Today's Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14
Main idea: God has redeemed a people to serve their place/city by seeking it’s shalom that He might redeem the world.
“This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem.” (Jeremiah 29:2)
I. God has placed you in this city at this time.
“These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.” (Jeremiah 29:1)
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:” (Jeremiah 29:4)
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:7a)
“I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:14)
II. God has placed you here to settle not assimilate.
“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 (5-6).” (Jeremiah 29:5-6)
III. God has placed us here for the city’s welfare/shalom.
“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.” (Jeremiah 29:7)
“…the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14)
“…I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:14)
