Perfect Consistency
Joshua • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 17 viewsGod's consistency in his dealings with Joshua and Israel
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Background to passage: first chapter in second half of book which mostly contains the allotment of the land. There are things we can draw out from these passages that can be gold in our walk with Christ.
1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.
2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites
3 (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), and those of the Avvim,
4 in the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites,
5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath,
6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you.
7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”
Opening illustration: Things that should be consistent and aren’t: mail, road construction crews, oil changes, Things that are consistent that shouldn’t be: excuses, bad drivers, dentist visits. The man who had perfect attendance in Sunday School for 68 years.
Main thought: God demonstrates his faithfulness through consistency in our lives
1) Consistency in Relationship (v. 1)
1) Consistency in Relationship (v. 1)
1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.
1) Consistency in Relationship (v. 1)
1) Consistency in Relationship (v. 1)
Explanation: Joshua’s relationship with God as the leader of Israel began in Deut 31, although we know that as Moses’s assistant, Joshua would have encountered and known God while in the wilderness. In the entire book, in Joshua’s entire life, God consistently is in fellowship and relationship with Joshua. Consider on the talks that are not recorded in scripture, but surely happened. Of course, the corporate relationship with God and Israel has a longer, but equally consistent relationship.
22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
Illustration: David and Sarah Hiller of Michigan are recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest marriage at 88 years and 350 days.
Application: From an individual standpoint, God will never, never be anything other than consistent in his relationship with you/us. He initiated his relationship with you, desires it to be close and intimate. He never overlooks, forgets, or makes time for us. He is faithful! We were cleaning out some old files from the church this week and found stuff that was left from celebrations of church anniversaries. The church was officially founded in 1947. We found this list of founding members, every pastor the church had, and so many evidences of God’s faithfulness. God has been faithful to this church for nearly 80 years. To the church founded at Pentecost, God has been faithful for almost 2,000 years. For Israel...
If you don’t have a relationship with the God of the universe, let me, let Him plead with you today. Be born again today. Put your trust in Christ today. Repent and believe in the cross and resurrection as your only hope for salvation, and he will never leave your side.
If you do have this relationship, let me tell you that no matter how circumstances go for you, no matter how thick the darkness, no matter what you have done or not done, no matter where you are, God is and has always been faithful. He wants you to cling to him, be satisfied with Him, suffer with him, and allow him to sustain you.
2) Consistency of Purpose (v. 6-7)
2) Consistency of Purpose (v. 6-7)
6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you.
7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”
2) Consistency of Purpose (v. 6-7)
2) Consistency of Purpose (v. 6-7)
Explanation: After v. 1, God lists the peoples that have yet to be conquered. However, he affirms that his purpose and goal is still to give Israel their inheritance, to divide to them the promised land, because he is faithful. His purposes do not end there. He will establish his nation there, eventually install David as king, for his lineage to be the vehicle that God uses to bring his Messiah into the world, that men may be saved, that he may be most glorified in redemption, and culminate with a blood-purchased people to dwell with for eternity.
God’s purposes are always bigger than we realize, even in our own lives. They are always to display to the world that he is the greatest, highest, best, and most satisfying Being ever.
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,
9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Illustration: First Choice Women’s Center’s one laser-focused goal, the one thing that we prioritize above all others, reaching women with unplanned pregnancies who are considering abortion. We want to rescue women and their unborn children
Application: If we live our lives without the express purpose to bring glory to God in whatever we do, then we have missed the point of life. We have missed the most fulfilling part of life, because it is for this purpose that we are designed. To not live life to glorify God is idolatry and treason, as well as unfulfilling and incomplete, because it is detached from the source of all meaning of life: God Himself. God wants to be known by you. His goal includes you transformed into the likeness of Christ.
3) Consistency of Method (v. 6-7)
3) Consistency of Method (v. 6-7)
6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you.
7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”
3) Consistency of Method (v. 6-7)
3) Consistency of Method (v. 6-7)
Explanation: Text indicates much work to be done, but that Joshua has a part and God has a part. God’s method of getting things done after creation has been a system of cooperation. God in His infinite wisdom decided to allow man to participate with Him in His workings in the world. But, Joshua is told to “only” take care of dividing the land, and God says that “I, Myself” will drive out the remaining inhabitants. God could do all of this without us. It is not that He needs our help. THERE IS NO DEFICIENCY IN GOD. But in His grace, He chooses to allow us to help, to further bring Him glory!
Argumentation:
Illustration: sanctification vs justification, evangelism - ordains the ends and the means, giving - provides for you, owns it all, then blesses when you give.
Application: No retirement age in God’s economy. There is never a time when we can coast as Christians. Older Christians have unique knowledge, abilities, and opportunities to reach individuals. We must be careful to allow God to take care of His part. Things that are out of our control are God’s business. We need not spend time worrying about His stuff. But we are commissioned to participate with Him in certain areas. YOU are God’s servant, laborer in the field, grateful emancipated slave. God wants to involve you in the work that He is doing in your workplace, in your family, in your recreation, BUT you must be willing to do the work that is required. There are some of you here today that need to step up and give yourself to whatever God has for you. Complete honest surrender to allow God to use your life to accomplish His purposes.
Closing illustration: On October 16, 1555, after spending eighteen months in a tower cell, Latimer and Ridley met at an Oxford stake. With Latimer in a frock and cap, and Ridley in his bishop’s gown, the two men talked and prayed together before a smith lashed them to the wood.
Ridley was the first to strengthen his friend. “Be of good heart, brother, for God will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.” As the bundle of sticks caught fire beneath them, Latimer had his turn. Raising his voice so Ridley could hear, he cried, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
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