Determinig Strength
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hello
hello
Introduction
Ushers come down
Announcements:
Radiant women..june 9th @7pm See rachel smith
Mens meeting june20th @7pm see jeremy for details.
Btw last monday was an amazing time. thanks ray for hosting us and jeremy for leading us into such a good night in God’s presense.
Wed Bible study June 29th 7pm
Also something we have going on throughout the summer i dont want to give away any details but i do want to invite Cindy Carpenter up really fast.
Memorial day....Baseball, hotdogs, hamburgers, fireworks, nice glass of sweet tea swimming in the watering hole....these are the items that make up a perfect memorial day.
However Memorial day wasnt created for any of those things, its meant to observe and honor the men and women who have died for our freedom.
Which became a holiday in 1971 which was previously known as decoration day. where all across America we began to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.
Im so thankful for the freedoms this country allows us. …This country is for the people by the people.
Us president Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg address says it better than me
That these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
So on this day we honor those fallen who have helped cultivate and create what we can freely live in today. Many countries around us in this world dont have what they would call the privileges we have.
Thank God for this country and the ability to freely share the True Gospel to this country and through this country to the world.
So for just 30 seconds id like for us to just honor the people in thought and be in prayer for a minute for the families that are still today facing fallen brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. Tomorrow may be a day of remembrance and victory for all but to others its still a day of mourning. To allow us to cover this country in prayer for those families.
Amen. So we appreciate the freedom in this world but we also today thank God for the freedom we have in him!
Martin Luther
A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none’ a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone
1 Corinthians 9:19
As we open up the word today we are going to talk about our freedoms. See we know that God has created us and planted us in freedom. We can literally choose whatever we want. We can chose to do good or evil, we can choose to love or to hate, we can choose to listen and obey or to run our own way. We can choose Him who is seated upon the throne or the one cast into the lake of fire.
Freedom brings us a choice…
General George C. Marshall During a speech to the graduating class of the US Military Academy on May 29th, 1942 Said and quote
“ We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other.”
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:
11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’ ”
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’
14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them
15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.
18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
In this passage we see the Israelites who have been following Moses for years now. Living in the desert which has become known to them. Its become home to them. They know its layout, they understand its structure. They know the capabilities of Moses’ leadership as well as God’s Sovereignty and provision. They have treaties of protection around them. No enemies that want to destroy them. Everything is peaceful and okay until old ages catches Moses…now he has died and the next era of leadership is stepping into play.
Joshua son of nun Moses’ aid step in to lead them.
When Joshua steps up to the plate and begins to speak with God on how to move forward the first decision isnt a light one. Its not something simple to do. It’s a challenge, it’s a fulfilled promise that the Israelites have given up hope on and gotten comfortable with the way they live life. Its so easy for Joshua to back down from this…what if the people don’t want to follow me…what if they abandon me God? What if the people kick me out of leadership? So many questions that Joshua could have pondered on and could have helped transition his decision. The looming fear over a persons life when God speaks to them. Not a fear of judgment or critic…but even the fear of moving ahead.
Its scary…it’s the unknown territories that God sends us into, to claim victory over.
The victory sounds nice but the challenge is terrifying.
James says in James 1 2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
So how do we take our fear and turn it into freedom in the midst of a challenge before us?
So here are 3 things we are going to look at. First is found in
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
1). Theres a Challenge
How to get over fear and step into Freedom in christ we accept the challenge.
Israel’s been comfortable. They have been dealing with the hand they have been dealt. Now the challenge is to change everything.
To claim that which God gave you when he Spoke it.
You are entering into a New territory. You are entering into Your Given Territory
See there are two challenges here one of the unknown territory. they dont know whats on the other side of the Jordan. Last time they looked they claimed there were giants and armies that would destroy them.
See there become these unknown factors in the equation of this challenge that allow an excuse to back down from it.
But thats not all. there are also unforseen challenges.
They have to cross over the jordan. and maybe in a time of drough it would be okay, itd be not that bad. However flip on down to
14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.
15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,
16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
All during harvest: how much better would it have been if they could have waited for a different season, how much better if they could have choosen the time to cross.
maybe even a miraculous drought to come along before they cross.
But they honor God in His timing. So in their willingness to trust Him during hard times.
GOD SHOWED UP and showed his power in this great challenge before them.
finish reading 15-16
Which brings us to point number 2
2). Know who’s with you
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
this is commitment
Joshua and the Israelites had to recognize that God was commited to them.
Upon this understanding they have no fear.
they know that the powerful presense of God is with them. God reminds joshua that listen im sending you but im with you. Where you go i go.
God isnt sending an angel to stand in the gap, no spiritual force or cloud of his presence. God is going with them. He is acting in real time upon thier lifes. They may not see him but they will know and have the assurance that they would never be left nor abandoned.
What does it mean for God to be with us?
first we must understand the term “us” isnt everyeone. Romans8 7
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
I pray we understand that when we accept Jesus as our savior he too promises us His power and presense for our lifes.
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Upon a confession of faith and death to old self through forgiveness of sins and being washed away. We are baptized and recieve the Holy Spirit which is the exact same God that was with the Isralites, except now he Resides in YOU!
This is a promise
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
See no matter what was to come God was going to move in real time upon the lives of the israelites…We just read it the israelites sent the convenant ahead of them and as thier feet touched to water..
That means they kept on going going. that means that in faith they stepped as if the water wasn’t there. that means through faith they knew God was before them,
That means the obstacles have no power to be in the way, They have no right because its been said that i will cross my jordan go to the other side and claim all that God has written for me! Come on now.
Has God told you something long ago, has God mentioned something to you through a dream, in a moments notice. Has God give you a passion for something that has become a dream in your life.
