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“Be Strong and Courageous” Joshua 1 August 18, 2002
BackgroundA. The desire that life can get better…1. After 40 years of desert… looking across the Jordan at the Promised Land (450 years of belief) 2. The natural excitement and challenges 3. Joshua is a book to master if you desire to blast through the obstacles in your life to fullness in Christ. B. Three sections: 1-4: Entrance into the Promised Land; 5-21: The Conquest of the Land; 22-24: The Perils in the Land C. Joshua is a picture of Spirit filled Life in Christ… D. Joshua’s background1. Name = “God is salvation” – it is identical to “Jesus.” Num. 13:16 tells us that Moses gave him that name changing it from Hoshea (salvation). 2. First appearance of Joshua is when Moses appoints him general and Israel goes to war against the Amalikites (God’s anger against rebellion – Ex.17:16) 3. Next we see Joshua in battle with Moses on the hill with his rod raised (the power of prayer and surrender – Ex. 17:11) -- Write this in The Book,” God said to Moses – Ex. 17:14 4. Saw God with the elders of Israel and ate in His presence (24:9-11) 5. The Golden Calf… etc. 6. With all of that, the repeated encouragements from God imply that Joshua really need encouraging. I. The Command to Go and PossessA. The timing: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then…” 1. Moses is dead (period). The old leadership is gone. Joshua is now the #1 guy. Should they stay and get more prepared before launching over the Jordan? 2. God’s promises and covenants were not in jeopardy. His promises to Abraham (unconditionally), Isaac and Jacob and most recently Moses, will not falter because of a death… a void. 3. The Jordan was at flood stage. B. The meaning:1. All that the land ahead of Joshua meant to him, we have in Christ, today. 2. The years of promises are in Christ. 3. The fruitfulness is in Christ, blessing in Christ (etc. as in Ephesians 1 – 3) C. The Promised Land1. Not being given to them because of their greatness. 2. Being given a) because of God’s promise 450 years before they were born and b) because of the iniquity of the Amorites was overflowing (Deut. 9:4-5) 3. Would not be possessed by those who died in the wilderness and not by those content with something less than the Promised Land (as many Christians are today) II. The Command to be StrongThis is written in chapter 1 four times. Moses first said this to Josh. in Deut. 31:6-7. A. Because of God’s Word1. “I will give you every place… as I promised Moses” (3) 2. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 3. A prophet like unto Moses (Jesus) has told us, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you. “ Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” 4. God set the extent of the territory before Joshua ever began 5. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.” B. Because God is greater…1. The swollen Jordan; the 450 year old standing armies; the giants C. Because you will lead1. Sometimes we have to put on the armor of the Lord because of our influence or impact upon those around us. 2. None of the promises were based on his natural abilities 3. Note that God seems to pick men who have to have a lot of encouragement to get going… Too many people are too big for God to use. III. The Command to Meditate in the WordA. The courage to face the Word1. There is a certain urgency about life that distracts us from the important things 2. Imagine for a moment Joshua saying, “OK lord, just as soon as we get a few things in order here and secure the perimeter I’ll dedicate some quality time to studying The Book.” 3. The reading and meditation in the Book would be important for observing all that was written in it… 4. What does it mean to meditate? 5. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things" (Phil. 4:8) B. The courage to obey the Word1. “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey.” 2. In three days he would lead Israel through the Jordan River at flood stage. Then he would camp them all at Gilgal and circumcise all the men of war and then call a Feast of Passover. 3. To conquer the first city they would walk around it… then shout (courage to obey) 4. Disobedience – they’d be taken out of the land IV. The PromisesA. Wherever you set your foot…1. You can have all that you are willing to take 2. How committed are you willing to be…? 3. Are you dissatisfied with where you are spiritually… get ready to start moving forward 4. Everything is in Christ. 5. Your territory will extend… a. Here he gets the promise that they are going to get more than they will ever possess. b. “A land flowing with milk and honey,” (Ex. 3:8) but also a land rejected because of the walled cities and giants… looked like too much work to overcome those enemies B. As I was with Moses…1. Matt. 28:20 “I am with you always…” 2. Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5 3. Ex. 33:3 – God told Moses he wasn’t going with them. Moses interceded and God said, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.’” 4. We don’t deserve His presence… yet He won’t leave us. C. Obedience would yield prosperity
1. Obedience – fullness of joy 2. "Trust in the LORD with all
your heart
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