YOUR PHYSICAL PROVISION—Part II —Joshua 15:1--19:51
Terriotrial/Jurisdiction/Atmosphere for Glory
The Pope just finished a tour of the East Coast and was taking a limousine to the airport. Having never driven a limo, he asked the chauffeur if he could drive for a while. Well, the chauffeur didn’t have much of a choice, so he climbs in the back of the limo and the pope takes the wheel.
The Pope proceeds onto Hwy. 95, and starts accelerating to see what the limo could do. He gets to about 90 mph, and suddenly he sees the blue lights of the State Patrol in his mirror.
He pulls over and the trooper come to his window. The trooper seeing who it was, says, "just a moment please, I need to call in."
The trooper calls in and asks for the chief. He tells the chief that he’s got a REALLY important person pulled over, and asks how to handle it.
"It’s not Ted Kennedy again is it?" replies the chief.
"No Sir!" replied the trooper, "This guy’s more important."
"Is it the Governor?" replied the chief.
"No! Even more important!" replies the trooper.
"Is it the PRESIDENT???" Replied the chief.
"No! Even more important!" replies the trooper.
Well WHO IN THE WORLD IS IT?" screams the chief.
"I don’t know Sir. " replies the trooper,...
"....But he’s got the Pope as his chauffeur."
Autonomy can provide his chauffer an atmosphere for greatness.
God-given autonomy provides us with an atmosphere for God’s glory.
God provided Israel with physical/territorial autonomy.
God’s Provision for the territorial autonomy of His people produces an atmosphere in which God is glorified.
What is produced in God’s provision for His people’s autonomy?
God’s provision for His people’s autonomy produces an atmosphere for...
1. Diversity
2. Community
3. Achievement
4. Involvement
5—Godly autonomy produces
AN ATMOSPHERE FOR EXAMPLE(Chapts. 15-17)
Explanation:(Chapts. 15-17) Leadership
Judah, Ephraim & Manasseh—Prominent/Preeminent
Judah—Preeminent tribe—Largest most detailed land description.
Ephraim—
Manasseh—
Having received their portions first, set the tone for other tribes
Personal, local, state & national, international levels
Argumentation:
1Pet. 5:2-3—“shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; & not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”
Acts 20:28—“Be on guard for yourselves[Elders of Ephesus] & for all the flock[church], among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Titus 2:7-8—“in all things show yourself[Titus] to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”
Php. 3:17—“Brethren, join in following my example, & observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”
Illustration:
Cairo High School Track open at night/Atmosphere for Example
Freedom to build house of worship to God/To learn & grow in the faith, To practice our faith/Example to others
Application:
?You been a good steward of God’s Atmosphere for Leadership?
?You been a good steward of God-given Autonomy?
6—Godly autonomy produces
AN ATMOSHERE FOR UNITY/COOPERATION
(15:1; 16:1; 17:1; 18:11; 19:1, 10, 24, 32, 40)
Explanation:(15:1; 16:1; 17:1; 18:11; 19:1, 10, 24, 32, 40)
15:1—“Now the lot for the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families reached the border of Edom, southward to the wilderness of Zin at the extreme south.”
16:1—“Then the lot for the sons of Joseph went from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east into the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel.”
17:1—“Now this was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the first-born of Joseph. To Machir the first-born of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, was allotted Gilead & Bashan, because he was a man of war.”
18:11—“Now the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, & the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah & the sons of Joseph.”
19:1—“Then the second lot fell to Simeon, to the tribe of the sons of Simeon according to their families, & their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the sons of Judah.”
19:10, 24, 32, 40—“Now the third lot came up for the sons of Zebulun according to their families. And the territory of their inheritance was as far as Sarid....“Now the fifth lot fell to the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their families....“The sixth lot fell to the sons of Naphtali; to the sons of Naphtali according to their families....“The seventh lot fell to the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their families.”
Nine 1/2 tribes bordering each other.
Levi interspersed
Reuben, Gad & 1/2Manasseh east of Jordan.
One Nation—Israel—All related to Jacob(Israel).
Argumentation:
Php. 1:27-28—“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come & see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, & that too, from God.”
Eccl. 4:9-12—“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
Illustration:
UPS Hub/All parcels must come into hub to reach city & outlying areas/Provides Atmospere for Unity
Application:
?You been a good steward of God’s Atmosphere for Cooperation?
?You been a good steward of God-given Autonomy?
7—Godly autonomy produces
AN ATMOSHERE FOR HONOR(15:6)
Explanation:(15:6)Recognize/Commemorate
“Then the border went up to Beth-hoglah, & continued on the north of Beth-arabah, & the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.”
“Stone of Bohan”—Memorialize a noteable exploit in regard to the nation, or the burial place of a notable man
Commemorate & honor Christian saints who have served the Gospel so well.
Argumentation:
Isa. 44:3-5—“‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, And My blessing on your descendants; And they will spring up among the grass Like poplars by streams of water.’ “This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’S’; And that one will call on the name of Jacob; And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the LORD,’ And will name Israel’s name with honor.”
Illustration:
Gaffney, SC Peach watertower/Commemorates major source of income.
Application:
?You been a good steward of God’s Atmosphere for Honor?
?You been a good steward of God-given Autonomy?
8—Godly autonomy produces
AN ATMOSPHERE FOR BLESSING(15:18-19)
Explanation:(15:18-19)
:18—“And it came about that when she came to him, she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she alighted from the donkey, & Caleb said to her, “What do you want?”
:19—“Then she said, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs & the lower springs.”
Where we are free to approach the provider
We must seek the blessing.
Argumentation:
Lk. 11:10—“For everyone who asks, receives; & he who seeks, finds; & to him who knocks, it shall be opened.”
Heb. 4:16—“Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy & may find grace to help in time of need.”
Illustration:
Arrival at store for After Thanksgiving Day Sale/No blessing until you go to the door.
Application:
?You been a good steward of God’s Atmosphere for Blessing?
?You been a good steward of God-given Autonomy?
Conclusion
Action:
Self-governance gives God’s people an atmosphere for...
EXAMPLE
COOPERATION
HONOR
BLESSING
Diversity
Community
Achievement
Involvement
Presented 03/04?/01pm to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Road
Whigham, GA 31797