Then i need you to be excited because im showing you right now that if you allow yourself to walk by faith. Let your toes touch that water then the obstacle can be Miraculously moved out of the way!
Now this gives assurance and confirmation to Israel that God is with them!
This is faith building moments like this that change lifes. That touch souls and forever radically change a generation of believers who have been on edge. Who havent seen God move in this way.
They see God is commited to HIS people!
The next thing we must do it.
3). Respect His Word
But Vs 7 Joshua 1 7-9
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Israel must respect God’s word. They had to remain faithful in time of wearyness.
This is one of main points of this passage we must be strong and courageous.
To show strength and courageous lifestyles upon God’s word.
God intends the greatest for us. Even here the Israelites remember who God was at first but soon forgot the full promise.
Listen let me say it this way.
God has promised he is going to do something with you for you through you. And he does. But then what. We stop and pause. Are we done with what were suppose to do?
Let me use my personal example. God spoke over me when i was a young boy. Through multiple people i was called to be a pastor. Then in my own life i aspired to do so as well. Well here i am. Does that Mean God’s promise is fulfilled. Challenge accepted overcome and done.
NO…..Let me show you with scripture.
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
Upon Israels highest level of growth during King David and King Solomons rule. Israel only occupied 1/10th of the promised land.
They recieved the promise and thought that must be it. When we should have stayed meditating on what God is doing for us.
See we still seek instant reward. Okay we go over this obstacle, we’ve faced this battle and now we are where we need to be and we can have the Victory in Christ. LEts read
But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
God’s promises are a process.
It doesnt happen over night we grow into the complete fulfillment of God’s promises in our life’s .
Just as i will continue to grow as a pastor, which in turn grows you and this church. Spiritually and Culturally!
How do we continue to grow well God Tells us in 7-9
Strong and courageous…Its mentioned multiple times but are we talking about here.
The word Strong here is this passage is referred to as Hazaq.
Hazaq to be strong strengthen, to fortify.
Represents inner or physical strength for a purpose or intended action to carry out God’s command.
This word is specifically used to represent the strength needed to go into battle and Seize land.
Listen let me paint a picture really fast as we close this down.
This isnt the first time israel has headed toward the promised land. The first time moses went with the assembly of leadership that had a say in how they moved forward and God commanded them to pick up and leave Horeb.
See the command was to go. The command ....there was a command placed that said go and receive what ive saved for you.
Go and Live in the place i have prepared for you.
This command said Go and the Israelites said its to scary. There too big. Too many things happening. I cant…and there weakness became there punishment.
They stopped doing one thing that we see God is saying to them again.
he looks to joshua and says listen be strong and courageous. He says it multiple times but the secret to maintaining strength is whats found inbetween the lines here.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Be careful…what does that mean to be careful?
Careful is to make sure we avoid potential danger…
and the danger isnt the jordan river…its not the obsticale…danger isnt the enemy coming against us in battle.
The danger is we say God isnt big enough to handle the situation he has decreed we walk through
The danger is that we shrink the faith we have
The danger is the freedom that we have to choose what we focus on.
So what we must do is not give way. We must study the word and respect the Word with all that we have.
We must be like moses in the beginning of his Call, God called to lead the israelites out of Egypt and God said I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.
We must have faith that God will be our guider. He will teach us.
If We do that God makes a promise to us in Isaiah 59 21
21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go
Maybe today we can relate with the Israelites,
Something we have to understand is the promise that was given to abraham was generations of generations before Joshuas time. A promise that brought hope and some sort of belonging to the slaves leaving egypt. The fathers and grandfathers of the Current Israelites.
See these people dont have any struggles. They are living a life they have created. Wondering Living, Eating, Worshiping. They are okay. There are comfortable. Now the Leader has died and a new Guy steps in and New leadership. REally any type of change can cause people to say who is this guy trying to disrupt my life.
God made a promise and this israel still had hope that He would fulfill that promise.
A hope that transfered in Faith. Faith of course into action. Actions that would transform Israel forever!
Have you had a dream you have always wanted to reach?
Something that has always been tugging at your heart to have?
But that dream either seems so far gone now, maybe because youve made wrong turns, maybe youve just aspired down a totally different path these days?
Well rest assure because so did the israelites. Yet God said okay Listen I am challenging you to listen.
Are you at that stage where youve lost hope, or maybe you are just comfortable where you are? Maybe God has been trying to pull at your heart but you havent given him the chance to speak to you. If that you today i want to give you an option to come down to the alter today. Allow God to speak to you. Allow His voice to Challenge you.
Give a few minutes....of music
Or maybe you have heard the challenge thats before you....but you dont know how you are going to get there.
You see a mountain that stand in your way or a river that is high. So you proclaim its just not the right season for you to attempt this.
Its not the right season because you have to deal with the kids ima wait till they get older before i...
or man im about to get let go and i really need this job. if i change anything in my life the balance may affect my work and they will fire me…God will understand....
Ima ask you if thats you today…if God is speaker to you and you are right there..
Then Allow God to remind you at the alters today that HE is with you! ALlow God in your worship build your faith and remind you that
"He will never leave you nor forsake you”
Amen come on down if thats you this morning.
Few minutes of music
Lastly i want us to sing this song but one more call...
Some have been living accepting challenges and living life knowing God is in control. Knowing that God is with you in different struggles.
But are doing so doubtfully.
You know we can do what God asked us to do but still have doubt?
If you are faithfully but doubtful i wanna call you to the alter today to recieve internal strength. Ive been praying over this and i believe some of us just need some strength to continue into the promise. So if thats you today
Youve felt like you are doing what God is doing but at times you are just doubting God..Not his inability but yours…then come down and allow God To touch you and to stay with you...
Remember
Accept His Challenge because its always on Time
Know He is With you
Respect His Word and allow it to live in your head rent free!
Love yall be blessed!
