Peace in Our Babylon
Pastor Jamie Self - 11/2/2025
In this sermon, Pastor Jamie explores how God's message to the exiled Israelites in Jeremiah 29 calls believers to shift from a self-focused "Why me?" mindset to a purpose-driven "What for?" perspective. God commanded His people to settle in Babylon, seek the city's peace, and trust in His long-term promise of restoration, illustrating that even suffering serves a redemptive purpose. For Christians today, living as exiles in a broken world means actively bringing peace and truth while clinging to the future hope found in Christ's fulfilled and coming kingdom.
Weekly Reflection
“What they choose will frame their thinking. Will they shift from a ‘Why me?’ thought to a ‘What for?’ thought?”
This promise is not to rescue you out of exile early. It’s to restore you through it." — Pastor Jamie
We often ask God, “Why me?” when life caves in. But what if the better question is “What for?” In Jeremiah 29, God sends a letter to exiles not promising a quick fix, but commanding them to build, plant, marry, and pray for the peace of their pagan city. God had not abandoned them; He was forming them. Just as the Israelites had to reject false hope and embrace a seventy-year exile, we too must resist false comforts and live faithfully in a world that is not our home.
In Christ, the promise is not merely to endure but to abound. As Pastor Jamie reminded us, the exile was not a mistake. It was a mission. The same is true for us. Will we cling to temporary relief, or trust the Redeemer who works all things for good (Romans 8:28)?
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This Week’s Challenge:
Where are you tempted to despair in your current "exile"—family tensions, work stress, cultural fatigue? This week, ask God, “What for?” Then take one concrete step to seek the shalom of your setting. Pray for your coworkers, bless a neighbor, or speak gospel truth into a hard place.
Scripture:
Jeremiah 29