Tools For The Journey Series

Text: Joshua 1: 1 – 9

Subject: Journey with Joshua

Theme: Tools for the Journey

Title: “SURVIVAL KIT”

GREETINGS

PRAYER

INTRODUCTION – (Sonics and Bobcats game)

Have you ever felt like standing on the border – ready to cross over into success… into explosion… into achievement – but never really crossing that line? Year after year you find yourself in the same place – but the promise always almost within your reach.

I have found myself many times in that scenario – and not only myself but also the church which I am leading as a pastor. It’s there – but it never happens… every year you find the same committed and faithful people come back. You are almost there… Standing on the border but never crossing the boundary lines. You try this… you try that… but it seems like you are missing the important ingredient that will start the ignition.

It is said that when explorers Magellan and Columbus, when they go into a journey into the unchartered territories or the unknown, they have a small bag made of leather that they put around their neck, they call this their “survival pouch.” Inside that bag are:

one sharp carving knife,

flintstones,

two bullets,

a short string or rope

and compass –

This pouch is not opened. It is tied around their neck like a necklace, and they never take away whatever they do. They only use this pouch in extreme cases. If ever they are separated from their company. If ever they get lost or wander alone… BUT it is the belief that the tools inside the pouch is enough to make a person survive life in the wilderness. If you know how to handle and use the tools, experts say you have 70 percent chances of survival. Now that is a high percentage, considering the odds of the wilderness.

TRANSITIONAL PARAGRAPH

It is in that line of thought that I share with you God’s word today. Whatever it is you are facing… Maybe you feel like you are facing a dead end… maybe you feel like you are facing against a wall… maybe you feel like facing the darkness and there is doubt and fear and uncertainty in your heart. Allow me to share with you the tools that God gave us. I believe, that the tools of God in his word is sufficient tools for us not only to be able to survive but to triumph, be victorious, be fruitful, and most of all be purposeful.

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND

In the passage that was read, the people of Israel and Joshua their new leader, are standing on the borders of Canaan. Literally they are standing on the line ready to cross over into the land that God had promised them AND YET they still have to claim.

STANDING ON THE BORDER

On that Day, 40 years after they stood there and failed the test, more than 40 years after leaving Egypt, they stood at the riverbanks of Jordan, because three days later they will cross the Jordan and enter into the land that God had promised their forefathers and their fathers. But things have changed, the old generation that saw the ten plagues and crossed the red sea and eaten of the quail and drunk of water from the rock and had stood there 40 years ago have all passed away except for Caleb and Joshua. The ones who stood there was the new generation. Moses the greatest prophet and leader had passed away, and the one who stood before them to lead them into the promised land was Joshua – he was around over 60 years old. Because when he stood with Moses at Mount Sinai he was already 20 plus at that time. He was the assistant of Moses for more than 40 years. It was his first time to lead the people. His first time to directly receive the message of God and deliver it to the people – the mediator between God and his people.