THE GREATEST GENERATION
TEXT: Joshua 1:1-9
Joshua 1:1 9 -- “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,” “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” “From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.” “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.” “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest 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 thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
l. INTRODUCTION -- THE GREATEST GENERATION
Franklin Delano Roosevelt -- This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.
The year was 1940 and it would be called the fulcrum of America in the twentieth century. The nation was balanced precariously between the darkness of the Great Depression on one side and the storms of war in Europe and the Pacific on the other. It was a critical time in the reshaping of this nation and the world, equal to the revolution of 1776 and the perils of the Civil War. Once again the American people understood the magnitude of the challenge, the importance of an unparalleled national commitment, and most of all, the certainty that only one resolution was acceptable. The nation turned to its young to carry the heaviest burden, to fight in enemy territory and to keep the home front secure and productive. These young men and women were eager for the assignment. They understood what was required of them, and they willingly volunteered for their duty.
Out of that generation would come:
Thomas Broderick -- He would take a German bullet through the temple and return to the United States blind for life. He would learn braille and become a wealthy man who established a local insurance business. He refused to allow anyone in the house use the word “blind” around him.
Charles Van Gorder -- He would go to the war as a physician and operate in tents as they were taking fire from the Germans. He would land on the beaches of Normandy shortly after D-day and operate on patients for 28 to 30 hours at a time without sleep. He left the war and went to a small town in Andrews, North Carolina and build a hospital along with John Rodda another physician he met in the Army.
-Those are just two of the profiles of men who came from what some have termed “The Greatest Generation.”
-But the Church has never had it’s greatest generation. Great accomplishments have come to the Church, but God is still looking for the Greatest Generation to arise and fulfill His Will. WE WILL BECOME THAT GREATEST GENERATION.
II. THE GREATEST GENERATION -- THEN
-In Biblical history, this time frame was one of the greatest moments of Israel’s history. After 430 years of slavery, Israel had left Egypt behind in the colossal defeat of the Red Sea. The harsh taskmasters of Egypt had been no match for God. The heavy work loads had not wilted them down, it had made them stronger (much can be said about adversity making great men and women). Pharaoh and his armies had been no match for God.
-Amazingly enough, the greatest distractor among the Israelites was the seed of doubt that infected them about the time they started to go into the Promised Land. The minority of ten voices overwhelmed the majority of two voices in the early stages after the Exodus.
-Israel, because of their doubt, had to wander about in the wilderness for 40 years until the doubters met their demise. Now, young, strong hearts embraced the challenges that were to face the chosen of God as they approached Canaan.
A. The Significance of Canaan
-Within Scripture there are certain elements that always give to us certain underlying meanings. The importance of going into Canaan is also the same. In our hymns that we sing, Canaan, is often symbolic of heaven and a place of rest.
-This idea contains a precedence in the Word of God. God’s promise to “enter the land” was later interpreted as “entering the rest”--a rest from enemies and full rest in the fulfillment of the purposes of God (note Numbers 14:18-35; Psalm 95:11; Hebrews 3:11; 4:3).
Canaan represents a future unknown by the people of God -- Exodus 3:8; Deut. 33:28.
Canaan represents a new style of leadership and strategy that would progressively unfold -- Deut. 6:10-11; Lev. 26:6.
Canaan represents a new revelation of God’s ways, presence, power, and promises -- Deut. 11:10-12.
Canaan represents a new level of strategic level spiritual warfare -- Deut. 7:1-6; Eph. 6:10-17.
Canaan represents a revival harvest in the crossing of the Jordan -- Josh. 3:7-11.
Canaan represents a new strategy for God to reveal Himself to all nations -- Josh. 4:24.
Canaan represents a model for taking cities for God that can be applied to the twenty-first century -- Josh. 6:1-17
-Whether the Church likes it or not, we are soldiers. Paul penned these words to Timothy, from Moffatt’s Translation,
2 Timothy 2:3-4 -- “Join the ranks of those who bear suffering, like a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus.” “No soldier gets entangled in civil pursuits, his aim is to please the commander.”
