Help Wanted
Joshua on Leadership
May 29, 2005 PM
Joshua 1:1-9 (NIV)
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: [2] "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. [3] I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. [4] Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. [5] No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
[6] "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. [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. [8] 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. [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."
This evening I preach a message that has been heavy on my heart for several months. It is a message that is long over due for all believers. It is the message of being a Joshua.
We can all recollect great men and women of the faith throughout our life time. These men and women have been mentors, teachers, leaders, prayer warriors, encouragers, They have taken up the slack, they have been tireless servants, they have been a model of Christ’s love and compassion, they have been full of trust and integrity, most importantly they have shown us the way to Christ and how to be His people.
But the time is coming and has come that their work on this earth and in this body is complete. Our lord is calling them home to their eternal reward and to be united with their loved ones who have gone before. They have finished the race and have won the crown of life.
How about us? We are still in the body and still on this planet. Who will encourage us? Who will teach us? Who will lead us?
That must have been every hearts cry on the day Moses died. As I said this morning, he had a walk with God that can not be matched. He had a closeness with God that few will know. He had a command and aire about him that demanded respect and to be followed. He was the judge, the leader, the Pastor. Now he is gone. Who can take his place? No one! Who will lead us on? Joshua!
Joshua was God’s elect to finish the task that Moses had started. Joshua did not have the relationship with God that Moses had. Joshua could not lead exactly how Moses did but Joshua was God’s man for the job. Let’s see how God raised Joshua up to continue Moses leadership.
1. God raised up another leader immediately.
[2] "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. [3] I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. [4] Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west.
God immediately set another leader in place. His plans and his purpose continues long after we are gone. He does not waste time in wondering what to do next.
A. Get ready to take what has been promised.
His first command to Joshua was to get ready to inherit the land.
When we are forced to say goodbye to a moses in our lives, God is already been preparing a Joshua. He is telling the Joshua to get ready and take the inheritance.
Since our inheritance is in Christ we need to focus on what that is. Our promise land as Christians is to:
Live in hope in Peace
Be His Church
Reach out to a lost world
Serve Him and others
Live in love, grace and hope.
When God establishes a Joshua, He expects them to continue the quest for the promise land. To be an example, a leader, a teacher, a mentor.
B. I will give you every place where you set your foot.
His promise to Joshua was to give him every place he set his foot.
Christ wants to give us every stronghold on which we place our feet. He wants us the continue the work of Moses and lead His congregation to their inheritance.
But before He can give us where we set our feet, we have to pick them up and move forward. Yes, we can sit around and mourn the loss of Moses or we can step into the role of a Joshua and move forward.
There are strongholds that we need to place our feet and declare them for Jesus Christ and His Church.
Joshua had his fortified cities, and warring people.
We have our high schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, community.
Note: You must be thinking that there was only 1 Moses and 1 Joshua but in Christ Jesus He has raised up a people to be the Moses and the Joshua’s. He may be grooming you to be a Joshua and someday a Moses but the fact is there are many and we need many. God is calling and you need to answer because without continued leadership this generation will go astray.
2. God promised the same Guidance, protection, and leadership to Joshua as He had with Moses.
[5] No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua could never be a Moses. He would be like as well, feared as well, He wouldn’t handle things the same way. However, both Moses and Joshua were powerful leaders in their own right because of God and no one else.
God gave us our Moses and He wants to give us some Joshua’s. They will not lead the same, teach the same, love the same, but they will both be given by God.
We have to be careful not to judge a Joshua according to a Moses. We have got to support a Joshua the same way because the authority to lead comes from God and not from man.
A. No one will be able to stand up against you - Protection.
God gave protection to Joshua just as He did to Moses.
B. I will never leave you or forsake you. - Guidance and leadership.
God guided and led Joshua just as He did with Moses.
3. God put Joshua in Leadership.
[6] "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
God is the one who places leaders in authority.
Romans 13:1 (NIV)
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
God is wanting to raise up all kinds of leaders in this congregation. No matter what the area or the task. However, we must know that He does the raising.
So how do we tell that leadership is God established and not self ordained.
They will lead in:
A. God’s Strength not their own.
I believe it is evident when someone is leading from God’s strength.
God gets the credit
The life is humble before Him
God’s word is the guidance for leadership
B. God’s Courage not their own.
God’s courage allows us to do things that we never imagined we could do. Not because of anything we have done but because God is working through us.
God wants to use you in ways you have never considered. When you answer the call to be a Joshua, you will see Him giving you the courage to step up. But you have to answer.
4. God instructed Joshua to obey the law carefully.
[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.
Again, God is giving Joshua the strength and courage to obey the law.
A. Strength
When God calls a Joshua, it is His strength that enables the Joshua to obey His words.
B. Courage
It is God’s Courage that enables a Joshua to stand up according to God’s word and live it out boldly.
5. God gave 3 specific commands in regard to the Word.
[8] 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.
A. Do not let it depart from your mouth.
B. Meditate on it.
C. Be careful to do what it says.
6. God give 4 more commands and 1 promise
[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."
A. Be Strong - Again
B. Be of Courage - Again
C. Do not be terrified
D. Do not be Discouraged
E. Promise - I will be with you wherever you go.
