Joshua 1:1-9

Joshua’s Commission

 

Today we are beginning a study in the book of Joshua – 1st couple of weeks in Ch. 1 – Background – Setting: Before going to Sun/ Wed format

A) Quest. Why should anyone today study the book of Joshua ?   Book that gives the grim accounts of war slaughter & conquest

    

B) Joshua is a Picture book - about possessing your possessions !  About the children of Israel laying claim to the land God had given them !

1) The N.T. counter part to Joshua is Eph

 

C) What Paul’s letter to the Eph. Explains Doctrinally the book of Joshua illustrates practically

1) Eph. Is about realizing our blessings in Christ & walking in them!              

D) Joshua illustrates how the Children of Israel stepped out in faith to walk in the Blessings God had given them

1) And Possess the Land that He had Promised them !!!!!

 

E) So the book of Joshua has some incredible application for us as believers

concerning moving forward in the Lord / Experiencing all He has for us RD 1-9

 

 

Now we see here that the book begins w/ God passing the Mantle of leadership to Joshua – Moses is dead – Joshua you are the man

A)How did Joshua feel about his new responsibility ? Our text gives us a hint

 

B)We read 3 times in these first 9 verses where the Lord says to Joshua be strong & of Good Courage { Implication is Joshua felt Weak

 

C)We read in v.9 God said to Joshua – Don’t be afraid – The Implication being that Joshua was Frightened

1) God also told him to not be Dismayed – Interesting word: To be Shattered Broken / terrified -  Implication is that Joshua felt that way / task given him

Now it is understandable that Joshua would feel that way: Huge Responsibility

A)Moses was dead – For 40 yrs Joshua had faithfully served Moses. He was his assistant / At the command of Moses -Joshua led the army into Battle

1)   He was one of the spies who went into the land – {Josh & Caleb- faith}

 

B) He was a Loyal servant / He was a Courageous spy / He was a Valiant warrior/ a Brave fighter / But now he was the Leader

1)   Moses was the man – When Miriam was upset she came to Moses – when the Sons of Korah became Divisive it was against Moses

 

C) Now all of that responsibility would rest upon Joshua’s Shoulders

1)   I think it is safe to say that Joshua felt a bit overwhelmed – perhaps he felt like he was in over his head

 

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt Inadequate for a certain task or Challenge or ministry ? { Brian asked me here

A)Have you  Ever felt overwhelmed by something life threw your way?

 

B) Have you asked yourself these kind of Questions How am I ever going to get thru this?  How …. Survive w/out_______?

1)  I am not qualified for that______ !!! I am not talented enough for that ______ !!!

 

C) If you have ever felt that way you are not alone!!! Over 4 Million People in the US regularly suffers from Anxiety attacks

1) Dear Abby – majority of letters – people struggling w/ Fear

 

D) Fear – the Economy/ Fear about going to war / Fear of the Future

 

If you are feeling in any way like that today: God’s word to Joshua is for you today: Formula for Success / How to be Prosperous fruitful

A)What was true for Joshua at this time is equally true for us living here in NC SD in the year 2003 / Something to KNOW / …..TO DO !!!

 

1ST SOMETHING TO KNOW: V 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

A)God wanted Joshua to Know – You are not alone – I am w/ You –

As I was w/ Moses / w/ You

 

B) What a comfort that must have been to Joshua – He had seen God do some incredible things thru Moses – Deliverance from Egypt

1)   Crossing the Red Sea – Miraculous Provision – God was Promising to be w/ Him in that same way!!!

 

C) We also have been given that same Promise: Heb 13:5-6

For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."   6 So we may boldly say:"The LORD is my helper;  I will not fear.

What can man do to me?"  

 

D) God has given to us the Promise of His Presence – Same God

 

 

Sometimes we read the Stories of the Bible / Missionaries – That is not the God that I know – God doesn’t do that anymore

A) Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

B) It is that Jesus who says to the Believer today: I will never leave you or forsake you – I will be w/ you always – end of the age

1)   Jesus has given us the Promise of His Presence : How – His spirit living in our hearts

 

C) Jn 14 told his Disciples – I will not leave you orphans – Send the Helper my spirit to live in your hearts

1)   Now I have to be honest I don’t quite understand that – But it is what the Bible teaches / so I embrace it

 

D) Eph 3 Christ would Dwell in our hearts thru faith{ Moment you believe confess Christ – He thru His Spirit takes up residence in your heart

The Word Dwell is interesting – To be at Home in our Hearts – that becomes His Chief Desire { At Home = Surrendered

