A Ministry That Moves Forward

Introduction

We are moving from talking about God’s individual contact with us to the way God deals in the life of His people as a community. We know that God touches us as individuals. But He doesn’t leave it there. God’s interaction with us as individuals also has profound implications for the communities of faith with which we identify. [Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 34–35.]

gives us a unique opportunity to concentrate on life lived in a community. [Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 34–35.]

applicable to our own individual lives and our interaction with others in our communities of faith. For us, this community of faith involves the people of the New Covenant—the church of Jesus Christ. Both communities, Israel and the church, are communities of hope, action, and promise. Joshua and Israel provide a model for our contemporary Christian community, showing us two primary pictures of a people mobilized for action. One is the picture of a leader. The other is the picture of a people. [Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 36.]

1) Leadership Qualities That Advances Gospel Ministry

A. Being in tune with God

People have a right to expect Godly leadership.

Leadership must have a word from the Lord and that word being obeyed.

There is never any room for double standards.

Every religious leader must have a life that shows humble dependence on the Lord and live humbly toward other leaders.

Having a management degree is not the same as having a daily relationship with the living God.

Joshua had been with God, listened to Him, dealt with his doubt and fears and went forward with confidence.

This chapter revolves around the identity of God’s people and their human leader.

Such leadership must lead with strong conviction and courage.

Only then will people follow in positive ways.

Notice Joshua’s encouraging instructions:

You would have expected Joshua to have said, “Get the boats ready so we can cross the Jordan.”

Joshua never second guessed God to provide a miracle.

In tune with God is crucial to every leader:

Illustration: (Richard C. Halverson) The larger the rock you drop in a quiet pool—the greater the ripples that radiate out from the splash washing across everything in their way as they circle toward the edge of the water. [Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 38.]

Quote: A man’s impact moves out from him in concentric waves touching everyone within the sphere of his influence with greater or less force … depending on the man! [Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 38.]

Every man and woman who follows Jesus is called in some capacity of leadership that requires time spent with God.

B. Willing to take tough stands

The moment of truth had come for Joshua. No longer could he equivocate.

The moment comes for every leader to move from PREPARATION to ACTION.

LISTEN — this is when a leader become the most VULNERABLE.

Not an easy place to be!!!

Quote: Ted W. Engstrom said, “Any worthwhile accomplishment has a price tag.”

Every leader must expect criticism, fatigue, loneliness, unpleasant decisions, rejection, etc.

This is why Paul said a new convert (novice) should never be put into leadership

Joshua was SHOT DOWN years ago when he let his voice known about crossing over.

That generation is now dead and a new generation was ready to believe God.

Quote: It’s unfortunate but true that sometimes the only way a ministry can move forward is by conducting a few funerals. (Warren W. Wiersbe)

Story told by Warren Wiersbe: A pastor friend of mine pleaded with his church board to build a new educational plant to house an exploding Sunday School. One of the long-time members of the board, a prominent businessman in the city, said to him, “You’ll do this over my dead body!” And they did! A few days later, that officer had a heart attack and died; and the church moved ahead and built the much-needed educational plant.

Listen — Joshua and Caleb were the oldest two of the entire group and yet they were enthusiastic trusting God and the leader He gave them.

The final question should never be, “What would my dead relative, pastor, or friend do.” The final question is, “What would God have me to do!”

C. Willing to delegate

Delegation was something Joshua saw Moses learn from his father-n-law.

This is not a leader being lazy, but rather allowing others to join in to broaden the reach of their ministry.

God has only made one of you and desires you to give yourself to the areas He has called you too.

D. Presents a plan of action

Prepare, pass over, and possess!

They were heading to a land where there were natural resources. No more mana needed!

God provides supernatural resources when natural provisions are not sufficient.

Example: when Peter was in prison, his chains were loosed by an angel, and he was led out of his incarceration. God intervened supernaturally at the point of specific need. God did not then transport Peter on a magic carpet to the house where the believers were. Peter had to make his own way through the city of Jerusalem. [Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 42.]

Quote: Divine energy always stimulates activity. It never lulls one to sleep. (John Huffman & Lloyd Ogilvie)

2) Congregational Qualities That Advances Gospel Ministry

A. Completely Invested In The Whole

Notice the instructions Joshua had for the two and a half tribes who lived on the other side of the Jordan.

There were a number of the children of Israel that settled to only be invested in what they wanted

A place for cattle; to make a living, but not make a life!

They were far from the place of worship and had to erect monuments just to remind their children of who they were.

These were who you would call the “borderline believer.”

They were the ones who CAME CLOSE to their inheritance, but NEVER CLAIMED IT!

They posed a great danger in the remaining people going all the way into what God had in store for them!

Some want to stress on their pet interests and never willing to see the Gospel in all it’s WHOLENESS.

There is no room for selfishness!

We are a family.

Be sensitive to the needs of others.

You don’t retire from spiritual efforts because your kids are raised.

As long as you are breathing air, you are to go forward fulfilling spiritual responsibilities.

Just because you helped in a building project thirty years ago, does not mean you abdicate from the one goin on now.

B. United in following their God-given leader (v16)

“Command us and we will obey”

Notice that they had no hidden agendas!

They were willing to go they way God’s leader had instructed them.

They were not so attached to Moses that the put him above Joshua.

God had appointed them both.

Joshua did not have to defend his orders or the motives behind them.

There was not thought of conspiracy.

Their willingness was not based on their former leader who was dead, but the one God had for them now.

“Thy Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses”

The best thing we can do for those who lead us is pray for them. (NOT TO FIT YOUR MOLD)

There will be not success apart from prayer!!!

When Joshua failed to seek the mind of God, he failed when leading God’s people.

“life or death”

Would not the ministry of the church look a lot different if this was everyone’s perspective?

Without soldiers like that, Joshua would never had successfully conquered the Promised Land.

“by ye of good courage”

What a wonderful encouragement from a people to their leader.

Ephesians 6:10 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Quote: The first step toward winning the battle and claiming our inheritance is to let God encourage us and then for us to encourage others. A discouraged army is never victorious. (Warren W. Wiersbe)