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Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 1 Elder Charge to Dave Kramer Joshua 1:5-9 I. Introduction A. What I am going to do is give Dave is a “CHARGE” – a “send you out talk” 1. A Charge that was given to a man of God over 3000 years ago that applies to us today! 2. Today – study God’s Charge to Joshua that applies to you so that you can have success and prosperity in your Christian walk / ministry a. You MUST (1) COUNT on God’s Presence (2) PURSUE God’s Cause (3) KNOW & OBEY God’s Word (4) FOCUS on God’s Success and Prosperity (5) LIVE OUT God’s command “Be Strong and Courageous” B. Background 1. Open Bibles to Joshua 1 and I’ll go through the background necessary to get us to this point in history. 2. Turn clock back to Abraham and the Abrahamic Covenant a. God promised Abraham “To your descendents I will give this land” (Gen 12:7). 3. At the time the Book of Joshua begins a. 400+ years of slavery + 40 years in the desert wandering b. Moses has led the Israelites out of the desert into the Trans-Jordan area conquering that land (Numbers 23). c. Moses has just died d. God’s people stand at the threshold of the land they will conquer in fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. 4. PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF JOSHUA. a. Born in Egypt before the Great Exodus. b. First seen in Exodus 17:9 when he led the Israelite army against Amalek. (1) Battle where as long as Moses held his hand up Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. 2 Joshua won Second, seen in Exodus 24:13 when as Moses’ Ministerial Assistant, he went up on Mount Sinai with Moses. He stayed down below somewhere for 40 days while Moses was on top with God. Third, in Numbers 13, he was one of the 12 spies who scouted-out the land of Canaan. (1) Caleb and he were the only ones willing to trust God and go into the land (2) Of course we know, the other 10 prevailed and God judged Israel – making them spend 40 years wandering the desert so that the entire rebellious generation of adults would die. (3) Hence, Joshua and Caleb were the only 2 adult Israelites in the great Exodus to enter the Promised Land. Finally, in Numbers 27, Joshua is ordained to be the future leader of the Israelites (1) After Moses sinned by striking rock twice for water (2) Forfeited his chance to enter Canaan. SO, as Book of Joshua opens… If you were Joshua, -- 90yrs old! . 41 of ministry under Moses as… (1) Military Leader (2) Ministerial Assistant (3) One of 12 spies sent to Canaan (1 of 2 trusting) (4) Ordained to replace Moses V.1-4 God has just told your ITS TIME TO GIVE THE LAND OF CANAAN TO THE SONS OF ISRAEL - Land of Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:7). THEN V.5 God turns the discussion directly to you, Joshua AND SAYS- Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 3 5. Joshua 1:5-9: “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” C. FIVE aspects of God’s charge to Joshua that you can apply so that you can achieve success in your Christian walk and your ministries. II. (1) You must COUNT on God’s Presence (v.5) “No man will be able to resist you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” A. You Can COUNT ON GOD’S PRESENCE accompanying, leading, protecting, fighting with you men that he has chosen for His work – ensuring your success. B. God PROMISES Joshua: “No man will be able to resist you all the days of your life.” 1. HOW does God FULFILL this promise? 2. “Just as I have been with Moses…” a. ALREADY DEMONSTRATED fulfillment of this promise with Moses, b. For 90 years, including 41 of ministry, Joshua saw Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 4 how God had been with Moses! 