WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:19.740 Well, we're going to be thinking this morning about our relationship as Christians with our community, with society, to our province, and to our country, but especially to our community here in Davidson. 00:00:19.739 --> 00:00:32.560 God's word has told us that as those who believe in Jesus, we belong to a different kingdom than the kingdom of this world. 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:39.099 As Paul said, we have been brought out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. 00:00:39.399 --> 00:00:41.560 Our citizenship is now in heaven. 00:00:42.099 --> 00:00:46.140 Our allegiance is now to Jesus, our king. 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:56.700 We are called to be distinct from the people of our world, to be different, to live holy. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:05.540 We've been told by Christ that we no longer belong to this world, but that we belong to him. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:10.620 And so what should our relationship to our world look like? 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:19.640 What should our relationship to the people around us here in Davidson, this community, look like? 00:01:20.580 --> 00:01:22.340 That's our question for this morning. 00:01:22.340 --> 00:01:32.579 And so as we look to an answer, we're going to begin in the pages of Jeremiah the prophet. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:41.240 So if you have your Bible, I encourage you to open it up to Jeremiah chapter 29. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:46.359 Jeremiah chapter 29. 00:01:46.359 --> 00:01:46.439 Jeremiah chapter 29. 00:01:52.340 --> 00:02:08.180 Starting in verse 1. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:17.000 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles, 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:25.580 and to the priests, the prophets, and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:33.520 This was after King Jehoiachin and the Queen Mother, the court officials, and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:38.240 the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem. 00:02:39.320 --> 00:02:45.060 Jeremiah entrusted the letter to Elisa, son of Shaphan, and to Gemariah, son of Hilkiah, 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:50.160 whom Zedekiah, king of Judah, sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:58.040 Before we get to what Jeremiah said, just a few thoughts about what's happening here. 00:02:59.200 --> 00:03:00.980 Jeremiah is a prophet of God. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:03.139 He's in Jerusalem. 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:14.459 Many of the former inhabitants of Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah have been taken captive and into exile by the Babylonian armies. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:22.339 Because the bigger story here is that the Israelites have not listened to God. 00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:23.620 They have not obeyed God. 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:25.219 They have turned away from him. 00:03:25.719 --> 00:03:27.539 They have lived wickedly. 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:36.180 And so God has brought the judgment, the punishment on them that he promised that he would. 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:42.939 And up until this point, it's not as though Israel hasn't had second and third and fourth and fifth chances. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:51.180 They've had prophet after prophet after prophet sent to them from God to warn them. 00:03:51.699 --> 00:04:02.520 God's used all kinds of different ways to get their attention, gifts of grace to invite them back into a right relationship with him. 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:07.580 But on the whole, they have refused to listen. 00:04:07.580 --> 00:04:12.460 And it's not as though God expected perfect obedience. 00:04:12.640 --> 00:04:14.660 That's why they had the sacrificial system. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:16.120 That's why they had priests. 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:20.579 On the whole, they have rejected God. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:22.160 They have turned to other gods. 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:29.280 And so God finally brings the judgment that he promised upon the people of Israel. 00:04:29.280 --> 00:04:32.660 The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:33.899 It was taken. 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:37.759 Its inhabitants were taken into exile by the Assyrian Empire. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:45.659 And then finally, now the southern kingdom and Jerusalem itself has been conquered. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:54.500 And it's many of its inhabitants taken away into captivity, into exile by the Babylonians. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:05:01.420 And so Jeremiah is writing to the surviving elders, the priests, the so-called prophets, 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:08.180 as well as to anybody else who was carried off to Babylon from Jerusalem. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:09.480 And this is what he says. 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:09.980 He says, 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:19.200 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:23.180 Build houses and settle down. 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:27.580 Plant gardens and eat what they produce. 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:31.839 Marry and have sons and daughters. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:39.259 Find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage so that they too may have sons and daughters. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:42.019 Increase in number there. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:43.639 Do not decrease. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:52.759 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:55.719 Pray to the Lord for it. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:59.840 Because if it prospers, you too will prosper. 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:04.520 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says. 00:06:04.640 --> 00:06:09.840 Do not let the prophets, the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:13.280 Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:17.300 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:20.780 I have not sent them, declares the Lord. 00:06:21.380 --> 00:06:22.980 This is what the Lord says. 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:33.540 When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:38.400 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. 00:06:39.240 --> 00:06:42.900 Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:46.520 Plans to give you hope and a future. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:53.579 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. 