Sermon Tone Analysis
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Scripture Introduction (earlier in the service)
Some folks like adventure…they love surprises.
But most people feel the need for a comfort zone…a place they feel safe and where they don’t have to think too hard or face too much stress.
They don’t like being pushed too hard…or “stretched”.
There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable and feeling secure.
On the other hand…comfort zones are not permanent.
Something will always come along to rock the boat.
Let’s take a peak into Joshua’s boat-rocking experience.
Joshua now faced a huge change…he was called upon to fill some big sandals — Moses’.
Change is inevitable…and God knows all about it.
He has something for each of us to do — we need His strength and courage to do it.
Main Introduction
My comfort zone is a nice, cozy, comfy place.
I can get real lazy, real fast, if I stay there too long.
We all have our routines…our lifestyle, likes, dislikes, things we are drawn to and things we run away from.
It might be that you don’t really like talking to people, so you stay in your comfort zone by avoiding long conversations with people.
Perhaps you don’t like Chinese food, so when friends want to go out for Chinese, you might try to surreptitiously direct them to something else.
Eventually a change in your life will come along and force you away from your comfort zone.
It might be an illness, a change in jobs, a move, a death in the family or some other family crisis.
It may be an encounter with God that rocks your world.
Since God is sovereign…He knows about the situations that will pull our comfort zone out from under us.
Since He knows…and He does, we can be sure He has a plan
God uses change to force us out of our comfort zone: step out and follow, with His solid promises to guide the way.
Since we know God is good and has our best interests at heart; and since change is inevitable, what shall we do about it?
Since we know God is good and has our best interests at heart; and since change is inevitable, what shall we do about it?
FUTURE CHANGE MEANS PREPARATION IS IMPORTANT
Exposition: After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord… ()
This phrase connects what is about to happen to the events recorded at the end of Deuteronomy.
It affirms that the Joshua in Joshua chapter 1 is indeed Joshua, Moses’ assistant/apprentice
Deuteronomy chapters 33 & 34 record the end of Moses’ life.
The book of Deuteronomy was Moses’ message to the generation that would soon enter the Promised Land.
It was a reminder of the Covenant, along with some practical advice on how to live it out, thus honoring the Lord.
Joshua was Moses’ student, helper, and one day successor.
Joshua
…God had been preparing Joshua,all his life, for the inevitable changes that were coming
Change is inevitable
Joshua probably knew God was preparing him, especially as the time grew close to take the land (Moses knew that he and the first generation of people would not cross over)
Even when we know a change is coming…sometimes it is overwhelming
Joshua probably knew God was preparing him, especially as the time grew close to take the land (Moses knew that he and the first generation of people would not cross over)
Even when we know a change is coming…sometimes it is very overwhelming
This is why it is important to pursue the Lord and allow Him to prepare you for the future
In Moses climbed up Mount Nebo…God showed Him the Promised Land from a distance.
Then Moses died and the text tells us that God Himself buried Moses…and no one every found His grave
…change may or may not take you by surprise, but we can be sure that
Change doesn’t shake God’s promises
A.Change doesn’t shake God’s promises
Content of the promises
I will give you every place where you set your foot (1:3)
From the desert in the south up to Lebanon.
From the Euphrates in the East to the Mediterranean in the West
God gave Joshua very real promises…He defined them in specific terms
Context of the promises
Context of the promises
What was the setting…the atmosphere of Joshua’s life in this passage?
Moses my servant has died…now rise up — BIG CHANGES
Moses my servant has died…now rise up
Why was this such a huge transition for Joshua and the people?
Dale Ralph Davis
Dale Ralph Davis
No other prophet even comes close to comparing with Moses...
You can imagine the dismay in Israel…what do you do when the servant of God dies and a raging river lies between you and the land you are to inherit?
It was indeed a giant transition…but it was all part of God’s plan — He would keep His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Moses, etc.
No matter what may come, God’s promises never fail…we can stand firm upon them
C. Change doesn’t steal God’s presence
It can drive us closer to God…or it can drive us further from God — that is our choice
Be strong and courageous — The Lord said this to times between verses 6-9 of chapter 1.
When something is repeated three times, it is significant.
Joshua was probably shaking in his sandals as he faced the responsibility of leading the people.
“God, how can I be strong and courageous?” God said, “I am with you and I won’t leave you”
When you respond to change by submitting your will to God’s plan…you can rest assured He will be with you every step of the way.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS — I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.
When you are forced out of your comfort zone because of change…faith is essential
CHANGE CHALLENGES YOUR FAITH
CHANGE CHALLENGES YOUR FAITH
Change challenges your faith…more importantly, it strengthens your faith
How can you maintain a strong faith, in the face of inevitable changes and challenges?
Faith is found in the Living Word
Joshua 1:7-8
In the midst of a huge transition and time of personal and national mourning, God reminded Joshua of the importance of obedience to His statutes— (faith comes by hearing)
Immerse yourself in the Living Word
As you immerse yourself in the Good News — your faith will naturally grow
As you act upon the Good News of Jesus Christ — your faith will be conditioned and strengthened
Dwell upon the Living Word
Faith grounded in the Living Word is not threatened by change
Joshua 24:29
Where did these burials take place?
Joshua…in the promised land
Joseph…in the promised land (hundreds of years after his death)
Eleazar son of Aaron…in the promised land
It’s never too late…God’s promises are always on time.
It’s never too late…God’s promises are always on time.
Conclusion:
Genesis ends with Joseph’s death
Deuteronomy ends with Moses’ death
Joshua ends with the deaths of Joshua and Eleazar (Moses’ nephew)
We can all agree that changes in life are inevitable.
Some of them we see coming, others only God knows the when, where, why, and how of
CHALLENGE
God uses unavoidable change to push us out of our comfort zone: step out and follow, with His solid promises to guide the way.
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