Conqueor

     If we look throughout human history we'll find people who stand head & shoulders above all others. There are leaders in God's Word who did the impossible thru their faith & union with Him.

     I think out of all the O.T. men, Joshua is one of those men who demonstrated qualities that are vital to moving on with God & overcoming every challenge. From Joshua's early years to the time of Moses farewell to the nation of Israel, Joshua was mighty in God.

     These principles that he lived by can help any believer move from where he is now to where he needs to be in God.

     I. 1 of these qualities are found in EXO 24 12-15

              A. God called Moses to come up into the mountain to receive the instructions that God had for the nation of Israel.

                        1. Moses took Joshua with him, & left everyone else below.

                                  a. As Moses ascended up the mountain of God, he left Joshua on the slopes of the mountain.

                                  b. Joshua stayed there 40 days & 40 nights.

                                  c. He could have returned to came, but even in a time of feeling forgotten & unimportant, he remained confident in God.

                                           i. There may be times that you feel out of the mainstream of the kingdom of God.

                                           ii. But it's that desire to go on with God, that stability (in Him & His Word) that faithfulness to Him which is important.

                        2. As Moses came down the mountain, he heard the sound of music, singing, dancing, shouting in worship to the golden calf, coming from the camp.

              B. Look at EXO 32 to see what Joshua said about the sound he heard.

                        1. EXO 32:17

                        2. Moses dismissed that observation as the sound of singing, not of war.

                                  a. But Joshua's perception & sensitivity were deeper than that of Moses.

                                  b. There truly was a war in the camp. It was a spiritual war.

                        3. This understanding of spiritual battle was the 2nd of Joshua's qualities that aided him in conquering the Canaan land.

                                  a. (EPH 6:12) Says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high {places}."

                                           i. 1 translation says, "We struggle not against flesh & blood..."

                                           ii. Another says, "We contend not with flesh & blood..."

                                  b. The RSV translation says, "But we do wrestle against the spiritual hosts of wickedness."

                                           i. That's were the battle is, it's a spiritual battle.

                                           ii. We need to be aware of the enemies spiritual strategies.

                                           iii. Many homes could have been saved & tragedies avoided if we would not have overlooked this area.

                                           iv. Too often a small difference of opinion would escalate into a major conflict.

                                                     a. It's a spiritual battle.

                                           v. Rise up with the authority of God's Word & bring the presence of the H.S. into the picture, & the climate will change.

              C. In EXO 33 we see the 3rd facet of Joshua's character.

                        1. After the destruction of the golden calf & the execution of the rebels, Moses again separated himself to meet with God.

                                  a. He had a special tent where he entered to seek God & God's presence would move into the tent.

                        2. Look at what happened in EXO 33:9-11

                                  a. Notice that Joshua also separated himself from the people. He wanted to be totally identified with God.

                                  b. This man who demonstrated his loyalty & devotion to God chose to stay where God would manifest His glory.

                        3. Joshua was different from the rest.

                                  a. He was not going to be swayed by pressure or opinions of others. He would remain where he could hear the voice of God & then move in accordance with what he heard.

                                  b. We need, more than ever, is a renewed dependence on God's Word.

     II. Well, after wondering in the wilderness for 40 years it was time for Joshua to take over as the leader of the children of Israel.

              A. For them to get out of the wilderness, their unbelief & wrong thinking had to go.

                        1. That's the same for us. Many times people will feel that they're going thru a wilderness. Well, it could be brought on by unbelief & wrong thinking.

                                  a. If that's true then the only way to get out of it is thru faith & bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

              B. When we think of the "wilderness," we think of aimless wondering.

                        1. But that's not the way it should be. There are some definite steps that you have to take to get out of it & to stay out.

              C. Back in the days that the children of Israel were still in Egypt, it says that God sent them into the wilderness.

                        1. Let's find out why. EXO 3.

                                  a. In (ROM 15:4) it says, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

                                  b. Things that are written in the O.T. are for our learning.

                        2. EXO 3:18

                                  a. 1 of the things that they needed to do when in the wilderness is to be a true worshiper of God.

                                           i. God lead them there to be free to worship but I don't think that God is Going to lead us into the wilderness. But there are times that we are there... (self, Devil)

                                           ii. The 1st step to getting out is to be a worshipper. 

                                           iii JOHN 4:23

              D. The 2nd thing that the children of Israel needed to see was that God is their provider.

                        1. God provided them with manna from heaven & water from a rock, their clothes didn't ware out.

                                  i. To come out of that wilderness they needed to know that God was their provider.

                        2. We need to look to God & trust Him to meet our needs.

                                  i. PSA 37:3

                                  ii. And of course, we all know (PHIL 4:19) "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

              E. The 3rd thing that they had to know to get out of the wilderness & into the promise land was the importance of following God.

                        1. If you remember, God provided a cloud by day & a Pillar of fire by night to direct their paths.

                                  i. We too must learn to follow His leadings & allow Him to direct our paths.

                                  ii. PSA 23:2-3

                                  iii. (PSA 37:23) Says "The steps of a {good} (righteous) man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."

     III. But we just can't stop there. Sometimes we get content in the area of provision. We're filled, we're happy, & we don't want to do any more.

              A. We need to go on to victory. We need to go into the promise land.

                        1. Look at the 1st thing the Lord said to Joshua when they were ready to come out of the wilderness. (after worshiper, God provider, lead by the Lord)

                                  a. JOSHUA 1:2....

                                  b. Now go down to V 11

                                           i. This was "FAITH TO TAKE CHARGE."

                                           ii. This is the faith that is needed to be a conqueror.

              B. But there was a final instruction that the people needed in order to be victorious.

                        1. JOSHUA 3:5

                                  i. This word "Sanctify" means "to consecrate & purify."

                                  ii. In order to see God's miracles in your life we need to live a holy life before Him, & to sell out totally to Him.

                        2. I'm going to end with this final scripture. PSA 92:12;15 From the AMP "The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful & fruitful]; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable & incorruptible].    (V15) [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright & faithful to His promises; He is my rock, & there is no unrighteousness in Him."

                                  i. Your life can be a sign to all that God is faithful to His children & to His Word.

WOLCC 1/12/92 Sun AM