back to index2019-12-08 'Tis the Season to be Homesick
00:00:00.000 |
I'm gonna be reading from verses one through nine. 00:00:07.600 |
and it should be actually up on the screen for you. 00:00:27.240 |
who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God, 00:00:29.700 |
the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, 00:00:32.440 |
to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood. 00:00:35.440 |
May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 00:00:38.360 |
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:00:43.360 |
has caused us to be born again to a living hope 00:00:46.080 |
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 00:00:48.840 |
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable 00:01:02.340 |
even though now for a little while, if necessary, 00:01:08.540 |
being more precious than gold, which is perishable, 00:01:12.580 |
may be found to result in praise and glory and honor 00:01:17.580 |
And though you have not seen him, you love him. 00:01:31.940 |
Well, we're just a few weeks from the year 2020, 00:01:36.460 |
and Thanksgiving, as you guys know, has just passed, 00:01:44.860 |
and I'm assuming the same goes for a lot of you guys. 00:01:51.740 |
and usually the end of the year and the holidays 00:01:54.020 |
that come with it are accompanied by a mix of emotions. 00:01:57.340 |
There's an excitement in the hustle and bustle, 00:02:02.360 |
but there can also be a loneliness, stress, and sadness 00:02:11.360 |
And so the holidays bring in a weird emotion. 00:02:14.600 |
And it's actually made worse if you're living abroad. 00:02:25.340 |
There are many US citizens currently living away 00:02:35.940 |
So my wife and I, we lived nine years abroad, 00:03:05.160 |
So needless to say, we have appreciated being back 00:03:12.220 |
About 10 years ago, we first got to China in December 2009. 00:03:23.900 |
writing up our monthly newsletter for you, for the church, 00:03:27.860 |
and suddenly feeling very unhappy to be in China. 00:03:35.660 |
'cause I'm a fan of ice drinks, even when it's cold. 00:03:39.340 |
And the barista just took scalding hot coffee 00:03:42.120 |
and poured it into ice, and all the ice melted immediately, 00:03:45.780 |
and the lady just handed me a lukewarm coffee 00:03:49.400 |
So in my broken Chinese, I told her I had ordered 00:03:52.280 |
an iced coffee, and she gave me a condescending look 00:03:59.940 |
so I didn't quite make out everything she said, 00:04:02.060 |
but I did hear the words winter, iced, and mayo, 00:04:06.940 |
So I just assumed she was just telling me to go sit down, 00:04:10.780 |
okay, that we don't make iced drinks in the winter. 00:04:15.300 |
took my lukewarm coffee, plopped myself down, 00:04:24.660 |
and on the top, it actually said C-O-O-K-I-E, 00:04:34.180 |
And that made me even more sad, not Merry Christmas, 00:04:38.980 |
And for the life of me, I could not figure out 00:04:44.540 |
And so I'm like, you guys didn't even get Christmas right. 00:04:47.720 |
And so just flooded with an immense feeling of sadness, 00:04:50.900 |
and to make that even worse, just six feet from me 00:05:05.820 |
And I remember thinking, man, get me out of here. 00:05:10.660 |
If you've ever lived as an expat far away from home, 00:05:18.440 |
And when you are living in a foreign country, 00:05:26.560 |
First, there's a discomfort that comes from being 00:05:28.440 |
in unfamiliar surroundings and unfamiliar expectations. 00:05:41.920 |
If you had your closest family and friends with you, 00:05:45.420 |
no matter where you are in the world, you're not homesick. 00:05:51.200 |
they are often far from home, far from family. 00:05:57.280 |
unfortunately means there's mistreatment, ridicule, 00:06:05.220 |
for a lot of overseas migrant workers all over the world. 00:06:15.200 |
And so you and I who have put our faith in Christ 00:06:20.440 |
So for the Christian living as an alien or sojourner 00:06:26.220 |
where the homesickness is particularly strong, 00:06:34.340 |
that just really comes from the deepest part of our soul. 00:07:00.280 |
It's because you want to be in the presence of God 00:07:13.300 |
But 1 Peter especially is one book of the Bible 00:07:19.600 |
the sojourner, the outcast, and the persecuted. 00:07:37.280 |
how do we live as joy-filled, homesick people 00:07:44.540 |
