In Sincerity and Truth (Joshua)

Formal Elements / Descriptive Data

Text: Joshua

CIT: (Subject) Israel, following Joshua, who was called, led, and empowered by Jehovah, arrived at the place where they could finally worship God the way He specified (Josh. 18:1-2). (Compliment) by following God's provided spiritual leader, dealing courageously with the world and besetting sin, and faithfulness in their heart to follow God's word; (Further Compliment) While getting to see the LORD fight for them, purge the land of iniquity, and grant mercy to the humble and undeserving; (Further Compliment) despite their inability to realize all His promises for themselves.

Proposition: Through Jesus, our worship can honor God and make a difference to the lost when: We follow Him by faith; Allow Him to overcome the world through us; Maintain a heart to follow His Word

Statement of Purpose:

(1) MO – Devotional

(2) SO – I want my hearer to develop a heart for God by Learning to follow Jesus by faith while He overcomes the world through Him because he gives his heart to obey his word in sincerity and in Truth.

Title (Topic/Name): In Sincerity and Truth

Informal Elements / Rhetorical Data

Introduction:

· Describe & Illustrate false ideas of worship as related both in Israel’s day and our contemporary time

· Define true biblical worship as described in the Book of Joshua

· Shechem (Josh.18) - The Heart of Joshua

Body – Development – Outline:

For to Arrive at the Place of True Biblical Worship:

I. We Must Follow by Faith Our God-Given Spiritual Leaders Who Themselves Follow Jesus (Josh. 1-5).

EXP: A. Joshua's Commission, Courage, & Captain:

1. Joshua's Commission from the LORD (Josh. 1)

[Note - a. The LORD's Promise – “I AM,” b. The LORD's Power “I AM,” c. The LORD's presence – “I AM,” d. Joshua's Part – “You Go”];

2. Joshua's Courageous Leadership (Josh. 2-4)

[Note – a. Spying Out Jericho – Rahab (Josh. 2), b. Crossing Jordan – The Next Moses (Josh. 3), c. Camping at Gilgal (Josh. 4): 1) What mean these stones, 2) The LORD Magnified Joshua, 3) The Captain of the LORD's Host (Josh. 5): a) Observance of the Ordinances (Josh. 5:1-12): i) Circumcision, ii) Passover; b) The LORD's Servant (Josh. 5:13-15)].

B. ILL: Paul encouraged those in the local church to follow him as he followed Christ

C. APP: We today should follow our God-given Spiritual leaders as they too follow Christ; we must be humble servants of the Lord.

TS. Where are you challenged to follow your God-given spiritual leaders?

II. We Must Fight for the LORD (Who Fights Through Us) Against the Corruption Around Us & Iniquity in Us (Josh. 6-20)

EXP: A. Israel's Campaigns, Corruption, Compromise, and Conquering:

1. The Middle Campaign (Josh. 6-9)

[Note – a. Jericho Conquered ( Josh. 6), b. Israel Corrupted (Josh. 7), c. Ai Conquered (Josh. 8), d. Joshua Compromised (Josh. 9)]

APP: Note Jehovah's faithfulness despite our shortcomings: Rahab – Gentile given mercy; Gibeon: Spared from annihilation

2. The Southern & Northern Campaigns (Josh. 10-12)

[Note - a. Divide & Conquer – South (Josh. 10): 1) Provoked by the kings in the south; 2) Taking the Judean Hill Country one king at a time; 3) The LORD God of Israel fought for Israel; b. Divide & Conquer – North (Josh. 11): 1) Hazor – Burned; 2) Anakim – Destroyed];

3. Distributing & Dwelling in the Land (Josh. 12-20):

[Note - a. East of Jordan (Josh. 12-13): 1) Reuben, 2) Gad, 3) Half-Manasseh; b. Caleb (Josh. 14); c. Judah (Josh. 15); d. Joseph (Josh. 16-17): 1) Ephraim, 2) Manasseh; e. Worship at Shiloh (Josh. 18:1-10); f. Benjamin (Josh. 18:11-28); g. Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan (Josh. 19); h. Levite Cities of Refuge (Josh. 20); i. Levite Cities (Josh. 21).]

B. ILL: Never have I experienced such spiritual attach as when my family set out to live for God and specifically endeavor to build a work for Him at His direction and leading. Yet, through it all, the Lord has been faithful to do exceeding, abundantly above all we could ask or think!

C. APP: 1. Go in the strength of the Lord while you can, 2. Time is of the essence, 3. Do not become consumed over what is beyond your Control or outside of your reach, 4. Focus on what the LORD wants to do through you now with the time remaining.

TS: Through Christ, I overcome the world; Faith Is the Victory!

III. We Must Decide and Declare Our Desire to Remain Faithful to What God's Word Says (Josh. 22-24)

EXP: A. Joshua's Concern and Charge; Israel's Commitment and Confirmation:

1. Joshua's Concern – To Those on the Fringes “Love the LORD and walk in His ways” (Josh. 22);

2. Joshua's Charge - (Josh. 23-24)

[Note - a. Cleave unto the LORD (Josh. 23), b. Fear the LORD & Serve Him in Sincerity & in Truth (Josh. 24)];

3. Israel's Commitment & Confirmation (Josh. 24:16-18, 21, 24)

[Note - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (x 3)];

4. Sealing of Israel's Title Deed (Josh. 24:29-33)

[Note - a. Joshua's Death & Burial, b. Joseph's Bones Buried, c. Eleazar's Death & Burial].

B. ILL: Heb. 3-4 shows how Jesus is our Joshua Acts is the "Joshua" of the NT (See F. B. Meyer)

C. APP: Through Him, we are more than conquerors; Through Him, we have an inheritance with the saints; Through Him, we can find true rest and peace [Note - Not partial rest, but complete].

Conc:

* Israel's failure shows us that we simply cannot achieve victory on our own

* There was One who did - our “Joshua” (Gk. “Jesus”)

* Through Him, we can find rest for our souls and arrive at the place where we can truly worship God [Note - without the infiltration of the world and the flesh]

* Today, will you join me and decide truly and sincerely, “As for me…" I will serve the Lord!

* Will you heed your “Joshua's” invitation find rest unto your soul? Matt. 11:28ff