October 30, 2022; Sunday School

Order of Service

• Sunday School Lesson — Jeremiah 29:4-7

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Sermon Title: Stewardship and Mission in the Pilgrim Life

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-7

I. The Context of the Passage

A. Review of previous lesson: the danger of over-loving the world, the warning of Demas B. The question now: how are pilgrims to positively engage the world? C. Stewardship as the framework — broader than money; see 1 Peter 4 D. Historical context of Jeremiah 29

1. Jeremiah prophesied 70 years of exile in chapter 25
2. False prophet Hananiah promised only 2 years — Jeremiah 28
3. The Lord reaffirmed the 70-year exile and sent this letter to the exiles

II. What the Exiles Are Not Told to Do

A. Not to turn Babylon into a New Jerusalem B. Not to be revolutionaries or overthrow their captors C. Not to put their lives on hold or wait idly D. Not to grumble, grow bitter, or give in to discontentment

III. Stewardship for Their Own Sake and the Community's Good

A. The Lord commands normal life: build houses, plant gardens, marry, have children — Jeremiah 29:5-6 B. "Multiply there and do not decrease" echoes the Abrahamic promise and Genesis 1 dominion mandate

1. The Lord multiplied Israel even during the 400 years in Egypt
2. The promise to Abraham — I will make you a great nation C. The Lord guards their hearts against bitterness during exile
3. Calvin: the Lord's words kept the exiles from raising commotions that would close the door of God's grace
4. Enjoying the fruit of labor is itself a gift — eat of the produce, create beauty D. Application for believers: our "70 years" is the span of life before being called home
5. Paul's longing to depart and be with Christ
6. Day-to-day life — marriage, family, work — is to be embraced as good E. The plural "your welfare" — this is communal, not merely individual
7. The Lord has individuals in mind within community
8. The church is the community of exiles; guard your heart for the sake of the whole body

IV. Stewardship for the Sake of the World — Exiles on Mission

A. "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you" — Jeremiah 29:7

1. Pray for Babylon — even for the captors
2. Be good citizens under the authorities given B. New Testament applications
3. 1 Timothy 2 — pray for all people, especially kings and rulers
4. Romans 13 — submit to governing authorities; be good citizens C. Romans 12:14-21 — the outward-facing mission of the pilgrim
5. Verses 14–17: harmony within the Christian community
6. Verses 18–21: peaceable living toward all, including enemies
7. "If your enemy is hungry, feed him" — heap burning coals on his head
8. Purpose: overcome evil with good; give enemies opportunity to see good works and glorify God D. Illustration: nine months working on a salad dressing assembly line
9. Colleagues mocked the teacher's difference early on
10. Consistent witness without stooping to their level led to softening and friendship
11. Salt and light — Matthew 5 E. The quiet revolution
12. Raising children in the faith, catechizing, husbands and wives loving well, faithful work — this is revolutionary over generations
13. Goal is not to make Babylon into Jerusalem for personal comfort
14. Derek Thomas: Christians reshape society as lights in dark places
15. Thomas Chalmers: the Christian life is ignited by the expulsive power of a new affection

V. Conclusion

A. Jeremiah 29 as a practical guide for pilgrim life B. Live well, enjoy God's good gifts, guard against bitterness C. Keep eyes on the heavenly home even while engaging faithfully in this world