Settle In

11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered.

Now we know that it lead to protection and to captivity for a time 430 years, we too at one time were in captivity too, weren’t we, and if you feel like you are in captivity today we will discuss that shortly. But those who are in Christ, who have unpacked know they have been freed.

Galatians 5:1 NASB95

1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

We need not be subject again to the things that kept us captive before.

So as we come here tonight we plan to unpack our lives, unpack our Christianity and become rooted here with our new family here. But we invite you tonight to look at being unpacked and getting settled in too.

Unpack your Christianity

There is a story of a man named Jimmy Wayne who this verse could not mean more to

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

(Insert slide of Jimmy Wayne)

Jimmy Wayne

raised in abusive home where his own father pulled a gun on him, but was protected by ducking behind a couch and not hit.

Neglected and abandoned often went without food except what got at school lunch program.

His dad abandon the family, mom had mental health issues as well as drug and alcohol issues

In and out of many foster homes, but never had any long placement

At age 16 while living on the streets met a woman by name of Bea Costner and her husband Russell who hired him to mow their lawn; after about 6 weeks they knew for sure he was living on the streets and open the door to their home and offered him a room a place to call home and to unpack his bags.

For weeks he had everything in a box, he did not unpack for he expected to be told he had to go. Bea convinced him to unpack. They took him to Church and he was given a guitar and really started to love to sing and to play and he gave his life to Christ. He even made peace with his mom and forgave her. He was noticed in the music industry and started to make his name known.

From homeless to an advocate for homelessness he made a trek by foot on a 7 month journey from Nashville to Phoenix AZ to raise awareness of homelessness among youth. He even has a book about it called “A walk to beautiful”

Do we ever question our place in God’s family?

We may think God will turn us out, reject us, or even change His mind

People may turn against us, may turn us out, but God will not, He has promised He will never leave nor forsake you.

God gives us the answer, the proof, when we look at the cross. When Jesus said:

John 19:30 NASB95

30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

We can know it is finished. We can know that God answers when He promised those who believe to be transferred into the kingdom

Colossians 1:13–14 NASB95

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

And that no one can take us out of His hand.

John 10:28 NASB95

28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

(expand on unpacking our Christianity) - don’t keep it boxed in and protected in bubble wrap, let it out, display it and use it for God’s purpose and glory

Get Settled in

So as we unpack, get settled in, leave nothing undone

Get settled in because of the cross, we can settle in on God’s faithfulness

Romans 8:38–39 NASB95

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom8:38-39

We can get settled in our faith, trust in the Lord

Psalm 112:1–2 NASB95

1 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.

Psalm 112:3–4 NASB95

3 Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Psalm 112:7 NASB95

7 He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112:5–6 NASB95

5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. 6 For he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever.

Psm112:1-2

Psalm 112:7–8 NASB95

7 He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear, Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries.

FOr we

Psalm 112:9–10 NASB95

9 He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be vexed, He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked will perish.

From homeless and hopeless, Jimmy Wayne went on to be an advocate, we too when we unpack our Christianity, when we get settled into trusting the lord can do the same.

Sure in this life we may, and more than likely do, have many unanswered questions, but the ability of God to save us should not be one of them.

Romans 1:16 NASB95

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Rom1:4

We need to settle in once and for all in our Christianity and when we do our life will reflect it (expand on Jimmy Wayne finally unpacking)

After settling In

(insert slide unpacking)

So here we are, finally here, while our stuff maybe in storage now, we are unpacking our lives here, we are getting settled in. Just like with Christ when you come into Christ you get settled in and know that Christ is your rest.

we need to rest in Him, for we have a better rest coming

Hebrews 4:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

Psalm 37:7 NASB95

7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Hebrews 4:3 NASB95

3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Jesus is the better rest with an eternal rest coming for those who are in Christ Jesus.

We need to rest in our redemption - we have been freed from the past, the future is bright, God’s word is true and the work was finished on the Cross.

Remember we are to be settled in and rest in the promised land now, in the kingdom of the beloved Son, with a heavenly kingdom yet to come.

Just like any move, we all want help to help us unload, unpack and getting acclimated to the new home. As we now come to our new home here in Fort Dodge, we thank you for the help getting us here and the help getting us unloaded. I know my beloved will leave in a few days leaving me on this mission here as she finishes commitments in Texas, I’m confident that you will help me get acclimated to Fort Dodge.

(Lead to invitation)

(insert moving day slide again)

Is it moving day for you?

You can unpack your bags by your faith and your obedience to Gospel

Are you unpacked and resting in your redemption?

You can unpack your bags by getting settled into your kingdom life now

If you have recently moved in, then allow others to help you get acclimated to your new home in Christ Jesus.

Unpack your bags for you won’t need them for the next part of the journey, for it is an “all inclusive trip” and it lasts an eternity

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