We are for the one.

• The one who is far from God.

• The one everyone else seems to give up on.

• The one who thinks Christians would never welcome them in.

• The one who is not aware of the love and mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

That does not mean that we affirm sinful behavior.

But any one who is willing to turn away from their sin and follow Jesus, regardless of their past or present, can have the defining moment when they kneel humbly at the cross and say, “Jesus, I am yours. All my sin and selfishness I lay down at the cross and follow you.”

Jeremiah 29

In 587 B.C. The Nation of Israel was invaded by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians.

How do we live a life of integrity that mirrors the message of God in a world that is hostile toward our God?

What most people do not know is: Nebuchadnezzar Came to Jerusalem twice. In 587 B.C. He knocked Jerusalem to the ground and carried 10,000 of its people into Babylon.

The first thing these 10,000 did when they got to the city was to settle down outside the city.

According to Jeremiah 28-29, The lead prophet: Hananiah told them not to move into the city. Have nothing to do with Babylon or its people!

Jeremiah, the true prophet of God, living back in Judah wrote them a letter, the revealed word of God for this exilic community. The blue print for the exiled life: This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper... Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you...

-Jeremiah 29:4-8

This would have been absolutely shocking and counterintuitive! Don’t withdraw, don’t pray that God would punish them!

God says, That’s not the way I work!

…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7

Jeremiah 29 answers the question: How do we live a life of integrity that mirrors the message of God in a world that is hostile toward our God?

3 Powerful Truths

As you are living in this world of injustice, power, abuse, deceit, and oppression, here is the blueprint for your life.

I. Remind yourself what God is doing.

History is about Redemption!

This Babylonian exile was part of God’s plan to achieve His redemption!

Preordained Plan: God ordained this exile.

Permissive Plan: God knew about this exile and allowed it for a greater purpose.

God is saying to His people: You’re having to live as believers in an unbelieving world is part of my plan! I designed this! …Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

-Jeremiah 29:7

II. Refuse to believe that the only choices you have are separation or assimilation.

False Prophets say: Separate or you will Assimilate!

God says: There are More than just those two options.

"Increase in number there; do not decrease."

"…build houses, settle down, plant gardens, eat what they produce, marry and have sons and daughters, and seek the prosperity of the city."

Be deeply involved in the life of this city but live distinctly as My People! He is calling the people to be spiritually bi-cultural.

Integrate deeply into the culture while keeping your identity.

Three Questions:

One: Are you aware that your work matters?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

-Colossians 3:23

Two: Have you assimilated? Do you pursue the same things as everyone else?

Three: Have you separated? Do you live completely in Holy Huddles? Direction not intention determines destination.

God tells His people to be intentional. Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.

III. Rejoice in the prosperity of the City!

Pray for, and become an active part in, God’s blessings in Babylon.

…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray… Jeremiah 29:7

Peace = Shalom:

• more than a greeting!

• Total well-being, multi-dimensional well-being, blessing, and fulfillment.

• Spiritual, Physical, and even Material well-being, economic well-being.

Jeremiah: Love the city of man for the sake of the city of God!

This is the blueprint for the exilic life. For those who are foreigners in an unholy land.

Daniel is a fantastic example of this blueprint. He was exiled in Babylon, and he remained completely monotheistic!

As a result of his faithfulness to God, God continued to promote him to places of influence.

To do this and not be tainted, Daniel would have had to possess three things:

• Strong foundation in Biblical Principles.

• A God-centered World View (Discipleship).

• Strong relationship with God (Spiritual Disciplines like Prayer: 3 times a day). Strong Accountability in community.

Why was he able to do that? He took seriously Jeremiah 29:7

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

-Jeremiah 29:7

We must be unified in our desire to permeate our world!

A house divided will not stand.

Is the church the problem or the solution?

Solution: Yes

Problem: Yes

When is she the problem? When she separates herself from the world and stops impacting society with the truth of the Gospel.

Stop looking at the world as “Them vs Us” and take the attitude of “Me and God vs the Evil One.” Together with the help of God, I will permeate my places of influence with the Gospel and defeat the work of the one who came to steal and destroy.

Thirty Day Challenge of a Jesus Revelation.

A 30 day challenge of praying for God’s direction and wisdom concerning how to reach that ONE life He has brought across your path.

Don’t allow culture to defeat you! When Christ-followers have been sidelined in the past, they have flourished the most.

Make a Decision