Untitled Sermon (16)

Manuscript:

I'll say bless the Lord if you say oh my soul

Bless the Lord.

[Oh my soul]

Oh bless His holy name.

Good morning, my name is Eric Warren and I'm the student pastor here at The Glade.

We've been marching along methodically and we're jumping back into the book of Joshua this morning as jump into Joshua 15, and I have two simple points for you this morning... we preachers shoot more 3-pointers than Steph Curry, but consider this your youth pastor's discount...

But as you find your way there, I want to take you back to 1980.

Intro

The winter olympics were hosted at Lake Placid, New York and Herb Brooks led a team of rag-tag college-aged youngsters against a Soviet Russia dream team.

[Pic]

Some of you know the story. This cinderella sports tale all the more popularized by a Disney adaptation, a movie simply called 'Miracle' where Kurt Russell delivers Herb Brooks' famous "Great moments are born from great opportunity speech."

But before the famed "miracle on ice" game, these two teams played in an exhibition game before the olympics and the Soviets beat the breaks off of Team USA to the tune of 10-3...

But tournament play began and team USA battled through the olympic bracket and once more...

all roads led back to a rematch against their Goliath opponent.

And if the mere competitive tension wasn't enough, there was a heavy political tension with the ongoing Cold War. These weren't just two teams who didn't like each other, but these were world powers who didn't like each other.

But what proceeded was arguably the greatest underdog victory in the history of sports.

From the first drop of the puck, the Americans went blow for blow with the Russians. Russians score. Americans score. Russians. Americans...

Everyone knowing that the Soviets could at any moment, blow the game wide open, until finally, the third and final period rolls around and the US nets the game tying goal. Minutes later Mike Eruzione scores again and for the first time in the game the US takes the lead.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, our entire country looked on and collectively held it's breath.

It was a feeling of... "I can't believe it's actually happening!"

But with each ticking second... the prospect of victory became less prospect and more reality.

And you cannot mention this game without remembering Al Michaels famous radio broadcast... "Do you believe in miracles??? Yes!"

Clock ticks to zero and victory is secured.

(I need a minute after that...)

[Series slide]

We jump back into our series today in Joshua 15 and as we jump in... you quickly realize that it is a passage in the Bible that in all honesty, quickly makes our eyes gloss over.

Whether here, or whenever Scripture presents a lineage like in Matthew 1, I am fully aware that there are parts of the Bible that you read and you and I before too long we begin to think, why is this here? Why is this important?

Right from the jump in chapter 15 it reads...

15 Now the allotment for the tribe of the descendants of Judah by their clans was in the southernmost region, south to the Wilderness of Zin and over to the border of Edom.

2 Their southern border began at the tip of the Dead Sea on the south bay 3 and went south of the Scorpions’ Ascent, proceeded to Zin, ascended to the south of Kadesh-barnea, passed Hezron, ascended to Addar, and turned to Karka. 4 It proceeded to Azmon and to the Brook of Egypt and so the border ended at the Mediterranean Sea. This is your southern border.

What?

Just FYI, I'll spare you the reading out of every single one of these territories and boundaries. This is the inspired Word of God, don't hear me say anything different. But I don't know that that would be a fruitful use of our time. It'd be like reading you directions to a town that you've never been to and are never going to.

You know. Hang a right a Sue's drugstore and a left at the Piggly Wiggly if you hit the house with the rusty tractor out front you've gone too far. That sort of thing.

...

But with this passage in mind... I get it. This might not mean a whole heck of a lot to you and me.

But what you need to know is that this moment was everything to the Israelites.

This was it!

There was the promise of long ago that God would give his people, this haggard, hardened, weary people, a land flowing with milk and honey.

They enter the land and are charged to drive out its inhabitants.

Wars, battles, victory and defeat. Ups, downs and so on, but here they are. They are dividing up this land... this promised land and to everyone there... it was an exclamation point.

IT'S REALLY HAPPENING. IT'S TRUE. GOD'S PROMISE IS COMING TRUE... RIGHT NOW!

And like with Herb Brooks and Team USA, there was likely doubt, there was certainly struggle, but here we are... the clock ticking to zero and victory was ripe for the taking.

We'll jump in deeper but what I want you all to walk out of here having etched on your hearts is this:

God's promises always bear out. (repeat)

Write it down. Snap a picture. Whatever you do, never forget it.

We see that play out here with a people that have journeyed and labored long. And we see that when we fast forward in the New Testament.

Paul would say:

2 Corinthians 1:20 (CSB)

20 For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.

We sing those words, right? All your promises are yes and amen.

God's promises are sure. You can take them to the bank. Even in your bleakest moment, you can count on God's promises to bear out. 100% of the time.

