How To Become A Great Driver

Joshua

Joshua 1:1-9

Every leader must first be a follower. Joshua learned to follow by assisting Moses.

In his apprenticeship under Moses, the Bible records that Joshua was given three tasks which he performed with great insight and ability:

• The first time is enters the Biblical stage, he is told to put together an army to fight and defeat the Amelikites; (Exodus 17)

• The next time he is mentioned Moses takes him as a traveling companion when He meets with God to receive the Tablets of Stone; (Exodus 24-32)

• Third great experience of his internship is when he is chosen to represent his tribe on the first exploration into the land of promise (Numbers 13) and it was then that God gave this testimony concerning Joshua, that he “followed the Lord wholeheartedly!” (Numbers 32:12)

God’s own testimony about this leader named Joshua was that “He had the Spirit!”

Pastor Josh has also learned to follow so that he might be effective as a leader. In my time of working with Pastor Josh, I have found him to be creative, caring, and co- operative…the qualities you desire in a leader. But there are some important dimensions a pastor must have. They are highlighted for us here in Joshua, chapter 1.

Joshua 1:1-9

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 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."

(NIV)

My daughter Jessica is learning to drive. She is fifteen, going on twenty and Ronda and I are teaching her to drive. Yikes. She’s doing well; I’m the one that needs Prozac. For sixteen years Jessica has not paid attention (while in the car), because she hasn’t needed to. Ronda and I (and later her older sisters) have done all the driving. She is now learning a whole new world of what it means to be in the driver’s seat.

When you are driving, you have to pay attention to every detail: the road signs, the conditions of the road, the other vehicles, what is in front of you and what is behind. However, when you are the passenger in someone else’s car, you can relax, sleep, chatter, discuss, play with the radio and the temperature controls, etc. The road conditions, the map, directions, flow of traffic are meaningless to the passenger. Someone else is driving.

Today we are not just taking a Sunday afternoon joy ride. We are traveling a new section of highway as the East Park Church of God and Pastor Josh and Jonda Bowers. We’ve been riding along for a few months, doing some sightseeing along the way, taking a few new turns, and checking the map to see what lies ahead. God’s word to Joshua, son of Nun, has some instructions for a safe, satisfying, strengthening, and enjoyable trip.

So let’s go for a ride.

Driving requires you to have a plan. (Joshua 1:3-4)

Joshua 1:3 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 on the west.

When Pastor Josh asked me to come and preach this service, I had to make a plan. I had to decide how I would come (fly or drive), when I would come, who would cover for me at home, and which flight would work best for everyone’s schedule. On top of that a special sermon had to be prepared for this special service. Without a plan it would never happen. It would remain an idea and all talk.