#BibleLesson Timeless Truths. Live so you bless your culture

 

⁴ This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ 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. 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 29:4-7

 

 

It's hard to live without losing your faith. 

• Daniel and his friends created ministry took Jeremiah’s message to heart and blessed the host culture. 

How?

 

Daniel knew who he was before the exile, torn away from all of life but God. 

• He stayed true to his diet and his worship. 
• He stayed true to his faith. 
• He made no compromises.

 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all stayed true. 

• The fiery furnace is evidence.
• They were delivered by Jesus.

²⁵ [Nebuchadnezzar]  answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Daniel 3:25

 

Here's a truth to live by: “I am the beloved of God.” 

• Get to know yourself through God's love. 
• It's harder to follow if we don't live where we are exiled. 
• We are valuable to God. 
• We decide what we do. 

Where is your identity defined?

 

The church is tempted to give up beliefs. 

• Be true to your calling. 
• Followed Jeremiah's directives.

 

God is calling all to be faithful where we live and work, and bless our society. 

• Be faithful to our culture and culture-makers. 
• Honor God in your work and your convictions. 
• Be a light wherever you are.

 

We can't control what others do or say, but we can speak the truth and love people. 

Are you ready to live a Godly life in our world? 

• Live what the church professes to believe. 
• Worldly people want the church to be more like Jesus. 
• Live for the world. 

“Better to light a candle and curse the darkness.” 

• We are the salt and light. 
• Jesus shines through you when you obey his directives. 

Thanks to Pastor Jeff Jimenez for the primary teaching in this post.