Building Better People...Instruct Them

As a believer, are you growing? I’m not asking if your involved in church functions or events, although that’s good. I’m asking if your growing and becoming more Christlike.

I do believe that we should be involved with church, but this is really a small part of our growth. We should be striving for that true life changing relationship with Jesus. That’s the real measure of growth.

Contrary to what may be popular belief, your responsible for your own personal growth. Your pastor, mentor, friends, and congregation are not solely responsible for your growth.

So, do you want to grow? Growth is not immediate, it takes time. Growth is not easy or accidental, but it’s essential. We must grow!

Here are some steps to take that might help with your growth...

Joshua Committed to God’s People...

Numbers 11:28 NKJV

So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”

Joshua chose to follow Moses and to learn from him. He became one of Moses’ chosen men and would become a great leader for the people of God.

What would Joshua’s advice be to you? It’s important that you find someone or a group of people that you can learn from. We follow Jesus first, but we also have teachers in our lives.

Put yourself in a position to learn...

Sunday School.

Regular church services.

Small Groups.

Fellowships in the church and in peoples homes.

Joshua Committed to God’s Ways...

Exodus 33:11 NKJV

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Exodus 17:14–16 NKJV

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

We see that Joshua was committed to God, Moses, and his calling to serve the people. Joshua was watching and learning from his leader and his relationship with God. Joshua wouldn’t even leave the Tabernacle.

What would Joshua’s advice be to you? Know God personally and stay close to the tent!

Joshua Committed to God’s Man...

Exodus 24:13 NKJV

So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

Numbers 27:18–22 NKJV

And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him—all the congregation.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.

While we don’t worship our leaders, we certainly honor them. This was Joshua's approach to Moses. He recognized Moses’ leadership and chose to serve him.

Joshua would recognize his need to grow and understood the value of Moses’ leadership and would learn all that he could from him.

What would Joshua's advice be to you? Allow those who are spiritually wise and mature to nurture you and mentor you.

Joshua recognized God’s presence and His calling on his life. He was committed to becoming everything God wanted for him. He also recognized the leadership that God had supplied for for his growth and success, and he would submit to it.

Joshua’s advice to you? Grow to become like the One you serve!

Call to Action...

How are you growing? What steps are you taking in order to grow? Are you on track, or happy with where you’re at?There’s always room for growth. Listen to the voice of those that have walked the road your on. Learn from them! Look at Joshua’s commitments and let them be established in you heart.

*Inspired by a sermon from Michael H. Clarensau