The Stakes Are High!

The Stakes Are High!

(the need of moving forward)

Text: Joshua 1:1-9

Introduction

Deut. 31:14 “14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.”

Here is Joshua’s life the sorrow and heartache were real. The doubt and insecurity was present. Maybe even the thought of just settling for where he was and just live life short of God’s will.

However, leadership was commanded, the people were wondering, and the future Savior to be born was hanging in the balance. The stakes were high. Someone must step up and lead forward. Joshua was God’s new man.

In this life, there is always a desperate need for real leadership! God is always preparing the next leader for the works He desires to continue.

To grasp the value God places on leadership is equal to seeing the value God places on those whom He has called you to lead!

The stakes are higher than you might realize! What lays in the balance will go one way of the other depending on your answer to God’s call to leadership. It could mean the difference of life or death, success or failure, a broken heart or loving embrace.

We must ask ourselves some questions: “Will I go forward to claim God’s promises to me?” “Will I lead my family forward to claim God’s promises to us?” Will I take God’s recipe for success serious?” “Will I trust God to never forsake me on His path forward for my life?”

1) There Is Land to Possess

Remember, Moses has died (representing the law) and Joshua (type of Christ) is called to accomplish what Moses (the law) could not do.

The only means by which the people were able to obtain this NEW LIFE was Joshua’s success in leading them there.

Moses brought them so far, Joshua would take them the rest of the way.

To appreciate Joshua’s success, it is necessary to understand Moses’ purpose.

Im afraid many devalue Jesus and His gospel!!!

I am not saying Christians do this on purpose.

They may honestly come and worship Jesus with all their heart. However, due to a lack of understanding God’s law, their value of Jesus is at best mediocre.

I’ve heard some pastors say, “We are not here to get caught up in God theology. We are just here to be on team Jesus.”

Jesus is who we know Him to be because of who God is! To understand God’s position, is to deeply love Jesus!

Now, lets not forget how there was a multitude of people who died in the wilderness.

They settled for a lesser life than claiming the quality of life God had promised them.

Every square foot of that land was where they could live.

God also promised them NO ONE would be able to stand against them claiming all that God had promised them!!!

They were God’s people, however their fear and doubt held them back from experiencing a land only God could give them.

Let’s examine the land (new life, while living here) Jesus has given to us through His gospel success.

As you were enabled to come to Christ and trust Him as savior, so are you enabled to obtain a new life Christ has promised you.

Question: Can you honestly say that you always claim all of God’s promises?

Spiritual square footage = joy, hope, peace, contentment, strength, courage, forgiveness, mercy, patience, endurance, faith, purpose.....

2) There Is Future Success

Deut. 31:7-8 “7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

The remaining journey before Joshua will DEMAND STRENGTH & COURAGE!

Before Moses died, God commanded him to call for Joshua and to come to the tabernacle for God Himself to give Joshua his charge.

This was not the first time Joshua heard these words from God! God had already prepared him for such a time as this.

Joshua knew why this was necessary. Joshua was there when God spoke to Moses about wickedness the people would commit one in the land.

APPLICATION

To every place God’s will bring you, there is WORK to be done, strength to exercise and courage to embrace.

Do you remember some of the things Jesus told his disciples before He ascended?

John 16:33 “33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Just as God promised His presence to Joshua, He ensured His “remaining with us”

Notice the source of Joshua’s strength and courage:

God’s Word / God’s Law

Keeping in view of God’s holiness, their responsibility to Him.

Notice where God’s law was to always be found:

Heart, mind, tongue, hands and feet!!!

God and God alone was to be the single focus of Joshua’ entire person.

Quote: (over 200 years ago) Robert Murray McCheyne wrote to a young ministerial student who was abroad studying German: “I know you will apply hard to German, but do not forge the culture of the inner man—I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his saber clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God’s sword, His instrument—I trust, a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. I great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”

What lay ahead of him would test and tempt his entire person.

God’s promise of communion (v9)

Notice the very next verse; v10!!!

Conclusion

If you also want a “THEN” moment, saturate your life with God’s Word and then your life will acquire the strength and courage needed to “GO FORWARD!”