Graduation 2018

Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Tonight I want to share with you some thoughts from Joshua chapter one verses 1-9.

for the sake of time I only read vs 9.

but if you will allow me to quickly share a thought that I would like to give the title:

God Encourages His Leaders

Many of You know that Joshua was Moses successor.

Therefore; the book of Joshua is a book of new beginnings.

Joshua spent many years preparing for his calling.

He was born into slavery and was given the name Hoshea; which means salvation.

Moses later changed his named to Joshua.

While in Egypt; he saw all the signs and wonders that God performed and he knew that God was a God of power who cared for His people.

Joshua saw the Lord open the red sea and close the red sea

Joshua was a man of faith who knew the Lord and trusted Him to do wonders for His people

Many things about Joshua that time will not permit me to go in to details

Nevertheless; Joshua had been put into leadership

Because the reality tonight is that although there are godly leaders in leadership

sooner or later the baton will be passed down

and this was the case for Joshua,\

Moses had died and know it was time for Joshua to lead.

There will come a time in your life where you will need to step up to the plate and lead.

what I’m saying tonight is that seasons will change

your role will change

and for you seniors tonight

Yours has.

You are no longer a student in high school

You are becoming men and women.

welcome tot the real world................

Things are going to change for you and the change can and must be embraced.

Now it is time for you to set your own alarm.

wash you own cloths

check the oil in your car on your own.

make sure you are own time for you appointments

and brush your teeth without having to be told.

There comes a time when God calls you into a new season and that new season is tonight

Joshua was called into a new season.

and his responsibilities changed

his responsibilities increased

his responsibilities were no longer as there were but it was a new chapter in his life.

But when you study out this passage of scripture;

God encouraged Joshua.

Just like He wants to encourage you tonight.

4 ways that God Encouraged Joshua

1. God encouraged him by commisioning him

Joshua 1:1–2 KJV 1900

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

Joshua 1

2. God encouraged him by His promises

Joshua 1:3–6 KJV 1900

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Joshua 1:

3: God encouraged Him through His written word

Joshua 1:7–8 KJV 1900

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:

4: God encouraged him through His commandments

Joshua 1:9 KJV 1900

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.