THE WAY OF THE EXILE

Pastor Nathan Lewis

Main text;
Jeremiah 29:4-7, 11 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: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 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. (Genesis 1!!) 7 But seek the welfare of the city (Shalom) where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare… 11 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.

Supporting Text:
John 17:14-18 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

Summary Thought:

When we are able to recongnize that God is working thought the circumstances that brought us to where we are today (the city), we can find fresh calling and mission where he has placed us. Even when we feel like we don’t belong somewhere God can use us to be a blessing

Potental questions:

What brought you to live in this area? Do you see any evidences that God brought you here or do you see it as entirely upon your choices and circumstances?
How do you think God feels about Chicago? Why might God want his people to move into areas of density and diversity like cities?
Jesus’ teaching in John 17 is often summerized as, “be in the world, but not of the world”. What does this mean to you? What difficulties do you face to not be “of Chicago?”
Why does God call his people to live so differently from their surrounding culture? In what ways is God calling you to “seek the welfare of the city”?

_______________Message Notes______________

Exile - 605 BC- Kingdom of Judah captured by Babylon - Cultural assimilation - Brought IN!

RESIST // ASSIMILATE - 3rd Way — THE WAY OF THE EXILE

False Prophet Hananiah - don’t settle down, stay outside- 2 YEARS!

Jeremiah 29:4-14 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: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 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. (Genesis 1!!) 7 But seek the welfare of the city (Shalom) where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare… 11 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.

Living in tension of GLORY and EXILE - Meaning for life & disciple follow JESUS Teach how to live FOR GOD - in a broken & Fallen world - Way of Exile - 6 points

1. Purpose In Your Placement.

God - “I have sent you into exile”

If God has sent you — There is Purpose in your Placement

2. Make a Home Here - “Build houses and live in them” - Chebar Canal vs. Babylon

Scotland — “let your heart move to the city”

Put the call out — Move into the city, move into the place of power, influence, culture

-geographic - Encourage you to stay connected with the city. SO many come to take, degree, career bump, — Get involved here, stay here, raise kids here, build community here,

-emotionally - don’t check out. Don’t turn off the news, draw the curtains, wait for the rapture, don’t hide in christian subculture or wait for some sweet by and by

3. Plant & Eat - “plant gardens and eat their produce”

Longterm vision for Livelihood - Not just self promotion — be PRESENT.

Start tending the relationships at — your work— apartment block —

Treat it like you’re going to be there for a while.

Decorate your home — Meet your neighbors — Particulate in local elections — Get involved in your kids school. — PLANT.

The twist - you’re in but not of. You’re on a mission. We know our home is temporary.

For some - Plant, commit

For others - Stop seeking only personal gain - Make a difference

4. Make Covenant Commitments -

A. think multigenerational

6 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.

GROW THE FAMILY! Genesis 1 — Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Make disciples. Be a disciple.

Discipleship - Helping others Know God… commit to this church

— Serve something! Tithe, Turn UP (REGULARLY!), Let your name be known.

B.Think Covenantally

Give yourself deep covenantal relationships — commit to each other. Ask the hard questions. Invest in people in our church. Go out of your way.

5. Pray & Seek Shalom — J.29:7 But seek the welfare (shalom) 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.

Your job has purpose — you can influence for JESUS

- Also work is participating in Shalom — Bringing flourishing

70 Years — God’s ppl. left a mark! - Kings came to know God

The 1 True God became so famous - Persian King knew him

6. Follow The Ultimate Exile

a wicked king could bring Israel OUT — but only a righteous king could bring us IN

GOAL: Not just OUT of Babylon (not OF the world) - IN a relationship with GOD (garden)

Jesus is the ultimate exile — left HEAVEN to rescue EARTH

John 17:14-18 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

The way of the exile = The way of Jesus - Being in the world, but not of the world

leave behind - achieving identity and purpose form this world

to follow Jesus means stop playing the world’s game - Join Jesus’ mission.

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher