In this sermon, Pastor Scott continues our “This is Hope” series and teaches from Jeremiah 29:4-9. At Hope Church, We Love Our City. We are all exiles in a world that is not our home. This is not our final destination.
Sermon Notes
This is Hope | Who We are & What We Do
Week 3: We Love Our City
As a Jesus follower, what is your heart toward the city of Las Vegas?
WE magnify Christ above everything
WE EXPERIENCE LIFE-CHANGE IN COMMUNITY
WE LOVE OUR CITY
Jeremiah 29:4-9
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.
We are all exiles in a world that is not our home. This is not our final destination.
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
1. We love our city by RECOGNIZING God’s SOVERIEGNTY
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:” (v.4)
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” Acts 17:26
2. We love our city by contributing to it
“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.” v.5
A) Being aware
B) Being active
“The diversity of the city—socially, politically, culturally, socioeconomically, and racially—has confronted so many stereotypes and prejudices in my heart that I didn’t even know existed. I have sought to model Jesus’s hospitality in order to create portals of belonging in a city that often stereotypes out of fear. With a posture of “welcome,” you never know when one of these portals will open and grace will break in.” -Jon Tyson
3. We love our city by INVESTING OUR FAMILIES
A) Lead your family to see God’s beauty
B) Lead your family to see the world’s brokenness
4. We love our city by SEEKING ITS WHOLENESS
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile…” (v.7a)
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
“If your church were taken out of its community tomorrow would anyone other than its members care or even notice?” - Robert Lewis
5. We love our city BY PRAYING ON ITS BEHALF
“… and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” v.7b
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
6. We love our city BY RESISTING THE DARKNESS IN IT