00:06:53.979 --> 00:06:58.379 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 00:06:58.979 --> 00:07:04.799 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:13.920 The first thing to notice here is that this is not just a letter from Jeremiah to the people in Babylon. 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:19.060 This is a letter from God to them and a heartfelt one at that. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:27.580 Can you imagine what some of the people might have been thinking as they gathered around to hear these words being read out? 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:35.060 From their perspective, it would appear that God was done with them. 00:07:35.919 --> 00:07:39.339 Maybe that they were cut off and rejected by God. 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:47.539 They had now received the full measure of what God had said he would do to them if they lived wickedly. 00:07:47.540 --> 00:08:00.160 Back in the days of Moses, God described what would happen if they were unfaithful to the covenant, if they turned away from him. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:04.759 Some of those words go like this. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:10.820 Then the Lord will scatter you among all nations from one end of the earth to the other. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:18.240 There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your ancestors have known. 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:24.600 Among those nations, you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:33.159 There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing and a despairing heart. 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:40.460 You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:43.320 In the morning you will say, if only it were evening. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:51.480 And in the evening, if only it were morning, because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:09:04.240 These were the words that God used to describe what would happen to them if they persisted all the way in wickedness and unfaithfulness. 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:10.360 As a people, they had entered into a special covenant with God himself. 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:15.460 This is something that none of the other nations or peoples of the world could say. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:20.779 It was a privilege and an honor that had been given to them by God. 00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:26.939 But for centuries, for centuries, they rebelled. 00:09:27.319 --> 00:09:29.759 They broke their side of the covenant. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:34.959 And now they had received the punishment that God had promised. 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:42.600 Can you imagine how it must have felt for them to be marched into the city of Babylon as captives? 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:46.500 Weak and exhausted from the long journey. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:53.060 Many people that they knew and loved, perhaps, had died along the way. 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:59.099 And as they entered the city, they're surrounded with all these unfamiliar things. 00:09:59.619 --> 00:10:04.079 People are speaking a language that they have no idea what they're saying. 00:10:05.839 --> 00:10:13.759 Can you imagine what it would have been like for some to finally acknowledge for the first time who the true prophets were? 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:21.679 And that what they had said, what God had said through them, really was true. 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:25.220 They were guilty for their sins. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:28.740 And this had all come from God's hand. 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:32.840 They probably wondered, is this it? 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.639 Are we done? 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.980 Is God done with us? 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:42.639 Have we used up all of our second and third and fourth chances? 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:44.639 Is there another chance for us? 00:10:46.199 --> 00:10:57.480 Can you imagine what spark of joy and hope and faith might have come in their hearts as they received this letter and heard the words? 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:05.639 How their eyes would have brightened to hear this from God. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:09.460 Yes, you are receiving what you deserve. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:12.340 But I'm not done with you. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:15.840 I have good plans for you. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:18.100 I'm going to bring you back. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:21.000 And you will be my people. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:23.019 And I will be your God. 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:31.460 But you're going to be in Babylon for a while. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:38.279 Seventy years, says Jeremiah, must be completed. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:41.120 And then you will come home. 00:11:41.199 --> 00:11:45.100 For most of those who had gone into exile, that would have been too long. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:54.720 For the most part, it would have been probably the next generation of Israelites who would make that journey back home. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:57.080 You're going to be there for a while. 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:57.540 You're going to be there for a while. 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.200 So settle in. 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:09.320 One of the things I love here is what the Lord gives them by way of instruction. 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.360 Build houses. 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:11.379 Settle down. 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:12.519 Plant gardens. 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.580 Eat what they produce. 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:21.700 A letter comes halfway across the world from God. 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:26.600 And he knows exactly the kinds of questions that they have in their minds. 00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:28.160 The anxieties that they have. 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:30.280 Here they are in a foreign land. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:32.100 What should we do? 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.700 Should we build a house? 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.320 How long are we going to be here? 00:12:36.400 --> 00:12:37.060 Should we rent? 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:40.220 Should I get married? 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:43.420 Or should we just kind of wait until we see how things are going? 