Joshua's Farewell

Introduction:

· About Schmidt – looking back over his career, his marriage, his family: What legacy?

· Joshua –reaching the end of his life and preparing to die: What will he say?

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT JOSHUA SHOWS US ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AT REST, HOW TO LIVE AT REST, AND THE GREATER REST THAT AWAITS US.

I) A Message for God’s people at Rest (and Waiting for Rest)

A. God’s People Rest While They Wait to Rest

i. God fulfilled his promise to give rest…(vv. 1, 3, 10, 14, 15)

1. Rest is deeper trust in God’s total care & protection

2. …yet, the work would continue – rest wasn’t yet fully here (vv. 4, 5)

ii. The Christian life: Already, Not Yet

1. The minute you come to Jesus: rest from sin, guilt, shame (Mt. 11:28)

Matthew 11:28 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

2. yet waiting for rest: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

B. Joshua’s Last Words for God’s Leaders

i. The Context: Joshua nears the end of his life speaking to leaders of God’s people

1. The challenges of leadership: Pride, ego, but also despair (vs. 2)

2. So: “Remember, that GOD fights for you, delivers you…” (vs. 3, 10)

ii. God’s Encouragement for Leaders:

1. The most specific application: the leaders of God’s people

2. EXAMPLE: Pastors, elders, Sunday School Teachers, parents, etc.

HOW DO YOU LEAD – YOUR CHILDREN, THE CHURCH, YOUTH GROUP…

II) Devoted to God: Living at Rest

A. God’s Gracious Gift: (vv. 6-10)

i. God’s Word Instructs leaders who feel the burden of leadership

1. Like Israel’s leaders we live w. uncertainty: kids & faith; culture…

2. God hasn’t left us alone; He has given us his word

ii. Be Strong to obey

1. Many believe the bible has something to say, teach…but authority?

2. EXAMPLE: “The bible doesn’t tell us about how we ought to live.”

B. Therefore: Be Strong to Obey God’s Word:

i. God’s Word will challenge us

1. There are many things we’ll have trouble with: Sexuality; money; politics

2. GOOD! That means we are understanding, hearing His Word!

ii. Therefore: Don’t turn from it (vv. 6-7)

1. Leaders: Be people of God’s word; don’t turn from it, ignore it, neglect it

2. Teach your children, your Sunday school, your …

iii. The Blessings of obedience (vv. 12-16)

1. Obedience brings God’s favor; disobedience the consequences

2. EXAMPLE: Honesty à short-term loss, but long-term gain

Transition:

III) God Calls us To Rest in His Love

A. The Language of Love: (vv. 11-13)

i. Obedience is more than following the rules in the book

1. Some of us know the rules, we follow the rules…but is there love?

2. Not only do we “guard” our God’s word; we also guard love for God

ii. God desires us to “cling” to him (vs.

1. What we “cling” to shapes us

2. EXAMPLE: Love money, and soon everything becomes a transaction; cling to “romance” and your life revolves around dating, etc.

3. We either cling to Jesus…or we cling to “the nations”

B. Jesus our Greater Joshua Has Loved us at Cost to Himself vs. 6, 11)

i. My Concern:

1. Leaving here, discouraged

2. The book of Judges!

ii. Jesus’ obedience secures our true rest first

1. Jesus never turned from the left or to the right, but loved & obeyed

2. Jesus acted first to secure God’s perfect rest for us

iii. Jesus’ obedience will lead us to the wedding feast

1. Jesus clings to us, holds fast to us in love so that one day he will present us without blemish as his pure spotless bride

2. Then, our rest will be here – free from sickness, suffering, sin, sadness…

Transition:

Conclusion

A closing appeal