3. V.5 …“I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” a. positive / negative terms, be with you / not fail you b. literal rendering: “I will not drop you or abandon you.” implication is that God is carrying Joshua! c. IN FACT, GOD BRACKETS THIS CHARGE WITH THIS PROMISE BY REPEATING IT IN V.9 “…the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (passage full of repetition) 4. So, if you were Joshua, this promise of God’s presence would be very real to you. C. Does this promise apply to us? 1. When Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples, how did He conclude it? Matthew 28:20 says, “…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” TURN TO Hebrew 13:5 2. Hebrews DIRECTLY QUOTES GOD FROM THE BOOK OF JOSHUA – GIVES THE APPROPRIATE ATTITUDE AND ACTION THE PROMISE OF PRESENCE SHOULD CAUSE: (Heb. 13:5-7) “…for He [God] Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ (6) so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’ (7) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. (think, think, do) a. ATTITUDE: I WILL NOT BE AFRAID - “What will man do to me?” (1) Notice the progression: The Lord is my helper [THEREFORE] I will not be afraid (2) Counting on the presence of God – truly believing Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 5 it leads to no fear of man. b. ACTION: “…imitate their faith” – WE HAVE A BIBLE FULL OF EXAMPLES OF FAITH 3. Or how about the promises of Romans 8? (LISTEN) Romans 8:31-39 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. D. So, you can COUNT ON GOD’s PRESENCE! E. WHEN can you count on God’s Presence? WHEN you are…PURSUING God’s CAUSE III. (2)You MUST PURSUE God’s Cause (v.6) v.6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give as an inheritance to this people the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” A. “Be strong and courageous.” = well-known OT command, 1. 3X in passage - 1X later Chapter 1 - Come back later 2. Here it has a physical meaning: Joshua’s strength and courage to physically conquer the land was to be derived from God’s promised presence in v.5. B. MAIN THRUST of the verse in the NEXT PHRASE - “FOR Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 6 you shall give as an inheritance to this people the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” 1. God’s presence and Joshua’s strength and courage were needed TO CARRY OUT GOD’S CAUSE – the deliverance of the land 2. Land – major theme of v.1-6 of Joshua 1. – 4X with a full description in v.4 C. FOR US Pursuing God’s Cause is the ONLY cause too – THE GOOD NEWS IS1. Don’t need to spend time proving to you that walking in obedience to Jesus Christ is a God-ordained cause. a. Many, many places the Bible calls you walk in a manner worthy of God b. A walk of obedience to God’s word! c. SAME AS – being in the CENTER OF GOD’S WILL (1) John’s Book: “Found: God’s Will” (2) Saved /Spirit-filled /Sanctified / Submitting / Suffering (3) After that – DO WHAT YOU WANT! (4) What you will want will be what God wants. 2. Using Spiritual Gifts IS a God-ordained cause a. It is a God-given / driven cause. 1 Cor 12:4-11 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…(11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. D. Sooooo, to have Success in your Christian walk you MUST 1. COUNT on God’s Presence 2. PURSUE God’s Cause -AND YOU MUST … IV. (3) YOU MUST KNOW and OBEY God’s Word (v.7-8) Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 7 Joshua 1:7-8 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. A. (v.7) 2nd TIME see “be strong and courageous” with VERY added. – (it doesn’t change the meaning) 1. Joshua’s PERSONAL STRENGTH and MORAL COURAGE are needed to live a life totally based on God’s word. B. Then 2X Joshua told KNOW/OBEY the Law. 1. V.7 “Be careful to do according to all the law (literally, “keep ALL the law”) which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left…” 2. V.8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate (literally: “recite it quietly”) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; 3. First Notice – Joshua is being commanded to keep the Law of Moses AS FOUND IN A BOOK. a. Moses had completed the Pentateuch and especially the Book of Deuteronomy b. As He was transitioning out of his role, the people of God were – FOR THE FIRST TIME – being told to live according to a “book.” TURN TO DEUT 30:9 c. Deut 30:9-10 Moses says Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 8 10 if you obey the LORD your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. 11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. 