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:45.279 Should we start a family? 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:48.720 Or should we wait and see what's going to happen? 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:57.480 Isn't it beautiful that God even cares about those everyday decisions of life for his people? 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:00.180 He's aware of what they're going through. 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:09.939 We might have expected God to say, you blew it. 00:13:10.199 --> 00:13:12.399 So figure it out for yourself. 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:22.259 But instead of judgment or tough love, they've already experienced plenty of that. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:25.479 God gives them grace. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:29.399 He tells them what's happening. 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:31.279 He tells them how to carry on. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:35.919 You're in a foreign country and you're going to be there for a while. 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:37.699 So settle in. 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.720 Build houses. 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.559 Plant gardens. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:42.419 Get married. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.539 Have kids. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:54.620 And then nestled in God's gracious and sensitive instructions is this in verse 7. 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.399 He says, 00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:04.139 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:08.459 Pray to the Lord for it. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:15.800 You can imagine at this moment that everybody's there listening in the room and they hear those words and they're like, what? 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.799 Did he just say that? 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:25.479 Did he just say that we should seek the welfare and the prosperity of Babylon? 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:35.600 Did he just say that we should pray that God would do good things and bless Babylon? 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:43.259 It's probably hard for us to imagine how difficult it would have been for them to hear those words. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:50.580 Many of them had lost loved ones at the hands of the Babylonians. 00:14:50.580 --> 00:15:01.040 The Babylonians had put them through hell, starving them nearly to death in Jerusalem during the siege, 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:09.400 slaughtering them in the conquest, seemingly sparing the lives of some only to use them as cheap, skilled labor. 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:18.379 This would be like telling a Jewish person through the fence of a concentration camp that they should pray for God to bless Berlin. 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.620 I don't think so. 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:34.539 There's only one thing that I'm praying for right now, and that's for fire and brimstone to rain down upon Berlin and upon Babylon for what they have done to us. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:45.599 As a side point, if you ever have someone say to you that the God of the Old Testament is not the same as the God of the New Testament, 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:54.139 that the God of the Old Testament is angry and wrathful and just judges a lot, 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:55.860 and the God of the New Testament is different. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.679 He's loving and compassionate. 00:15:58.719 --> 00:16:03.199 I hope you know that that characterization is superficial and false. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:05.860 Jesus himself said this. 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:11.340 You've heard that it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:19.580 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. 00:16:19.780 --> 00:16:20.300 Why? 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:25.620 That you may be children of your father in heaven. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:36.120 He causes his son to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:42.940 In other words, if you want to be like God, then love your enemy. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:45.759 Pray for those who harm you. 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:49.120 That's the kind of God that he is. 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:53.360 He is kind to the good and to the evil. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:57.879 And boy, do we ever see that here in Jeremiah's letter. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:04.360 As he tells them to pray for the cities of Babylon in which they find themselves. 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:09.779 To pray and ask God to do good things for them. 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:20.220 Ask me to do good things so that things go well for the cities where you find yourselves. 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:22.460 The cities of your captors. 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:25.460 Your enemies. 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:27.339 Your oppressors. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:32.420 We love the truth that God is both just and compassionate. 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:36.380 Acceptment means justice for me. 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:40.880 And compassion towards others who have wronged me. 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:53.380 This letter was written very specifically to the Jewish people of Jeremiah's day who lived in exile. 00:17:54.280 --> 00:17:59.140 So what does this have to do with us here this morning and with the question that we're seeking to answer? 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:05.740 Well, these are not just old historical records that have no relevance to our lives today. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:09.319 In Paul's letter to the Romans, he said this. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:13.380 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:22.240 So that through the endurance taught in the scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:32.980 There was a time when I used to think that our relationship with society should be thought about like the Titanic. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.700 A sinking ship. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:38.480 And I did use that metaphor last Sunday for those of you who are here. 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:44.240 To describe how God is patient and does not want anyone to perish. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:52.940 But there was a time when I thought that's the way we should see our relationship with society, with our community, with our world. