Conqueor # 1a
We’ve been teaching on the subject of victory for several weeks now and I want continue along those same lines and pick up where we left off last time.
I) Last time we ended while looking at the life of Joshua. If we pick up some of the qualities that Joshua demonstrated in his life, it will make it much easier for us to walk in victory.
A) In (Exodus 24:12-15) God called Moses to come up to the mountain to receive the Commandments for the nation of Israel.
1) Moses took Joshua with Him but as Moses started to ascend up the mountain he left Joshua on the slopes.
2) Joshua remained on the slopes for 40 days and 40 nights.
a) He could have returned back to camp. After all he must of felt like he was forgotten and unimportant.
(i) Sometimes we feel forgotten and when we do we have a tendency to go back into what we came out of.
(ii) That would be like going back to Egypt and back under bondage.
b) Joshua did the right thing, instead of going backwards; he remained faithful in doing what the Lord gave him to do no matter what.
c) We need more Joshua’s today.
3) Really we can see 2 qualities that Joshua had in his life, and these 2 qualities are so very important to God, and they are STABILITY (in Him and His Word) and FAITHFULNESS.
II) Now when Moses came down the mountain he heard music coming from the camp. The children of Israel were in the midst of worshipping the golden calf.
A) When Joshua heard the sound of music coming from the camp he said, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” (Exodus 32:17)
1) Moses dismissed that thought, but there was truly a war going on that day, it was a spiritual battle.
2) The 3rd quality that Joshua possessed was an understanding of spiritual things.
a) Without it he would have never been able to conquer the Canaan land and walk in victory.
3) (Ephesians 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.”
a) 1 translation says, “We struggle not against flesh and blood...”
b) Our struggles are not with flesh and blood, but as Paul says our problems come from the Spirit realm.
(i) There is a battle going on and it is a spiritual battle.
(ii) We need to be aware of the enemy’s spiritual strategies.
(iii) If the church as a whole had not overlooked this area many tragedies would have been avoided.
(iv) Families could have been restored, marriages could have been healed, individuals could have avoided bondages, and many more could have been saved.
c) Paul said in (2nd Corinthians 2:11), “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” It’s a spiritual battle.”
(i) But what is implied in this verse, is that if we are ignorant of his devices Satan will have an advantage over us.
(ii) And if he continues to have an advantage, he will have victory over us. So we need to be aware of his schemes and tactics.
(iii) One of Satan’s spiritual attacks against us is to get us into strife and unforgiveness. If he can do that he will likely have the victory and we’ll have to defeat.
d) Be aware of Satan’s tactics and rise up with the authority of God’s Word and bring the presence of the H.S. into the picture, and things will begin to change.
B) In EXO 33 we see another part of Joshua’s character. (4th)
1) After the destruction of the golden calf and 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 and God’s presence would move into the tent.
2) Look at what happened in EXO 33:9-11.
a) Here we see another quality in Joshua’s life, which was essential for him to have in order to walk in total victory.
b) Saints of God, if you want to walk in total victory like the victory Joshua had; you need to find time alone with the Lord.
c) Joshua separated himself from the people to be in total unity with the Lord.
d) Joshua demonstrated his loyalty and devotion to God. He chose to stay where God would manifest His glory and His presence.
e) The qualities in Joshua’s life are different than most people.
(i) He was not going to be swayed by pressure or opinions of others. He would remain where he could hear the voice of God and then move in accordance with what God said.
(ii) We need, more than ever, a renewed dependence on God’s Word.
III) 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 and wrong thinking had to go.
1) That’s the same for us. Many times people will feel that they’re going through a wilderness. It could be brought on by unbelief or wrong thinking.
a) If that’s the case the only way to get out of it is through faith and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
2) There are some definite steps that you have to take to get out of bondage and the wilderness and stay out.
B) After the children of Israel were delivered from the bondage of Egypt, they went to the wilderness.
1) 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.”
a) Things that are written in the O.T. are for our learning.
2) Sometimes when we get out of bondage victory comes gradual.
a) The Israelites went from Egypt (bondage) to the wilderness from the wilderness to the Canaan land and from Canaan to victory.
3) EXO 3:18
a) 1 of the 1st things that the Lord told Moses was to request of Pharaoh that the Hebrews would be allowed to travel to Mount Sinai to worship God.
b) If you want to come out of the wilderness, if you want to come out of bondage, or the storms of life, out of the trials and out of the dry places you have to be a true worshiper of God.
(i) The 1st step to getting out of a wilderness is to be a worshipper.
(ii) Jesus said in (JOHN 4:23) that the Father seeks true worshippers to worship Him in truth and in spirit.
C) 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 and water from a rock; their clothes didn’t ware out.
a) To come out of that wilderness and to walk in victory we have to know that God is our provider and that He is our source.
2) We need to look to God and trust Him to meet our needs.
a) PSA 37:3
b) 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.”
D) The 3rd thing that they had to know to get out of the wilderness and into the promise land was the importance of following God.
1) If you remember, God provided a cloud by day and a Pillar of fire by night to direct their paths.
a) We too must learn to follow His leadings and allow Him to direct our paths.
b) PSA 23:2-3
c) (PSA 37:23) Says, “The steps of a {good} (righteous) man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”
IV) But we just can’t stop there. Sometimes we get content in the area of provision found in the promise land. In the promise land there are still many battles.
A) You may have come along way. You came from bondage, but found yourself in wilderness. From the wilderness you entered into the promise land. But now you need to go on to victory.
1) We need to go to absolute victory.
2) 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 10-11.
3) This was “Faith for Victory.”
a) This is the faith that is needed to be a conqueror. “Bold Faith.”
4) (1st JOHN 5:4) says, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
a) That’s what you need to have, “Faith for Victory.”
WOLCC 1/12/92 Sun AM and 8/13/95 Sun and Sunday, May 10, 1998