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.
We don’t basically know how Joshua was feeling at that time… but he was following in the footstep of the person considered to be “the greatest prophet of all time,” who divided the red sea, who brought the angel of death into the houses of the Egyptians, who brought down the ten commandments from mount Sinai who spoke with God face to face and saw the backside of the, who shone the reflection of God in his face. This is the kind of leader he was following… May be if we were in his shoes, all doubts and fears and uncertainty can be felt the same– maybe that is what he felt, and maybe God saw how he felt… God saw his fears and his doubts and his uncertainty… and God came down to where he was and spoke to him… God assured him… God encouraged him… and give Him the tools needed for the journey ahead. Isn’t that beautiful? AMAZING! When God calls us, he equips us!
GOD’S ASSURANCE
Listen to what God said to Joshua:
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
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
I - First, God establishes HIS PURPOSE
What did God say? Joshua, first of all, know that I am calling you. I have a purpose and a plan for you. The reason why you are in this position and why you have been Moses’ assistant is for this time and for this purpose. It is because of seniority, or a random chance but because I have chosen you for this work! I have called you out of the many leaders, I have handpicked you out of all the Israelites to be a warrior leader unto me. You are going to lead my people into claiming my promise for them. You are going to bring them into the promised land. You are going to lead them to war and to victory.
APPLICATION
I believe that every time God calls someone and everyone it is for a purpose and a reason. I believe that when we got saved, when God took us out o darkness into light – he has given us a purpose and a reason. Let me tell you brothers and sisters, God’s calling and purpose for us is always vital and important – there is no trivial calling… there’s no work that God gives us that’s useless or indispensable.
- May be your job is to be the floor leader(janitor)
- May be your job is in the kitchen
- May be your ministry is at the door standing, just bowing
before people who comes in.
- May be you’re in the leadership
- May be you’re in the Praise Team
- Whatever is your ministry here in His Church, that is important, that is significant, and that is honored by God.
And in assuring Joshua God first established the work and the purpose that God had enstored for Joshua. He had to know it so that he can fulfill it. If we are going to look at His life, God has been leading and training him for that leadership position and task of bringing God’s people into the promised land.
There is no question of purpose, all of us has a purpose, all of us has a calling, the question is, do we know what God’s purpose for us is? Do we know with certainty in our hearts what God is calling us to do. What God is leading us to do. Do we know our spiritual gift? It is in our SHAPE that we know calling. Do we know the people whom God wants us to touch and bless and share the good news of salvation?
It is with deep conviction that I tell you today, that God always establishes and makes known to us his purpose and calling for each and everyone of us, usually at the very beginning God reveals to us already what he wants us to do, and who he wants us to reach out and bless. We could see in the Bible – God always establishes his calling. Samuel, when he was still a boy, God called him in the middle of the night and told him the events about to take place and what God wants Samuel to do. With Moses when God spoke to him through a burning bush, or To David when he was anointed to be king at 17. or even to the disciples – “I will make you fishers of men.” Or even Paul, God has always been clear in giving his call and purposes.
The sad truth is, a lot of us Christians go through our lives NOT KNOWING our calling, not fulfilling our purpose. They are fish swimming inside the aquarium. No direction and purpose or goal in their lives –they are just a cute decoration in the aquarium.
We have to consider this seriously, because if we do not know our calling, it tells us something– maybe we have not been listening to God. God is calling and God is leading but we cannot hear it. Maybe our life is too crowded… maybe our life is full of other things… May be we have not cultivated within us a heart that is fertile for his word and his voice… In all those years that we became a Christian, we’ve been hearing messages Sunday after Sunday, yet if our hearts are closed and crowded and busy and insincere – we cannot hear his quiet voice in our hearts… speaking to us… calling us… knocking at the door of our hearts.