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:19:00.140 That we should use as little of our time as possible in anything except getting people off the ship. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.519 Rescuing people from the ship that's going down. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:12.819 I thought that efforts to make the sinking ship a better place on its way down, that's just a waste of time. 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:16.339 Don't bother laboring to bring about social reform. 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:19.720 This whole world is going down anyway. 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.500 So what's the point? 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:28.679 We need to be focused just on meeting the spiritual needs of people because that's all that really matters. 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:32.019 That's how I used to think. 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:41.519 But the sinking ship metaphor is not the metaphor that God has given us to think about our relationship with society and to our community. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:50.779 The metaphor that he has given us is that of living as a foreigner or an exile in a country that is not our ultimate home. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:55.460 It's the apostle Peter who points us in this direction. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:20:01.720 In his letter to those who have been born again in Christ Jesus, he said this. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.079 He said, 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:13.539 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul. 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:24.920 Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.799 He goes on. 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:27.200 He says, 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:42.600 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority, whether to the emperor or the king as the supreme authority or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:50.259 For it is God's will that by doing good, you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:57.539 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.740 Live as God's slaves. 00:21:01.219 --> 00:21:03.559 Show proper respect to everyone. 00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:06.039 Love the family of believers. 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.500 Fear God. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:12.460 Honor the king or the emperor, some translations say. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:17.920 So how should an exile and a foreigner live when they're in a foreign country? 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:27.220 According to Peter, we should not give ourselves to the sinful customs and patterns of the world that we find ourselves in. 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:31.200 In that sense, we are to be different. 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:36.859 But Peter says nothing about us trying to escape this world. 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:45.839 To get back home or about starting a colony or starting our own Christian country, our own Christian city or town. 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:53.420 He says nothing about how we should hold ourselves up in our houses and keep to ourselves. 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:56.140 In fact, the opposite is implied. 00:21:56.140 --> 00:22:02.300 He says we are to live among the people of our world. 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:07.520 Enough that they have the opportunity to see our lives. 00:22:08.060 --> 00:22:09.820 To see our behavior. 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:16.780 To see that we do indeed submit to the governing authorities that God has put over us. 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:19.819 We are to be distinct. 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.920 We are to be holy. 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:24.440 But we are still, in a sense, to settle in. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:28.720 And to live with and to live among the people around us. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.359 The people in our community. 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:34.720 If the reason why we won't attend a community gathering. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:39.619 Or spend time with our neighbors and coworkers is simply because they're not Christian. 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:41.699 Then we've got it wrong. 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:46.819 How else will they see our good deeds? 00:22:48.219 --> 00:22:51.239 And come to glorify God on the day he visits us. 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:54.819 What I think Peter is showing us here. 00:22:55.219 --> 00:22:59.000 Is that there is much that we can learn today as Christians. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:02.619 From what the exiles went through. 00:23:02.979 --> 00:23:06.099 In those old scriptures. 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.679 Back in Babylon. 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:11.660 There will come a day for us too. 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:13.640 When Christ will return. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.640 And will gather us. 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:17.900 And this world. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:20.440 He will remake into. 00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:22.259 Our new home. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.799 But that day hasn't come yet. 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:27.160 So what should we do in the meantime? 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:30.840 How should we relate to the people in our community. 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:32.259 Here in Davidson. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:35.240 To the people of Saskatchewan. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:37.460 To our fellow Canadians. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:41.039 The message of Jesus was this. 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:44.680 The second most important thing. 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:46.900 That God desires of you. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.080 Is this. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.460 Love your neighbor. 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:56.019 That's really what God was encouraging his exiled children. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:58.120 To do through Jeremiah. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.640 Isn't it? 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.680 Seek. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.640 To seek. 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:03.100 The peace and prosperity. 