy, set apart, and truly alive in Christ.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Exile is not just a physical reality but a spiritual and cultural experience. Feeling out of place in society is a reminder that our true home and identity are found in Christ, not in the acceptance or norms of the world around us. This sense of exile is a call to remember who we are and whose we are. [08:21]
• 2. Being a “chosen exile” means that our displacement has divine purpose. God uses our experience of not fitting in to refine our faith, purify our hearts, and draw us closer to Him. The trials we face are not meaningless; they are opportunities for sanctification and transformation. [16:50]
• 3. Cultural Christianity is exposed when society no longer supports or encourages Christian practices. When faith is no longer the respectable or easy path, we are forced to examine whether our beliefs and actions are truly rooted in Christ or simply inherited from our environment. This divergence is a gift, as it clarifies and strengthens genuine faith. [25:35]
• 4. Comfortable Christianity can lull us into spiritual complacency. The pursuit of comfort and convenience, while not inherently wrong, can distract us from the costly call of discipleship. True grace is not cheap; it calls us to follow Jesus even when it means sacrifice, discomfort, or standing apart from the crowd. [33:20]
• 5. Our response to exile is not to withdraw or become chameleons, but to live distinctively and honorably. We are called to bless those who mistreat us, to abstain from the passions that wage war against our souls, and to use our blessings to serve others. In doing so, we reflect the character of Christ and fulfill our calling as God’s chosen people. [36:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Opening Prayer and Community Life
• [02:05] - Changing Culture and Loss of Christian Influence
• [03:11] - Trinity Western and Religious Freedom
• [05:17] - Personal Story of Cultural Displacement
• [06:20] - Exile as a Biblical and Modern Reality
• [07:11] - Two Kinds of Exile in Scripture
• [08:21] - The Mindset of Exile and Not Feeling at Home
• [09:57] - Peter’s Audience: Chosen Exiles
• [12:50] - Home as More Than Geography
• [14:19] - Theological Truth: Chosen for a Purpose
• [16:50] - Refining Faith Through Trials
• [18:18] - Biblical Images of Refinement
• [21:47] - Cultural Christianity: Germany’s Example
• [25:35] - When Culture and Faith Diverge
• [27:28] - Sports, Priorities, and Faith Decisions
• [29:49] - Tension Points Between Faith and Culture
• [31:27] - Comfortable Christianity and Bonhoeffer
• [33:20] - Costly Grace and Discipleship
• [36:34] - Living Distinctively, Not as Chameleons
• [38:54] - Reflective Questions for Application
• [40:08] - Living for Christ in a Post-Secular World
• [41:25] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

1 Peter 1:1-7 (ESV) — 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Observation Questions

1. In 1 Peter 1:1-2, what two words does Peter use to describe his audience, and what do those words mean in their context? ([14:19])
2. According to verses 6-7, what is the purpose of the trials that Peter’s audience is experiencing? ([16:50])
3. The sermon described two types of “exile” in the Bible. What are they, and which one does Peter focus on in his letter? ([07:11])
4. What are some examples from the sermon of how Christians today might feel “out of place” in society? ([06:20])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Peter call his readers “chosen exiles” instead of just “exiles”? What difference does it make to know that our sense of not belonging has a purpose? ([14:19])
2. The sermon talks about God using exile to “refine” our faith, like gold in a fire. What kinds of things might God be trying to burn away or purify in us through our experiences of not fitting in? ([18:18])
3. How does the idea of “cultural Christianity” show up in our own context, and why is it a danger to genuine faith? ([21:47])
4. The sermon mentions “comfortable Christianity” and the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. What does it mean for grace to be “costly” rather than “cheap,” and how does that challenge our approach to following Jesus? ([33:20])

Application Questions

1. The sermon described feeling “out of place” as a Christian in today’s culture. When was the last time you felt this way? How did you respond, and what did it reveal about your faith? ([06:20])
2. Peter says our trials are meant to refine our faith. Can you think of a recent challenge or discomfort that made you examine your beliefs or priorities? What did you learn from it? ([16:50])
3. The pastor shared a story about choosing church over sports, even when it was costly for his family. Are there areas in your life where you feel pressure to “blend in” or compromise your faith for the sake of fitting in or convenience? What would it look like to make a different choice? ([27:28])
4. “Cultural Christianity” is when faith is just a reflection of what’s normal or respectable in society. Are there any Christian practices or beliefs you hold mainly because they’re expected, not because they’re deeply personal? How can you move toward a more authentic faith? ([21:47])
5. The sermon asked, “What comfortable things in my life would I find hardest to give up if God asked me to?” Take a moment to name one or two comforts you would struggle to surrender. Why are they so important to you? ([38:54])
6. The call is not to withdraw or to be a “chameleon,” but to live distinctively and honorably. What is one practical way you can stand out for Christ this week—at work, school, or in your neighborhood? ([36:34])
7. Are you using your blessings to serve others, or mostly for yourself? What is one way you could use your resources, time, or gifts to bless someone else this month? ([38:54])