The First Gospel - The Return | Josh Harrison
This past Sunday at Citizens Church of Orange County marked the culmination of a forty-week journey through the “First Gospel” series—an extended meditation on discovering the goodness of God in the Old Testament, even amidst hardship, exile, and uncertainty. With Advent—the church’s season of anticipation—beginning next week, it was only fitting that Josh Harrison would close this chapter by exploring what happens when exile ends, when God’s people come home, and what their story means for us today.
The Sovereignty of God in Turbulent Times
The story of Israel’s exile is not just a tale of suffering and loss, but a profound witness to God’s sovereignty—even (and especially) when it seems absent. Empires rise and fall: Assyria gives way to Babylon, Babylon to Persia. Throughout it all, Israel—the people of God—are buffeted about by the politics, violence, and ambitions of kings who care little for them. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, we see that God is not absent; He works through even the most unpredictable events and unlikely rulers (like the Persian King Cyrus) to accomplish His purposes: restoring His people, rebuilding the city, and rekindling hope. “God is sovereign over every event in history,” Josh reminds us, and nothing—no disaster, empire, or exile—is wasted in His tapestry.
Identity Under Pressure: The Remnant Who Returned
What is most striking is how few chose to come home when exile ended. Of the thousands taken into Babylon, only about ten percent returned when given the chance. The rest had, over decades, become indistinguishable from their surroundings—they were assimilated, their identity as God’s people lost to the currents of empire. The question, then, is not just “what happened?” but “how did the faithful few resist forgetfulness?” How did Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego keep their faith alive?
The answer appears to be the fierce maintenance of rhythms, stories, and community—daily habits that keep identity anchored, even in foreign territory. Community was not a luxury; it was essential. Rhythmic practices like Sabbath, storytelling, and intentional parenting kept the faith alive from generation to generation. These were the choices that, decades later, would enable a people—many of whom had never seen Jerusalem—to yearn for home and choose return over comfort.
Building Together: Community as Necessity
Upon return, the first act was not to rebuild individual lives but to reestablish community. When Nehemiah led the people back, the priority was to rebuild the walls—the shared space of safety, belonging, and common purpose. It was a collective effort: everyone took up their spot on the wall, investing in something that would anchor not only themselves but future generations. As Josh makes clear, community is not merely “nice” or “encouraging.” It is essential for survival, for formation, and for resisting the slow drift of spiritual forgetfulness. The church must be a community of builders—each person investing their gifts to create something that is vital for all.
Centering on Presence: Worship and Expectation
Yet, structure alone is not enough. The community built the temple—the place of God’s presence—recognizing that without worship at the center, all their efforts would be in vain. The pursuit was not merely organizational but spiritual; the foundation of their life together was the presence of God. Even when the presence did not seem dramatic, even when the old remembered greater days, the people returned again and again to worship, to attentiveness, to hope.
Living in Hope: Waiting for Renewal
The return from exile was not the final chapter. Even in Jerusalem, the remnant confessed, “we are still slaves.” The full realization of God’s kingdom was yet to come. Their story ends with waiting—expectant, attentive, longing for God’s ultimate restoration. The parallel for us is clear: even in our “Jerusalems”—our places of community and worship—we remain people in waiting, longing for Jesus to complete His work.
Four Key Lessons from This Sermon
1. God is sovereign, even in chaos. We may feel lost in the tides of history, politics, or suffering, but God weaves all things—good and evil—toward His purposes.
2. Identity is maintained through intentional community, practices, and storytelling. Without shared rhythms and deliberate remembering, we drift and assimilate.
3. Christian community is essential, not optional. Investing together in the church is both a safeguard and a formative environment—for ourselves and those who come after.
4. Worship and attentiveness to God’s presence must be central. Without God at the center, our building is empty. We must cultivate hope and expectation, waiting for Him to make all things new.
In next week’s post, we’ll turn our attention to Advent—leaning forward into the hope and anticipation that Advent calls forth in all who continue to wait for the return of the King.
