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Joshua on Leadership

May 29, 2005 PM

Joshua 1:1-9 (NIV)

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."

This evening I preach a message that has been heavy on my heart for several months. It is a message that is long over due for all believers. It is the message of being a Joshua.

We can all recollect great men and women of the faith throughout our life time. These men and women have been mentors, teachers, leaders, prayer warriors, encouragers, They have taken up the slack, they have been tireless servants, they have been a model of Christ’s love and compassion, they have been full of trust and integrity, most importantly they have shown us the way to Christ and how to be His people.

But the time is coming and has come that their work on this earth and in this body is complete. Our lord is calling them home to their eternal reward and to be united with their loved ones who have gone before. They have finished the race and have won the crown of life.

How about us? We are still in the body and still on this planet. Who will encourage us? Who will teach us? Who will lead us?

That must have been every hearts cry on the day Moses died. As I said this morning, he had a walk with God that can not be matched. He had a closeness with God that few will know. He had a command and aire about him that demanded respect and to be followed. He was the judge, the leader, the Pastor. Now he is gone. Who can take his place? No one! Who will lead us on? Joshua!

Joshua was God’s elect to finish the task that Moses had started. Joshua did not have the relationship with God that Moses had. Joshua could not lead exactly how Moses did but Joshua was God’s man for the job. Let’s see how God raised Joshua up to continue Moses leadership.

1. God raised up another leader immediately.

[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.

God immediately set another leader in place. His plans and his purpose continues long after we are gone. He does not waste time in wondering what to do next.

A. Get ready to take what has been promised.

His first command to Joshua was to get ready to inherit the land.

When we are forced to say goodbye to a moses in our lives, God is already been preparing a Joshua. He is telling the Joshua to get ready and take the inheritance.

Since our inheritance is in Christ we need to focus on what that is. Our promise land as Christians is to:

Live in hope in Peace

Be His Church

Reach out to a lost world

Serve Him and others

Live in love, grace and hope.

When God establishes a Joshua, He expects them to continue the quest for the promise land. To be an example, a leader, a teacher, a mentor.