Standing Your Ground—2021
Joshua 1:1-9NLT
Sunday night—All will get the opportunity to share for 2021, what you would like to happen spiritually. As each staff and believer make their statement, we begin to prophesy our future.
Often when we ask for a person’s signature, we will call it their “John Hancock.” This is because of the fifty-six signatures on the Declaration of Independence, one stands out above the rest. That signature belongs to John Hancock. He was the first to sign the declaration and he signed it in a large and legible script so that the King of England could read his name without using glasses.
I love this part—Mr. Hancock wanted it to be very clear where his allegiance lay. His commitment to his country was so clear that when King George III offered amnesty to all who would cease fighting, John Hancock was among the select few who were left out of the offer.
My Question to you is, “Has your signature let your King know of your dedication and commitment to Him?"
Joshua 1:1-9NLT After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God offers Joshua and along with us a sure way to meet the challenges that are ahead. God’s will for Joshua and us is that we have good success.
It is interesting to note that no one have ever been given instructions this way before. Remember, God spoke to Abraham in an audible voice; Joseph received his revelation from God in a series of dream; God spoke to Moses audibly through a burning bush, yet Joshua standing to the threshold of a new beginning, had to receive his direction from the word of God, the book of the Law. Yet that’s exactly how we receive God’s directions today. Moses left Joshua the first five books of the Bible and it would be enough if he would make studying the Scriptures his constant practice. If we are to be successful 2021, with all its uncertainty, The word must be our constant practice.
I want you to repeat that last verse with me, “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (If we could just get this God word inside of us)! Again—“For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Are you willing to take new ground? Taking new ground requires work. It requires obedience even during the lean seasons.
For 2021, The Lord has asked of one particular thing from me. “Howard, ‘Do you know your assignment?”
“Your assignment will work hand n’ hand with the local body you’re assigned to. You wouldn’t be a part of CECC, if you didn’t believe in what CECC is doing. P.H
Let’s brag on God about CECC. Over 107 years of ministry. A ministry of salvation, A ministry of sowing, a ministry of love, a ministry of prayer, a ministry of grace. A ministry of the Holy Ghost. A ministry of World Missions. A ministry of holiness, A lot of selfless people in our past helped make this happen; A lot of selfless people presently are making this happen.
Let’s not paint just a pretty picture here.
A ministry of hardship, A church that helped build other churches. Not to speak of the churches globally that C.E. helped build and grow.
And then there were the lean years where just the light bill and maybe something for the pastor. However the people of CECC kept marching onward, along with God’s ever loving Word.
God spoke this word to me, "Don’t kid yourself, this is a miracle from God that included all the years combined.”
This morning, I want to give you 4 things God called Joshua, and the Israelites to do.
1. First and foremost, Before the land gets possessed, God has to possess our thoughts and actions of those breaking new ground.
God isn’t into brain-washing—He likes it when you by submitting your mind and your actions unto Him.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6NKJV For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:3-5TPT For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, 4 using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. 5 We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.
In other words, Replace unbelief with God’s word. Strongholds are broken when God’s word replaces whatever (it) may be. Speak God’s word; Believe God’s word, Memorize God’s word. P.H
2. The second thing, God called Joshua and the Israelites to do: 2. God called the Israelites to dig in.
Again, Joshua 1:3NLT I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—
God’s word teaches us from Ephesians 6:13-15NKJV, to stand with your feet shod with the gospel of peace. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Saints of God, “God has given us this opportunity to dig in, move onward, and break new ground!” P.H.
God proclaimed this word through Joshua, Go be strong, be courageous, don’t fear. God proclaims, “I’ll fight for you!”
Ephesians 6:10NKJV Finally my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Again, #2, Dig in—Stand your ground!
3. God called the Israelites to move forward— Begin walking forward on new ground.
“Real christians aren’t apathetic—Believing Christians are forever moving forward!” P.H.
Here’s a couple good quotes to remember:
* Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
* Sometimes God closes doors because it’s time to move forward. He knows you won’t move unless your circumstances force you.
You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.
Listen to Job 17:9 The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.
4. God’s call was direct. “Take the ground!”
As we take the ground, it’s important that we stay connected to the ‘why.’
Why are we taking the ground? Why are we doing this?
Bible study—all classrooms, Salvation, discipleship.
Sanctuary—Growth, Worship, Prayer, Salvation, Deliverance, Fruit, gifts, callings.
AWANA—Salvation. Discipleship. Friendships. Good peer groups.
AWANA games—Salvation. Sunday school, Church attendance.
Basketball tournaments—Salvation.
Gym—An evangelism tool for hundreds—Salvation.
Gym, a place for the community to come—Salvation. Growth.
Fellowship—Salvation. Friendships.
Commercial kitchen for hungry folks—Community suppers every Wednesday night. Salvation.
Special events such as Job fairs, Blood Drives,—Salvation.
Volleyball games and tournaments—Relationships, Salvation.
Seminars—Discipleship, Fruitful living, Salvation.
A High School students—A place teens can come, and hang out—Salvation.
Middle-school students—A place for teens to grow. Salvation.
A place to have banquets and Valentines dances—Salvation.
A shelter for catastrophes—Salvation.
Again #4, God’s direct call to take the ground sounds awesome, until we read about the—
Giants.
Battles.
Bitter water.
The Manna—taken for granted.
Murmuring and complaining.
The challenges of leadership.
The defeats.
Repentance, humility.
Joshua had to constantly return to the word of God, the promises, and the why, to take the ground He had been given.
Already facing some opposition in 2021? Return to your ‘why’ and keep pressing on.
Why? Why do I care, Life is about choices. Why is my assignment important? Others salvation.
Joshua 1:8-9TM Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”
Breaking new ground requires feet in motion.
Here’s a little secret, Remaining in love, joy and peace with a constant reminder that I’m possessing new ground is the totality of success. While possessing new ground, enjoy the ride.
The future looks bright for the child of God as Jesus leads us all the way into eternity.
Benediction.
