Strong and Courageous
Joshua: Strong and Courageous • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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**Plug for Worship Night**
Introduction to Joshua
What do you think of when you think of the Book of Joshua?
“Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”
French Peas throwing slushies and shouting “We have a wall, you do not!”
Spies
Mighty battles won
Sin causing defeat
Sun standing still
Did this really happen?
What difference would any of this make in my life today?
Overview of the Book
Historically, Joshua recounts the events that brought the people of Israel into the land of Canaan.
Theologically, Joshua shows God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
Outline of the Book
Conquest of Canaan (1-12)
Preparation (1-2)
Conquest (3-12)
Settlement of Canaan (13-24)
Settlement (13-22)
Exhortation (23-24)
God the Hero
While Joshua is the leader, it is God who is the true hero of the book:
We’re told repeatedly that it is God who fights for Israel.
God is the one who promised the land to Israel
God is the one who changes the heart of a pagan prostitute to become a hero of faith
God is the one who parts the water so Israel can enter the land.
God is the one who roots out the sin in the camp to maintain the holiness of his people
God is the one who gives the Israelites victory time and time again
God is the one who halts the planets to win the battle.
It is this same God who has promised us, goes with us, changes our hearts, clears our paths, fights our battles, and offers us victory.
And so, we are going to explore the stories found in Joshua not simply as the dusty history of the nation of Israel, nor are we going to view it as an allegory for our lives and over-spiritualize every movement and battle.
Instead, we are going to see how God worked in history with his people regarding the battles they faced and so learn how this same God will work with us, his people, regarding the battles we face. God is the Hero.
Here are some examples. We will see:
people taking risks and acting in faith based on the promises of God
People who will be known for the redeeming power of God instead of their past failures
People facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles place their trust in God
People reminded of the importance of worship - private and corporate
People continuing to serve the Lord despite seeming limitations of age or resources
People reminded that obedience is faithfulness
*Open to Joshua 1
To begin Joshua we need to see the end of Deuteronomy:
Deuteronomy 31:1-8
1 So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, “I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’ 3 The Lord your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the Lord has spoken. . . . 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Joshua 1:1-9
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Transitions
The Book of Joshua opens with a transition.
Transitions are rarely easy.
Even when expected - and especially when they are not
Even when you are in control of the transition — and especially when you are not.
Even when the transition is to something better.
New leader
They had followed Moses for more than 40 years.
Joshua the Man
Joshua means “Yahweh saves”
LXX = Ie sous = Jesus
Military commander who defeated Amalekites in the wilderness
Close aide and confidant of Moses - He was Moses’ aide since his youth
Was with Moses as he went up to Mount Sinai
One of the 12 spies sent into Canaan - one of only two with good report
New leader — same objective because they have the same promise from the same God.
*The fulfillment of God’s promises to His people is dependent on GOD and not their leader.
Before we get THERE we are HERE. That’s ok because while we are HERE God is THERE
Deut 31:8
8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
*The omnipresent God is in the space of your problems to take the place of your problems.
There are a few themes in this passage
(Display Sermon Scratch)
A promise to take
A promise to take
(1-5a)
God has promised to bring the people of Israel into a new land “flowing with milk and honey”
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
Look how many times “land” is stated in our passage: at least 8
However, this was not simply God’s promise since they left Egypt; this promise has always been a part of God’s plan:
To Abraham:
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
To Isaac:
2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
To Jacob:
13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
AND FOR US:
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,
OT
God, through Moses (and then Joshua) saved the people from slavery, gave them his Law so they might live as his people, and brings them into a new space in victory that they might live in goodness and rest as a taste of what will be the ultimate reality when God finally and fully returns.
NT
God, through Jesus (whose name is Joshua) saved us from slavery of sin, gave us his Law through the Spirit so we might live as his people, and brings us into a new space in victory (called life in Christ) that we might live in goodness and rest as a taste of what will be the ultimate reality when Jesus finally and fully returns.
ILLUST - The Poconos (Promised Land State Park) - place of rest - not perfect, I have scars - but always seen as good.
This is God’s promise for us
God’s promise for Israel was the land — or the place they would find rest.
For us, God’s promise is not tied to land but it is the space where we would find rest as we experience more of the Christ-centered life.
*How would you like to approach this year as a promise?
God will fulfill his promise, but his promise is a gift and his gift needs to be received.
ILLUST - how silly to be offered a gift and not receive it.
The Israelites ned to go take the land that God is giving them. To do that, they will need. . .
A courageous heart
A courageous heart
(6-7, 9a)
Another theme we see as we prepare for what God has for us is one that is also carried over from Moses in Deuteronomy
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
ILLUST - The last thing you want to hear when your spouse calls and you answer is “Don’t worry, everyone is OK.” - It usually means something is happening that has the potential to NOT be OK!
I wonder if Joshua had some questions when God said repeatedly, “Be strong and courageous!” Like why would I need to be?
“Strong” - harden - sometimes used as strengthen a wall - more about attitude than action
“Courageous” - not shy or fearful - willing to risk it for the biscuit
God will be faithful to his promise; however, they will not gain his promise without some faith, risk, and battles.
*God’s promise for you to live in the victory of the Christ-centered life and the rest that it brings will not be attained without faith, risk, and some battles.
There WILL be battles ahead! Prepare yourself but don’t be discouraged, don’t be afraid!
Why?
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
A powerful presence
A powerful presence
(5b, 9b)
It was the presence that made the difference!
God didn’t say, “Stay on this side of the Jordan for a while and work out so you will be mighty enough to take them on yourself.” God knew they were not strong enough.
Instead, He called them to be strong and courageous because God is with them
ILLUST - Chester and Spike - Bulldog and terrier - one is tough and the other acts tough because he is with the other.
What would happen if Israel tried to conquer Canaan alone?
It’s laughable
Why are you trying to tackle the battles in front of you alone?
Have you prayed about it?
Have you asked God to help heal, provide, encourage?
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The powerful presence of God goes with you!
A written guide
A written guide
(7-8)
7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.
Was God saying, “If you do good things for me, I’ll do good things for you?”
No, He was saying to follow my way - stay close to me - by following my word and i will support you.
All walking together
All walking together
(10-18)
11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ ”
14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh had settled on the east side of the Jordan (Numbers 32) But Moses and now Joshua are calling on those who have already won their battles and are living in victory to walk alongside their brothers and sisters as they fight their battles until they are in victory.
*We need to be a church at war for each other (not at war with each other!)
praying for each other
leading others to a place of victory
*How do you need to prepare your heart today?
We stand at the edge of tomorrow - You can’t stay here. The wilderness is no place for God’s people.
Some have wanted to go back to Egypt - Perhaps you’re tempted to walk away from God or his people — for you it has been too long in the wilderness — you feel spiritually dry, alone, and tired.
God has a promise for you! You are on the edge of victory (I didn’t say prosperity)
However, it will require faith in God’s promise and trust in God’s presence. (Which do you need?)
It won’t be without risk and likely some battles:
against feeling shame and inadequate
against sin in your own life
against strongholds that have been in your life for way too long
against what seem to be impossible odds
We need to prepare ourselves and be strong and courageous.
