Living as Dual Citizens
Christians are citizens their country, but their primary citizenship is in heaven and this primary citizenship determines how they live as citizens of the country of their earthly life.
1 Peter 2:9-12
Our Eternal Lord
Ezekiel was a priest who spoke God’s Word to God’s people who were exiles in Babylon, and he told of the Messiah as an eternal Lord Who will rule His people, bless His people and dwell with His people forever.
Ezekiel 37:24-28 (ESV)
Standing Strong In Trying Times Series Outline
The book of Daniel gives stories of faithful believers standing strong in trying times of exile and visions of the ultimate victory of God’s Kingdom over the kingdoms of this world.
Thriving In the Land of Our Exile
To thrive in our exile, we must labor to see others experience shalom, remember that our God is the Living, Eternal God, that the kingdoms of this world pass away but that God’s Kingdom endures forever, and that God rescues and saves His people into His kingdom.
Daniel 6:25-28
New Boss, Same As the Old Boss
Daniel still faced persecution under the new kingdom, reminding us that God’s people must always live by trust in God rather than man in the land of our exile.
Daniel 6
Standing Strong In Fiery Trials
To stand strong in the fiery trials of exile, God’s people must walk by faith – displaying humble confidence in God, trusting in His Sovereign Power, and obeying God and His Word regardless of the consequences.
Daniel 3 (Daniel 3:16-18)
The God of Wisdom and Power
God is the source of wisdom and power, His kingdom is everlasting, and He will give wisdom and power to His exile people as they walk with Him.
Daniel 2
Standing Strong In Exile
To stand strong in our land of exile we must remember our true identity as God’s people, trust in His Sovereignty, and walk with wisdom and humility as we are in the world but not of it.
Daniel 1
Strangers In A Strange Land
To stand strong in trying times, we must know that God is Sovereign and faithful, even in the land of our exile.
Daniel 1:1-2
The Church – God’s Nation of Exiles
The Church is God’s Nation in the world today, comprised of believers from every earthly nation, scattered throughout every earthly nation, and with ultimate loyalty and affection reserved for God and His kingdom.
1 Peter 5:1-2; 2:9-12; 5:13-14
RESET: Redeeming the Quarantine
Like the exile, our current time of disruption should be used as a divinely appointed season to reset our priorities and practices, redeeming the quarantine to make beneficial changes to our lives.
Deuteronomy 4:27-31
The Younger Son’s Story
The younger son in the parable mistakenly thought that his identity and joy would be found through self-discovery and self-indulgence apart from the father’s presence and will.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The Advent Promise Endangered
When we seem to be forgotten and forsaken, we can know that Jesus will never leave or forsake us, and is always at work to hold us close to our Father
Isaiah 49:1-7
The Fugitive Freed
In his darkest moment of despair, God delivered David, fulfilled His promises and made him king over His people.
1 Samuel 30-31; 2 Samuel 1:1-2:4
The Fugitive’s Faithful Father
Despite David’s sin and unfaithfulness, God was faithful to save David and fulfill His covenant promises.
1 Samuel 28:1-2; 29:1-30:8 (30:1-8)
The Fugitive’s Fear
When David does not seek God and trust in His Word but instead acts based on his internal fears, he wanders into a period of exile and sin.
1 Samuel 26-28:2 (1 Samuel 27:1)
The Fugitive
David’s time as a fugitive fleeing the madness and wrath of Saul shows that real security is found in God, not our outer circumstances.
1 Samuel 21-22 (22:1-5)
The Story : Restoration and Return
The story celebrates the coming of Christ to fully restore us to God, bringing us home from exile and placing us under God’s blessing again.
Mark 1:1-5
Peace For The City
Christians are called to seek shalom (peace) for their city through prayer, godly speech, working with others to promote human flourishing, and always promoting the Gospel as the only hope for true shalom.
Jeremiah 29:7
Called To Citizenship
Christians are called to serve God in their nation and culture, submitting to their leaders, and serving in the government and wider culture with unbelievers to promote the common good, always remembering that their true home is the new heavens and the new earth.
Romans 13:1-7; Jeremiah 29:4-7; Philippians 3:20-21
Living as Citizens of Two Kingdoms
Christians are citizens of the common kingdom because they are humans, but they are also citizens of the redemptive kingdom because they have been born again in Christ, and they must never confuse or merge these kingdoms. John 17:14-18 Reading: Psalm 47:1-9 Listen to the teaching Look at the teaching […]
Dare To Be A Daniel: Living As God’s Sojourning Exiles
Daniel serves as an example of how God sojourning exile people are to remain distinct in their faith and worship yet labor with unbelievers in the common kingdom, in order that God may use us to draw people into His redemptive kingdom.
Daniel 1
Encouragement for God’s Sojourning Exiles
As God’s chosen, exile people, we are called to stand in His grace, loving, encouraging and serving one another, as He blesses us with His perfect peace.
1 Peter 5:12-14
Living in Godly Submission (Part 1)
As God’s exile, sojourning people, Christians are called to submit to the authorities God has placed over them – even if they are ungodly and unjust.
1 Peter 2:11-17
Living as God’s Exile People
As God’s exile, sojourning people, Christians are called to resist sin and live lives devoted to good works, hoping that God will use these to draw unbelievers to the Gospel.
1 Peter 2:11-12