we've been studying the book of Philippians as a church, 00:07:48.740 |
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:08:03.800 |
to rejoice, to rejoice in the midst of the sojourn. 00:08:08.220 |
So I'm gonna give you the outline of our sermon today. 00:08:11.920 |
We will be first reflecting on our Christian identity, 00:08:18.500 |
and look forward to our Christian inheritance, 00:08:26.440 |
What is our purpose while we are here sojourning 00:08:33.460 |
that was close to purpose, mission, commission, 00:08:36.880 |
so just deal with it, itinerary, it is, okay? 00:08:39.040 |
Hopefully, the alliteration does make it help, 00:08:44.360 |
The Christian identity, the Christian inheritance, 00:08:47.700 |
and the Christian identity, what we are supposed to do 00:09:10.060 |
The word alien or foreigner became a metaphor 00:09:13.700 |
describing the Christian's relationship to the world. 00:09:16.300 |
Believers were to understand that their identity 00:09:23.380 |
So the Christian's values were to be different, 00:09:26.260 |
their affections and their interests were to be different. 00:09:29.860 |
Even though Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, 00:09:32.340 |
and Bithynia may have been the regions they were born in, 00:09:37.020 |
these Christians would never be able to comfortably 00:09:51.800 |
So Peter goes on to elaborate in chapter two, 00:09:54.180 |
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, 00:10:03.280 |
"a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, 00:10:07.200 |
"so that you may proclaim the excellencies of him 00:10:32.560 |
but we're ambassadors, royal representatives of the light 00:10:41.660 |
living in a dark place, Christians would face 00:11:00.160 |
So you and I, if we have put our faith in Christ, 00:11:02.820 |
we are royal ambassadors living in hostile territory. 00:11:08.200 |
but we are simply passing through as sojourners, 00:11:14.420 |
So just as much as it would be strange for you 00:11:26.520 |
buy new curtains, buy new sheets, and change it all up, 00:11:31.040 |
just as much as it would be strange for you to do this, 00:11:40.240 |
So you and I, we are aliens, we are strangers, 00:11:46.940 |
So it's only natural if you are living the Christian life 00:11:54.140 |
to be a little uncomfortable, to be a little out of sorts, 00:12:00.160 |
and a lot homesick when things painfully remind you of home. 00:12:05.120 |
All is not lost for those who are longingly waiting for home 00:12:10.940 |
"May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure." 00:12:18.980 |
and we're gonna get to that in the third point. 00:12:20.780 |
But before we do, let's take a look at what Peter says 00:12:31.320 |
What is it then that we are eagerly waiting for? 00:12:36.600 |
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:12:42.200 |
has caused us to be born again to a living hope 00:12:44.740 |
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 00:12:46.980 |
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable 00:13:03.460 |
through the life, death, and resurrection of his son, 00:13:21.900 |
that would have been desirable for our holy, holy, holy God. 00:13:35.980 |
So we are not here because there is any good in us. 00:13:39.460 |
In fact, there is absolutely nothing good in us 00:13:44.620 |
So Peter says, he goes on to say that God has caused us 00:14:01.540 |
It's a desire for something favorable to happen. 00:14:06.240 |
'cause I have to go to a ballgame or something. 00:14:15.820 |
And what is the difference between a non-Christian hope 00:14:21.980 |
And I wanna pause and think about this a little bit. 00:14:26.300 |
we learn that the unbelieving world has zero hope. 00:14:29.060 |
Everything is dying and decaying around them. 00:14:37.940 |
all that the unbelieving world has to look forward to 00:14:41.220 |
is disaster and weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:14:47.460 |
So the unbelieving world can only look backward 00:14:53.460 |
draws closer and closer to destruction and judgment. 00:15:00.020 |
The world and all who are in it are passing away 00:15:04.980 |
is what the Bible says about the unbelieving world. 00:15:19.820 |
But the Christian, however, looks forward, right? 00:15:28.380 |
I press on, Paul writes in Philippians chapter three. 00:15:34.920 |
is in a bright and perfect future yet to come. 00:15:43.040 |
