You’re A Leader To Victory
12/3/2000 Joshua 1:1-5 2 Timothy 2:1-7
Today is Victory Sunday in our New Life Campaign. Victory not in the sense that the battle is over, but now it’s time to stop talking about what we’re going to do and actually start to do it. Our First Fruit Offering is proof of our commitment to go forward and receive what the Lord has for us. Whenever we have a vision for something in our lives, there is the initial joy which surrounds it, and then the nervousness which may grip us as the time approaches for it to happen. It may be the start of a new job, a promotion to a new grade, a return to further our education, a marriage date or a new start in life because of a change in circumstances. Facing the unknown can be a real challenge for us all.
We saw in the past how God chose Moses, to lead a people out of slavery in Egypt to a wonderful land God wanted to give them. At first, all of the people were excited about leaving slavery and reaching their full potential. But then came the reality that there would be some work involved. That killed the spirit that many of them had, even to the point of saying, "let’s choose a new leader who will take us back to Egypt."
It was then that a young man by the name of Joshua boldly spoke up to the people. Now Joshua had been one of the 12 spies who had actually seen the land that God wanted to give His people. Joshua said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." ( Numbers 14:7-9)
When Joshua spoke those words, he planted a seed in his own heart and in the lives of some of the people. He did not know that God would use him to bring those words in reality. We may often say what can do, but we do not truly believe that God can use us to do it. Each believer is enrolled in the army of God. Each believer is called to be a leader of others to victory.
A leader does not mean you’re a pastor, or elder, or deacon, or bishop or any other title. A leader is someone who has influence on others to cause them to act a certain way. It’s possible for you to be leading others, without you ever knowing about it. For instance, how many of you have tried to imitate someone else that you admired without ever telling them that you were doing so. It may be the way they talk, play sports, act, dance, dress, sing , parent, or a thousand other things. As Christians, as long as we’re alive we should be using our leadership to march others toward victory in a life found only in Christ Jesus. The fact that we are 24/7 believers 365 days a year can make our job very challenging.
Forty years after Joshua made his statement about what God could do, his leader died. God told him Moses my servant is dead. For forty years Joshua had listened and learned from Moses. For forty years there was somebody he could count on. For forty years he had felt safe and comfortable knowing that Moses was there to hear from God. One thing which is certain in the army of God, is that change is going to take place before victory becomes reality.
There are times when we want everything to stay the same. Even if God may have something better for us, we can become very content with what we already know. But as soldiers, in God’s army, God is constantly issuing promotions. Some of you privates, need to step up and become sergeants, you sergeants need to become lieutenants, lieutenants need to become captain and so forth. As you move ahead, you cannot always do things the same way you once did. Some of you have grown tremendously in your knowledge of Scripture. Why do you think God had you grow. Yes for your own benefit, but also that you may assume more responsibility in the kingdom of God.
Our Victory Sunday today is an indication that God is doing a change in the Life of Glenville New Life Community Church. The change is similar to the death of Moses. In the next few years, we will be under a different kind of leadership because that’s what it will take to get us to the place God has prepared for us. It does not mean we will stop loving and caring for each other or that our purpose as a church will change. It does mean the Lord will be raising up different ones of you to embark on different kinds of ministries.
One sign of us growing as a Christian is when we stop seeing ministry as what we do at the church. What we do at the church is important, but to have an impact on the lost, we have to recognize what I do at home is ministry, what I do on my job is ministry, what I do with my friends is ministry. God expects us to have an influence for Him in each of these areas.
Now Joshua had said in no uncertain terms what God could do. We have stated the same in our bringing the New Life Center To Life. But Joshua did not know that Moses would be dead when it came time to move ahead in the promise land. No doubt he had feelings of could he handle the job? Would the people listen to him as well as they did Moses? Would God speak to him like he did Moses. He remembered how strong the people in the land were, and he was forty years younger when he was eager to take them on in battle. Should they just be content with the land they already had. 2 1/2 tribes had already decided they were not going to cross the Jordan River. They would be happy with the land they already had.
It was in his moment of sadness, that God said, "Joshua. Moses is dead. You and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give you. I will give you every place where you set your feet. Nobody will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you."
