Living in Exile | The Already and Not Yet
What is “The Already and Not Yet”?
What Does This Look Like In Our Lives?
Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[a] repent and believe in the gospel.”
Matthew 4:17
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[a]
1 Peter 1:5
5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
“The Already and Not Yet”, Also known as Inaugurated Eschatology, is That The Blessings of Salvation Are Already Ours in Christ, and Not Yet Realized In Fullness Until The Future.
ALREADY Redeemed, NOT YET Glorified
Already : Believers Have Already Been Redeemed and Forgiven Through Christ’s Sacrifice
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, - Ephesians 1:7
Not Yet: Believers Have Not Yet Experienced Sin Removed From Their Lives Completely
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. - Hebrews 9:28
2. ALREADY in The Kingdom, NOT YET Fully Established
Already: Believers Are Already Part of God’s Kingdom
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, - Colossians 1:13
Not Yet: Believers Have Been Given Eternal Life but Await It’s Full Manifestation and Perfection
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, - Titus 2:13
What is “The Already and Not Yet”?
What Does This Look Like In Our Lives?
Philippians 3:20
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Jeremiah 10:1-2
10 Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the Lord:
“Learn not the way of the nations,
nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens
because the nations are dismayed at them,
Jeremiah 10:5
5 Their idols[a] are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
and they cannot speak;
they have to be carried,
for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them,
for they cannot do evil,
neither is it in them to do good.”
Jeremiah 10:10
10 But the Lord is the true God;
he is the living God and the everlasting King.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
Jeremiah 29:4-7
4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
What is “The Already and Not Yet”?
What Does This Look Like In Our Lives?
1. Be Transformed but NOT Conformed
Romans 12:1-2
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d]
“We all have Desires, but in the End Our Desire Should be to Delight In the One who Gave His Life for Us” - Tim Keller
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Be Transformed but NOT Conformed
In The World but NOT of This World
John 15:18-19
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Daniel 3:17-18
17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.[a] 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Be Transformed but NOT Conformed
In The World but NOT of This World
Christ Is Your Life NOT Just Part of Your Life
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Colossians 3:4
4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
1 John 2:6
6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
What is “The Already and Not Yet”?