A Call to Conquer

Introduction

Today we begin our new year. With our New Year comes a new theme.

This year I’ve selected the Theme ‘Be Strong and of a Good Courage’. These are words that we hear in some fashion 4x in the 1st chapter of the book of Joshua.

As we go through the message today, I pray that you see the similarities between Joshua in his day - and us here today: FBC of Belmont, 2025.

(Set the Table) Our Scripture begins with the COI on the bank of the Jordan river. The river separated the COI from where they were, to where God wanted them to be.

The COI are now 40 years removed from their enslavement in Egypt.

God used Moses to bring them out of that land, with the intention of bringing them into the land that they are getting ready to conquer.

40 years prior, Joshua, Caleb and 10 others spied out this land, but the 10 convinced the COI that they weren’t strong enough to take it.

(BTW) They weren’t, but God was! Which is what Caleb & Joshua tried to tell them - however, they would not listen and God left them in the wilderness for that 40 years because of their unbelief & hardness of heart.

Here in our Text we see this:

Moses is now dead

God is calling Joshua to rise up and lead the COI into the land of promise

Joshua charging the people

Their response

Imagine the low point here in Joshua’s life. Moses - his mentor - the one whom he saw God use, is dead.

Joshua’s Position

Joshua midway through his ministry - though later in his life.

Depressed?

Leadership

Joshua’s Problem / Predicament

He wasn’t where God wanted Him

Joshua’s Prodding

The Prize before Them

Joshua’s Prosperity

Depended solely on God

The Pledge of the People

THIS MARKED A TURNING POINT - WHICH IS WHAT I WANT THIS YEAR

Joshua’s Position

Logistically

Positionally

Mentally

Joshua’s Promise

Direction (v2)

Victory / Dominion

Company / Enabling / Dependence?

Joshua’s Prize

Joshua’s Part

Dedication

Observation

Meditation

Defining

I. Joshua’s Position

As we begin to examine the passage, we need to pay close attention and ‘take an inventory’ if you will of the current situation.

So we’re going to examine Joshua from a variety of angles

Logistically

Where’s Joshua at ‘in life’. What stage of life do we find Joshua in here?

Ministerially

Where is Joshua at in his ministry?

Joshua is not new to the ministry. Joshua has been at this stage in life for approx. 40 years. He’s been serving faithfully under the leadership, instruction and tutoring of a great man of God named Moses.

In other words, Joshua has been around and seen things. He’s not a newbie. He has been Moses’ 2nd in command. He’s been up the mountain & down in the valleys of ministerial life.

(Ill.) Know this: You don’t understand the life, times & trials in ministry, until you get there. Until just like in Oz you go behind the curtain, you have no clue what is truly back there. This is why so many new pastors flame out in 2 years.

Physically

Where’s Joshua at physically (his age)

I think it important for us to understand Joshua wasn’t a spring chicken.

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Joshua, I think of a younger man. My mind goes to the one who spied out the land & leading the charge against the Amalekites while Moses was atop the hill. BUT CHURCH THAT WAS 40 YEARS EARLIER!

Caleb was 40 years old when he and Joshua spied out the land, assuming Joshua was around the same age, Joshua is in the ballpark of 80 years old right now! Joshua is an older man!

Now when we consider these two factors: Where Joshua was Ministerially & Physically, I get encouraged. For most of us, we’re not spring chickens. (Ill.) I’m 50 years old now. I surely have more years behind me than I have before me. However, when we consider Joshua - the most impactful work he did was later in life!

That’s encouraging to me!

Many think that just because they’re older it means they don’t have much left to give, but that’s when Joshua made the MOST impact!

So we see where Joshua is Logistically

Mentally

Where’s Joshua’s head right now?

Well, let’s look at the first couple verses and consider it: (Read Jos. 1:1-2a)

Moses - Joshua’s mentor & friend. The one who took Joshua and entrusted him - gave him guidance in this life… IS DEAD!

If I were to guess, I’d say that took a toll on Joshua.

I feel like Joshua certainly had hope of eternity, but it’s not the same as you and I.

Joshua has blood on the door in Egypt - you and I have the blood upon a Cross in Calvary.

Joshua’s lamb stayed dead - ours rose again in victory!

