Natives, Immigrants, Refugees Immigrant Challenges Culture shock Isolation / Loneliness Miscommunication Learning curve Refugee Challenges Involuntary relocation – displaced, persecuted, or in danger Indefinite separation from family, friends, homeland, way of life Loss of control Loss of status

– (Christian Standard Bible) 1 Peter 1:1-2 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” – (Christian Standard Bible)

ἐκλεκτοῖς παρεπιδήμοις Διασπορᾶς eklektois parepidemos diasporas To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces (NIV) To God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners (NLT) To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion (ESV) To those who reside as aliens, scattered (NASB) Literally = “chosen non-citizens / foreigners of the Diaspora”

Exiles “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” – Hebrews 11:8-10 “These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” – Hebrews 13-16

The Seven Desires of Every Heart To be heard and understood To be affirmed To be blessed To be safe To be touched To be chosen To be included

Chosen “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” – John 6:44a “Jesus replied to them, “Didn’t I choose you, the Twelve?” – John 6:70a “…no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:3b “Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!” – Revelation 19:9a “See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20

“When the Greeks got the gospel, they turned it into a philosophy; when the Romans got it, they turned it into a government; when the Europeans got it, they turned it into a culture; and when the Americans got it, they turned it into a business.” – Richard Halverson

1 Peter 1:3-9 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith  —  more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire  — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”