First notice that God calls for an act of faith on our behalf before we can receive what He has every intention of giving to us. The people had to cross the Jordan River. One of the reasons, the people in the land of Canaan had not attacked them was probably not being able to get across the Jordan River. It would be one thing if we were talking about 30 or 40 people getting across. But we’re talking about a million to two million people with all their cattle and possessions. Now only that, but the river is at the flood stage. To top it off, God did not tell Joshua, how it was they were to cross. There will be many times in our lives when God will tell us to do something without telling us how. We can be assured though that when we need the how, He will tell us.
For now Joshua has to be a leader who does not have all the answers to all the questions which may come up. He knew they were on the verge to victory, but His confidence was not in their ability, but in God’s promise. God promised, "I will be with you." Notice also that the people determined the size of the blessing they were to receive. God said, "I will give you every place you set your foot." As long as the people were willing to move forward, God was willing to add to their possession. Sometimes we give up way too early. The devil will always be eager for us to take what little victory we have and call it quits, when if we would but remember God is with us and will not leave nor forsake us we could have a lot more.
When it looks like we may not be having an impact on the lives of others, or something we’re praying for is so far away from happening, then remember the words God spoke to Joshua in verse 6: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to your forefathers to give them. God is letting Joshua, know "now Joshua just because I’m with you does not mean you’re not going to be in some battles which get mighty tough. The power of those peoples armies are great. You have got to be strong. There will be some hard decisions you will have to make. You will have to let go of some things along the way. You have to be courageous. Sometimes you’re going to face an enemy that looks a lot bigger than you, There will even be a time when you lose a battle, but its not over yet. But I have chosen you to lead these people to receive the land I promised a long time ago.
Part of being a Christian is knowing what it is to be strong and courageous when it’s so much easier to just sort of blend in with the crowd. We all face battles in life. Nobody here is going through something that another Christian has not successfully been through. You may feel like you can not hold on any longer, but that’s the time when we are called to be strong. You’re a leader leading on to victory. Your courage is influencing somebody else to take notice of Jesus. Don’t feel bad that at times you may have felt like just giving up and walking away. The important thing is that you haven’t and you are still striving to become the person God wants you to be.
God knew that Joshua would face the temptation to throw in the towel, especially after listening to people who were not rooted in the Word of God. People can make sin sound so harmless, and even make the Word of God sound as though its old fashioned. This is not the first generation to do it, and it will not be the last. For the first three hundred years, the sign for Christians was not a cross, but an anchor like that on a ship. Without an anchor a ship wanders aimlessly and crashes. The anchor represented, we have a God who does not change so we do not have to get caught up in the latest idea about this or that.
God tells Joshua in verse 7 Josh 1:7 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. 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.
The people around us promise us that if we do this or if we do that then we will have the good life. We will be prosperous and successful. That’s why we get involved with drugs, with sex, with greed, and with sin. We are hoping to come out ahead being prosperous and successful. God is telling Joshua, "now Joshua when it comes to your character, you must be even more courageous than when it comes to your enemies. " The desire to compromise the word of God is a temptation that every believer has to face. Whether we write it off, as" well this is not that important", or "I do not see anything wrong with it", or "I could be doing something a lot worse" is in fact a denial of God’s authority over our lives. Any time Jesus is not Lord of our lives, who is?
God is letting Joshua know his personal application of the word of God to his life, would at times be more difficult than facing military battles. This is why we can have people great on the outside in so many areas, yet fail in basic relationships. I’m surprised at how many people want good marriages, but refuse to follow the commandments of God to make it happen. The same with grades in school, or attitudes they possess. The most powerful force we have to overcome on a daily basis is ourselves and the desire to please ourselves. Many times we are not courageous enough to apply the word of God in a given situation even when it is our only hope. God says for us to talk about His word, to think about His word, and most important of all to do what’s written in it if our goal is to be prosperous and successful. It’s not enough to talk about "I know God is with me." The bottom line is, "are we obeying the word of God?" If not, then God is not with us, because God does not dwell in the presence of sin.
Things would never be the same for Joshua after accepting God’s call upon His life to lead the children of God to victory. Things are never the same for us when recognize God has called each of us to lead people to victory. One of the merciful things about our God is that He knows how difficult the journey can be. That’s why he tells us in verse 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." Josh 1:9