we are looking for new heavens and a new earth 00:15:54.580 |
the hope of God's thorough and perfect restoration 00:15:59.180 |
is more and more reality with each passing day. 00:16:01.760 |
You are now a week closer to glory than you were last week. 00:16:20.220 |
but you are a day closer to a perfect Zoe life. 00:16:24.400 |
So for the unbeliever, destruction looms closer. 00:16:31.580 |
You and I, if you look through the scriptures, 00:16:49.620 |
And that's what the Bible calls eternal life. 00:17:15.780 |
if you put your faith in Christ, has already started, 00:17:25.220 |
So on this side of eternity, we only know in part, 00:17:59.520 |
And the creator of the universe, the Bible says, 00:18:27.320 |
with a holy and grateful terror all at the same time, 00:18:31.720 |
There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. 00:18:34.640 |
There will no longer be any regret, shame, or grief. 00:18:38.120 |
Revelation 21 four, there will be no more sin, 00:18:41.400 |
and the lamb of God will be our reward and our inheritance. 00:19:16.940 |
came from a very good family, made really good pasta, 00:19:20.960 |
really good kimchi jjigae, which is my favorite food. 00:19:28.620 |
because her money is her money, my money is her money, right? 00:19:38.320 |
than my Hyundai Accent and then my Mitsubishi Gallant. 00:19:41.560 |
She had an older brother and a younger sister. 00:19:45.960 |
and they had a swimming pool in their backyard. 00:19:48.320 |
Now, I did not marry her for any one of those things. 00:19:56.800 |
was not to benefit from any one of those things. 00:20:00.960 |
My desire and my proposal was to do life with her. 00:20:07.400 |
I wanted to marry her and spend my life with her. 00:20:22.120 |
is like saying, I want all that you can give me, 00:20:36.820 |
but I don't really need heaven yet is like saying, 00:20:46.020 |
I want all of your goods, but I don't want you. 00:20:49.740 |
I'll put up with you if I absolutely have to, 00:21:01.020 |
See, accepting Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior 00:21:06.300 |
going out to evangelize, teaching Sunday school, 00:21:08.860 |
and not looking forward to spending eternity in heaven 00:21:12.140 |
with the Lord is kind of like wanting to be engaged forever. 00:21:27.660 |
No sane person I know wants to be engaged forever. 00:21:31.080 |
In fact, engagement is actually sometimes very tricky. 00:21:34.720 |
You're already committed, kind of, but not yet. 00:21:39.460 |
You're engaged, but you're not a family unit yet. 00:21:50.500 |
don't look forward to engagement, it's a lot of work. 00:21:53.340 |
And almost 100% of engaged people I've ever met 00:21:55.780 |
at some point want to be done with the engagement 00:22:03.060 |
our wedding planning, I remember joking with Becky, 00:22:13.340 |
'cause we had about 700 people at our wedding. 00:22:30.740 |
but I remember feeling like, man, they were very long months. 00:22:33.940 |
So every engaged couple looks forward to the wedding day. 00:22:39.060 |
and I don't look forward to being married to that person, 00:22:41.940 |
you know something is very off about the relationship. 00:22:45.540 |
So the question is, your identity, it's in Christ, 00:22:53.660 |
Do you want Christ, or are you in this relationship 00:22:59.140 |
Christ is our inheritance, and this hope of knowing Christ 00:23:02.740 |
and being known by Christ is imperishable and undefiled 00:23:09.620 |
He has purchased us for himself with his blood, 00:23:23.040 |
Husbands, when you guys proposed to your wife, 00:23:25.220 |
did you guys make promises that you didn't keep? 00:23:28.720 |
I'll cook, I'll clean, do the dishes, diapers too. 00:23:34.640 |
Failed miserably in most of those things, okay? 00:23:38.260 |
But our bridegroom makes good on every promise 00:23:48.520 |
And when I reflect deeply on this, my soul cries out, 00:24:00.280 |
Revelation 19, seven, let us rejoice and be glad 00:24:03.520 |
and give glory to him for the marriage of the Lamb has come 00:24:13.360 |
do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth 00:24:16.200 |
where moth and rust destroy or thieves breaking in steel, 00:24:19.800 |
but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven 00:24:25.920 |
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:24:31.840 |
Our APAK, Philippians 4, 5, you guys have learned 00:24:41.880 |
