Joshua
“He obeyed”
Introduction
A. What if someone asked you to walk across the Monghalla river, on dry land
B. What if someone asked you to march around the Civic area 7 times and make it crumble?
C. What if someone asked you to take control of 31 cities in about one year?
D. I don’t know about you, but I would be thinking that is crazy
E. Well welcome to the life of Joshua
F. Joshua took over Israel after Mosses dies
G. He was the one that was going to lead the Israelites to the promise land
H. In the first chapter of Joshua he receives a special installation service from God
I. Were God gives him a pep talk telling him that he will be ok
J. (Read 1:9)
K. With that Joshua is off and running
L. Now a couple of weeks ago we learned about Rahab
M. Remember she housed the two spies that Joshua sent over
N. Now were going to pick up that story
O. We are going to learn about how Joshua Obeyed God
P. We are going to see 3 different occasions that it would have been easy for Joshua to turn his back on God, but he did not.
Q. Let’s look at the first occasion
I. Follower of God
A. Explanation
1. In Joshua 3 and 4 we have the story of Israel Crossing the Jordan River.
2. Now we have to understand something about the Jordan River,
a) The Jordan River was not like the Mongahella, the Allegheny, the Ohio, or even the Mississippi
b) The Jordan river is less of a river and more of a swamp
c) There has never been a large city built by it
d) It carries no traffic
e) Basically it was a deep hot swamp, with exotic wildlife
f) That gives us a different view on things
3. When you first read this story you wonder why they waited a couple days before they crossed, think about the number of people that went across
4. The Lord commanded Joshua to take all of Israel except the tribe of Reuben and Gad and ½ of Manasseh, +40,000 soldiers from the tribes that were not crossing the River. So when you add it up (and believe me, it took a lot of calculations it is 2,050,600 people went across the river
a) Well let’s think about this Heinz field hold about 70,000 people you would need 30 Heinz’s fields to equal that many people.
b) WE can fit about 85 people in this sanctuary, we would need 24,008 sanctuaries this size
5. Bonus trivia, in 1927 near the city of Eddemiah, only about 15 miles from were they crossed a cliff fell into the River and blocked the river for about 21 hours, yes it is possible
6. Read 4:10, no wonder they hurried across
7. They set up a memorial after crossing the river, just to remember the special event
B. Application
1. Wow, what can we learn from this
2. That is impossible for that to happen by men’s standard
3. But not for God
4. Joshua was faithful in following God’s commands
5. If you were there and God said I want you to lead 2 million people, you probably would be thinking that he is crazy.
6. But trust God, be willing to step out on a limb
7. What has God ever promised and not delivered
8. Follow God, he will lead you to were you want to go
C. Illustration
1. There is a radio station in Brazil that is located in a Valley. Trans world radio owns it; they are the largest Christian Radio Organization. God led them to the property that by seemed to be the worse place for a radio station. There was tons of resistance from the people of the land to let them build there. There was conventional wisdom that it was a bad location. They followed God; today it is one of the strongest signals in the world. The people of the land built them a real road to the station and they are able to communicate the Gospel. God led them followed, Great things happened
2. Were is God leading you and are you following him
II. Keeper of God
A. Explanation
1. After they crossed the Jordan, Joshua led them to the not much of a normal battle against Jericho, and we all now that the walls came tumbling down (by the way watch the Veggie tale version it is hilarious)
2. Now they burned everything in the city except the silver and Gold was suppose to go into the treasury of the Lord’s house.
3. However, a guy by the name of Achan had a different thought. He figured if he kept just a little bit no body would miss it right?
4. Well Joshua then scouted out the land of Ai and found out it was not that well guarded so they only sent 3000 men to capture it and give the others a rest for later battles
5. They were chased away and every body hearts melted (much like after a Steelers loss)
6. Joshua was in morning and talked to God about why this happen
7. The Lord quickly revealed to Joshua that there was sin within the Israelites
8. Joshua then told all the tribes that he was going to find out who is responsible for this
9. We he got to Achan, Achan admitted and even told Joshua were to find the stuff, Sure enough Joshua found them
10. Then Joshua and the rest of Israel did what God commanded them to do
11. (Read 7:25)
B. Application
1. How can we take this story and apply to our lives today.
2. All of Israel was devoted to God when they crossed the Jordan, otherwise they would have died
3. And they all followed God when the walls cam tumbling down
4. After these things happen, they began feeling good about themselves
5. They began thinking that they can do it on their own
6. They figured God wouldn’t miss a piece of silver hear and there
7. They started to operate on their own strength
8. Oh rest assure God knew, Rest assure God always knows
9. Joshua was not willing to wonder away from God’s course
10. God punished Achan severely. God is a God of Justice
C. Illustration
1. Remember in the book of Acts 5 with Ananias and Sapphira. They sold a piece of land and would not give all to the Lord, the Lord knew that they were holding back, as a result, they both end up dead
2. When you don’t keep God’s word, you risk death.
3. Joshua kept God’s word,
4. The question is are you keeping God’s word, or are you an Achan
III. Advancer of God
A. Explanation
1. After the ugly scene with Achan Israel was ready to move on
2. And Move on they did
3. What is recorded in chapter 8 through 12 is just amazing.
4. Joshua directs a military advance like none ever seen before
5. He advances that Israelite territory very fast and a very large
6. How many cities do you think he defeated?
7. 5 would be a lot
8. 10 would be amazing
9. But rest assured he defeated 31 cities
10. Good to be on God’s side
B. Application
1. So what can we learn from all of this
2. God wanted the Israelites to advance
3. He wanted them to have the land
4. God made it possible
5. God wants us to advance the Gospel
6. God wants this Gospel of the Kingdom to be preached in the whole world
7. God has a plan
8. The question then becomes, are you going to advance the Gospel
9. Or are you afraid?
C. Illustration
1. Some things in life I probably will never understand, I am not quite sure why they are making cars that can go 200 miles per hour. What good is it? We all admit that speeding at those speeds is a stupid idea. Therefore, why should we make cars go that we do not use their potential? The problem however, is that we as Christians are a lot like a car that can go 200 miles per hour however we never go past 35. We get worried about what might happen. What if this what if that
2. Hey God can handle it.
3. We need to be advancers of that Gospel reaching our full potential.
Conclusion
A. You know what the hardest thing about writing this sermon was?
B. Knowing that I do not have the time to fully explain Joshua’s life. That I had to leave out so much of it
a. Read the book of Joshua, take your time doing so, it is just so fascinating
C. Joshua was a man who loved God
D. Joshua showed his love by:
a. Following God’s commands
b. Keeping God’s commands
c. Advancing God’s word
E. Are you living up to those standards
a. Are you following God’s commands even if it seems impossible?
b. Are you keeping God’s commands when every one else is not?
c. Are you working on advancing God’s word?
F. Are you willing to live out the words “I’ll obey”
G. If it cost me everything “I’ll Obey”
