Message: “Chosen Exile” from Chris Dillon
Chris Dillon - April 26, 2020
Chosen Exile
This week we begin a brand new series called Hope In Exile through the first letter of Peter. Peter most likely wrote this letter right around 64 AD when a psychopath named Nero ruled the vast Roman Empire. Nero set off a fierce period of persecution against the 1st century church, which meant that new Christians had to try to figure out how to follow Jesus when their world seemed to be spinning out of control. He writes to these suffering churches for one primary reason: to give them hope in exile. Right out of the gate, Peter reminds them of their identity. Elect exiles. Chosen, known, loved, blood-bought, God’s prized possession. He reminds them of who they are, and of the activity of the Father, Son and Spirit in their lives. See, we have to know who we are before we know what to do. For the follower of Jesus, there is great hope even in exile. Especially in exile!