Brothers and sisters it is important that we asses our lives and examine ourselves – Maybe we have not looked at it from this perspective (FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE), but people around us are missing on the blessing, broken marriage, broken family, vices, drugs, hatred, jealousy, miserable lives, lost, suicidal, sick – because for the reason that we are there, but we ourselves are lost, confused with who we are, disoriented in priorities, ashamed – not hearing with our ears, not seeing with compassion on their misery…
We are to shine our light, we are empowered to heal and to bless and to mend and to enlighten, we are given the spiritual gift to speak and to teach and reach out and encourage and to heal and to be victorious over the power of darkness to prophesy and to do miracles in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. We can bring to these people the power of God that will turn their lives upside down, 360 degrees, that will turn their sadness into joy, their mourning into dancing, heal their sick and broken bodies, build back their families and marriages that has been broken, give them satisfaction, bring love and kindness and fulfillment into their lives. Because God established His PURPOSE in our lives.
If we go back to Joshua 1: 2 – 5
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.
Not only that God established and clarified his PURPOSE to Joshua – but what?
II – HE PROMISED JOSHUA HIS PRESENCE.
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.
Amazing! What a promise. Not only did God give him the authority of leadership and established his leadership – but God empowered him to become that leader. God gave him the back up and the ability not only in skill but in power and influence and success in whatever he does. Wherever he sets his foot – God will give him that land – and what else? No man and no one can stand up against him and oppose him and defeat him because God is on his side – and God will never leave his side and God will fight his battle for him – and God will defeat his enemies for him… And God will give him miracles in the impossible – God will hand over to him his enemies and give him the victory. God will divide waters and rivers for him. God will stop the Sun and the moon for him.
Illustration: TOUR/HUNTING/TOUR GUIDE
A traveler in Africa complained to his guide. There is no road, no path in this jungle. We have lost our way. The guide replied, “There is no way. I am the way.” God Himself is our way…And He said He will never leave us nor forsake us.
APPLICATION
And the promise of God’s presence is not only for Moses and Joshua. Jesus gave it to us as a promise as he stood on that mountain before his ascension. Matthew 28: 18 –
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Take note of the last words, “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” What is there to fear? What is there to be afraid of? Here is another promise, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Isn’t that a very encouraging promise to bring throughout 2008 and onwards! That no matter what the enemy throw at us, no matter what discouragement and hardship and trials – we have someone with us who promised never to leave us or forsake us. And if we encounter giants and armies and mountains – he is greater than all these! The one who is in us.
Romans 8: 17 – 18
10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
Philippians 4: 13
I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
Romans 8: 37 – 38
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, [m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
III – HIS PATHWAY( The COMPASS)
Joshua 1:7-8 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
7Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make thy way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
The compass is the BOOK of the Law. It is the rope that we need to hold unto. We should walk straight through it. Then we will have good success!
Illustration:
A physician was determined to reach the height of Mount Blanc, Europe’s highest peak. He accomplished the feat and the little village at the foot of the Mt. was illuminated in his honor. On the mountainside a flag was floating that told his story.
After he ascended and descended as far as the hut, he wanted to be released from his guide, he wanted to be free from the rope and insisted on going alone. The guide told him it was not safe, but he was tired of the rope and declared that he would be free. The young man had gone only a short distance when his foot slipped on the ice and he could not stop himself from sliding down the icy slopes.
The bells had been rung, the village was illuminated in honor of his success, but in a fatal moment, he was tired of the rope.
Joshua has the rope – the WORD. Had he been tired of the rope, he would fail. But to hold it means GOOD SUCCESS!
IN CONCLUSION
2 C0RINTHIANS 1: 18 – 20
18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas[a] and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
ALWAYS YES AND AMEN!
Joshua was commanded three times “BE STRONG AND BE VERY COURAGEOUS.” And we should only say YES AND AMEN!
We should be:
- Courageous to believe that God’s presence will always be with us…YES and AMEN!
- Courageous to fulfill His Purpose.
- Courageous to Obey the Word of God, the Scriptures…Yes and AMEN!
- Courageous to Influence People… YES and AMEN!
We should be courageous to say YES and AMEN! God will give me victory over every battle and every problem. God will give me victory over every sin and bondage. We should be courageous to believe that God will give you that promotion, that extra income in His time. YES and AMEN!
We have the tools… Using the right tools will lead us to success in our journey!!! Together we can succeed… Let us therefore take COURAGE and continue our journey to be a blessing to this community, to this country and to the ends of the earth…Amen!
