Christians are Foreigners 1 Peter 2:11 Christians are Foreigners 1 Peter 2:11

Christians are Foreigners 1 Pet. 2:11, “ 1 Pet. 2:11, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” “Sojourners” – Foreigners, aliens, strangers. “Pilgrims” – “sojourning in a strange place, away from one’s own people.” Wanderers, no permanent dwelling place, Heb. 13:14, have no “lasting city.”

Christians are Foreigners I. Examples of foreigners. I. Examples of foreigners. A. Abraham, Gen. 23:4, A. Abraham, Gen. 23:4, "I am a foreigner (stranger) and a sojourner among you.” Heb. 11:9, 10, “By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Christians are Foreigners Heb. 11:13, 16, “These all… confessed that they were strangers (foreigners) and pilgrims on the earth… Heb. 11:13, 16, “These all… confessed that they were strangers (foreigners) and pilgrims on the earth… But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.”

Christians are Foreigners B. Moses. Acts 7:29, B. Moses. Acts 7:29, "At this remark, Moses fled and became a foreigner (an alien) in the land of Midian…” C. Apostles, in carrying out the Great Commission. 1 Cor. 4:11, we have “no certain dwelling-place…” D. These examples remind us of what it means to be “foreigners and pilgrims.”

Christians are Foreigners II. “Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” 1 Pet. 2:11. II. “Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” 1 Pet. 2:11. A. Rom. 6:7, “our old man was crucified with Him.” 13:14, “make no provision…” A. Rom. 6:7, “our old man was crucified with Him.” 13:14, “make no provision…” B. Eph. 4:22-32, “put off the old man… put on the new man…” B. Eph. 4:22-32, “put off the old man… put on the new man…” C. Remember James 1:14, the real source of our temptations: our own improper desires. C. Remember James 1:14, the real source of our temptations: our own improper desires.

Christians are Foreigners III. Rom. 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world…” III. Rom. 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world…” A. Jn. 17:15, 16, “not… take them out of the world… but keep them from the evil one… They are not of this world…” A. Jn. 17:15, 16, “not… take them out of the world… but keep them from the evil one… They are not of this world…” B. Prov. 1:10, “ B. Prov. 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.” C. Don’t be like a chameleon – change “color” to adapt to environment.

Christians are Foreigners D. Christians make others uncomfortable- a good example condemns bad conduct. D. Christians make others uncomfortable- a good example condemns bad conduct. Heb. 11:7, Noah “ Heb. 11:7, Noah “prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world…” So the world pressures us to conform. Peer pressure, be like rest, go along to get along, be accepted. Go with the flow. Prov. 1:14, “Cast in your lot among us.”

Christians are Foreigners IV. Christians are different. IV. Christians are different. A. 1 Pet. 2:9, “ A. 1 Pet. 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” Can this be said of worldly people?

Christians are Foreigners B. Not conformed to the world, but transformed into image of Christ, Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18. B. Not conformed to the world, but transformed into image of Christ, Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18. “Abiding in Jesus like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.” “Abiding in Jesus like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.”

Christians are Foreigners C. We must have the “heart (attitude) of foreigners.” C. We must have the “heart (attitude) of foreigners.” Ex. 23:9, “You know the heart of foreigners, for you also were foreigners..” Ex. 23:9, “You know the heart of foreigners, for you also were foreigners..” Do we? Do we have the “heart” (attitude) of foreigners? Do we? Do we have the “heart” (attitude) of foreigners? Do we consider ourselves “foreigners” or are we too attached to this world? Do we consider ourselves “foreigners” or are we too attached to this world?

Christians are Foreigners D. Lev. 18:3, “ D. Lev. 18:3, “'You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you...” 1 Pet. 1:16-17, “Be holy, for I am holy… conduct yourselves throughout the time of your sojourning here in fear.” 1 Pet. 2:11, “ 1 Pet. 2:11, “Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”

Christians are Foreigners E. World notices the difference. 1 Pet. 4:4, “they think it strange that you do not run with them…” E. World notices the difference. 1 Pet. 4:4, “they think it strange that you do not run with them…” They ask about our faith. 1 Pet. 3:15, “ They ask about our faith. 1 Pet. 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..” What if they don’t ask?

Christians are Foreigners No difference? Attitude, language, habits, dress, use of time and $, family relation? No difference? Attitude, language, habits, dress, use of time and $, family relation? Do we look and act and seem like foreigners to those around us? Do we look and act and seem like foreigners to those around us? 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, “Be not unequally yoked.. Come out from among them and be separate… perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, “Be not unequally yoked.. Come out from among them and be separate… perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Christians are Foreigners V. Our citizenship is in heaven. V. Our citizenship is in heaven. A. Phil. 3:20, “ A. Phil. 3:20, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” -- Our Head is in heaven… our hope is in heaven… our treasure is in heaven… so our heart is in heaven. Col. 3:2, “ Col. 3:2, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Christians are Foreigners B. One of the blessings of adversity – our trials make us “homesick for heaven.” B. One of the blessings of adversity – our trials make us “homesick for heaven.” Heb. 11:16, “But now they desire a better country.” Heb. 11:16, “But now they desire a better country.” They make us realize that “this world is not my home, I’m just passing through.” They make us realize that “this world is not my home, I’m just passing through.” It’s a wonderful world – but with all its beauties, it’s filled with disappointments and heartaches. It’s a wonderful world – but with all its beauties, it’s filled with disappointments and heartaches.

Christians are Foreigners C. 2 Cor. 5:1, “if our earthly house is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” C. 2 Cor. 5:1, “if our earthly house is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” V. 6, “knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.” V. 6, “knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.”

Christians are Foreigners VI. Sadly, so many friends and loved ones are not interested. VI. Sadly, so many friends and loved ones are not interested. Matt. 24:37-39, Matt. 24:37-39, "As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Christians are Foreigners 1 Thess. 5:2, 3, “ 1 Thess. 5:2, 3, “you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”

Christians are Foreigners Their problem is that they are “at home” in this world. Their problem is that they are “at home” in this world. That’s all there is for them. That’s all there is for them. Their “treasure” is here. Their hope is “now.” Their “treasure” is here. Their hope is “now.”

Christians are Foreigners Conclusion. Conclusion. A. We must ever be conscious of the fact that we are foreigners (aliens, strangers, sojourners). A. We must ever be conscious of the fact that we are foreigners (aliens, strangers, sojourners). B. Like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses. B. Like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses. C. Therefore, abstain from fleshly lusts. C. Therefore, abstain from fleshly lusts. D. Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed into the image of Christ. D. Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed into the image of Christ.

Christians are Foreigners D. Christians are different. Must have the “heart of foreigners,” outsiders. D. Christians are different. Must have the “heart of foreigners,” outsiders. E. World notices, think it strange, ask about our hope… But they won’t ask if we are like them! Why should they? E. World notices, think it strange, ask about our hope… But they won’t ask if we are like them! Why should they?

Christians are Foreigners F. Our citizenship is in heaven. Adversities make us want to “go home.” F. Our citizenship is in heaven. Adversities make us want to “go home.” G. It makes us very sad that so many of our acquaintances do not share our hope. G. It makes us very sad that so many of our acquaintances do not share our hope. They will be desperately disappointed when their house that is built on the sand crumbles and falls. They will be desperately disappointed when their house that is built on the sand crumbles and falls.

Christians are Foreigners