The harvest needs courageous men

Matthew 9:37 KJV 1900

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

the harvest

The harvest is great in today's world, is it not? At one time just inside Springfield there were 300 "churches" now that's all faiths. But even in Springfield the harvest is great and churches and families are under attack today. So we truly need courageous men today for the harvest. Today I want to look at one of the courageous men of the bible and his calling by God to lead his people.

Now you may say I'm just a nobody or just laymen in church and I came because they said free breakfast. But I mean to say if you are A father or a husband you are called by God to be the spiritual leader of your home. If you are a Christian you are called to spread the gospel as Jesus gave us the great commission.

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.

In verse one God says Moses is dead now rise up!

John said last time he preached that he believed that hillside baptist church could be the catalyst for revival in the Ozarks and America. Do you believe? Well God is saying it is our time as men of HBC to rise up and stand! The Ozarks need courageous men to tell them about Jesus!

Why did God choose Joshua.

1. He was a proven man

In exodus he was called upon a few times to fight. Why he was chosen because he was standing a bad fighting for God!

Exodus 17:9–13 KJV 1900

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Remember the 12 spies in the land of Canaan and the 10 were bad and two were good who were the two?

Numbers 14:8 KJV 1900

If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

So many today are saying you can't witness today, he can't go door-knocking today doesn't work it's just too hard. I'm just to tried or I can't speak in front of people. Or maybe even in to old. I remember the old Tommy stone song "excuses excuses you hear them every day when people come to know the Lord the devil always loses so he offers them excuses."

How BIG is your God? If you have a if God you have little problems. If you have a little God you have big problems? Joshua had a big God he knew they would bring them into the land

2. He was a servant verse 1

Moses can I get you some water? Can I help us set up the tent?

Exodus 24:13 KJV 1900

And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

Joshua stood at the foot of the mountain for 40 days.

3. He was willing to stand and fight.

When Joshua fought the giants.

Exodus 17:10 KJV 1900

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

1. God will provide v3-4

He will provide the land. Or the harvest. If you study forward and Joshua you'll see that the Israelites never claimed all of the promised land.

Men of HBC let's not be like these men and never clam all that God has given us to claim for Jesus Christ. Let's not be satisfied with just a little bit or just an average of 300 members.

He will provide his protection v5

He will provide his presence v5 God says he will never leave thee nor forsake thee. He his a friend that's closer than a brother.

2. What it takes to be a courageous man.

It's great how God has called us and great that he provides but we must make the decision.

1. We must have courageous faith. V6

After heeling many people he said thy faith hath made thee whole. Faith as a Mustard-seed.

2. Be in Gods word and Observe to do v7-8

3. Will we pray and keep praying. Without ceasing.

When Joshua and Israel went to God first they won the battles.