Where Your Strength Comes From

Introduction: “Defining the pain.”

So many people live in fear.

Fear of the unknown.

Fear of the unforeseen future.

Fear causes unnecessary worry and stress.

Fear causes anxiety in so many young people today.

We are afraid to walk down the street.

We are afraid to let our kids play outside.

We’re afraid of losing our jobs.

We’re afraid of terrorist attacks.

People are paralyzed by fear.

But fear shouldn’t run the children of God. We should be walking in faith and not fear.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Courage: The strength to push through fear and anxiety to do what must be done.

It takes courage to:

Be vulnerable and build healthy relationships

Joshua 1:1 ESV

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,

Marry someone that you can’t control in any way

Put yourself out there for the carrier you always wanted

Raise your kids with godly principles in today’s world.

Stand in the truth of God’s Word.

Share your faith with those around you.

Biblical Understanding: “Defining the passage.”

Joshua 1:1 ESV

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,

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The story of Joshua starts long before the book of Joshua. God had been preparing Joshua for this task since the day they came out of Egypt.

As a young man Joshua was a warrior for Moses

Moses began to mentor Joshua at Mt. Sinai, and Joshua was on the Mountain with him.

Joshua saw the original tablets of Stone written by the finger of God.

Joshua was one of the 12 original spies to spy out the promised land and one of two with the confidence in the Lord to take the land.

He was chosen by God to divide the land to the 12 tribes.

He was appointed by God through Moses to lead the people into battle.

Deuteronomy 34:8–9 ESV

8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

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It would seem that the whole campaign of taking the land now rested on Joshua’s shoulders. But God wanted to remind Joshua of some important facts. It’s the same facts that we must remember today.

This was not Joshua’s fight, but the Lord’s fight.

This was not Joshua’s people, but the Lord’s people.

This was the Lord’s fight. This

This would not be Joshua’s victory, but the Lord’s victory.

If we’re not careful we can develop an “I” problem.

“I” have to fight the good fight.

“I” have to provide for all the people and relationships.

“I” have to save these people.

“I” have to be successful.

Joshua 1:2 ESV

2 “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.

Josh 1:2

There is a pattern God placed in his creation: Something has to die for new life to begin.

A seed when it falls in the ground must die to bring new life.

Jesus had to die to bring about eternal life.

Your old life has to die before your new life can begin.

Your fear has to die so that courage may prevail.

So God strengths and encourages Joshua with 3 proclamations in this passage that I believe will encourage you in your life as well.

3 Proclamations remove fear and replace it with Courage.

What God has promised God will do.

Joshua 1:3–4 ESV

3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 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.

Joshua 1:3-4

You are not obligated to fulfil God’s promises.

“If you’re not careful your lack of faith will lead to a life of fear.”

Take that pressure off of yourself. God never intended for you to carry His burden. God know you can’t carry his burden.

Take that pressure off of yourself. God never intended for you to carry that burden.

Trust that God will keep his word.

The promise didn’t start with Joshua

The promise didn’t start with Moses

The promise started with Abraham

Romans 4:20–21 ESV

20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

1 Timothy 1:12 ESV

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

Romans 4:

Romans 4:21 ESV

21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

2 Timothy 1:12 ESV

12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

Joshua was just another faithful servant that God used to bring about his promises.

God has chosen you to carry out his promises to those he has put under your care.

The story is bigger than you. (Gospel Primer starting is September)

The story didn’t start with you and it won’t end with you. You are to be faithful to your calling and time.

At the end of Paul’s life as he was passing the torch of ministry to Timothy he assured him of these truths.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 Timothy 1:12 ESV

12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

Paul wasn’t fighting his own battles.

The Power is the Lord’s

Paul put his trust in the Lord of the battle.

“If you’re not careful your lack of faith will lead to a life of fear.”

God’s promises come with power.

So, First What God promises God will do.

God’s promises come with power.

Joshua 1:5–6 ESV

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

Josh 1:5

A promise is useless if there is no power to back it up.

When times get tough pray God’s promises to him in faith.

“Lord, I don’t see a way out of this circumstance but I know your promises. So, I put my hope and trust in you. I don’t know how you are going to do it, but I know you can and I have faith that you will.”

God leads with his power and never leaves you alone.

Hillsong United wrote a song entitled, “Another in the Fire.”

There is another in the fire Standing next to me There is another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding What power set me free There is a grave that holds no body And now that power lives in me

The Prosperity is the Lord’s

So, What God promises He will do.

God’s promises come with power.

God’s promises and power produce God’s prosperity.

Joshua 1:7–8 ESV

7 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. 8 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.

Josh 1:7-9

To live in God’s prosperity you got to stick to the plan.

Living in God’s Word is a requirement for victory and success.

Stick to the path if you want God’s prosperity.

This is the only condition and responsibility put on Joshua.

God is not obligated if you are not willing to follow his lead.

God is not obligated to bless your path. God obligates himself to bless the path he has laid out for you.

All things don’t work out for good.

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:

When you walk according to his purpose you get all his power and all his prosperity.

God recaps his encouragement to Joshua.

Joshua 1:9 ESV

9 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.”

Next Step: “Defining the Progress.”

Turning your fear into faith releases the power and prosperity of God.

Quit thinking you have to pull this off.

Lean into God and watch him pull it off.

Placing yourself in God’s promises relieves the pressure of making promises you can’t keep.

(As my dad used to say, “Your mouth is writing checks your butt can’t cash.)

God’s story is bigger than you. You just want to find your place in the story.

Surrender to the Word of God and you will experience all the blessing and prosperity of God.

All through the scripture God says the blessed man is the one that meditates day and night on his word.

Take the opportunity to learn God’s word through discipleship. You can’t claim ignorance and expect God’s blessing.