Joshua
Introduction
Key text – v2
Moses my servant is dead
He entered into heaven
Deut 34:8
Deut 34:10 ff
There will never be another like Moses
God did not leave the people leaderless
Someone took Moses’ place – Joshua (v1-3)
We do not know what is coming in 2023
We may have Jordans, Jerichos and rests
Our Joshua (Jesus) will lead us
Could there be new territory and new ground for the gospel?
Overview:
Commissioned
Commanded
Compliance
Commissioned
A commission to Joshua and the nation (v2)
Commissioned in two ways:
What he had to do
What he had to be
To do:
v6 – To lead
2 Cor 2:16, 3:5
A burden but a power from God
v2 – Get ready
v2 – to cross the Jordan
A whole generation had gone by [wandering in the wilderness]
v3 – Trust in God’s promise
v5 – Trust in God
He will never leave nor forsake
God will provide the victories
Are we in similar shoes to Joshua for the next year?
To be
v7 – Be courageous
Ex 17:13
v7/8 – Be the people of the word of God
obey all the law
Most of God’s law was now in the hands of the people
The Pentateuch had been given
meditate on God’s word
v8 – Be prosperous and successful
Called to be faithful – certainly
Should we also expect to be successful?
Meaning to act prudently
To be careful about God’s word
Not ‘health, wealth and prosperity’
Commanded
v10 – Get ready
* Joshua had to feed the people
* We are to provide cash and food for the journey
* To the local and global fellowship of Christ
v11 – Take possession
Take possession of souls with the power of the gospel
Are we ready for this?
Are there other areas we need to posses?
The Canaan within our own souls
Examples of gossiping, unforgiving nature, jealousy, lust
God commands us to be rid of these
We must not make excuses
v14 – Be united
Put on the full armour of God
Do not fight each other but the enemies of God
v15 – Enter rest
2021-2022 have been hectic and extraordinary years
We can rest in the arms of Jesus
Compliance
v16 – The people agreed to do what Joshua had commanded
What does God want us to do for the next year?
Eph 4:22-24
To increase more in God and decrease in ourselves
As Christians we are to comply
v17 – The people agreed to go wherever they were sent
Has God commanded you to the mission field, to the preaching ministry, maybe to something in your locality?
Isaiah – "Here I am, send me"
Personal example
Has God called you – have you responded?
Previously the people had disobeyed (40 years ago) – now they were responding in obedience
Do not let disobedience spoil your life
v17 – God with/in us
The people wanted to see God in the lives of the leaders
Being a pastor, elder or deacon is a great responsibility
Pray for them
Do we see God in our leaders and in ourselves?
Closing Remarks