LIVING GODLY

Bible Text: Joshua 23:1-16

Subject: Backsliding

Title: Living Godly Means Knowing Where You Are Going

INTRODUCTION

Biblical Orientation:

The Holy Spirit is a wonderful blessing because He provides God’s children with a spiritual compass. With God, you can never be lost! You will know where you are going. As a matter of fact, you will have a purpose in all that you do

Knowing where you are going is especially important in today’s world. Have you seen how many that are just running around without purpose or direction in their life? God’s children know that He is taking them spiritually exactly where He desires

Sermon Orientation:

In Joshua 23, we see a great leader about to pass off the scene. A new generation must take over. Transitions can be a scary, unless people are properly prepared to lead and live godly

Joshua reminds them of what is important. He tells them what God and Moses taught him. He tells of God’s Word and God’s plan. If you want to know where you are going in life; get with God’s plan, do not deviate from it, and do not turn back

EXPOSITION/MAIN TEXT

I. JOSHUA REVEALS HIS IMPENDING DEATH V1-7

A. A Death Of Natural Causes V 1

1. Joshua was old when the Israelites crossed the Jordan river, mid 80’s

2. Verse 1 reveals that since the time they had conquered the land, a long time had passed

a. It was actually another 30 years

b. 24:29 tells us Joshua died at 110 years of age

B. A Death Of A Godly Leader V 2-3

1. The rulers and elders etc. still came to him for advice and instruction

2. With age comes some wisdom, those that have God’s knowledge should not quit being a leader

3. A godly leader always points to the Lord

a. Verse 3 Look what God has done

b. Look what God is doing

C. A Death In Obedience And That Taught Obedience V 4-7

1. Joshua had divided the lands for the Jews inheritance v 4

a. We skipped over much of that, but they surveyed and drew the lines

b. Each tribe had been given their inheritance

c. They were firmly in the Promised Land

2. God will seal the promise if the Jews will continue in obedience v 5

a. They have driven out the people of the land, for the most part

b. They have possessed that which God has given to them

c. God is faithful who has promised

i. This is a key factor in living a godly life

ii. Those that live godly have surety and believe completely in God’s promises

iii. Living godly is a result of and proceeds from believing God

3. Joshua passes to the next generation his knowledge of obedience to the Lord v 6-7

a. Obedience takes courage

i. Remember 1:9 when the Lord spoke to Joshua, Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest

ii. God taught Joshua about courage, Joshua taught the children of Israel what he had learned

b. Obedience takes some doing

i. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth … observe to do according to all that is written therein … then thou shalt have good success

ii. Too many people have a rebellious spirit

iii. They do not want to do what the Bible says, they want to do it their way

iv. God says, success comes from doing things His way

c. Obedience makes no turns from the faith

i. A quote of Moses, Deuteronomy 5:32

ü Joshua only tells what he has learned from God and godly men

ii. Proverbs 4:26-27 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil

ü Keep on the straight and narrow path

ü Think about the obstacles that can keep you from going God’s established way

ü To stay on God’s path is to remove your life from evil influence

d. Obedience keeps the tongue under control, it will control your mind and your actions v 7

i. Do not even speak about false gods! (repeat)

ii. Acknowledging is the first step of disobedience

iii. You may think it is funny when you say, the gods have done this or that

iv, The real God does not find any humor in that at all

v. He says, soon, you will be serving and bowing to them

II. JOSHUA EXHORTS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TO CLEAVE UNTO THE LORD V 8-11

A. An Exhortation To Keep Doing What They Were Doing V 8-10

1. Hold on tight to the Word of God

a. It is sure, each time as a pastor I see people drifting away from the Lord; they have quit cleaving

b. They have decided in their heart they no longer need God

c. The only way to stay close to God is to keep close to Him

d. Failing to cleave is failing to stay

2. Cleaving to the Lord gives you strength

a. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power

b. Our power is a spiritual power not physical

c. Spiritual power enables you to stay on God’s path

d. Spiritual power enables you to serve the Lord

e. Serving God in your own strength is a recipe for failure

3. Verse 10 tells about the ability to war

a. We war against spiritual powers of evil

b. Powers which we cannot win against in our strength

c. Therefore, we cleave to the Lord, because then He does the fighting for us

4. If you are fighting spiritual oppression, make sure that the Lord is fighting for you

a. Cleave to Him

b. Be sure you are not fighting Him

B. Joshua Exhorts Them To Pay Attention V 11

1. Notice the warning signs of not being close to the Lord

a. You are not reading your Bible

b. You are not praying

c. You are not making it to church as often

d. Not preacher rhetoric, truth!

2. The most dangerous thing that can to happen to a Christian is to lose their love for the Lord

a. Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4 thou hast left thy first love

b. First and foremost in your life is that you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind

c. Be vicious towards anything that tries to keep that from happening

d. Fight it until it is put to flight!

III. JOSHUA TELLS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ABOUT THE DANGERS OF BACKSLIDING V 12-16

A. The Certainties Of God’s Way V 14

1. They do not fail!

ü 1 Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people

2. God’s promises are kept towards us because He loves us

a. God derives great pleasure in helping you through life

b. God has invested much into your life

3. If you will follow the ways of the Lord and not turn, you will find that He is faithful

a. He will never leave you nor forsake you

b. He will be your ever present help in the time of need

c. He will be your friend and counselor

d. He will be your strength when you have none

B. The Certainties Of Backsliding V 12-13, 15-16

1. Joshua sternly warns the Jews, “do not go back”

a. He is telling them do not go back to the world, Egypt

b. Do not go back to the ways of the false gods

c. Do not get involved with the heathen

d. When we quit cleaving to God and cleave to the world, we have fallen into the devil’s trap

2. This is when bad things happen in a life

a. Now, when you need the Lord, your prayer time is spent re-establishing your relationship

b. Now, when you cannot defend yourself, you find that you have ignored the one who will and wants to do so

3. Backsliding brings a person into the evil ways of the world

a. It will destroy all you have

b. It will destroy your relationship with the Lord

c. It will destroy your fellowship with God’s people

d. It will take you out of God’s will

e. It will ruin a good marriage

f. The promises after salvation will slip away

LESSONS IN LIVING GODLY

The person who does not know where they are going, in the Lord, is a person without a spiritual compass

Someone may be here this morning; you have always gone your own way. You have never sought God for the forgiveness of your sin. Your life is a mess and you do not know what to do. Call upon Jesus. He is willing to save your soul. He will reveal a life that you never thought possible. You will find the peace you do not have

Some may be here and you have backslidden. Life is tumbling down a slippery slope and you cannot get it stopped. You have gone your own way and now things are out of control. In Revelation 3:3 Jesus says, Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Turn back to the Lord; you will never overcome in your own plan. Seek the heart of the Lord and ask Him to forgive you. He promises He will

Are you still on the straight and narrow? Do Not Deviate From God’s Plan And Do Not Turn Back. Heed the exhortation and encouragement from Joshua to continue in that which is good and holy

CONCLUSION

Have you turned from God’s plan

Have you turned back from His ways

Have you compromised His ways to have your way

Until you are on God’s straight and narrow path, you will always find that the relationship you desire with Him seems distant and shallow