Suffering Differently

The Very Rev. Dr. Dan Alger
Written By The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Alger

As Christians, we are citizens of God's eternal kingdom, but we are still living in an earthly kingdom. In Peter's first letter, he addresses it to the "exiles" or "sojourners" that are dispersed throughout the world--in places and cultures that live very differently than how Christ has called them to live. In our modern world, we find that we struggle with the same tension. How should we see life through the lens of being an exile, and yet still properly engage with the earthy kingdom in which we live? What does it mean to live differently, not putting our trust and hope in the ways of this earthy kingdom, but rather live in such a way that we hold out hope to the world that points to a better kingdom?

In this week’s message, Pastor Dan explores the tension we live in as exiles when we experience suffering in this earthly kingdom, while holding onto the “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” living hope of Christ’s resurrection.

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

You can also listen to this sermon via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Alger

Dan served as the Dean of Redeemer from January 2022-May 2025. As dean, Dan served as the equivalent of what many people think of as the “Senior Pastor” of the church, giving oversight to the doctrine, worship, vision, community, and mission of the church.

Dan is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, earned his Masters from Trinity School for Ministry, and his Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary with a concentration in church planting. His first book, entitled Planting in Word and Sacrament, was published in May 2023.

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From Peter to the Exiles