Just One More Thing...

intro - columbo----describe it....then move toward choosing this scripture because of Joshua

Joshua 1:1–7 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.

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pray

[confessionalpic]

As I leave, I want to do my best to continue what I started. That is, I want to continue to be as transparent as possible from the pulpit, if for no other reason than to show you the reality of faith. The reality that so many pastors seek to hide.

Faith is hard.

There are moments, every single day, where I have fallen short. Days when I forget to read, or pray. Days when I am angry and let, for just a moment, that anger dictate what I think or what I do. We are all, after all, human.

But bigger than those passing mistakes, there are moments, days, weeks, months, where I live side by side with fear.

Not just in my life in general, though there have been many of those moments too! Going off to the Army. Jumping out of a plane when you haven’t ever even been on a plane before! And you’re scared of heights. Accepting Jesus, going to college, getting married, finding a career, having a baby. All of those normal life moments, and far too many more to count, came with a healthy, and sometimes overwhelming, amount of fear.

Even when you are in the midst of God’s plans, fear can still shake you. I remember standing in the breezeway where we now have our coffee fellowship, and I was there waiting for the vote. And right there, with Kate and the girls, my fears, which had lingered for months in the back of my mind came out.

“I don’t think I can do it,” I said.

I don’t think I can write a sermon every week. I don’t think I can counsel anyone with problems in their life. I don’t think that I can lead a church filled with people who know just as much about God as I do - and some even more!

I can’t do it.

[walkingaway]

There was a part of my soul, that day, that felt like running away. Not because I didn’t feel like I was on God’s path. No I felt that. But because fear was getting the best of me.

Fear, was seeking to take over my heart, even in the midst of God’s plan for my life.

I hope you can understand that feeling, and I hope that if you don’t you never will.

Still, it is likely that one day you will. And when it comes, I pray that you remember this day, and this text. This day, because if nothing else, I want to be an example of the normalcy of that feeling and of faith for you! A normalcy that doesn’t mask the difficult and act as if faith were a thing that we just suddenly have, but the acknowledgement that faith is a constantly evolving part of our lives. One that calls us here and there, and shows up in different people different ways.

And this text, church, because I imagine that is exactly how Joshua felt in this moment.

[picofjoshuaandmosesdying]

I say that because this is a man, Joshua, who has spent his life following. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure that he has done a great many things on his own. And even when doing things he was told to do, did some pretty courageous stuff!

You see, Joshua was one of 12 spies sent by Moses into Canaan; one from each tribe. Back then, he was called Hoshea, from the tribe of Ephraim. Moses instead calls him Joshua.

So these 12 were sent to spy. And after 40 days of doing just that, they returned to everyone to report on what they saw.

I am sure some of you know what happens next. Ten of the twelve report back that while a good land, it is impossible to win. They looked at their situation and predetermined that no matter what God wanted they couldn’t do it!

And you know what? Those thoughts became contagious. That fear spread throughout all the people! And they started fighting each other and finding ways to get Moses out of power. They couldn’t see a future, so instead of just chasing after what God had already promised, they wanted to find someone who would lead them by joining in their fear of God’s will - in their fear of change.

But Caleb and Joshua stood up to them all. They didn’t let that fear push them down, so they stand and tell them this.

Numbers 14:8–9 ESV

If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”

Numbers 14:8-

Don’t fear them. Fear God. Do what God says, and you have no need to worry.

And all the people, picked up rocks to stone them. And if it wasn’t for God’s glory surrounding them and protecting them, they would have no doubt killed them.

So Joshua knew that same fear we feel. But he had overcome it with God’s help. Still, just like us, the first time you overcome that fear can be the easiest of them all! What you don’t know, doesn’t hurt you, if you will. But that next time. The next moment the fear rises in you, it attacks you harder than ever!

And our text bears that out. You see not only had Joshua gone through this before, but he had also been prepared by Moses for this moment! Moses knows he is dying, and knows what must be done, so he commissions Joshua - by God’s leading - to be the next ruler of the chosen people. Joshua had some time to digest this. He had been prepared for this moment. And He likely knew full well he was right in the midst of God’s will!