And this moment in Joshua, in something that maybe reads monotonous, is actually anything but.

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This is meant to be encouraging. This is meant to be uplifting and it's meant to further stoke the fire in the hearts of God's people deeper in devotion, deeper in faith, deeper in obedience.

Some here in Joshua 15 act accordingly.

We read of Caleb starting in verse 13:

Joshua 15:13–19 (CSB)

13 He gave Caleb son of Jephunneh the following portion among the descendants of Judah based on the Lord’s instruction to Joshua: Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron; Arba was the father of Anak). 14 Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak.

Caleb is not just some Johnny come lately in Scripture. We've read about him before.

In Numbers 13, Moses sent spies into Canaan to check out the land...

"Go, scout it out. Tell us what you see."

Caleb was among the few who went in and reported back.

"It's full of good stuff... It's absolutely a land flowing with milk and honey. It's abundant and good."

But his comrades were quite far more reserved...

"It's well fortified. Protected. and actually... it's full of giants!

They're huge! It's full of the Nephilim!"

If you want to know who the Nephilim are... ask Mark next week... that's a little Bible humor.

Numbers 13:30 (CSB)

30 Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!”

Not only did Caleb go in and take the land, but he took the land they were most afraid of...

While the rest of Israel shrank and grumbled... Caleb says, GIVE ME THE GIANTS!

Poetic justice no doubt, Caleb's reward, his portion is a constant reminder of what happens when you step out in boldness and in trust.

Jehova-Jireh provides, like He always does.

But not only Caleb, we read on...

15 From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir, which used to be called Kiriath-sepher, 16 and Caleb said, “Whoever attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher, I will give my daughter Achsah to him as a wife.” 17 So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother, Kenaz, captured it, and Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to him as a wife. 18 When she arrived, she persuaded Othniel to ask her father for a field. As she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?” 19 She replied, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me the springs also.” So he gave her the upper and lower springs.

We're seeing that all over, yeah?

Caleb, Othniel, Acshah all of these are painting out something beautiful. Obedience, boldness, faithfulness.

Application

You see that they all get in honest, right? It runs in the family.

Caleb - I'll take the land

Othniel - I'll take the land and get the girl.

Achsah - Give me a blessing!

You see a legacy of faith and boldness being drawn out for you right here.

Which begs the question... what legacy will you leave behind?

A little early application for you here this morning. What legacy will you leave behind?

My desire is never to get you "find it within yourself..." or "pull yourself up by your bootstraps," I hate how utilitarian language has infiltrated the things of faith, but my desire for you friends in how to find yourself in this text is to see not that, "you can do it if you just try hard enough," my desire for you is not to see that you are able but God absolutely is.

The all-sustaining, all providing, sovereign God of the universe goes before his people and beloved, when God makes a promise like he's done to His people in giving them the Promised Land, you can take it to the bank.

So what would it look like to walk in that boldness today? What would it look like for you, in light of all the frustrations in life, in light of all the confusion and doubt to say, "God's got this."

But also, live out this boldness before a watching world.

Here we see this boldness in the faith handed down from one generation to the next.

Mom, dad, what legacy and life of faith will you leave behind?

In my job I get a front row seat to families loving and caring for each other well. I see students hearts catch fire for the things of faith. I talk to parents about their worries, concerns, and cares for their children.

But I also see students who have to break patterns of brokenness in their families in order to step out in faith...

Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents...

Put in front of them and give them something to respond to, to be inspired - not at how awesome you are… but how you trusted God with everything.

At my parents house, the leather in the family couch is worn... because I know that early in the morning and late in the evening you can find my dad there, praying. Fellowshipping with God. I know exactly where my mom keeps her Bible and why it sits in that spot.

They may not be slaying giants of the promised land but I know and have seen that when life's battles have arrived at my family's doorstep where there hope comes from.

Parents live in such a way that your kids will say... "I want to have faith like you."

Live in such a way that tells your kids, "we're going to fight some battles, we’re going to clear the land, and we’re going to trust God in this family."

...

Life is hard, guys.

Can I get an amen?

Sometimes we find ourselves in seasons of rest and if that's you... praise Jesus. Fall to your knees in worship this morning.

But more than likely you find yourselves heading into a battle or coming out of one.

And as we talk about laying claim to the land, driving out it's inhabitants, we see a symbolic picture for you and me of what it looks like to walk with Jesus, victoriously.

Against the flesh, against satan, against all the things that get thrown in our path, and they are many. We're constantly battling something, right?

Because that's the nature of a forward-marching, obedient walk with God.

God has not called you merely to be stagnant in the faith. Christianity is not a spectator sport, friends.

Which means there’s more battles to come. There’s more clearing of the land on the horizon.

