New Leader

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 “New Leader”

Or, the E.F. Hutton television ad campaign in which a park is full of people (could be a mall or an office), and everyone is talking. The camera zooms in on one couple, one of whom is saying, “Well, my broker is E.F. Hutton, and he says …” Action in the background ceases, and cameras show everyone in the park listening to the conversation. Then the voice-over: “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.”

1. This text is about who God’s people, will listen to when Moses is gone.

Who will Israel listen to, when Moses is gone? Who will be our leader?

• God will give then a prophet likened to Moses and God says, “you must listen to him”

• Israel because of great fear said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” They were afraid of God

• Joshua would be the next leader. Joshua spent 20 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness and then 50 in the Promised Land. Be patient our story isn’t finished yet

• Joshua was a man of courage. God told be courageous as I was wih Moses I will be with you

• Joshua did not quit.

• Joshua did not fight his battles alone.He did not march around the city of Jericho alone and none of Joshua’s battles were won all alone.

• The secret to Joshua’s success was his devotion to the Word of God.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.

2. Who do we listen to?

• Who are our prophets we listen to today are today. Charles Stanley,

• To whom do we listen? Whose counsel do we value How do we know who are the “false prophets”?

• Why are we willing to listen to one voice but perhaps not another?

• Jesus is the “prophet” who has come, and we should listen to “such a prophet.”

• God spoke from the Jordan “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

• Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

• John the Gospel writer said, “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

• Some in Jesus day said they would not listen to him so said they would. John 10 , 19At these words the Jews were again divided. 20Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" 21But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

•

3. We should listen to the prophet God gives us. Israel would have done well if they would have.

• God will raise a prophet among you he says

• The prophet God gives is the prophet who uses Gods words. God says, “and I will put my words in his mouth. “ referring to the prophet god is calling Joshua

• God gave us a Prophet (Jesus) to save us John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

• God gave us a prophet to give us salvation. His purpose is to “to seek and to save the lost.” His heart is not to condemn, but to bring salvation to all who will receive Him.

4. We should listen to the Prophet Jesus he will remove our fear of Death. Jesus promised, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). He has delivered from fear of death (Hebrews 2:15) all who repent and believe in Him

• God will give a prophet but God will hold his people accountable. To those who will not listen to the prophet God says, 19”I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen

• God hold us accountable as well, not only when we come face to face with Him, but in our daily walk with Him. We show our accountability most clearly through repentance, asking for forgiveness, and asking the Lord to help us walk on the narrow road.

• God holds us accountable to each other James 5:16 – Confess Your Sins To One Another In Trust. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

• We are accountable as Christians to help each other Galatians 6:1-2 – Help One Another When You Are In Sin Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.