is to store up treasures for ourselves where? 00:24:47.120 |
What does it mean for you to store up your treasure 00:24:54.300 |
where you forego a meal to feed a homeless guy 00:24:59.080 |
'Cause I don't think that that's what the Bible is teaching. 00:25:07.740 |
So Matthew 6, 19 to 21 means this for you and me. 00:25:10.500 |
Eternal life has already started if you're a believer. 00:25:18.260 |
You can grow in your understanding of his heart now. 00:25:33.040 |
about what you will eat or drink or what you will wear. 00:25:45.620 |
And do you not think your faithful bridegroom 00:25:47.740 |
will take care of every single thing that you need? 00:26:02.580 |
So during this engagement period of our lives, 00:26:06.900 |
where we are both ambassadors of the creator of the universe 00:26:10.860 |
as well as his bride, what are we supposed to do? 00:26:17.980 |
What kind of attitude and posture ought we to have? 00:26:23.140 |
and verse six through nine of 1 Peter for you. 00:26:25.500 |
Who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God, 00:26:30.060 |
the father, by the sanctifying work of the spirit 00:26:32.580 |
to obey Jesus Christ, be sprinkled with his blood, 00:26:35.940 |
may grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 00:26:41.260 |
even though now for a little while, if necessary, 00:26:47.000 |
being more precious than gold, which is perishable, 00:26:56.340 |
And though you have not seen him, you love him. 00:26:58.840 |
And though you do not see him now, but believe in him, 00:27:05.320 |
and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, 00:27:09.960 |
Well, first of all, we learn part of our itinerary 00:27:14.360 |
We are called to obedience as we see in verse two. 00:27:20.500 |
John 14, 15, if you love me, you will keep my commandments. 00:27:37.480 |
but commanded elsewhere that you and I are to be joyful, 00:27:46.400 |
So these strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, 00:27:49.820 |
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia were commended 00:27:53.560 |
for greatly rejoicing, twice in this little section. 00:28:11.140 |
The Christians in this time period, in this area, 00:28:24.260 |
The general populace, which was mostly polytheistic, 00:28:27.340 |
did not appreciate or agree with the Christians 00:28:32.080 |
So the polytheistic world, they didn't appreciate. 00:28:43.500 |
and that all other gods were powerless, worthless, 00:28:50.740 |
was extremely countercultural and very misunderstood. 00:28:55.380 |
And those on the outside had a lot of false assumptions 00:29:04.500 |
you know, I think these Christians are cannibals 00:29:11.620 |
they eat of someone's flesh and drink of someone's blood. 00:29:21.180 |
And because they also practiced Philadelphia, 00:29:35.060 |
So there's all of these weird assumptions made 00:29:44.460 |
The word Christian actually means little Christ, right? 00:29:50.200 |
The Christians call themselves followers of the way, 00:29:59.620 |
and just know that the origin is one of derision. 00:30:10.380 |
It is said that Nero lit his gardens with human light poles. 00:30:27.460 |
And it's believed that both Peter and Paul later 00:30:32.060 |
So Peter makes reference to the brewing tribulation 00:30:38.980 |
1 Peter 1, 6-7, "Even though now for a little while, 00:30:42.860 |
"if necessary, you've been distressed by various trials. 00:30:47.180 |
"be more precious than gold, which is perishable, 00:30:58.080 |
"as though something strange were happening to you." 00:31:10.520 |
and even Jesus' own words here in Matthew 10, 24, 25, 00:31:13.360 |
"A disciple is not above his master, or a teacher, 00:31:17.840 |
"It is enough for the disciple that he become 00:31:19.820 |
"like his teacher, and the slave like his master. 00:31:22.580 |
"If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, 00:31:34.940 |
and the more you're gonna feel like an alien, 00:31:59.520 |
for the world to actually pick out who's a Christian. 00:32:04.600 |
Modern day Christians are blending in a little bit too well. 00:32:07.600 |
And as we blend in well, we lose sight of our purpose, 00:32:16.280 |
First Peter 2, 11 to 12, we're not called to blend in. 00:32:27.760 |
"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, 00:32:30.500 |
"so that in the thing which they slander you as evil doers, 00:32:33.920 |