A)The question becomes – not is He w/ us – but are we w/ Him – Is He at home in our hearts – Are our lives surrendered to Him

 

B) The Lord gives Joshua the Promise of His Presence – I will be w/ You I will not forsake you

1)   But what Joshua would come to understand – is that a Key to victory would be the degree to which Joshua as a leader was w/ the Lord

2)   SUBMITTED TO THE LORD’S LEADERSHIP IN HIS LIFE

 

C) Application for us: If you are a Believer in JC here today: Know this – He is w/ You – Nothing you go thru will you go thru alone

1)   John Lopez – Smile God loves you

 

D) Whatever situation you find yourself in right now – You are not there by yourself – He is w/ You { Disciples in the Storm / Shad….fiery furnace

1)   Daniel in the Lions den/ David – against Goliath – He is there – the same Lord who was w/ them is w/ you

 

E) The Bigger question is this: Are you w/ Him – are you willing to wait on His leading / trust in His Provision / Rely on His Power

1) He is w/ you – But How ? Is He pleading w/ you to Let go/ Is He pleading w/ you to come back – Or is your life Surrendered – open to his Provision

 

So First of all God wanted Joshua to Know – I am w/ You –Not enough  2nd thing to note is God gives Joshua something to do Josh 1:7-8

7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

 

4 Things were to mark Joshua’s relationship to God’s word – same 4 things should mark our relationship to God’s word

A)   First of all Joshua was to Know God’s word – Question – Which word did he have ?

 

B)   The First 5 books of the Bible Gen – Duet. - are commonly called the Pentateuch.

1)   They were written by Moses – during the 40 yrs of wandering in the wilderness – Then passed on the Joshua upon Moses death

 

C)   Contained the Law of God – the 10 commandments / the Law of Moses and the History of God’s dealing w/ His people.

 

Theologian Francis Schaeffer makes this interesting observation “Joshua knew Moses the writer of the Pentateuch personally, he knew his strengths, his weaknesses as a man; he knew that Moses was a sinner, that Moses made Mistakes, that Moses was just a man. Nonetheless immediately after Moses death – Joshua accepted the Pent. as more than the writings of Moses- He accepted it as the Word of God

 

A)Joshua understood – that if He was going to have Success / if he was going to carry out – His calling – He would need to Know God’s word

 

B) So too We need to understand that the Bible is more than the writings of Men  – We are told  in 2 Tim 3:16 –This book that we hold in our hands is  given by inspiration of God,[explain]  and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

NCV  16All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right. 17Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every good work.

C) The direction that we need for our lives / for ministry / for being lights in this world – For leading our families / for dealing w/ Problems

1)   It is found in the pages of this Book – It is our Playbook / our guidebook for living – We are to Know it

 

D) Read in the Paper the other day – 3rd String QB for one of the teams who when it came time to play – 1st & 2nd Stringers were hurt

1)   He Didn’t know the Play book – Receiver played QB

 

E) This guy is on the team all year – thinking – I am never going to get to play – I don’t need to study – { When called upon he wasn’t ready

2 Tim 2:15 Study to  yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Jonathan Goforth the Great Missionary to China – said this upon turning 40 yrs of age My deepest regret, is that I have not devoted more time to the study of the Bible. Still in less than nineteen years I have gone through the New Testament in Chinese fifty-five times.

 

Jer 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them,And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;

A)God’s word is the Nourishment for our Souls – Our Spirit rejoices when we spend time in the Word

 

B) Charles Haddon Spurgeon Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.

 

C)Certain movies – Watch again & again – see something New – LOR

1)   God’s word is that way – Something new something fresh

 

D)   The Bible is like a telescope: If a man looks at a telescope – he doesn’t see anything – but if he looks thru it – expands his Horizon

1) It Broadens his perspective – that is how the Bible is – Look at it sitting on the shelf – nothing – Look thru – see the world – different light

                        Ex. Death of a Loved one – Really a Passing

1st Joshua was to Know God’s Word – implies that He needed to spend time Studying it 2nd Joshua was to talk about it: God said Don’t let this book depart from your mouth

A) Joshua was to converse about the Bible in his normal day to day encounters w/ family/  friends /soldiers / those he came in contact w/

 

B) Not just for Sundays – Opportunity to Share the word all the time

1)   Talk about the Word – what is God speaking to You

 

C) Treat unbelievers like they are believers – I read the coolest thing in the Bible today: Listen ……………….