And when you move forward, you will encounter opposition. The flesh, the world, sin - and you and I must address those things with faith, boldness, and confidence in the one who has overcome the world.

TRUST THE LORD. GOD CAN CLEAR THE LAND.

Have a faith like Caleb!!! Giants?!? Cool. Bring it on!

God… not by my will, not by my power, but you! You’re able!

You look back at verse 20 and following and it's more divisions of the land. Tribal allotments. And then you skip down to verse 63 and we see that the chapter ends like this,

Joshua 15:63 (CSB)

63 But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. So the Jebusites still live in Jerusalem among the descendants of Judah today.

This begins a few mentions that there wasn't exactly a 100% success rate.

They didn't clear the land completely as they were called.

...

I wish there was a way to have a perfect faith. I wish there was a way for perfect obedience. But we see here, and all over the Bible, that whenever people are involved, perfection goes out the window.

So we know all the more, our second point this morning...

God's people need God's power to accomplish God's mission.

They did not clear the land completely and that spelled battle, conflict and strife all the way until David eventually conquered the land.

The Jebusites remained and more canaanites remained in the land. And like we said last week and you've heard it before that partial obedience or delayed obedience is actually

We see this again play out throughout the short chapter 16.

There are more allotments given. We see a portion given to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh [MAP]

At the end of the 16th chapter you see this haunting refrain once more.

Joshua 16:10 (CSB) - 10 However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites still live in Ephraim today, but they are forced laborers.

Yet another reminder... they went into the land. They took the land, but not completely.

Ch. 17 is the allotment given to Manasseh, his line, his tribe. Divisions. Boundaries, etc.

Verse 12 - The descendants of Manasseh could not possess these cities, because the Canaanites were determined to stay in this land. 13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they imposed forced labor on the Canaanites but did not drive them out completely.

This should all be setting your spidey senses off. Over and over the Israelites aiming for partial credit instead of total devotion to the call of God.

And not only that you read on to verse 14 and we see a protest from Ephraim and Manasseh, saying in so many words...

WE NEED MORE! We're a great tribe.

[MAP] What the map doesn't show but is revealed in verse 15 is that this is apparently a highly forested area. Trees, hills, so on and so on.

All that to say, this land is gonna take some work. To clear it out of the canaanites and to clear it out to make it livable. a fixer upper, if you will.

Joshua responds... cool, you're a great tribe, you have so many people... go clear it out! Many hands make light work!

Verse 16 - But the descendants of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who inhabit the valley area have iron chariots, both at Beth-shean with its surrounding villages and in the Jezreel Valley.”

I'm learning as a father that kids will find any excuse to try and turn away what they don't want.

Bedtime rolls around and all of a sudden Josiah becomes a master negotiator.

I'm thirsty. I want some water. No not that water. I want the other water bottle. The blue one.

And I kid you not... that water is too cold. I want some warm water.

The issue is that my son wants to stay up late. He wants his way and not his parent's way.

And so too it is here. Manasseh receives their allotment...

It's too hilly. It's got too many trees. It's got too many Canaanites. They have iron chariots.

What a bunch of babies!

But before we're too quick to judge, aren't we all the same? I've told you all before, personality-wise in my family, Becca's a Tigger. Bouncey, mouncey, flouncey, pouncey fun fun fun fun fun. Josiah's Pooh Bear... always looking for a snack. And I'm Eeyore.

How many of you are like me and at the at the first sign of opposition or something that is not as favorable as you'd like it to be you start kicking dirt.

How quickly our minds go to all the reasons we think God can't do something.

We mentioned a bit ago in Numbers 13, the spies return from scouting the land. And minus Joshua and Caleb, everyone else turns into piglet.... (oh d-d-dear). If you haven't picked it up yet, you can tell what's popular in my house.

...

What happened to that attitude of faith?

What happened to that belief that if only they walked in obedience to God's call that God would make a way and bring his promises to pass?

What happened to thinking that God was their strength, their ability?

What happened?

When you focus on the problem in front of you, you forget about the God who is over you.

If you're looking for someone to follow after in this account, follow after Caleb! Be obedient to God's call and instruction, relentlessly so.

Caleb - "We can do this."

"Well they have iron chariots... BIG DEAL! What is that to God? What is an iron chariot to God?! Nothing!

Let's call a spade a spade, friends. The issue we're talking about here and so frequently in our own lives is unbelief.

We need more land -- Translation - we need land that's unoccupied.

There's too many trees - translation - we need an easier assignment.

Finally, Verse 17 - 17 So Joshua replied to Joseph’s family (that is, Ephraim and Manasseh), “You have many people and great strength. You will not have just one allotment, 18 because the hill country will be yours also. It is a forest; clear it and its outlying areas will be yours. You can also drive out the Canaanites, even though they have iron chariots and are strong.”