"they may because of your good deeds as they observe them, 00:32:48.300 |
But while we wait for home, we are to do so with a purpose, 00:32:57.260 |
You know, one of the things that turned our one year 00:33:01.240 |
in China to three years, and then our three years 00:33:03.560 |
was an indefinite, and then we were just planning 00:33:17.000 |
So while we were far away from loved ones, family, friends, 00:33:21.160 |
customs, and football, and Mexican food, and sushi, 00:33:24.480 |
and all of this stuff, we knew why we were there. 00:33:46.140 |
So when the purpose of a mission or a mission is clear, 00:33:50.940 |
the sojourn is easier, despite the homesickness. 00:33:56.520 |
If you and I would regularly remind ourselves 00:34:04.880 |
despite whatever it is that is going on emotionally. 00:34:17.520 |
And third, to witness well, to help the homeless to glory, 00:34:41.540 |
and spiritual sojourners, we may be homesick, 00:34:44.360 |
but be joyfully homesick, is the call of Peter. 00:34:57.400 |
So on Thanksgiving, with the exception of the one 00:35:00.680 |
where Becky and I went to Costco, got our rotisserie chicken, 00:35:06.600 |
our American friends, and we would have turkey 00:35:17.960 |
For the rest of Korea, the rest of China, it was Thursday. 00:35:29.000 |
we still found comfort in surrounding ourselves 00:35:31.200 |
with people who were all longing for the same thing. 00:35:34.060 |
I find a similar thought in Hebrews 10, 23 to 25. 00:35:38.360 |
Elder Philip preached some on this passage last week 00:35:42.200 |
where he spoke of the importance of the assembly together. 00:35:48.040 |
"without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 00:35:51.340 |
"And let us consider how to stimulate one another 00:35:56.200 |
"our own assembly together, as is the habit of some, 00:35:59.420 |
"but encouraging one another, and all the more 00:36:14.880 |
for the sake of encouragement and edification. 00:36:21.520 |
All the verbs up there in Hebrews, it's all in the plural. 00:36:26.720 |
No man is an island, no sojourner is an island, 00:36:29.480 |
no alien can survive in a foreign place all by himself. 00:36:34.480 |
Help each other in the midst of the homesickness. 00:36:52.040 |
And this happened for us both in Beijing and Korea. 00:36:58.080 |
And we did the same, and we had a goodbye tour 00:37:03.240 |
And whenever someone goes back to their home country, 00:37:13.040 |
but 99 out of 100 times, you're actually very happy 00:37:17.220 |
And I believe that that's how it's supposed to be 00:37:30.460 |
I had just visited with him a few days before that, 00:37:38.640 |
So I packed my stuff, rushed to the nursing home 00:37:41.720 |
where he was staying to say my final goodbyes 00:37:47.760 |
Becky's grandfather had been a pastor and a believer 00:38:05.920 |
So as he was just kind of struggling to breathe, 00:38:21.560 |
"The family is going to be grieving very soon. 00:38:53.180 |
And this isn't because I have like spiritual super sense. 00:38:58.040 |
The day before our pastors, we went to a conference 00:39:00.680 |
and Alistair Begg, some of you guys hear him on the radio, 00:39:07.880 |
but he said something about prayer as a side comment 00:39:21.380 |
"than they do praying to rescue sinners out of hell." 00:39:27.900 |
it's filled with prayer requests to extend people's lives. 00:39:40.320 |
But we pray with such urgency when someone we love is sick. 00:39:49.260 |
are destined for hell, we don't really give a thought. 00:39:54.260 |
So when he said that, it just left an indelible impression 00:40:13.780 |
I'm 41, so I'm hoping I have a little bit more time 00:40:42.760 |
"I have other sheep who are not of this fold. 00:40:49.080 |
"They will hear my voice, and they will become one flock 00:40:57.820 |
He has other sheep who are yet not of the fold. 00:41:40.100 |
and some stuff that has nothing to do with Jesus. 00:41:42.420 |
There's trees, and Christmases, and eggnog, and stuff, 00:41:45.340 |
but whenever there is a Jesus that is sung about, 00:41:51.880 |
to help others to understand that they too can go home. 00:42:22.780 |
that I want you to pray about is how eager are you for home? 00:42:26.540 |
How eager are you to be united to the bridegroom 00:42:35.380 |
or are you content to just be engaged forever? 00:42:44.080 |
and give thanks to the God who has called us to know him.