12 “It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 13 “Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 14 “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. (1) v.10: Live in obedience to His Word – IN A BOOK (2) Not too difficult nor out of reach – You can UNDERSTAND THIS and DO this! (So much for Let Go and let God!) (3) v.12: Although God had spoken from heaven, He had spoken through Moses in words every person could understand (4) v.13: They did not have to search at some point beyond the sea to understand what God expected! (5) V.14–word of God was taught thru Moses and is now ingrained in your heart and mind (6) (v.14)You HAVE all you need to know to love and obey God! d. Back to Joshua 1:7-8 – What is this “book”? (1) Either Pentateuch (1st 5 books ) or JUST Deut (2) Most likely Deuteronomy with all of the parallels this passage has to Deuteronomy 31 (3) Either way the Law is presented in both choices! 4. Secondly, v.8 says “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night,” a. Literally, “this book of the law shall not depart from Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 9 your mouth, but you shall RECITE IT QUIETLY TO YOURSELF day and night. (1) ancient custom was to read out loud to learn to learn something. (a) When Phillip encountered the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8) – what was the eunuch doing? – (b) Reading the prophet Isaiah OUT LOUD. 5. Third thing to see - Positive / negative AGAIN–keep/do not turn+ v.8 not depart/meditate=CONTRASTS EMPHASIS C. NEXT - PHRASES absolutely critical to understanding God’s full intention of knowing / meditating on this book of the law. v.7 Be careful to do according to all the law v.8….so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it…” 1. V.8 “so that” = the purpose of meditation. a. Meditation is to be done for the sole purpose of DOING what is in the book of the law. b. WHEN WERE FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTION BOOK to put something together– you’ll understand what God is talking about here – Learning for doing is a lot more than just learning! 2. Many people the Christian life hits a wall with “head knowledge” – a. Acquire great knowledge and think themselves “a-head” of everyone else spiritually because of this knowledge. b. HOWEVER, God is saying – YOU HAVE ONLY ONE PURPOSE IN KNOWING THE WORD OF GOD – FOR DOING IT! D. FOR US –God’s word is supreme in our lives, our ministries, our everything! 1. We are all familiar with 2 Tim. 3:16-17: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 10 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. -Even here Paul makes the tie between the word and work! 2. And Jesus Christ, Himself – John 14/15 – at least 5X He ties Love and Obedience – You show your love for God by obeying Him! 3. And don’t forget James! Listen to Jas. 1:22-25: But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers… but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. a. James ties hearing to doing b. Then leads us into our next point by telling us the doer “will be blessed in what he does.” E. What else must you do to have success and prosperity in your Christian walk and ministry? 1. First, you must COUNT on God’s PRESENCE 2. Second, you must PURSUE God’s CAUSE 3. Third, you must KNOW and OBEY God’s word 4. Now, FOURTH, V. (4) YOU MUST FOCUS on God’s SUCCESS and PROSPERITY (v.7-8) A. God says the same thing to Joshua as James says!- a doer will be blessed in what he does! B. conclusions to v.7 / v.8. After each command concerning the Law,– a result clause. 1. In v.7, Joshua is to be careful to obey the law “so that you may have success wherever you go.” 2. In v.8, Joshua is to be careful to obey the law “for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. C. Point: God gives success/ prosperity to those who obey Him. 1. Knowing and obeying the law WILL RESULT in Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 11 success and prosperity. 2. God’s Providential success. God provides the success. D. So, what does it mean to be prosperous and have success? 1. God’s Success – Successful completion of His Ministry of giving the Land to Israel – Having a part in that. 2. Joshua’s Spiritual Prosperity/Success. a. Psalm 1:1-3 How blessed is the man …his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (1) Picture of a carefully, firmly planted and cultivated tree. (2) Produces fruit (3) Does not wither–unaffected by wind / drought. (4) I.e. picture of a man who weathers life’s storms and trials spiritually. 