Courageous Faith for the Mission Ahead

Intro

Good morning Church! It is so good to see you this morning. If you have your copy of God’s Word, go ahead and turn with me to Joshua chapter 1. If you are doing the Chronological Bible Reading plan, this is a part of today’s reading.

This morning, I want to talk about something we all deal with—fear. Fear has a way of showing up in our lives, sometimes in unexpected ways. I’ve heard stories of people afraid to leave their homes, which is called agoraphobia. Others have a fear of spiders, known as arachnophobia.

I did a little google searching because I was curious what Americans biggest fears were and I found this survey from The Washington Post from Halloween a fear years ago where they surveyed Americans to ask them what their greatest fears are. This is actually pretty interesting.

7.3% of Americans' biggest fear is ghost but 7.6% of Americans' greatest fear is clowns. And then comes the fear of the dark, zombies, strangers, the fear of flying, claustrophobia, blood and needles, and then drowning, next is the fear of some kind of animal, snake or bug, and then heights… *Richards fear of heights

But do you know what trumps all of them as the most common greatest fear in America by 25.3%? Public Speaking. That's right. More than death, more people are afraid of speaking in front of people and that is what I am doing right now. I am living some people's greatest fear! that's kind of cool right?

As you probably know living as disciples on mission can be scary. It can be scary talking to people that need the gospel. It can be scary stepping out in faith and obedience to talk with someone we know needs to meet Jesus. You know what I mean? You may have all of these thoughts in your head like, “what if they get mad at me” or “what if they laugh or reject me.” Many times, sharing the gospel can put your job or even safety at risk.

There are disciples all over the world that live in context that are genuinely dangerous for them to live on mission. Places like China or Iran or Noth Korean. And guess what else, our own context could very easily change to where it is dangerous for us to share the gospel. You saw how quickly things changed back in 2020 with the pandemic.

And this is what I want to talk about this morning, I want to talk about fear. Because we talk about mission week after week. A priority for mission is what Pastor Mike has been trying to instill in our hearts and minds each Sunday morning and Wednesday night because if we are not living on mission, then we are living as disobedient disciples. All of us, if we are true followers of Christ, are called to live on mission because there are people all around us living in brokenness and in need of true hope.

We must have courage to risk facing rejection. We must have courage to do what God calls us to do even when we are facing crippling fear. And I think this morning’s text has a lot of things that we can take away as believers in Jesus.

As we will see, God calls Joshua to do things he was afraid to do. He was called to lead a nation in conquest. We are called to lead a conquest against the kingdom of the enemy. In a very real sense, each of us are behind enemy lines, much like Joshua.

So with that, let’s read the text and then we will jump right in,

Joshua 1:1–9 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. Now 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. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 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. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 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.”

Who is Joshua?

Before we work through this text, let me just give you a little bit of the context of what is going on in the story.

In the beginning of the book of Joshua, the children of Israel are coming to the end of their wandering through the wilderness. If you remember, Moses led Israel out of their bondage in Egypt, where they had been slaves for 400 years. These people saw God do mighty things on their behalf.

You remember the story, God executed judgement on the false gods of Egypt and on Pharoah through the 10 plagues. And when the Egyptians pursued the Israelites through the desert, God parted the Red Sea so that his people could cross on dry ground to safety.

One of my favorite verses in all of Exodus says,

Exodus 14:13–14 ESV

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

In the Wilderness, God led his people in a pillar of Cloud by day and Fire by night. He made it absolutely clear to these people that he was in their midst and he was fighting for them and they had his presence with them every step of the way.

We are first introduced to Joshua in Exodus 17 when the Israelites are battling the Amalekites at Sinai. Joshua was a military leader but he was also Moses’ personal assistant. He had a front row seat to the mighty power of God.

Joshua knew that God was on their side. He had seen God do incredible things. Joshua was close to Moses and he saw how Moses trusted and walked with the Lord in profound ways.

Once the Israelites reach the border to the Promised Land, Moses sends out twelve spies to spy out the land that God had given them.

Of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb had faith that God would be with them just like he had always been. There were giants in the land, what the Bible calls the Nephilim. These were clans of Giants with fortified cities and armies.

God’s people were afraid and because of their lack of faith, God consigned the People of Israel to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the entire generation died off. Everyone except Joshua and Caleb.

And this is where we are in Joshua chapter 1. Moses has died but before he died, he commissioned Joshua in the sight of the entire nation to lead the people of God to the Promise Land.

Joshua had a mission and it was conquest. But I think that it is clear from the text that Joshua had fear and that he felt inadequate for the job.

And just like Joshua had a mission, we too have a mission and that mission is to see disciples made of all people. Joshua was called to lead Israel in a physical conquest, but our mission is a spiritual one—to bring people into God’s kingdom through the gospel.

And the only way that we will ever see success is by having a Courageous Faith in a God that comes from remembering God’s past faithfulness, by clinging to his Word, and by resting in his presences.

If you are taking notes, I just have three short points.

