Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 31:5-7 says, “5 The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.”
Introduction:
Are you a believer? Are you willing to be delivered and commanded? Are you willing to be strong and courageous? Are you willing to not be afraid or terrified? Are you willing to be a Moses or Joshua? Are you willing to be an example just like Christ? Well in order to do that we need to realize that God loves us and wants us to be delivered and commanded, strong and courageous, not afraid or terrified.
Point 1: We are Delivered and Commanded (vs. 5)
A. We are called to be Delivered. All are called by God to be his.
i. God loves you so much that he has delivered us from evil
ii. He does not want to be a slave to sin.
Genesis 40:12 says, “And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (NIV)
iii. Our Enemy is Satan. If you have become a Christian you are delivered
a. Satan and demons tremble at God’s voice
James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (NIV)
B. We are Commanded by God
i. Do what we have been commanded.
ii. Ten Commandments
Deuteronomy 5:6-22 says, “6 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 7 “You shall have no other gods before me. 8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. 16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 17 “You shall not murder. 18 “You shall not commit adultery. 19 “You shall not steal. 20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 22 These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.” (NIV)
iii. We are commanded to share the Gospel of God
a. If you Christian, then you are minister. Share the Gospel
Matthew 28:18-20 says, “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)
Have you been asking God to be Delivered? God is speaking to you to be delivered from our sin and from the Devil himself. Are you willing to answer his call to be delivered?
Point 2: Strong and Courageous (vs. 6)
A. Strong and Courageous
i. if you are in Christ you are strong and courageous.
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
ii. God will never give you more than you can handle
iii. He will never leave you or forsake you! He loves you to much!
Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (NIV)
B. No Fear
i. We have no fear in the Lord
ii. If we are in Christ he has removed all fear from our lives
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (NIV)
iii. God goes with us where ever we go!
a. He has always been with us from the beginning.
b. He has been with us since we were created.
Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (NIV)
Matthew 6:33-34 says, “33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)
Do you have fear in your life? Do you have worry in your life? If you are in Christ we have nothing to fear or worry about! God is in complete control of our lives. Are we willing to allow God to be in complete control?
Point 3: Joshua Strong and Courageous (vs. 7)
A. Joshua
i. born a slave 40 years before Exodus (1 Chronicles 7:20,27)
ii. renamed Joshua; original Hoshea
a. Joshua means Lord is Salvation (Numbers 13:16)
iii. Moses’s Military Commander
a. close aid to Moses
iv. 12 Men to explore land by Moses (Numbers 13:16-17)
He was told to be strong and courageous. Just as Moses was strong and courageous.
B. Strong and Courageous
i. We are to be strong and courageous
ii. That is Gods Plan for us
1 Chronicles 28:20 says, “David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” (NIV)
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.” (NIV)
iii. Strong and Courageous is something we should all strive for in this life.
iv. Jesus was strong and courageous.
What will it take for you to be strong and courageous? Are we will to step out in faith and be strong and courageous? The Bible tells us to be just that! Lets trust God to make us strong and courageous and tell people about God!
Conclusion:
Delivered and Commanded
Strong and Courageous
Not afraid or terrified
Be a Moses
Be a Joshua
Be an example like Christ
Be a strong and courageous Christian for God
Let God be your guiding light for all to see