Joshua has a promise - you and I have the fulfillment thereof!

So I’d say that Moses’ death hit Joshua. His earthly safety net, his security, his intercessor IS GONE! And now the burden of leading a nation of people has fallen upon his shoulders!

We can assume where Joshua is Mentally

Positionally

What position does Joshua hold?

We alluded to this just a second ago. He is now the leader of an entire nation!

Some of us realize the burden of leading a group of people. Most within the workplace. So while we might have lead people and played a key role in their livelihood - Joshua was responsible for their very lives! That’s a huge difference!

Now while you and I may not know the burden of leadership of the masses and the responsibility for their very lives - ALL OF US have a responsibility upon us for the VERY SOULS OF SOME!

That’s right! Whether people go to Heaven or Hell is dependent upon our decisions - just like the COI were dependent upon Joshua’s!

We see where Joshua was at Positionally - in position of Leadership

Opportunely

What is the Opportunity before Joshua?

You can mark Joshua chapter 1 as a turning point. A great time of opportunity for the COI - NOT JUST 40, BUT OVER 400 YEARS IN THE MAKING!

Things are about to change for the COI FOR THE BETTER!

They WERE in Egypt

They ARE in the Wilderness

But what’s important is WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE!

They have this great opportunity before them to ascend into the land of promise - the land that flows with milk and honey! The land of the 2-man clusters!

Church, do you know where we are today? We’re on the edge of something special - something great - something worthwhile. We’re on the brink of ascending the mount! There is a tremendous opportunity for you and I today, just as there was for the COI then, and just like in the days of Paul: 1 Corinthians 16:9 “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”

We see where they were at Opportunely

Theocratically

What was the INSTRUCTION that God gave them? (v2 - “arise…go”)

God was not satisfied with them being in the wilderness. He wanted them in Canaan’s land!

He supplied in the wilderness, BUT HAD GREATER THINGS FOR THEM IN CANAAN’S LAND!

Church, let me ask you this: Where do you want to be?

Are you satisfied with the wilderness? I’m not! I’m tired of the wilderness! I’m like Caleb - ‘I WANT THAT MOUNTAIN!’

(Ill.) I was talking w/ bro. Jeff this week about computer mouses / pads. I told him that he needed an Apple trackpad. I said ‘you don’t know what you’re missing’! He said, you’re right. I figure that if I don’t experience that, then I’ll be satisfied with what I got.

There’s certainly a logic to that - and plenty of times when that is the reasonable thing to do - but not Spiritually! Why would you settle Spiritually for manna WHERE GOD HAS SO MUCH MORE TO GIVE! HE HAS SO MUCH MORE THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE!

Church, God wants us to turn the corner. He wants us to move forward. He doesn’t want us walking around in circles in the wilderness for another 40 years! HE HAS SO MUCH MORE HE CAN DO WITH US!

But as you’re going to find out, it’s going to require us to ‘arise and go’.

God supplied Joshua with INSTRUCTION

Joshua’s Position.

II. Joshua’s Promise

God supplied Joshua with not only instruction, but Direction (v

Direction (v2-4)

In the wilderness, the COI were all over the place! (Num. 33). But here, God is saying “go over Jordan & do this & that… God is supplying them with direction.

Church, God supplies us direction as well! (The Word of God & the Spirit of the LORD)

With this Word, and the unction of the Holy Spirit, I don’t have to wonder as to what I should do, or where I should go. God gives me direction!

I’m thankful that I can walk with purpose in this life as opposed to wandering aimlessly.

God Promised Direction

Dominion (v5a)

God also promised that they were have victory in their endeavours!

(Ill.) Does anyone here like to win? I like to win - at whatever I’m doing. When my children were growing up, we’d play a game, I never let them win. (Not just because I didn’t want to, but I’m also a firm believer in meritocracy.)

God is promising Joshua that he will be victorious in his endeavors!

Victory in this life:

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

And in the next:

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God Promised Dominion

Dependence (v5b; 9)

This may be worded incorrectly - what I’m trying to say is that Joshua had SOMEONE to depend on. God promised that He would be with him ‘whithersoever’!

Church, do you know that God has given that assurance unto you and I as well?

2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

So as Joshua was, so we ARE:

God supplies unto us:

Direction

Dominion (Victory)

Someone in whom we can depend on!

