Normal Isn’t Working

This World Is Not Your Home

Scripture References

• 1 Peter 2:11
• Romans 12:2
• Colossians 3

Overview

Craig Groeschel reminds believers that “where you’re from determines how you speak, think, and act.” Because followers of Jesus are “citizens of heaven,” earth is only a temporary residence. Knowing this identity reshapes our mindset and lifestyle: we refuse to copy the world’s patterns, set our minds on things above, and live in ways that stand out as holy, loving, and purposeful.

Context

Groeschel opens by showing how geography forms culture—accents, nicknames on his Australian tennis team, and even shoe etiquette in different countries. The point: origin directs behavior. He then asks Christians to remember their ultimate origin is not earthly but heavenly.

Main Points

1. Where You’re From Shapes You

• Every culture influences language, values, and habits.
• Story: On an all-Australian college tennis team, everyone received a nickname ending in “-o” or “-y” (Craig became “Grosey”), demonstrating how location changes interaction.
• Parallel: spiritual location—heaven—should have an even greater effect on believers.

2. You Are Citizens of Heaven

“We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.”

• Peter calls Christians “temporary residents” and “foreigners” (1 Peter 2:11).
• Two Greek roots (para-oikos / para-epidemos) carry the idea “near but not of.”
• Because loyalty is to a heavenly King, believers talk, think, and act differently.

3. Think Differently From This World

• Romans 12:2: Don’t copy worldly customs; let God transform your mind.
• Colossians 3: Set hearts and minds “on things above, not on earthly things.”
• Earth’s messages (“live for yourself,” “accumulate more”) conflict with kingdom values (eternal treasure, serving others).

4. Live Differently From This World

• Right thinking produces counter-cultural living.
• Illustration: The Message paraphrase of 1 Peter 2: “Don’t make yourselves cozy in this world.”
• Entertainment, spending, dating, parenting, generosity—every arena shifts when minds are set above.
• Normal culture is broken: debt, divorce, loneliness, envy, addiction. God calls His people to holy (hagios) distinctiveness.

5. Resist the Cultural Current

• Illustration: Playing in the ocean, the unnoticed current drifts swimmers far from their beach blanket—just as culture slowly pulls hearts from God.
• Parents must teach kids intentional “holy differences” (phone age, social media limits, Sunday priorities, mission trips) to keep them swimming upstream.
• “If you don’t actively resist the current of culture, you will drift into the deception of this world.”

6. Earth Can’t Satisfy What Heaven Designed

• Illustration (credit: Tony Evans adaptation): A fish given gift cards, fame, or romance still gasps on the beach because it was made for water. Likewise, humans made for heaven will never be fulfilled by earthly trinkets.

7. Identity Declaration

“I am a citizen of Heaven.
My life belongs to God.
Because earth is not my home, I think differently and I live differently.”

• Groeschel has the congregation repeat this to cement identity and behavior.

8. Invitation to Full Surrender

• Knowing of God is not the same as belonging to Him.
• Salvation means surrendering every part of life—past, present, future—to Jesus, who died and rose again.

Key Truths

• Earthly culture constantly presses believers to conform, but heavenly citizenship calls for transformation.
• A mind fixed on eternity redirects time, money, relationships, and entertainment.
• Holiness is not arrogance; it is loving distinction for God’s purposes.
• Drifting happens slowly; resistance must be active and intentional.
• Nothing in this world can satisfy a heart designed for God’s kingdom.

Response

• Set your mind daily on things above through Scripture and prayer.
• Audit entertainment, spending, and habits; remove what dulls spiritual hunger.
• Create intentional “holy differences” in your household to push against cultural drift.
• Invest resources and time in eternal purposes—serving, giving, discipling.
• Regularly declare your heavenly identity to realign desires and actions.

Closing

Groeschel pleads for believers to let go of what is “below” and pursue what is “above,” warning that normal culture leads to destruction while heavenly living produces lasting joy. He urges intentional resistance to worldly currents and bold obedience to the King who sent us on mission here.

“Don’t worry if you’re different from the world—worry if you’re not.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, I surrender my whole life.
Jesus, save me, be my Lord.
Fill me with Your Spirit so I can serve You every moment.
My life is not my own; I give it all to You.
Earth is not my home—I’m a citizen of Heaven.
Use me to show Your love and to do Your will.
Thank You for new life; You have all of mine.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”