General Douglas MacArthur -- In war, there is no substitute for victory.
-Great things are born out of struggle. Give yourself to the calling, your reward is ahead of you.
As for Me -- “Henry”
Dangling over eternity are many unlearned souls,
Gripping the bands of God’s mercy,
Stretching them all they can go,
Living the most deceptive nightmare,
As it is written, they are living a lie,
They can’t even allow themselves the luxury of breaking down to cry,
Unable to see the big picture,
Quite frankly not even a desire to,
Plagurizing the attributes of God,
Their purpose they haven’t a clue,
Full of the world’s wisdom,
Full of greed, pride and fame,
Standing at the brink of condemnation,
Too much money to feel any shame.
Their missing it, Mama,
Let ‘em play with their blasphemous toys,
The truth is, Hell is gonna be full of good ‘ol boys.
But as for me,
I am an obstacle that all of Hell cannot cross,
I’m employed by the Creator,
El Shaddai is my Boss,
I work the mornings,
I work the evenings,
I work all night long,
The time clock’s in Heaven,
I get paid when I get Home!
B. Joshua, The Leader
-When God fills us with the Spirit, within every person, there comes a propensity for spiritual leadership. Our generation is in desperate need of spiritual leaders.
-The Scripture declares in Joshua 1:2, “Moses my servant is dead.”
-It was the closing of an era. There was the opening of a new time frame and element. Every man must be baptized with a new vision, a new hope, a new desire, and a new challenge to face the New Millenium. Whether we like it or not, the old century is behind us. There is no turning back to the wilderness, no going back to Egypt.
-Leave what you must and take what you are allowed. You cannot live in the past. You must move forward.
-The Tabernacle of Moses was great for the wilderness, but in Paul’s day, the New Covenant ushered in a new spiritual structure which was the Church that Jesus Christ is building.
-Joshua had to move from the status of an assistant to that of a leader. Moses’ methods were great for leaving Egypt, for the journey through the wilderness, but something had to change to go into Canaan. Joshua had to move from the “tabernacle” strategy to a “city-taking” strategy. Men who continue to maintain a Moses mind-set will be doomed to spiritual stagnation.
-Sometimes the best thing that can happen to us is for something near and dear that has surrounded us for years to die.
1. Joshua’s Training
Joshua 1:1 -- “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:” (NKJV)
-Joshua was first Moses’ assistant before he was Israel’s leader. If you are going to be successful in serving God, then you must be willing to go through the school of leadership preparation. Part of that preparation involves serving God’s men. If you cannot serve, you can never lead.
-Joshua’s success was determined by the extensive training that he had received from Moses. Past counsel with Moses made him familiar with God’s way and will. Past victories brought confidence to him in his calling. Past communication from God had confirmed his destiny.
-Here was a former servant becoming a leader. A slave equipped to lead. A slave replacing the great educated Moses who was learned in the wisdom of the Egyptians, a man who spoke face to face with God.
-Consider the thoughts of Joshua:
Can I do this?
Is there anyone else who is more talented than I am to do the job?
Is there someone else who is more mature than I am?
-Remember this: God desires courage in us but fear has it’s proper sphere and often does a holy work.
The brave man is not he who feels no fear,
For that were stupid and irrational;
But he whose noble soul its fear subdues,
And bravely dares the danger nature shirks from.
As for your youth whom blood and blows delight,
Away with them! There is not in their crew,
One valiant spirit.
-God never intended that we should feel no fear. We are to fear and distrust ourselves. We are to fear danger as something beyond our own strength. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” “Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.” But all fear, as we look within, is to be given up to courage as we look toward God.
-Joshua’s thoughts were full of second-guessing and doubting. But when God brings success to your life, never question it. Go on, for you may succeed when better men fail. One can never forget the labors of their predecessors.