00:24:03.520 --> 00:24:04.340 Of the city. 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:07.100 To which I have carried you into exile. 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:07.740 Pray. 00:24:08.040 --> 00:24:09.400 To the Lord for it. 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:13.140 As children of our heavenly father. 00:24:13.820 --> 00:24:14.960 We should seek. 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.759 We should search out. 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:21.920 we should go after the shalom, the peace, the welfare, 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:26.119 and prosperity of the Davidson community, 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:30.980 of the province of Saskatchewan, of our country, 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:35.660 and not just the spiritual needs, but the physical needs as well, 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:44.079 with a view to the success and flourishing and prospering of our community 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:49.159 and our province and our country as God defines those things. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:54.740 How sad would it be if, as those who bear Christ's name in this community, 00:24:55.119 --> 00:25:01.379 we were remembered as those strange people that meet in that strange-looking building 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:07.879 that didn't really participate in anything in the community. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:10.579 They just kind of kept to themselves and did their own thing. 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:12.279 We don't really know what they were about. 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:17.559 That's not the kind of exiles that we've been called to live as. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:25.500 How wonderful would it be if we, as those who bear Christ's name in this community, 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:30.779 were remembered as those strange people who live differently. 00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:38.639 But, man, wouldn't it be awesome to have a few more people like that here in Davidson? 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:44.080 Those people from the Davidson Community Bible Church, 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:47.640 they're so quick to move towards others who are in need. 00:25:49.020 --> 00:25:52.120 Look at all the good things that they have done for our community. 00:25:53.540 --> 00:25:55.680 What would our community be like without them? 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:57.120 I don't want to think of that. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:26:01.759 A lot of people are in it for themselves or to make themselves look good. 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:05.739 But those people from the Davidson Community Bible Church, 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:12.419 they're as genuine, as humble-hearted, as kind, and as selfless as they come. 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:16.359 They've done some really great things in this community. 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:28.219 Let's not settle for a Titanic-like relationship to our community. 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:32.899 The ship may be sinking, but it could be a while before the king returns. 00:26:34.159 --> 00:26:37.859 Let's show this community what it means to know the king of kings, 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:41.259 to be a citizen of the kingdom of light. 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:47.279 Can you imagine what this world would be like today 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:52.240 if William Wilberforce thought of his country as the Titanic? 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.519 Nah, forget it. 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.559 The slave trade is so well-established. 00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:00.259 It's been around for years. 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:04.019 Half of parliament is invested in businesses 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:06.339 that benefit directly from the slave trade. 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:08.579 Even if we could change the law, 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:11.140 others will probably just rise up and change it right back. 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:15.059 Nothing's going to get better until Jesus comes back. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:18.900 This world could be a very different place 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:22.079 if William Wilberforce thought about that. 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:25.119 Would we have seen the abolition of slavery in 1833? 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:31.119 William Wilberforce understood 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:36.079 what it means to live as an exile, as a foreigner, 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:41.140 and to seek the welfare and the flourishing of his country. 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.119 Of his fellow man. 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:45.440 And he prayed to the Lord for it. 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:47.099 And look what God did. 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:56.599 Why do you think God has us here in Davidson? 00:27:56.599 --> 00:28:03.699 As a church. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:08.059 Why has he brought us here? 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:16.779 God loves Davidson and the people who live in this community. 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:22.319 His desire and his will is that we would seek the welfare 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:25.039 and the prosperity of Davidson. 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:28.399 That we would be instruments of his grace. 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:32.779 Conduits through which his compassion flows 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:34.960 to the people in this community. 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:40.360 And the place to start is prayer. 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:44.220 Pray to the Lord 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:46.140 for the city 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:48.720 to which I have carried you into exile. 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.240 Pray to the Lord 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.279 for Davidson. 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.579 For Saskatchewan. 00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:58.980 For Canada. 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:02.279 And so, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:04.120 these past number of weeks, 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:07.039 we've been seeking to make a regular habit of prayer. