Today Pastor John closes out our series Living in Babylon. Babylon, as we have learned, is a term found some 200 times in the Bible. It's not just a city (which it was), or a society, or a way of living (also correct), or even a metaphor for the struggles we face in our attempt to live as children of God (true as well). Babylon represents everything the devil, the world, and even our flesh is throwing at us in its attempts to be conformed to the pattern of the world (Romans 12:2). What's a believer of God to do while living in Babylon? God's answer might surprise you.

Jeremiah 29:4-14

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.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

OUTLINE

Wrong Way Agendas
Babylon ways:

Expel (no)
Subjugate (no)
Assimilate (yes)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God... (Romans 12:2)

Tribalism

God’s Way for His People (vv. 5-7)

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.. (Matthew 5:14-16)

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. .For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. (Hebrews 13:12,14)