Still he was scared. Just like us.

Joshua 1:5–6 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. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

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, God tells him. And us.

Joshua 1:

Be strong and courageous, God tells him. And us.

Be strong and courageous, God tells him. And us.

Be strong because God is our strength and our song! Be strong because no thing in this life - no obstacle, no situation, no relationship, no social setting - there is nothing that is too big for you!

And church, there is nothing that is too big for you because there is nothing bigger than God.

No one can ever stand before you, church, as long as God goes before you.

But that is hard to remember in the midst of that fear. I know that, because that is exactly why God reminds Joshua of that here! This person God created for this moment stood in fear! That should remind us that fear isn’t a reminder of our inability for a given situation, but rather a reminder of God’s provision in everything!

No matter which way things go there is no reason to fear! But church, we have every reason to praise Him! We have every reason to worship Him! Sure we might not understand His plan, but that isn’t what He asks of us! And that isn’t what He asks of Joshua either! You don’t have to understand! Just be strong in the moment!

Church, He doesn’t ask us to approve of His methods or motives, He just wants us to rest in His strength while we praise Him in the process.

So trust the process.

And for me, today just as every other day, Joshua reminds me that if he can be strong in the face of fear - if he can follow God and praise Him in the struggles of this life - so will I.

[insert so will I lyrics]

[noturnsign]

move it all to God being our strength and our song (call to worship). No man shall be able to stand before you and overtake you. No thing…No situation…No obstacle…nothing is too big for you, because your God is bigger than it all! So be strong…be strong…be strong…[more if you feel it]…do not turn left or right! Don’t stray from God’s path! Chase after Him in those hard and fearful moments! Find Him at all costs! Don’t just sit and wait for God to show up, church, press on to find Him! Because honestly, finding God, and being present in Him, is all that really matters in this life! If you just do that, the rest of this stuff - the fear, the doubt, the hurt, the worries - it all passes away! That doesn’t mean the problems go away, but it DOES mean that, like for Joshua, even in the face of the most unbelievably difficult obstacles, you can stand tall and say, “Maybe I can’t do this, but my God can!” [give tangibles]

Confessional style....talk about fear in ministry, and in life…maybe walk through all of that…Having Joshua this week too…give a background of THE Joshua, what he must have felt and the fear running through him…move it all to God being our strength and our song (call to worship). No man shall be able to stand before you and overtake you. No thing…No situation…No obstacle…nothing is too big for you, because your God is bigger than it all! So be strong…be strong…be strong…[more if you feel it]…do not turn left or right! Don’t stray from God’s path! Chase after Him in those hard and fearful moments! Find Him at all costs! Don’t just sit and wait for God to show up, church, press on to find Him! Because honestly, finding God, and being present in Him, is all that really matters in this life! If you just do that, the rest of this stuff - the fear, the doubt, the hurt, the worries - it all passes away! That doesn’t mean the problems go away, but it DOES mean that, like for Joshua, even in the face of the most unbelievably difficult obstacles, you can stand tall and say, “Maybe I can’t do this, but my God can!” [give tangibles]

He will never leave us behind church. He won’t abandon us. There is no reason to fear!

All you have to do is keep on going. Don’t turn to the right or left. Don’t stray from God’s path! Chase after Him in those hard and fearful moments! Find Him at all costs! Don’t just sit and wait for God to show up, church, press on to find Him! Because honestly, finding God, and being present in Him, is all that really matters in this life!

do not turn left or right! Don’t stray from God’s path! Chase after Him in those hard and fearful moments! Find Him at all costs! Don’t just sit and wait for God to show up, church, press on to find Him! Because honestly, finding God, and being present in Him, is all that really matters in this life! If you just do that, the rest of this stuff - the fear, the doubt, the hurt, the worries - it all passes away! That doesn’t mean the problems go away, but it DOES mean that, like for Joshua, even in the face of the most unbelievably difficult obstacles, you can stand tall and say, “Maybe I can’t do this, but my God can!” [give tangibles]

If you just do that, the rest of this stuff - the fear, the doubt, the hurt, the worries - it all passes away! That doesn’t mean the problems go away, but it DOES mean that, like for Joshua, even in the face of the most unbelievably difficult obstacles, you can stand tall and say, “Maybe I can’t do this, but my God can!”

