ALIENS
AND STRANGERS
BREAD
11 Dear
friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from
sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the
pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good
deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)
1 Peter,
an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according
to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and
peace be yours in abundance. 1 Peter
1:1-2 (NIV)
17 Join
with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live
according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again
even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction,
their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on
earthly things. 20 But
our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the
Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who,
by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:17-21 (NIV)
19 I am a
stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. Psalms 119:19 (NIV)
13 All
these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive
the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And
they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things
show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of
the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for
a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews
11:13-16 (NIV)
1 Therefore,
I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to
the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good,
pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
(NIV)
13 Therefore,
prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the
grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not
conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you
is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)
15 Do not
love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful
man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not
from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who
does the will of God lives forever. 1
John 2:15-17 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Aliens
from other countries are rarely shown the ‘welcome mat’… They may even find
themselves victims of discrimination, rejection, or intolerance. The Bible says that we are ‘aliens and
strangers in the world’ (1 Peter 2:11)…Our customs are different, our ways of
living are different, our concerns are different. And as Christ’s followers…we may find
ourselves scorned, rejected, or even persecuted. If so, we shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus warned, ‘If they persecuted Me, they
will also persecute you’ (John 15:20).
But never forget: You are a
citizen of the Kingdom of God. And some
day you will be Home!” Billy Graham
“Christians,
whose citizenship is in heaven, live in the midst of a pagan society as aliens
and sojourners, displaced persons whose thoughts should often turn toward their
true home. Bible Knowledge Commentary
“If you
were not strangers here, the dogs of the world would not bark at you.” Samuel Rutherford
“Jesus modeled for us the proper
balance. He walked among the worldly without becoming like them. He mingled
with sinners but He never sinned. He showed them God’s love and spoke the Truth
without compromise. Even when He faced betrayal and torture and an excruciating
death, Jesus stood for Truth because He knew the eternal significance of His
sacrifices.” Michael Youssef“Does my life and conduct correspond to my high calling as a Christian? Am I actuated by the love of Christ instead of worldly ambition? Do I prefer God’s honor to my own and justice to gain? When I look to myself, I feel such a burden of sin that no other hope of salvation is left me but in the mercy of Christ alone.” Gregory VII - Hildebrand
“Chosen
one of God, may you find it easy to follow your King. May you find your life
when you are willing to lose it for the sake of the Kingdom. May our Lord lift
you up to a place higher than you could ever dream. May your choice to follow
Christ echo throughout all generations that follow you, and may you receive
rewards on earth and in heaven for your commitment to live for our mighty Lord.
In Jesus' name, Amen.” Sheri Rose
Shepherd
HEART SAVOR
HEART SAVOR
- · We are sojourners here on our way home. We are on foreign ground and this is our temporary resident.
- · We should be longing for heaven with a tiptoe anticipation. Paul states in Philippians: 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:21-26 (NIV)
- · I am to set my heart and mind on things above.
