Living in a foreign land by Stephen Coffin Genesis 11v31-12v9; Hebrews 11v8-16

Jewish history proper begins with Abraham

• His father Terah got stuck in Haran (Gen11v31)
• Abraham took up the challenge to move to Canaan
• He had no fixed home there
• Living in a foreign land can be an opportunity to experience God
  • Joseph in Egypt
  • Moses in Midian
  • David in Philistia
  • Daniel & the exiles in Babylon
  • The apostles in the Roman empire & beyond
  • John on Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation

How do you feel about living in a foreign land? Challenge

• Hardship
• Opportunity
• New priorities

God is with you! whatever you may be facing

• The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31v8)

The challenge is to let go of the past & move on

• The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” (Gen.12v1)

Our past can imprison us, whether it has been good or bad, but Jesus offers us freedom

• If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8v36)

Will we trust God in everything ?

• “I will make… I will bless… I will give…”
• By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country. (Hebrews 11v8-9)

Look at things from an eternal perspective!

• “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11v10)
• “… they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth… longing for a better country - a heavenly one.” (Hebrews 11v13-16)
• “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3v2)

Enjoy life & invest in it!

• “I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.” (Genesis 45v18)
• “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29v7)

Make people your priority

• "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right.” (James 2v8)