Maybe you can’t write a good sermon every week, but God can! Maybe you can’t lead people to know Him the right way, but God can! Maybe you can’t deal with that coworker, or that relationship, or that career choice, or school, or heartache, or death, or whatever - but you need not fear those things!

I see in all those moments a fear that would take the heart of me! I see those moments when my courage fails, and I forget all those who matter to me the most. I see those times when if I would just give in, the world around me would come crashing down, but at least it would all be over! But church, that is not this day! That is not this moment! That isn’t what God wants for us!

Those things are miniscule! They are just moments! They are just situations! This too shall pass! Don’t get wrapped up in the miniscule while you are waiting on the miraculous! Never forget that God isn’t just there church, it isn’t like He is just going to give you a little helping hand in your life...

Your God is bigger than all things.

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.”

Your God is bigger than all things.

This is it, church. This is the moment. Our “Columbo” moment if you will. I want you to listen closely, because apart from wrapping things up today, this is the last - and perhaps the most important - bit of theology you will get from me in this pulpit.

Your God is bigger than all things.

Let me say this plainly; you can do it.

College, middle school, retirement, new jobs, new careers, marriage, ministries, starting a family, losing a loved one - all of it - you can do it.

You can do it, not just because you have been commanded to do it. But because you have been built up by God Himself! You have the sum total of all creation at your fingertips! Your family, your friends, your community, your church, your God! They are all in your life to help you see the truth! They are there to remind you that you can do it! You can face down whatever life throws at you! And you can do it, because God has said so!

HE HAS COMMANDED YOU! BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! DON’T BE FRIGHTENED OR DISMAYED! HE IS THERE! HE IS THERE IN BIRTH, IN THAT NEW SCHOOL, IN THAT NEW JOB, IN THAT NEW MINISTRY, IN THAT NEW RELATIONSHIP, IN THAT MOMENT BEYOND DEATH! HE IS THERE IN ALL OF IT! THERE IS NO WHERE YOU CAN GO, NO PLACE YOU CAN HIDE FROM HIS LOVE! THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP IT, OR KEEP IT FROM PENETRATING EVERY PART OF YOUR LIFE!

SO STOP FIGHTING IT! LET HIS LOVE AND PEACE IN! OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOUR HEART TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE HAS SO MANY GREATER THINGS FOR YOU IN THIS LIFE! SO MUCH MORE GREATER THAN FEAR! YOU WERE MADE TO LIVE AND EXPERIENCE LIFE IN HIM! LIFE BEYOND FEARS AND DOUBTS!

[so will I]

Church, our God calls us to worship Him in all things! Even in our fears. Even in our loss. Even in our worst moments. And we worship Him, we sing His praises, and follow the sound of His voice; We obey and follow Him, even when it seems foolish! Even when the sum of all our praises, in that moment, fall completely short of His worth! And when that happens, we will remember that even the rocks cry out to Him! The wind and the rain, they worship Him, the sun, moon, an stars bow to Him! Everything that has ever been made, has been made according to His design, and church if you hear nothing else, hear this - that includes you!

You were made for something great! You were made to change this world! You were made to worship and serve Jesus Christ! No matter your faults! No matter your failures! No matter the fear! You were made to worship Him, and to reflect His love in this world!

You can do it.

Be strong, if for no other reason, than those other 8 billion people who need to know they are loved by God too. After all, you are Joshua for them. You have been called to lead them to the promised land for all creation; the promise of salvation in Christ Jesus.

How will they ever know, if you don’t tell them through your life? Be strong. And show them the truth through your sacrificial love for all creation. Do that, and God will be with you, church, wherever you go.

And just one more thing - No matter what happens in your life, you will always be my family, and I will always be there for you when I can. And church, I love you and God loves you.

[invitation]