3. Great degree of material prosperity for Joshua and the people. a. Only thing promised in this passage is the land itself. – a beautiful and bountiful land with everything lost by the inhabitants. b. And, listen to Deut 30:8-9 “And you shall again obey the LORD, and observe all His commandments which I command you today. “Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers; c. For Israelite-REAL material blessings for obedience. d. There were also REAL material curses for Disobedience – which is what they got! Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 12 e. we CANNOT pull this into our context and say we are guaranteed worldly prosperity. (1) God has not promised that for this age– church age (2) However, can be true/ does occur at times. We have “generalisms” of Proverbs most often apply. E. Therefore - You need to KNOW and OBEY God’s word FOCUSED on HIS SUCCESS and PROSPERITY – 1. To achieve His cause 2. To receive His Spiritual and Material blessings. F. AS MOVED THROUGH THIS PASSAGE, GOD HAS WOVEN A VERY STRONG THREAD THROUGHOUT THAT TIES IT TOGETHER – LOOK AT V.9… VI. (5) FIFTH, YOU MUST Live God’s Command “BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS” (v.9) Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” A. 3X times in 5 verses! BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS emphasized with “Have I not commanded you?” B. WILL YOU – THROUGH STRENGTH AND COURAGE STEP OUT IN FAITH 1. COUNT ON GOD’s PRESENCE 2. PURSUE GOD’S CAUSE a. As Joshua did with PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND COURAGE to CONQUER THE LAND (v.6) 3. KNOW AND OBEY GOD’S WORD? 4. FOCUS ON GOD’S SUCCESS and PROSPERITY? a. As Joshua did with HIS PERSONAL STRENGTH AND MORAL COURAGE as he is commanded to solely live according to the book of the law in everything that he did. 5. WILL YOU – THROUGH STENGTH AND COURAGE STEP OUT IN FAITH AND LIVE OUT THIS COMMAND OF GOD BECAUSE THE LORD Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 13 YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO?as Joshua did? (v.9) a. As Joshua did with HIS SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND COURAGE – HIS FAITH and TRUST in God LIVED OUT. C. THEN the negation – Do not tremble or be dismayed – 1. the “not” here is a temporary negation 2. as before it means “don’t even temporarily tremble or be dismayed!” D. We believe and follow God’s commands and promises based on faith. E. In faith, we submit to His authority. F. Again, a positive and a negative 1. positive, “be strong and courageous,” 2. negative, “do not tremble or be dismayed” 3. FAITH IS APPLIED THROUGH STRENGTH AND COURAGE. 4. A lack of faith results in trembling and dismay. 5. Think about Hebrews 11 – the heroes of the faith… a. “by faith Abel …offered” b. “by faith Abraham …going out…” c. “by faith Sarah…received…” d. “by faith Noah…prepared” e. “by faith Rahab…welcomed” f. Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days– Joshua won by faith g. Will we look back on your ministry / Your walk with through Life and say your were A MAN OF STRENGTH AND COURAGE WHO BY FAITH PURSUED GOD’S CAUSE…? G. V.9 “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” 1. 2nd time & Brackets Section 2. we too have this same promise of God’s presence when we pursue God’s cause while obeying God’s word! Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved. Grace Bible Church of Auburn, Ca. 14 VII. Conclusion A. Joshua went out from that day and was successful and prosperous – Delivered on one of God’s greatest promises B. Are you willing to go out from this day-into the rest of your life, and be faithful to God’s charge to you? C. God didn’t tell Joshua “I have given you all the experience and capabilities necessary to do this so GO!” 1. BUT when it is God’s Cause You are Pursuing AND you a. Count on God’s Presence b. Know and Obey God’s Word (@90 – do it!) c. Focus on God’s Success and Prosperity (Providence) d. Live out God’s Command “Be strong and Courageous” – WILLING TO STEP IN FAITH 2. HE DOES BLESS YOU WITH HIS SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY JUST LIKE HE DID JOSHUA. D. SO, Dave – I trust you TOO will heed GOD’S WORD as JOSHUA DID and we will all look forward to you being greatly rewarded by Christ, Himself, for the work you do for His kingdom! E. Remember what Paul wrote: Col 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Bill Vaughan, All Rights Reserved.