Advice for a New Year
Joshua 23:1-14
Intro.
We are at the end of the book of Joshua.
They people had mostly taken the land the God had given them.
These are some of Joshua’s last words to the people
It is good advice for a New Year.
I. Be courageous in obeying the Word of God. Vs. 6
A. This is passed on from instructions that Joshua had received from
God when they started. Joshua 1:7-8
B. Sometimes it takes courage to obey the Word of God.
C. To obey it we must know it. (Read it)
D. Meditate on it. (think about it)
E. Don’t get sidetracked, stay on course
F. Perhaps our New Year’s commitments should be grounded in a
greater obedience to God’s word.
II. Follow God closely. Vs. 8
A. The word “cleave” means to follow closely (cling on to)
B. Trust Him
Proverbs 3:5, 6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
C. How do we cling close to God?
1. Listen to Him (read the Word)
2. Talk to Him
3. Keep your walk clean by confessing sin.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. Attend Church often
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much
the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
a. We need the fellowship and encouragement of other believers.
b. We need the Bible study in order to grow in Lord.
III. Let God fight your battles. Vs. 10
A. Like little David when he told Goliath “The battle is the Lord’s”
B. When we try to fight our own battles, we tend to make things worse.
C. Paul told us in Ephesians 5 how to put on the whole armor of God,
then he told us to pray.
1. Take your battles to the Lord
2. Let Him take over. — God’s got this
D. Trust Him.
IV. Love the Lord. Vs. 11
A. The great commandment.
Deuteronomy 6:5 “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all
thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
B. If we would just love the Lord as we ought to, It would solve a lot of
our problems.
C. Does your life show that you love God?
1. Would someone say about you — He/she loves the Lord.
2. Does your love for God show in our life?
I'm trusting, only trusting
In Jesus day by day:
I feel His presence nearer,
While pressing on my way;
My soul is full of glory,
And this my song shall be:
I love my blessed Saviour,
Because He first loved me.
V. Trust God’s promises. Vs. 14
A. God always keeps His promises
B. He had kept His promises to the people of Israel.
C. He’ll keep His promises to you.
Conclusion.
As you think of beginning a new year, you would do well to follow Joshua’s advice.
1. Obey the Word
2. Cling to God
3. Let God fight your battles
4. Love the Lord
5. Trust His promises