And this is the first thing,

1. Courageous Faith comes from Remembering God’s Past Faithfulness (Joshua 1:1–3)

Look back at verses 1-3,

Joshua 1:1–3 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. Now 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. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.

At this moment, Joshua is stepping into a monumental task—leading God’s people into the Promised Land. Moses is gone. The weight of leadership now rests on his shoulders. But notice how God frames this command: He reminds Joshua that this mission is not new. This land was already promised.

God’s Promise to Abraham

This promise goes all the way back to Genesis 12:7 when God showed him the land and said

‘To your offspring I will give this land.’”

He expands on this promise in Genesis 15:18-21, where He sets the boundaries of the land, and again in Genesis 17:8, where He tells Abraham:

“And I will give…all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

This means that Joshua is not stepping into uncharted territory—he is stepping into a promise that has been unfolding for generations. The same God who called Abraham, the same God who was faithful to Moses, is now calling Joshua to trust Him.

On top of all of that, like I was mentioning before, Joshua has seen how God works on behalf of his people. He has seen the lengths that God will go because he loves his people. Joshua was there in Egypt, he was a slave under the Egyptians. He and Caleb are the only ones left alive that were there in Egypt. He saw the Nile river turn to blood, he saw parting of the Red Sea. He should know better than anyone that with God on his side, he’s going to be just fine.

The Scottish Reformer John Knox famously stood up against Mary Queen of Scots for the sake of the gospel. He asked about where his boldness came from, he famously said,

“With God on my Side, I’m in the majority”

This is how he have to be. We have to recognize that God would not call us to something that wasn’t for his glory and the good of those around us. Faith has to be rooted in God’s Track Record

Courageous faith is not blind optimism; it is built on remembering what God has already said and done. What has God done for you?

If you are a follower of Christ, I can think of one big thing that he did. He dealt with your sin just like he promised he would. He rose from the grave to seal your adoption into the family of God, just like he said he would.

Joshua’s courage to move forward came from knowing that God had been faithful before and would continue to be faithful now.

And the same is true for us. When we face challenges in life or when God calls us into something difficult - like when he calls you to have a gospel conversation with your lost coworker - fear can paralyze us. But the antidote to fear is remembering God's past faithfulness.

What has God already promised in His Word?

How has He been faithful to you in the past?

What fears are keeping you from stepping into obedience?

If God was faithful to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and now Joshua—He will be faithful to you. You can move forward with courage, not because of your own strength, but because God always keeps His promises.

Let me ask you this How often do you feel God calling you to step out in faith to do something but the fear is just too much so you don’t?

Maybe God is calling you to start a business or a non-profit that will help a lot of people.

Maybe he’s calling you to go back to school to finish your degree.

Maybe he’s calling you to end a toxic and destructive relationship.

Maybe he’s calling you to go to your next door neighbor’s house to share the gospel with them.

Whatever it is, let me encourage you that when God calls you to do something, he will be faithful. Have faith that he will be faithful to those that he loves. And here’s the thing, if you were able to fulfill your calling without God’s help, then your calling is not from God. When need God’s help and he will help because he has always been faithful and will always be faithful.

This is the second way that we can find Courage when fear attempts to blocks our obedience to God’s calling, and it is this,

2. Courageous Faith Comes from Clinging to God’s Word (Joshua 1:6-8)

Verses 6-8,

Joshua 1:6–8 ESV

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

When my kids feel scared or are fearful, they don’t try to just figure it out on their own. Instead, they cling to what they know is safe. Zeke, my one year old, is shy around people that he doesn’t know. Anytime a stranger or a neighbor says hello to him, he immediately locates his mama and grabs onto her leg.

He doesn’t stand there and weigh his options. He doesn’t attempt to force himself to interact with the new person. He goes immediately to his mama because he knows that is where he will find safety from people who are unfamiliar to him.

This is exactly the kind of dependence that God calls Joshua to have with the Law given to Moses. God commands Joshua to be Strong and Courageous, but notice where that courage comes from. It doesn’t come from his self-confidence or his self-esteem. It doesn’t come from his own natural ability. No, it comes from clinging the the Word of God.

I think that it is really interesting that God says that his Word shall not depart from his mouth. This means that he expects Joshua to speak the Word of God to those that he is leading.

Is this not what you and I are called to do? To constantly have the Word of God in our mouths - speaking the truths of the gospel to those that need to hear it?

And this is where we need that Strength and Courage because we are called to a lost world that is at enmity with God. We are called to a world that may not receive our message well. If we are not constantly in the Word of God, we will begin to rely on our own strength and on our own abilities and our own knowledge. None of these will be enough. You will burn out, you will run into roadblocks.

Look at the end of verse 8, the Lord says to Joshua,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

He says to Joshua that if he keeps the Word of God central in his heart and mind, if he will meditate on the Word of God night and day, then he will find success in his ministry. Why is that? I think it is because when you are consistently in the Word, then your heart’s focus will shift to the things that are important to God and he will shape your desires, decisions, and direction.

