Moving Forward Together
Introduction
- Looking at v10-18
- Recap:
- A transitional book and stage in the people of God
- A new generation was raised up
- New leaders were raised up
- Joshua took Moses' place
- Joshua had seen God work in wonderful ways
- In this new chapter Joshua needed great encouragement
- God encouraged Joshua through Moses
- God twice encouraged Joshua directly
- God gave Joshua many promises
- The people encouraged Joshua (v18)
- God speaks to us today in different ways
- Theme: Moving forward together
- Recent prayer meeting very encouraging
- Encouraging that different people in the prayer meeting before services
- Encouraging that different people at the anniversary service
A Time to Act (v10-11)
- No time to delay
- In the Christian life there are times to delay and times to act
- Times to delay:
- The apostles were to wait for the Holy Spirit
- Jesus waited until He was 30 before He started His ministry
- There are times when inaction is fatal:
- Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt
- Joshua knows it is time for God to act
- Some conjecture over chapter 2
- The whole sense of chapter 1 is urgency
- Delay would give time for the people of God to doubt and fear
- We need to know when decisive action is needed
- Examples of Scriptural Commands
- Somethings we do need to delay over and consider if God is in it
A Time to Unite (v12-15)
- Joshua wanted all the people of God on-board
- Did all the tribes need to go forward?
- God wants His people to go forward together
- Num 32:1-23
- Moses warned the two tribes again discouraging the people
- v6-7
- Moral is affected by disobedience
- Discouragement can come upon God's people by not being alongside in the battle
- Moses is clear re their pledge - make sure you fulfill your promise
- Joshua is kind to the 2½ tribes (v13-15a)
- Lessons:
- I mustn't think just of myself - we are to remember that we are part of a Church, the body of Christ
- Failure to support others may bring great discouragement upon them
- Do we really see the importance of the unity of the Body of Christ?
- We are stronger when we are seeking the Lord together
- We must think about other churches (not just our own)
A Time to Pledge Allegiance (v16-18)
- The people pledge their allegiance to Joshua and the leadership
- These verses ultimately speak to the allegiance of Jesus
- These verses also speak to the need to submit to church leadership
- Heb 13:17
- Allegiance to Jesus Christ
- v13 & v15 - speaks of rest (the Book of Joshua speaks of rest)
- Heb 4:8
- The real rest is found in Jesus alone
- Do you know this rest and peace?
- May our response be the same as that of the people of Israel - obedience in grace
Closing Remarks and Conclusion