Saving Faith Pt 1 Series

Joshua Series #4

The Amazing Race

“Saving Faith”

Review / Introduction

It is important that you have some background for the events of Joshua. I would rather not take the time to backtrack too much. So if you have not been here for that background information, I have prepared a special set of notes located in the back to help you catch up with the most important information you need to become oriented to our study in Joshua.

The book begins with Joshua’s commissioning by God after Moses death. One qualification for that job was his faithfulness to Moses and to God over the long haul. He, along with Caleb, were the only two out of millions willing to confront the people occupying the land promised to them by God. Joshua and Caleb’s enjoyment of rest got delayed for forty years because of the unbelief of the majority in the community. God is all about community. It can work for us but sometimes against us. Another other qualification required by God for success is recorded in chapter one.

I. Purge the Land 1-12

A. God Prepared Joshua for leadership 1

1. The Lord personally commissioned Joshua 1:1-9

a. God pointed out a glaring Reality – Moses is dead

b. God assigned an Impossible task

c. God affirmed a Powerful Promise

1) No one will stop you.

2) I will be with you

3) I will not fail you

4) I will not forsake you

d. God issued a clear Charge

1) Be strong and courageous

2) Continually talk about, meditate on and obey the word

The term for meditate means to murmur or mull over and over, ruminate. You know how you get something stuck in your head and you think it to death. That can be positive or negative depending on what is churning around in your head. We are to interact with Scripture until it becomes like a tune in our head that won’t go away. The truth of God is to be available at any time. Paul prayed that the Colossians would find strength and courage through saturation with God’s will and a strengthening with His might to attain all steadfastness and patience and a deep gratitude they had been qualified by God for an eternal inheritance. (Col 1) Paul, in Ephesians 6, instructed Christians to apply the truth of God with the empowerment of God.

e. God assured a certain outcome

God promised that Joshua would effectively lead the people if he would both know and do God’s good pleasure.

Paul told timothy to focus on the teaching of the word.

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:15-16

Paul reminded him of the purpose of the Word of God.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (success?). 2 Tim 3:16-17

Paul indicated in Philippians that this is the core element of spiritual maturity.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

Notice the similar elements. Obedience --- Diligence to live according to God’s design

God is working in us until we get to the point where we focus on His pleasure not only doing it (work for) but delight to do it (will).

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:15-18

Jesus said,

I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. John 4:34

"THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'" Hebrews 10:7

What drives us? What is our focus? Why do you do what you do?

Chapter one provided the basic path to faithfully accomplishing the task we are given by God.

Here are some of the principles that could be drawn from chapter one.