1. What does it mean to say that we are “in exile”?
Exile means living in a world that is not yet the way God originally intended it to be.
The Bible's story begins with humanity living in the Garden of Eden in close relationship with God. Sin broke that relationship, and humanity was removed from the garden.
Exile is a way of describing our experience today. We live in God's world, but we do not yet experience the complete peace, wholeness, and closeness with God for which we were created.
2. What was Eden like?
Eden was more than a beautiful garden. The sermon describes it as a place where God lived in close relationship with humanity.
There was no shame, fear, hiding, or broken relationship. God, people, animals, and creation existed together in harmony.
this is shalom—life as God intended it to be.
3. What happened when Adam and Eve sinned?
Genesis 3 describes Adam and Eve eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil even though God had told them not to.
Their choice brought sin, shame, fear, broken relationships, and separation from God. They hid from God and were eventually removed from Eden.
This was more than simply breaking a rule. Humanity lost its home and its ability to experience the relationship with God that we were created for.
4. What does “blind” mean in the sermon?
“Blind” is used as a picture of our inability to always see reality clearly.
In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened, but instead of seeing everything more clearly, they became ashamed and hid from God. The sermon describes this as humanity exchanging trust in God for trust in ourselves.
We can still experience this today. We may see circumstances, desires, success, or failure and assume we understand what is really happening when we may not see the whole picture.
5. What does “shalom” mean?
Shalom is a Hebrew word often translated as “peace,” but it means much more than simply the absence of conflict.
It describes wholeness, harmony, peace, healthy relationships, and life working the way God intended.
In Eden, humanity experienced shalom with God, other people, and creation. The biblical story is ultimately about God restoring that shalom.
6. Our deepest problem isn't simply guilt?
Guilt is part of what happens when we sin, but the sermon argues that our problem goes deeper.
Sin has separated humanity from God and damaged our ability to live in the relationship for which we were created. We are not simply people who need to feel less guilty—we are people who need to be brought home to God.
“We can't do it” on our own. The solution is not simply more religious rules or trying harder. It is Jesus.
7. What does Philippians 2 say about Jesus?
Philippians 2:6–8 describes Jesus as existing in the very nature of God but choosing to humble himself and become human. He took the position of a servant and became obedient even to death on a cross.
This is Jesus entering our exile. God did not remain distant from our broken world. Through Jesus, God came to us, experienced human life, suffering, and death, and opened the way back to God.
8. What does Jesus mean when he says, “I am the way, the truth and the life”?
In John 14, Jesus is responding to Thomas, who asks how the disciples can know the way to where Jesus is going.
Jesus does not simply give Thomas a map or a list of instructions. He says, “I am the way.”
Finding our way home to God is ultimately about following Jesus, not simply learning religious rules or believing the right information.
9. What does “now and not yet” mean?
The “now and not yet” idea describes the Christian understanding of God's Kingdom.
Through Jesus, God's Kingdom has already begun. Christians can already experience forgiveness, relationship with God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and new life.
But the world has not yet been completely restored. We still experience suffering, death, brokenness, and sin.
So Christians live in the now of what Jesus has already accomplished while waiting for the not yet—the day when God's restoration is complete.
10. Does following Jesus mean we are already home?
Yes and no.
Through Jesus, we are no longer spiritually separated from God. We have been welcomed home into relationship with him.
At the same time, we are still physically living in a broken world that is not yet fully restored. We are still on the journey toward the final homecoming.
Christian hope is therefore both present and future: we belong to God now, while we look forward to the day when all creation is restored and we are fully home with God.
Glossary
Eden
The garden described in Genesis 2 where God placed humanity. Eden represents the original relationship of peace, trust, and closeness between God, humanity, and creation.
Exile
Living away from your true home. In the sermon, exile describes humanity's condition of living in a broken world separated from the full experience of God's presence and the way creation was originally intended to be.
Gospel
The good news about Jesus—his life, death, resurrection, and what God has done through him to bring people back into relationship with God.
Image of God
The biblical teaching that human beings were created in God's image. This means people have a unique role and purpose in creation, representing God's character and care in the world.
Incarnation
The Christian belief that God came into the world as a human being in Jesus. Jesus was fully human while also being truly God.
Kingdom of God
God's rule and reign. Jesus announced that God's Kingdom was coming and demonstrated it through his life, teaching, healing, death, and resurrection.
Now and Not Yet
A way of describing the Christian experience of God's Kingdom. Through Jesus, God's Kingdom is already present, but its complete restoration has not happened yet.
Shalom
A Hebrew word meaning peace, wholeness, harmony, and well-being. It describes life functioning the way God intended it to be.
Sin
Choosing to live contrary to God's will and turning away from trust and relationship with God. Sin damages our relationship with God, other people, ourselves, and creation.
The Way
A description Jesus gives himself in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” It means that Jesus himself is the way people come into relationship with the Father and find their way home to God.