-The victories of the greatest generation must understand that they are harvesting where others have sown:
1 Corinthians 3:5 9 -- “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?” “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” “Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” (NKJV)
-Joshua’s training entailed so much:
He was a warrior -- Exo. 17:9-11
He was a servant -- Exo. 24:13; 33:11
He was a faithful coworker -- Exo. 32:17
He was a man who loved the house of God and God’s presence -- Exo. 33:11
He was a man of changed character -- Numbers 13:16
He was rejected by his brethren -- Numbers 14:6-12
He received impartation through the laying on of hands -- Deut. 34:9; 27:18
He set before the priesthood -- Numbers 27:19
He set before the congregation -- Numbers 27:19
He received a commission -- Numbers 27:19
He shouldered responsibility gradually -- Numbers 27:20
He learned how to obtain guidance -- Numbers 27:21
He was the first to obey the command of God -- Numbers 27:15-23
He was an example to the congregation -- Numbers 32:12
He consulted with the elders -- Josh. 23:2
He caused others to possess their inheritance -- Deut. 1:38; Josh. 21:43-45
He received encouragement from Moses -- Deut. 3:21-22
He recieved a progressive revelation of his ministry -- Exo. 17:14; Numbers 27:17; Josh. 1-9
He was filled with a spirit of wisdom -- Deut. 34:9
-Whom the Lord calls He qualifies, one of the most important keys of Joshua’s preparation is found in Exodus 33:11.
Exodus 33:11 -- “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”
-He lingered in the Tabernacle. Public anointing will never supercede private devotion. There has to be a hidden altar in every man’s life. The qualification of the man will always begin in the house of God. There will be lonely places of prayer but in those lonely places, God continues to add strength and hope and stamina to men in prayer closets.
Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies.
When He entrusts authority, He procures them respect.
When He sends them into conflict, He secures them the victory.
When He gives them the victory, He intends them to take possession.
-When God chooses men, rest assured the He is aware of what He is doing.
To eject the Canaanites, a soldier was needed.
For the Pentecostal sermon, impetuous Peter was chosen.
For the great mission in Asia Minor and Southern Europe, an ardent Paul.
For the testimony on the plain of Dura, the three inflexible Hebrews.
For the winning of favor from Artaxerxes, the devout yet courtly Nehemiah.
-God’s man and the emergency will always correspond. Omnipotence never chooses to waste itself on human awkwardness. God cements things that fit.
III. CONCLUSION -- THE GREATEST GENERATION -- NOW
-The greatest generation is before us.
Spectators must become players.
Those who sit in pews must become highly motivated volunteers.
Attenders must become serving forces.
Everyone must get involved.
-I am committed to the course:
I know my calling.
I will pursue that calling with all of my heart.
I will give myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
I will use everything that God has equipped me with.
I am never alone for God is with me.
I am aware that no obstacle is too big for God.
I am aware that no heart is too hard for God.
I realize that there are still things that God will bring to life in my heart. They will be born both figuratively and literally after midnight.
-Some would perhaps think that this is too big to seek for. . . . But not for the greatest generation.
-I conclude with these promises found in the first nine verses of Joshua 1:
The Lord desires to speak to you personally and directly today, in fact now -- 1:1
The time is now to arise and go over your personal Jordan to seize the future -- 1:2
The land is for the taking. Just walk. God will do the rest. -- 1:3
The boundary lines for your ministry have been set by God, not man -- 1:4
The resistance will fade as you stand in your rightful place -- 1:5
The attitude of faith and courage will be necessary to take the future -- 1:6
The Word of God will be your compass in every decision and every conflict -- 1:7
The blessing of success and fruitfulness will be yours as you obey the Word of God -- 1:8
The ever-abiding presence of the Lord will destroy fear and discouragement -- 1:9
January 2, 2009
Philip Harrelson