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.240 Prayer for our families. 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.000 Prayer for one another. 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:11.740 For our church. 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.940 Prayer for those 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.680 who don't believe 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:17.059 that we know in our lives. 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.920 This week, 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:22.660 I would like for us to add to our prayer list. 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:24.539 Or if you're using the Prayer Mate app, 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.619 to add 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:27.639 in your app 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:29.039 to pray for Davidson. 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:32.279 To pray for our community. 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:32.899 Our town. 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.720 To pray for 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.519 our province. 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.819 Our country. 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.639 The people that we live among. 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:43.920 There are social evils that are going on in our country. 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:45.799 And our province 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:47.899 that God can do something about. 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:52.740 There are elections happening this year. 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:55.759 There is a need 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.039 for Christian men 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.279 and women 00:29:58.279 --> 00:30:00.500 to bring God's grace 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:02.000 to this community. 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:04.380 To help start new initiatives. 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.839 Or to help refresh 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.799 old ones 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:09.099 that have kind of fallen by the wayside. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:14.259 By the grace of God 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.940 and as an answer to our prayers, 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:17.440 we may yet live 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:19.039 to see God 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.759 do wonderful works of grace 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.900 and compassion 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:23.680 even right here 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.960 in this community. 00:30:28.040 --> 00:30:28.740 Let's pray. 00:30:35.060 --> 00:30:35.860 Father in heaven, 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.900 we confess 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.400 that we have not 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:40.640 always done this well. 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.940 There have been times where 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:45.800 we've thought, 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.120 well, 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.700 the world can just 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:49.240 go to hell. 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.319 and 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:52.579 we don't have time for that. 00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:53.920 There have been times 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.740 where we have been 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:56.039 more concerned with 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.900 just 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:59.200 living happy lives, 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:01.180 minding our own business. 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.960 But we thank you 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.220 for the reminder this morning, 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:04.539 Lord, 00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:04.799 that 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:06.460 you have placed us here 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:07.140 for a reason. 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.059 Help us to see 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.799 how we can 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:12.500 participate 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.880 in what you're doing. 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:15.220 Lord, 00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:16.080 each one of us 00:31:16.080 --> 00:31:17.080 has different connections 00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:18.900 to this community, 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.020 different friendships 00:31:20.020 --> 00:31:20.640 that we've, 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.860 and people that we've known 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.680 over the years. 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:24.200 Help us to see 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.060 each one of us 00:31:25.060 --> 00:31:26.140 clearly how we 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:28.360 can participate, 00:31:29.040 --> 00:31:30.700 can seek the good 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.120 of this, 00:31:31.340 --> 00:31:32.100 of Davidson. 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:37.799 as we prayed earlier, 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.799 stir in our hearts 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:40.719 that we would not 00:31:40.719 --> 00:31:41.599 be content 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:42.159 to just 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:43.379 go our own way 00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:44.399 to keep to ourselves. 00:31:46.199 --> 00:31:47.480 We want this week 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.619 to be different, 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:48.919 Lord. 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.379 We want this whole week 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.939 to just be full of prayer 00:31:52.939 --> 00:31:54.639 for our community. 00:31:55.379 --> 00:31:56.299 Stir that in our hearts. 00:31:56.719 --> 00:31:57.419 Work that in us, 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:57.859 we pray. 00:31:58.639 --> 00:31:59.459 In Christ's name, 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:00.659 amen. 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.459 Amen.