Pilgrims and Strangers: Living in a World That Thinks You Are The Problem

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will judge the living (saints) and the dead (sinners) at His appearing (rapture) and His kingdom (Second Coming).” 2 Timothy 4:1

Jesus Has Three Comings

1. His first of three comings, as a man, was His birth.

2. His next two comings, as a man, are returns. They are:

   a. His appearing, the rapture of the Church (believers are judged).

   b.His kingdom, Second Coming (unbelievers are judged).

The Believer’s Relationship to the World While We are Here

“…To the pilgrims (παρεπιδημος - strangers) of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” 1 Peter 1:1

Five Meanings of Pilgrim - παρεπιδημος:

1. Foreigner - “I am not a citizen here.”

2. Stranger - “I do not belong here.”

3. Sojourner - “I am just passing through.”

4. Pilgrim - “I am passing through on my way to another destination.”

5. Alien - “I am of a different race, just settling down briefly.”

   a.Strongs - Not simply one just passing through but one who has settled down briefly, next to or among the native people.”

Two Synonyms - One Now

1. Synonym - unwelcome soldier fighting a foreign war (2 Timothy 2:3-4)

2. The second is yet to come.

How to Live in a World That Thinks You are the Problem

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners (strangers) and pilgrims (παρεπιδημος), abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles (heathen, sinners, unbelievers), that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe (watch close), glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2: 11, 12

1. The world doesn’t think there is a war or a need for Christians.

2. The people with the problem think you and I are the problems.

3. (vs. 12) Martyrdom eroded confidence in the Romans citizens.

4. Tell the world you don’t belong here and have another home.

“…And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13

1. Abraham lived in a tent looking for a home with foundations.

2. We, too, look for a home whose builder and maker is Christ.

   a.1 Peter 1:1 - Pilgrims - Greek (παρεπιδημος-parepidemos)

   par - (preposition) - beside epi - (preposition) - upon, on top demos - (noun) - people

3. The world (the sick) think we (the well) are sick - the problem.

   “Christians, conservatives, the moral are the problem, not US!!!”

We are Called Aliens, Pilgrims in the World, But NOT Citizens

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

1. We switched citizenships at salvation, from earth to heaven.

2. “This world is not my home. I’m just passing through.”

3. At the top of the flagpole of my heart is the flag of Heaven. Under that, the American flag, then Oklahoma.

   a. I am not here to please the world. I am here to get along.

   b. I am not the world’s friend, but I am here to be friendly. To be a friend of the world is to be the enemy of God (James 4:4).

   c. America is the best nation on earth and one of the best there has ever been. But it is not heaven and not my home.

4. We still pray, vote, work with candidates and run as candidates.

   a.But we, or those we vote for, can only bring temporary change.

   b. We can work with our community, but only to a point.

   c. We recently lost President Trump, but not Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Church, our position in the Body of Christ, or a future kingdom.

5. All nations, except Israel, are temporary. Our kingdom is eternal.

6. We need to “wake up” and “lookup.” Our Redemptions is near!

The Message of a Sojourner is Reconciliation (Peace)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word (λογος-message)of reconciliation.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf (place, absence), be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Ambassador - Second synonym for pilgrim stranger, a foreigner.

πρεσβευω-presbeuo-A royal, elder statesman, chosen by royalty.