Joshua 1:1-9

As we have reach our final three weeks as your pastor I want to recognize that my role as your pastor has not ended just yet.

I want to take this opportunity to share with you some words from the scripture as you prepare to go onward without me

It is not going to be an easy task ahead, and I pray the Lord has worked in you while I have been here.

I want to look at a scriptural transition that took place

I want to look at Joshua assuming command of Moses.

The relevance of this for us is more then can be recognized.

We can learn about this scriptural transition and prepare for the one ahead.

Joshua 1:1–9 KJV 1900

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? 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.

1. Gods Blessings still persist for future leadership.

Their is some good news here for you.

Though I feel God has adequately blessed and equipped me my departure will not take away from Jesus Christ’s blessings on this church.

If you are people who seek God’s will, which I think you are, then God will maintain many future blessings for this body.

In Joshua 1:2 God told Joshua this.

Joshua 1:2 KJV 1900

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

The good news in this scripture… the promised land is still in sight for God’s chosen people.

God’s blessing was upon the people, not upon the Moses alone.

Though Moses was a part of that the promised land was not pulled out from under them at Moses’s death.

They had hope that God’s promise would maintain, in fact, they could count on it.

The same goes for you, I have been blessed to be here and lead you for this what would be close to 4 years.

You have helped me grow tremendously in my ministry and faith, as I pray I have for you.

However, Gods promises upon this church does not depart with me.

I ask you to prepare for your future, because, God has not delivered you to the promised land yet.

God even went farther when talking to Joshua.

He said in verse 3.

Joshua 1:3 KJV 1900

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

God maintained his promise to Moses through Joshua.

I say this to encourage you and say that if you stay in the will of the Lord, God’s faithfulness will remain with you.

It has been with us for some time

Last week as an example we saw two answered prayers in which this church has been faithfully praying for.

God’s faithfulness has been and will remain with you.

2. No Evil Will Come Against You

Yeah evil will try

it may win an occasional battle, but it will not win the war.

Joshua 1:5 says this

Joshua 1:5 KJV 1900

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

God promised Joshua that no one would be able to stand against him

That didn’t mean they wouldn’t try but it did mean this, God would be faithful and his promise to the chosen people. “No one shall rise against you”

Psalm 91:10–12 KJV 1900

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Though evil will be present and putting forth its best effort, it will do no good against God’s people

For us today Jesus Christ has conquered evil, it shall not befall us.

In this body of Believers, as long as you are putting Christ first, no evil shall befall you.

3.Have Good Courage

God’s command to Joshua was simple,

Joshua 1:7–8 KJV 1900

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

So I tell you today s God told Joshua

“Be Strong and very Courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to the law.”

I know transitions are tough.

I want you to know my prayers are with you

However, beyond that I want you to remain strong and courageous

Just as we have saw from what God had done for Joshua and the chosen people

He remained faithful

He protected them from evil

Since God has been faithful to his promises let us do the same.

May we remain people who follow his commands, and remain strong and courageous

Even in the midst of this upcoming transition

Discouragement may be easy for you

Remain strong and courageous

Frustration may be easy for you,

Remain strong and courageous

This verse command in mentioned again in verses

Joshua 1:9 KJV 1900

Have not I commanded thee? 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.

Look at that last line for today’s word.

“The Lord thy God is with you whithersoever thou go”

Church if you are faithful the Lord Thy God will be with this congregation.

My prayer today is that you would stand strong and courageous because you have seen Gods faithfulness and will continue to do so

Corinth Baptist Church this is my first message in the last series I will preach with you.

I preach this in prayer that you would be faithful unto the Lord.

I pray that you would seek his will.

I pray that you would act swiftly and wisely

Most of all I pray you know that he is a faithful father today

He is the Alpha, the omega, the beginning and the end.

he brings all together for the purpose of good.

He is the one who has given us a second chance and life hereafter.

Whatever you do, praise him, and be about the fathers business.