 

D) What do you think about – the War w/ Iraq – Could set the Stage for Ezk 38 – Arab nations joined w/ Russia invade – Israel

 

As Parents opportunities to teach our Kids – Illustrate using the word

A)Situation arises – someone who is being left out – misfit – others kids don’t like – Reminds me of the story of Zach ……..be like Jesus

 

B) Reminds me of the story of David w/ Meph. Accepted for Jonathan sake – We should accept that person for Jesus sake

1)   God accepts us on behalf of Jesus

 

C) Here is the thing: The More that You Speak the word – the more that you will know it{ Great way to learn is to teach

1) Children’s ministry: Family Devotions – Talk about it

 

3rd Joshua was to Mediate upon the Word

A)Meditation is a step beyond the mere Knowledge of the word or even talking about it

 

B) Meditate = Think deeply or to Chew on something – Ever see a Cow Chew on grass – slow process{ That is the idea –

1) Take the word & Chew on it for a while –Like Feasting on a great piece of stake – Marinated all day:  enjoy each bite:  Pray in / think thru  

C)Too often we take in the word – like fast food  – on the go – scarf it down {

1) Out the door – hour later – what did I read today

 

D) God wants us  to Meditate upon His Word – take it in think it over

              Trips letters from Denise – card in the suit case:

1)   Journaling – Write down take w/ you –[God Honors – pen in hand] think on it thru out the day – Verses to memorize

 

E)    One year Bible : Good thing – not unless – Meditating – not just fulfilling a quota – make it thru – the required reading

 

 I study my Bible as I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest might fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf.

   Martin Luther (1483-1546)

 

Psa 1: Prosperous man or woman – Meditates on the word day & night

A)Morning & Evening – Start the day – end the day – God’s word

 

B) Morning person – Significant time in the morning – get up early – seek the Lord

1)   End the day by going over your verse your thought for the day – share w/ your spouse – Coursons Days Journey : Chambers Utmost highest

 

C) Evening person reverse it – Devotional in the morning – Study at night

 

 

4th and Last: Joshua was to obey the Word :

A)This is the most important – Other books were given for our information, the Bible was given for our transformation.

 

B) It didn’t matter how much of the Word, Joshua Knew / Didn’t matter how often he talked about it / How long he meditated on it

1) What Matter the most – key to his Success – obeyed it in it’s entirety

C) This is the Problem that a lot of believers today – Have – we know the word – Information age -

1)   There is no time in the history of the Church where information is available – KWAVE wireless Seminary – teaching all Day

 

D) Tapes / CD’s / Internet / Computer Software- I have close to 400 books on my Lap top computer – at my finger tips –

1)   Wealth of Knowledge available to us – Knowledgeable in the Word

 

E) Many of us can talk about the Word – with anyone – we can argue all the points of Doctrine – talk about all the theories

1) But where we fail is when it comes to our daily walks – Relationships w/ others – approach toward spouses / at work – don’t apply the word

 

F)  We do what is right in our own eyes – we follow the advice or Ophrah / we listen to our friends

1) Then we wonder why we are not experiencing God’s blessing / why we are Struggling – Things are not working out{ Forgot the formula 

 

 

Listen you want to have a great Year? You want to be ready for anything that life Brings your Way?

A)You want to be fruitful in ministry? You want to be Prosperous in serving? – Listen: Follow the Formula of Joshua Ch. 1

 

B) Be strong & Courageous because You Know that God is w/ You – His Spirit is in you – / He is for You – Take Chances steps of faith

 

C) And give yourself to His Word – To Know it / talk about it / Meditate upon it / most of all to do it – Put it into Practice

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe you are here today: Christian a while – Word has become dull

A)I know in my life – when the word is dull – it is because I have become dull – The Problem isn’t w/ the word of God – problem is w/ me

 

B) It happens when I allow others things to distract me from the Lord – other things that creep into my life – take priority

1) There was a time in my life years ago that my time in the word was like taking vitamins – Mechanical – knew it was important – No Passion

 

C) Maybe you are in that place today: I think the Lord would have all of us today examine our hearts – see where we are at

1)   Still have that Passion for the Lord & His word – Still excited about studying it – has it become routine – Mechanical

 

D) Perhaps like the Church of Ephesus – Left our first love –

1)   Jesus said: Remember fallen – where you were before / how you were before / Repent – turn away from whatever distracting

 

E) Return: Do your first works again: Get back to morning devotions

1)   Wed. nites  Bible study

 

Maybe here today: Bible is foreign to you – doesn’t make sense

A)Reason: Not spiritually alive – Christ is not living in hearts – Bible is spiritually discerned –

 

B) First step in obeying – Receive Christ – Born again