Sermon by: Dr. Todd Morris
Text: Joshua 1:1-18 (read 1-9)
Title: This Is Our Land
Date: December 28, 2003
Introduction: In our day we find many misunderstandings surrounding the Christian life. A trip to the Bible Book store confirms this assertion. There we find shelves lined with books that talk about how to make the Christian life easier and more acceptable to the world. However, the truth of the matter is that we are not out for a day in the park! This thing we got into when we got saved is a battle! We are engaged in warfare with a spiritual enemy who is far more powerful that we are. In our own strength, we are no match for the devil! The good news is that he is nowhere near as powerful as God! Because of that, even in the midst of battle there is always hope and assurance of victory. In fact the Bible tells us that as Christians we are recipients of victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. Even while we are engaged in battle there is expectation that we will walk in victory. For me that is what the book of Joshua represents.
In this book, we find Moses, the great leader of Israel has died and a new leader named Joshua has been appointed to lead the nation into Canaan. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel is about to take possession of the land that God promised to Abraham centuries earlier. This book is about battles that Israel faced in order to claim what God had promised them. Joshua is a book of warfare, suffering and great victories. It is a book that can teach the modern Christian much about obtaining spiritual victory in your life. Often times we sing songs about Canaanland, and many people equate that with heaven, but that is not the case. When we get to heaven there are no more wars, there will be no more enemies, there will be no more suffering or death, there will be no more sin. All these are present in the book of Joshua. No, Canaan is not heaven, but it is a picture of the life of victory that is available to every child of God this morning.
Today, I begin a new series of messages that will take us through the book of Joshua. As we journey through Joshua, I will not hit every verse, but will attempt to hit the highlights. I am entitling the series, “Claiming Your Canaan.” My goal in preaching is to help you stop wondering around the wilderness and enter your Canaan of spiritual victory. This first chapter serves as something of an introduction to the book and from its verses. I would like to speak on this subject, “Canaanland is Our Land.” As I do I would like for you to listen carefully to what the Lord has to say to Joshua concerning the land of Canaan and how to claim it. These verses will help us to understand what it takes to go from wandering around in the wilderness of defeat to living in the land of victory. There are three truths here we need to see:
I THE CALL FROM GOD
A. A Call to Claim the Land (1-4)
1. It has already been promised by God.
B. A call to have confidence in the Lord (5-6, 9)
1. God promised victory over the enemy (5)
2. God promised His power (5)
3. God promised His faithfulness (5)
4. God promised absolute victory (6)
5. God promised to keep His promises (6)
What did Joshua have to do to make these things happen? Only one thing, trust God!
May I remind you that these same promises are available to you and me in the New Testament?
1. He still promises victory over our enemies
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith.” – I John 5:4
2. He is still all powerful
“And Jesus came unto them and spoke, saying, all authority has been given me in heaven and on earth.” – Matt. 28:18
3. He is still faithful – “…and low I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” – Matt. 28:20
4. He still gives absolute victory – “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – I Cor. 15:57
5. He still keeps His promises – “and being fully convinced that what he has promised he is also able to perform.” – Romans 4:21
What do we have to do to see these things come to pass in our lives – TRUST GOD!
C. A Call to Carry Out the Law (7-8)
1. He was to keep the law (7)
2. He was to meditate on the law (8)
3. He was to prosper by honoring the law (7-8)
Here again, the lesson is for us as well. First let me say, thank God we are not under the law, but we are to love honor and obey the Word.
1. We are to feed on the Bible – “as new born babes desiring the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” – I Peter 2:2
2. We are to live by the Bible – “Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” – Psalm 119:11
3. We will be blessed when these things are true in our lives – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” – Psalm 1:1
D. A Call to Courage in Leadership (6a, 7a, 9a)
1. Be strong and courageous
2. Stand in the face of opposition
3. Lead with determination
II THE CHALLENGE FROM JSOHUA (10-15)
A. A Challenge to Readiness (10-11)
B. A Challenge to responsibility (12-15)
III THE COMMITMENT OF THE PEOPLE (16-18)
A. They commit themselves to a life of surrender (16)
B. They commit themselves to a life of submission (17)
C. They commit themselves to a life of separation (18)
Conclusion: Canaanland is our land. It has been given to us by our Heavenly Father, and all we have to do this morning is to march in and claim it for ourselves. However, while it is ours, it isn’t CHEAP! If you really want to walk in spiritual victory and live in Canaanland you will have to pay the price.
Christian, what is it going to take to get you into Canaan today? Are you willing to pay the price, whatever it is? Or, are you more willing to stay on the other side of Jordan, and be the first to fall in times of trials? It is entirely up to you today!
Others are here today and you aren’t even saved! If you were to die, you would go to hell, and you don’t want that to happen. I would like to invite you to come to the Lord Jesus this morning and receiver Him into your heart. He loves you, He died for you and will save you if you will come to Him today.
I don’t know your heart, but I do know that there are more Christians living east of Jordan today than living in Canaanland. Why not get in today?
