Joshua 13

I)       Joshua 13:  Claim Your Inheritance

A)    File:  Joshua 13.doc

B)    Audio:  Claim your inheritance!

C)    Series:  Victory in the Promised Land.

D)    Preached:  August 26, 2007

II)    The plot: 

A)    Since chasing down the five kings.

1)      Completely conquered them.

2)      Cleaned out the south.

3)      Cleaned out the north.

4)      Defeated all kings – but much was left to be done.

5)      Several years have passed – at least five.

B)    Time to divide up the inheritance and give to the tribes.

III) READ 13:1-4.

A)    Joshua hands over the promised land to the 12 tribes:

1)      A regime change.

2)      Like Jesus:

(a)    Jesus (same name) conquered sin and death.

(b)   Leaving the message to the 11 plus Paul.  Great commission.

(c)    Likewise Joshua – having paved the way into the promises now hands things over to 12 tribes.

3)      Also like Jesus:

(a)    I will not leave you nor forsake you.  And the promise of the Holy Spirit.

(b)   Joshua:  V6:  “I myself will drive them out before the people of Israel.” (also 23:5)

B)    The allotments:

1)      West of the Jordan:  Reuben, Gad, ½ Manasseh.

2)      East of the Jordan:  Judah, Ephraim, ½ Manasseh,

3)      Delayed:  Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan.

4)      Levites:  No inheritance but a presence in all areas – like the Holy Spirit indwelling believers.

IV) Lesson:  Don’t be borderline believers.

A)    Reuben, Gad, ½ Manasseh. (Numbers 32)

1)      Compared to the people who refused to go in – and the spies who gave a bad report.

2)      Moses allowed it on the condition that all their armed men went over with the other tribes.

B)    V. 13:  Never really eliminating the negative influences – and never really entering into all the promises.

1)      Shown in their past – inter-marrying when camping beyond the Jordan.

2)      Shown in their future:  Chose this land because it was good for cattle.

(a)    But it would not be good for children.

(b)   Joshua 22:  built altar in violation of Lev. 17:8-9 and Deut. 12:13-14.

(i)     A mistake, a distortion of religion.

(ii)   An indicator of what would come:

3)      Future – 1 Chron. 5:25-26, first ones taken by Assyria and scattered for worshiping the gods of those in the land before them.

4)      The mediocrity of their belief destroyed future generations.

C)    Carnal Christians

1)      Totally ignore some of the promises of God:  Want to do it their way:

2)      Among Christians:  pick and choose ministries:  giving, attendance, but never service.  Take / send kids to church but never instruct at home.

3)      Never work at cleaning the worldly influences out of their lives

D)    Out of fellowship – I can worship here.

E)     Satisfied with the first look – take the salvation and run.

F)     Many fall away

G)    Almost certain that future generations fall away.

V)    Claim your inheritance!

A)    Remember your inheritance.

1)      He said He would do this – they are REALLY realizing their dream now – the land!

2)      Cities, vineyards, crops, pasture-lands.  Milk and Honey.

3)      Miraculous battles:  saw God at work.

4)      Now He chooses their inheritance:

(a)    Chosen by lots (14:1-2) administered by priests:

5)      Psalm 47:4  “He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom He loves.”

6)      Try to imagine how they must feel at this point.

7)      Recover again the joy of your salvation:  Imagine what it may be like to wake up each morning with purpose and joy.

8)      Do this by remembering God’s promises.

B)    What our inheritance is:  1 Peter 1:3-6

1)      Born again

2)      Living hope

3)      Inheritance:

(a)    Imperishable

(b)   Undefiled

(c)    Unfading

(d)   Kept in Heaven

4)      Faith – with tested genuineness (requires exercise)

5)      Joy inexpressible

6)      Salvation of our souls.

C)    Follow God’s Word, John 17:3

1)      Make certain of your salvation. John 20:31, 1 John 5:13.

2)      Drive out the worldly influences in your life.

(a)    Remember it is God who will drive them out.

(b)   They are the past – no good can come of their staying.

(c)    Future generations are at stake.

3)      Discover your territory:

(a)    Giftedness.

(b)   Area.

(c)    Family.

(d)   Work.

(e)    Chosen by lot?  God chooses the lot!

VI) Notes:

A)    Next time – leaving an inheritance of faith:  Caleb and Joshua.

1)      From Joshua 10 sermon: Some promises in Christ: 

(a)    Sonship (2 Cor. 6:16-7:1)

(b)   Forgiveness of Sin (1 John 1:9)

(c)    Answers to prayer (Luke 11:9; Matt. 7:7-11)

(d)   Christ will build His church (Matt. 16:18)

(e)    The Church has the keys of the kingdom (Matt. 16:19)

(f)    Jesus will not leave us (John 14:18)

(g)   Deliverance from temptation (1 Cor. 10:13)

(h)   Sustaining grace (2 Cor. 12:9) (power in weakness)

(i)     Provision for all our needs (Php. 4:19, Matt. 6:25-34)

(j)     Reward for obedience (James 1:12)

(k)   Eternal life (Luke 18:29-30; John 3:16; Rom. 6:22-23)

B)     

August 26, 2007, Claim Your Inheritance

Joshua 13:1-4.

1)    Don’t be ________________________ believers. (Read about the tribes East of the Jordan:  Num. 32, Josh. 22, Lev. 17:8-9, Deut. 12:13-14, 1 Chron. 5:25-26.)

2)    ________________ your inheritance!

a)     ___________________ your inheritance.           (1 Peter 1:3-9)

b)    ___________________ God’s Word. (John 17:3, 20:31; 1 John 5:13.)

c)      ___________________ __________ the worldly influences in your life.

d)     Discover your ______________________.[1]

Children of the Word:

How many tribes were EAST of the Jordan? __________

The Pastor said, “Don’t be _________________ believers.”

We sang three hymns, they were numbers:  __________,                                                                                   _________ and _________.

In John 17:3, Jesus says, “Sanctify them by your truth,                                                                                                         your _________________ is truth.”

Name __________________________________

Word Search:  Joshua 13:1-14

Parents, Grandparents, Friends:  Help Kids 6 and under complete the “Children of the Word” portion of this insert.  When they have completed three inserts from three different weeks, they will receive a special surprise – but they will need your help. (The Word Search is optional.)

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[1] 1) borderline; 2) Claim; a) Remember; b) Follow; c) Drive out; d) territory.