The Start of Something New

We have reached the end of 2023. It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone. Around this time we reflect on this past year and prepare for the next. It can be easy to look back at this year and wonder how the bad things could get worse and how the good things could get better. The reality is that there are going to be changes, risks, and challenges. There have been hard times and there will be more. But there have also been great times and there will be many more.

Looking back over this past year teaches us to remember the hard lessons of faith in the Lord and strength from each other. It also prepares us to take the next step in personal growth, congregational growth, familial growth, and more. We have learned a great deal and look forward to walking onward together in learning and community, both in the knowledge and fellowship of Christ (which helps leads to each other).

There is a man in the Bible who went through an enormous change and gained a ton of responsibility. That man is Joshua. How did he endure the ever-changing times? Let’s learn from his example in preparation for the new year.

I. An Ending and a Promise (vs. 1-5)

A. A big change happened for Israel (vs. 1-2a)

1. Their leader who brought them out of Egypt, introduced them to Yahweh, gave them the Law to govern their lives, was the means of provision, and more is gone

a. God gives a finality to Moses’ passing, “Moses my servant is dead...” How heartless, right?

b. On the contrary, the people mourned for Moses for a whole month (Deuteronomy 34:7-9)

1. The Lord gave them a time of mourning and then came to Joshua to fulfill His promise of the land of Canaan

2. Moses’ death was a harsh reality, one that God wanted Joshua to come to grips with and step up to his responsibility of being the new leader.

2. Joshua could not sit in a daydream, pondering the golden age of what used to be, God called him to bring about blessings and promises (vs. 2b-5)

a. It was time to move forward and claim the gifts God had waiting for them across the Jordan. What a beautiful promise, “I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (vs. 5)

b. The easiest thing to do is look back on yester-year and dream about the way things used to be

1. Illus. Driving through Newfield to bring back fond memories of childhood. Those years helped form me into who I am but I can never relive them, nor am I meant to. I am thankful for where I grew up and now it is time to build on that foundation, enjoying where I am and who I am becoming

2. Remembering the blessings of God throughout our lives is good, so long as those memories do not impede progress and growth. Joshua’s lesson teaches us two things: 1) remember and be thankful and 2) move forward.

B. We look back over this past year with fondness, tears, victories, and struggles

1. God was there through it all, working things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Let’s take a moment and remember how God has worked in our lives as a church in the year 2023:

a. 1) We mourned the passing of a great friend and leader in May, Bob Kirtlan. He and Violet are people that can never be replaced. They were kind, encouraging, and faithful. We are glad they have reached their heavenly home, but we still miss them. Their example will always live on through their family and in our hearts

b. 2) 3 beautiful children were born into our congregation this year. We remember how precious life is and get to experience the joy of raising kids and teaching the next generation about Jesus. One of the best ways to grow the church is through children and we look forward to God blessing us with the responsibility of more kids

c. 3) We have been thankful for our attendance this year

1. We broke our personal record with an attendance of 67 on Easter Sunday. Numbers are only as important as the souls they represent. The more people we have come on a given Sunday the more people we are impacting with the gospel

2. In 2022 our average attendance was 35 per Sunday. This year our average is 40 per Sunday. Yes, we have seen some old friends leave, but we have also made some new friends. God has blessed us with the people we have and we want to continue to minister to and impact God’s image bearers for the Lord.

d. 4) We have made some updates to our building this year (water softener and striping parking lot). One responsibility we have is to be good stewards of the church ground God has given us. You all have shown such care that it has been well kept and ideas are given on how to improve. We pray that continues so we can show God and others what it means to be good stewards of the things we have

e. We’ve come together to encourage each other through hard times in our community. But we’ve also celebrated wonderful experiences and developments (lampposts, log cabin updates, the covered bridge’s roof, new businesses like “In-laws”). We have done our best to stand as a shining light in our community. Let’s make sure we continue to impact our world for Christ

2. I think it is safe to say that we have prayed together, learned together, endured together, played together, cried together, and grew together this year

a. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to live life with a church family like this

b. Though there have been struggles at times we have seen God work in amazing ways

c. Now we need to ask, “What can we do in the New Year?”

II. Encouragement to Enter Next Year (vs. 6-9)

A. Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous

1. He is called to prevail in 3 things:

a. Giving the people the land God provided (vs. 6)

b. Do everything God’s law commanded (vs. 7)

c. And do not fear for God is there (vs. 9)

2. Joshua is the new leader of a people who have fallen short on many occasions. His mentor died and now he faces a conquest in a land riddled with giants with a people who may or may not follow him into battle. Doubts must have been rising in his mind, so, God called him to be strong and lead courageously

B. God had already given Israel the land of Canaan (it was a promise made to Abraham)

1. God gave Israel the responsibility to conquer and claim the land for themselves (vs. 6)

a. The Lord would enable them to have victory, but they had to take the first step and go

b. Thus, Joshua needed to be strong and courageous: Moses was dead and giants were in the land but God would give them the victory if they went in to take possession of God’s gift.

2. Joshua was given the reminder to do as Moses commanded (vs. 7-8)

a. Joshua was an assistant or servant of Moses (vs. 1), he learned how to be a leader from the friend of God.

b. He also got to witness firsthand the giving of the Law, various miracles, different choices and judgments regarding the congregation, and he also led the charge against enemies of Israel

c. Joshua’s leadership would only be a success if he did two things: 1) stand on the shoulders of the one who led before him (vs. 7) and 2) lead in such a way that God is at the helm (vs. 8).

3. The final call and promise has already been said in different ways, but it is very personal for Joshua (vs. 9). Don’t be scared, don’t be discouraged. Yes, a long road lay ahead but the beauty is that God was with him, wherever he went.

C. We must be strong and courageous during changes and difficult times

1. Be strong to obtain God’s promise of salvation and His continual presence

2. Be strong in obeying His Word, following the example of Christ

3. Be strong in trusting God, do not fear what may come.

Conclusion

As we step into this next year we will experience highs and lows, good and bad, exciting and terrifying things. No matter what may come we can carry on in great strength and courage. Why? God has given us His Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”), He guides us through His Word (Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”), and He is with us, always (Matthew 28:20 [spoken to the apostles], Romans 8:37–39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”).

We thank God for a great 2023. We pray for His blessing and guidance as we step forward to grow toward Him.