Making the Decision

Crossing into the Promise

The close of 2022 brought promise with it. The word then was “This year will not pass before you see what I will do”

January 2023 that word was spoken again. The added was that this year we would see changes that would cause us to never look the same.

April 2023 this word was spoken again… Here we are 6 months later approaching the end of the year and we see the spoken word having come to its fruition.

The question that remains for us is whether we will Commit to the Promise and walk into what is ahead or if we will turn back.

The way here has been marked by moments in the dessert in which we were processed refined tested and proofed. But as we will see in scripture all of the battle testing has only prepared us for what we will encounter in the land ahead of us.

The promise is at hand we must commit to the promise.

Joshua 24:14–15 ESV

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

At the end of Joshua’s life

Warrior

Servant of the living God

Committed to the promise that was spoken in His youth

Causes the people to commit to the promise and all that it entails

Joshua was given

promise

plan

method

reminded it would take strength and courage to fully commit to the promise

In this promise there are only two options

Rest in the land where the promise was made

Reuben Gad and 1/2 Mannaseh (the land was good enough for them)

Or cross into the promise even when there are known dangers in the way

How do I commit to the promise?

Leave the Old Behind

Joshua 1:1–2 (ESV)

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,

“Moses my servant is dead...

Joshua selected from among many to lead God’s people

Found working for the Lord (assistant to Moses)

Good report of the Land

not unaware of what was happening… in their refinement learned to trust the Lord

Why does he need to be told Moses is dead...

Moses was a man of promise

could not enter

Joshua could not do what Moses did… He had to walk as the Lord commanded

Too often we want to do

What they are doing...

The way they have always done it...

The way it used to be....

Don’t disregard the past… understand that in the promise we must respond the way we are going to be guided by the Spirit.

Receive the Order and Commit

Joshua 1:2 (ESV)

...therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.

Three commands are found in the promise

Stand up to the challenge

Go… commissioning to accomplish

Cross over into the promise...

you cannot see the promise if you are unwilling to cross into the promise.

The promise is not just for you… it is for the Kingdom...

as much as you succeed it will bless the land and people entrusted to you.

The Promise Is Already at Hand

Joshua 1:3 ESV

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.

Joshua watched Moses and understood the faithfulness of God… His challenge is you’ve seen my faithfulness now walk in it

The promise is not only spoken it already is…

walk in your promise as if it was already here

too many abort long just before the breakthrough

Joshua was witness to the death of His leader what could have been going on in his mind…

sometimes the armor gets heavy

sometimes the wound seem to not heal

sometimes the old is too much to overcome

Its already yours… you have to decide to walk in the promise

Remember There Are Giants in the Land

Joshua 1:5 ESV

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

The promise is not that its going to be easy… the promise is that even when they come against you they will not be able to stand

There is an enemy that wants to deny you the promise

Fear is a tactic the enemy employs

The enemy would love nothing more than to see you abort the promise as you get ready to enter into the promise

Not by might not by power; By the Spirit of the Lord

In the fight see what the Lord is speaking

I will be with you (promise in the Promise)

I will not leave you (promise) He will not cause you to be weak before your enemies

I will not forsake you (Promise) He will not retreat

Three Imperatives in Making the Decision

Joshua 1:6 ESV

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

Be Strong and Courageous

for the people

the land has already been given you will cause them to inherit

Josh 1:7 Be strong and very courageous

Commit to the Law of God that you will have good success

Joshua 1:9 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

There are giants in the land ahead, there are those who want to see this church fail, there are those who would love nothing more than to see you abandon your call and abort just before crossing into the promised land.

Church do not be frightened, do not be dismayed (panic or run in confusion)

The Lord our God is with us, and the fulfillment of His promises to this church is evidence of that. We will cause this people to enter into the promise spoken over the region and to wherever the Lord Sends us.