Translation - buck up buttercup.

Because what Joshua is living out right here is a relentless belief that God's mission is not accomplished by man's will... but God's, right?

God's people need God's power to accomplish God's mission.

And As we close this morning, remember God has made a promise. God has given you His word. He has covenanted with His people, right?

Yahweh has bonded himself to us. "I will be their God and they will be my people," he says.

I have some humbling news here for you this morning, Christian... God does not need you to carry out his mission. Quite the opposite... We need him! But you're invited nonetheless.

He's not waiting in the wings thinking, "man I hope that Eric comes through here so that my will can be done." What a small god that would be!

But He is no small god. You step out into creation you behold his majesty, His beauty, His splendor...

You look to His Word, friends... that nor height, nor depth nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God

And beloved... This God. This beautiful God, sovereign, powerful God, He has covenanted with us...

And at the last supper, Jesus our Lord and savior held the cup and said... "Matthew 26:28 (CSB) - For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

There is hope in God's promises. There is hope in the good news.

The Gospel is not a pep talk...

The Gospel is not a "you can do it if you just try a little harder."

It's much, much sweeter than that, beloved.

The gospel is that in the countless ways that you cannot do for yourself... Christ has done for you, already.

So let's act accordingly, Glade Church.

Live in boldness, friend. There is no hurdle too great nor trial too big that our God has not, cannot, and will not overcome.

Walk tall, Christian. He is able. There is not a single one of you who should walk out of these doors thinking, I don't know if God can overcome all this chaos. Beloved, He already has.

The mission lies ahead and we're invited to operate out of victory, not intimidation.

...

So, Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

You have your marching orders, friends. But even in the charge laid before you is the sweetest promise you could hope for. Go and make disciples... take the land for the sake of the gospel... but see cling to this beautiful truth... He is with you... Even to the end of the age.

[prayer]

Sermon Summary Sheet

Title: God is Able

Text: Js. 15-17

Date: 4/23/23

Audience: Believers (The Glade)

Proposition: In a confusing world with many ups and downs, God's promises are sure and true.

Purpose: To encourage believers that through long journey and struggle, God's goodness always bears out.

Central Idea of the Text:

Summary

Notes:

Js 15-17

Alottment of lands

Directions in and through a town that you’ve never been to and are not going to.

Map

15:13

1He gave Caleb son of Jephunneh the following portion among the descendants of Judah based on the Lord’s instruction to Joshua: Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron; Arba was the father of Anak). 14 Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak.a a Nm 13:22,28,33; Dt 9:2; Jos 21:11

Poetic Justice - Caleb was sent as a spy into this land… the Israelites cowered in fear… The anakim. The nephilim. These great warriors… they inhabit the land! We can’t. But Caleb leans in in boldness… but more Importantly in trust. (Circle back here)

Obedient, bold, faithful

Joshua, Caleb, Othniel, Acsha

What legacy and life of faith will you leave behind.

Put in front of them and give them something to respond to, to be inspired - not at how awesome you are… but how you trusted God with everything… Dad and the worn couch.

I want to have faith like you. A family that is daring.

We’re going to fight the inhabitants, we’re going to clear the land, and we’re going to trust God in this family.

The axe is laid at the root - (driving out the land)

The battles that we face as we walk out the promises of God - clearing of the land.

We progress. We walk and with all the struggles that are thrown into our path.

Going into a battle or coming out.

Graciously God gives us rest from our enemies from time to time and praise God - God bless you, enjoy it

But guess what… God has not called you merely to be stagnant.

Which means there’s more battles to come. There’s more clearing of the land on the horizon.

When you move forward, you will enocutner opostion. Flesh, world, sin. Address those things by faith in the one who has overcome the world. GOD CAN CLEAR THE LAND

Have a faith like Caleb!!! Giants?!? Right on! God… you’re able!

V. 63

Not 100% success rate. Didnt clear the land completely. This comes back to bite the isralites, hard.

Ch. 16 - Ephraim and manasseh - they get the best… the most fertile.

Iron chariots

How quickly our minds go to all the reasons we can’t or God can’t

Complaining similar to the spies’ report

What happened to that attitude of faith?

what happened to thinking tha tGod was their strenght, their ability?

When you focus on the problem in front of you

Walking on water

When you focus on God you’re more like Caleb.

They wanted an easy assignment… unbelief

Joshua

Old man, strong faith in the face of a wavered faith.

The enemy is still entrenched.

Great commission close many say they want life to just slow down… but it probably won’t.

With a charge/challenge… but with a promise.