The more you immerse yourself in Scripture, the more your thoughts, attitudes, and actions align with God’s Word, it renews our minds like Paul says in Romans 12. It strengthens our faith, and it will give you courage to walk in obedience.

Just like Joshua, our success does not depend on our own strength. It depends on our obedience to the Word of God. And you cannot be obedient to the Word of God if you do not know what it says!

We call this idea of Clinging to the Word, Abiding in Christ.

The Lord Jesus said in John 15:5

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

If you want to bear good fruit, if you want to be a successful disciple, then you have to Abide in Christ. Would you describe yourself as abiding in Christ?

And when you are living on mission, Fear will come. It is hard to live on mission. This is the very reason that He redeemed us to be his people here on this earth - to make disciples. Let me ask you this, when fear comes, what do you cling to? Where do you run for safety and comfort?

It says in verse 8 to “meditate on it day and night.” This is the idea of meditating on the word. Thinking about, not just what it says, but what it means. Reading the Bible is great. Reading plans are very helpful, but if we are not thinking about what we are reading and what it means to our lives, then the Word is not getting in us.

A great way to do this is by doing things like memorizing Scriptures. Memorizing Scripture allows God’s Word to dwell in us richly, like Paul says in Colossians 3:16.

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts will begin to shape the way you think, the way you act, and the you we respond to the challenges of life.

Do you remember how Jesus responded to temptation in the wilderness—He didn’t just know Scripture; He quoted it. It was already in Him, ready to be used in the moment of testing.

We need to make daily Scripture a priority in our lives because without it, we will not have the tools that we need to face the temptations and fears that come on a daily basis. Cling to the Word.

And this is the final thing in your notes,

3. Courageous faith comes from God’s Promised Presence (Joshua 1:5, 9)

These are really the verses that I wanted to focus on this morning. look at what God says to Joshua is verse 5.

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.

And verse 9,

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.”

He says in Joshua 1:5 “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 Lord is reminding Joshua that he has witnessed firsthand how God was with Moses, guiding him through impossible situations and proving His faithfulness time and time again. Joshua needed to hear this because the task ahead was daunting. Joshua has to be thinking over the cloud and the fire that was in their presence as they travel through the desert all those years. Or he was thinking of tabernacle, where God himself would meet with his people.

God tells Joshua to be Strong and Courageous three times in these 9 verses.

God only tells us what we need to hear, and in this moment, Joshua needed the assurance of His presence. It wasn’t enough that Israel had escaped Egypt—now it was time to step forward in faith and enter the Promised Land.

God does not simply send His people out on mission; He goes with them, leading the way. Just as He was with Moses, He promised to be with Joshua, and he has promised that he will be with us, too. When he Commissioned the disciples in Matthew 28, after he gave them the task of going to the nations to make disciples, he gives them this encouragement,

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus promises that he will be with you. He is going before you. So, you can step out in faith and go/do what he has called you to do. As long as you are abiding with him and you are pursuing him in discipleship.

We are told in Numbers 13 that his birth name was Hoshea which means “Salvation.” Moses changes his name to Yehoshua which means “Yahweh is Salvation.” Interestingly, this is also our Lord’s name that the Greek translated to Jesus.

So, when you sense God calling you to speak with someone about the gospel, you can be sure of this, he will not only be with you as you go, but he will also go before you. Just like the Levites led the Army with the Ark of the Covenant, he is leading his him.

Yes, in the Great Commission, the Lord Jesus says to “Go,” but he is not just sending us, he is taking us. And he’s not just taking us, he is already there. This should give you strengthen your faith and give your courage.

Courageous faith comes from remembering God’s past faithfulness, clinging to his word, and comes from resting in his presence.

Jesus - The greater Joshua

As I mentioned before, God tells Joshua three times to be Strong and Courageous in this passage. He dealt with fear and feelings of inadequacy but he ultimately leads a successful mission.

One of my favorite things about Joshua is in all the different ways he is a type of Christ. Have you ever seen this?

They had the same name - meaning Yahweh is salvation

Joshua led God’s people to the Promised Land, The Lord Jesus leads his people in the way of salvation and will one day return to conquer in the New Creation.

Joshua had victory over his enemies. Jesus had victory over sin.

Joshua is promised God’s presence, Jesus promises his presence to us.

Joshua gave Israel temporary rest. Jesus gives us a greater rest. An eternal one.

Jesus had Strong and Courageous faith. He had to with what he endured for us. And you and I can be Strong and Courageous. We can push back the darkness in our community by making disciples who love God and love others.

Conclusion

You can go ahead and stand,

Let me close by saying that if you are here and you have not taken your walk with Christ seriously, you can always just start. Maybe you want to start reading the Bible more or you want to be more involved with your church, then just start.

Find you a reading plan to read through the Bible in a year, buy a journal and write down things like what you are praying for and what you are learning as you read the Scriptures.

If you are here and you have never trusted in Christ, you can do that today too. All you need to do is have faith in him. That he came to earth to take on your sin. And that he died and was raised on the third day. You just need to Turn and Trust.

Let’s pray.