Thriving In Exile
On Sunday, we dove into a new sermon series entitled “Living in Exile,” which will lead us through the book of Daniel. Pastor Jake introduced our study through a vivid story about rip currents at Newport Beach that became a metaphor for cultural forces that quietly drag people away from God. The historical setting of Daniel was outlined to provide context for the story: Judah under Jehoiakim, the Babylonian siege, the plundering of the temple, and the exile of Israel’s elite youths—among them Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who were given Babylonian names and immersed in pagan education designed to assimilate them. Rather than rebel, assimilate, or withdraw, these young exiles pursued a fourth way: living faithfully inside the foreign system while remaining loyal to Yahweh.
Key Takeaways
– Embrace the exile mindset
Recognize earthly residence as temporary so allegiance is first to God’s kingdom. This removes the need to fix the world by coercion or to flee it in fear; instead it permits patient, faithful presence that resists assimilation while serving neighbors. An exile mindset reframes identity, action, and hope toward the long story God is telling.
– Seek the city’s flourishing
Live, work, and build where God has placed you and invest in communal welfare rather than only critiquing culture. Prayer, civic engagement, generosity, and education can become ways to bless a place without becoming captive to its values. Seeking the city’s good aligns practical action with theological witness.
– Influence without earthly power
True cultural transformation often flows from faithful witness, not majority status or political domination. Small communities rooted in obedience, prayer, and wisdom can redirect hearts and institutions because God works through weakness to display his strength. Faithful presence is a long-game strategy that trusts God’s supernatural agency.
– Trust God’s sovereign governance
Events—even national catastrophe—are not chaotic accidents but unfold under God’s governance; this steadies heart and mission. Confidence in divine sovereignty frees believers from panic and idolizing political solutions, enabling courageous witness amid uncertainty. Hope becomes a platform for patient, sacrificial engagement rather than reactive fear.
Reflection Questions
- Jake suggested that the exiles’ acceptance that their current land is not their ultimate home frees them from certain compulsions. How does recognizing our earthly residence as temporary change our perspective on engaging with the culture around us?
- Jake encouraged embracing an “exile mindset,” recognizing our earthly residence as temporary and our primary allegiance to God’s kingdom. In what specific areas of your life do you find it challenging to live as a temporary resident, and how can you begin to reframe your identity, actions, and hope toward God’s long story?
- Jake urged believers to “seek the welfare of the city where God has placed them,” engaging vocationally and philanthropically for common flourishing. What is one tangible way you can actively seek the welfare of your neighborhood or city this week, even if its values are contrary to yours?
- Jake highlighted that true cultural transformation often flows from faithful witness, not majority status or political domination. Considering this, how can you be a more faithful witness in your daily interactions, trusting in God’s supernatural agency rather than seeking worldly influence?
- Jake emphasized trusting in God’s sovereign governance over history, even in national catastrophe. When faced with anxieties about the future or current events, how can you actively remind yourself of God’s reign and allow that truth to steady your heart and mission?
- Jake suggested that exiles live fully present, ethically distinct, and hopeful. What is one specific way you can be more fully present in your current circumstances while maintaining an ethical distinctiveness rooted in your faith?
Watch the Message
Worship Songs from Feb 1
- “Firm Foundation”
- “Authority”
- “What A God”
- “God You’re So Good”
- “Reign Above It All”
Listen to the songs we play on Sundays by clicking the image below to access our Spotify playlist!
