Jeremiah 29:1-9
These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 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. But seek the welfare 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. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.
Main Idea
Be in the world but not of the world
Outline
Pre-Questions
Before hearing this sermon, what were your thoughts about Christian influence in politics?
What challenged you from this sermon?
Discussion Questions
What does it look like to "seek the welfare of the city?" What does it look like to do it as a Community Group?
How can we love people who vote differently than us?
Read Romans 13:1-7. How should we be subject (or submissive) to the government? What does it mean? Is there a line where Christians shouldn't submit?
Politics can often be divisive, even among Christians. How can we navigate disagreements on political issues while maintaining unity in Christ?
Read Matthew 5:9. How can we live out Jesus’ call to be peacemakers in politically charged environments?
Reflect on Philippians 3:20, where Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. How does this shape the way we engage in earthly political matters?