Claim those promises as your own church, for they are!

Joshua’s Position, Joshua’s Promise

III. Joshua’s Part

In other words, we see what God is going to do for Joshua, but what is God requiring OF Joshua?

Dedication (v6)

‘Be Strong and of a Good Courage’ - this is our theme, and this is what God asked of Joshua. Strength and Courage.

What do these words mean? What is God trying to convey? What was God telling him?

The common precept of the word ‘strong’ we tend to think power - typically physcially. But that’s not what God is saying. He’s not saying ‘Eat your Wheaties, Joshua… (Websters 1828 has 22 different applications for the word).

Strong (def - in this sense) to fasten upon; to seize;

(Ill.) What he’s saying with the word ‘strong’ is in essence, what I’ve heard this younger generation say time and again… ‘Lock in’. In other words - FIX your mind. Focus. Lay hold on this plan

God’s saying ‘Joshua, it’s time to lock in. Not be tossed around or double minded. Fix your heart and eyes on the prize!

But that’s not all. He also tells him to ‘be of a good courage’.

Courage (def) Bold & steadfast in the face of adversity

In other words, God is saying: Joshua, you’re going to face adversity. This isn’t necessarily going to be easy - but you must be steadfast! You must be bold!

So in totality, God is saying “Lock in; be bold; be steadfast - even when the walls are too high - don’t give up! Even though you’ll face kingdom after kingdom - DON’T GIVE UP - KEEP GOING!

In a nutshell, God required of Joshua Dedication - but that’ s not all

Observation (v7)

He also tells him to be ‘strong and very courageous about observing the law of God!

Observe (def) To keep or hold; to hedge about; guard; protect

God was saying ‘Don’t set aside my Word - you guard it! You protect it! You put a hedge about it so that it is preserved - don’t let your guard down concerning my law - you make sure and do it!

Church, we’ll never achieve Canaan’s Land if we don’t observe the Law of God. If we let our guard down and set it aside in our lives, then Satan will come and pick us off one by one!

Listen church, just because we’re living under Grace does NOT give us license to sin!

Romans 6:1–2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:6–7 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

Observe: Guard the Law - protect His Word - but also Meditate as well

Meditation (v8)

In other words, it’s not just something that you think about on Sunday! It’s something that is on your mind EVERYDAY!

Going one step further - DAY AND NIGHT!

Church, if we’re to get where God wants us, then we have to move past Sunday Christianity.

(Ill.) I’ve heard people say ‘Aww, you said that in church!’ As if that was more meaningful than saying something ungodly elsewhere…

Listen, this is a special place, but more importantly, WE’RE A SPECIAL PEOPLE SERVING A SPECIAL GOD ON A SPECIAL MISSION! WE CAN’T AFFORD TO JUST PONDER ON THE THINGS OF GOD ONCE A WEEK!

Meditate - continually study on the things of God was required of Joshua as well

Joshua’s Position, His Promise, His Part

IV. Joshua’s People

Let me make this clear: We’re all Joshua’s in the eyes of God - and we’re all Israelites to each other.

(Ill.) In other words, YOU’RE Joshua, and I’m your people - and vice versa

So what do we see from the

United (v16-17)

All the people rallied around Joshua.

Listen, as I spoke about how it was hard for Joshua to lose Moses - it was hard on these people as well. In other words, they all had their own struggles. But the thing is, they united around each other.

This is key church! If we’re going to get where God wants us, then we’re going to do it united.

Everyone has their own struggles! But we have to set those aside and focus on the call of God on our lives!

I’m convinced that if we do this, we’ll be successful in getting to the land of promise, just as the Israelites were.

They were United

Uplifting (v18)

The last ‘be strong and of a good courage’ that we see is not from God to Joshua - but from the people to Joshua! They were uplifting Joshua - they were encouraging Joshua

(Ill.) Go to the congregation and encourage them ‘be strong - LOCK IN. Be courageous - BE BOLD IN THIS ADVERSITY’

Church we can do it - together.

Joshua himself could not have taken the promised land alone - it took them all, working together for that common goal.

I want to see that in this year. I don’t want another year wandering around the wilderness. I WANT THAT MOUNTAIN! What about you?

Conclusion