23-1029a Transcript

Preacher: Mike Mathis

(1:52) Good morning, everyone. (1:55) Those who are physically here in the building, those who may be on the phone, we welcome you. (2:07) We pray that this lesson will be a building to everyone, including even the speaker. (2:19) But the lesson that I have chosen is called, Be Strong.

(2:28) That comes from Joshua 1, verse 6, where Joshua is encouraged by God, saying, (2:41) Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them. (2:59) Scott has been, in his lessons, series of lessons, talking to us about threats that deal with the spiritual part, (3:15) those things that the Christians can offer to us to beat if we give in to them. (3:31) We have the war in the Middle East.

(3:35) We have Israel and the Hamas people, Israel making war against them because of their attack of this group of individuals that knew nothing but terrorize people. (4:06) And listening to all the different doctrines, each one of these that I mentioned may cause fear, anxiety, (4:27) because where doctrines are concerned, we’ve got a multitude of doctrines around us. (4:36) For some, they don’t know just which one to hold on to.

(4:46) Of course, change. (4:49) We get used to doing the same old thing over and over, and suddenly there’s a change. (4:59) We come to change.

(5:02) Change is good sometimes because the way we may be doing may not be the right thing to do. (5:13) But other times, change may not be so good. (5:19) But change does bring a disruption to our lives.

(5:27) May bring discouragement. (5:31) You’ll wonder why there is a change in things. (5:37) But we find that that is just exactly what has happened when Joshua comes on the scene.

(5:47) There’s a change in leadership. (5:52) It’s not Moses, because Moses has died. (6:00) We look at Deuteronomy 34, and we see that Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab.

(6:19) According to the word of the Lord. (6:22) And he, God, buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Bethlehem. (6:33) But no one knows his grave to this day.

(6:39) No one knows, even after that day. (6:43) That is, when this book, when that particular part of the book was written. (6:50) Moses was 120 years old when he died.

(6:56) His eyes were not dim, nor his natural vigor diminished. (7:04) And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 30 days. (7:11) So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended.

(7:19) Then in Joshua 1 and 2, it says, (7:26) After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, (7:38) Moses' assistant, saying, (7:42) Moses, my servant, is dead. (7:45) Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, the children of Israel. (7:58) So Joshua now is taking over.

(8:02) We learn in Deuteronomy 31, verses 7-8, (8:16) Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, (8:24) Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers, to get them and you. (8:40) Let me read that again. (8:43) Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, (8:47) Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers, to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.

(9:08) Verse 8. (9:10) Let me read that one. (9:12) So we see that Moses now is telling the people that Joshua is going to be the next one to lead the people. (9:30) Because he said, he is the one who goes before you.

(9:35) He will be with you. (9:37) He will not leave you nor forsake you. (9:40) Do not fear nor be dismayed.

(9:46) And then in 34 and verse 9 of Deuteronomy, we have this reading. (10:00) Now this is verse 9 after we read that Moses has died. (10:09) Now Joshua the son of man was full of the spirit of wisdom.

(10:15) For Moses had laid his hands on him, so the children of Israel heeded him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. (10:28) And thus in Joshua 1 verses 5 through 9, we have this. (10:42) That now God is telling Joshua in verse 2 to arise.

(10:55) Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving them, the children of Israel. (11:07) Every place that the sole of your foot will tread I have given you, as I said to Moses. (11:16) From the wilderness and this Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, (11:28) to and to the great sea, for the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.

(11:37) That is Joshua’s commission, is to arise and go over this Jordan. (11:48) And it’s the land that God has promised to give these people. (11:57) And we see then in this, says no man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.

(12:10) As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. (12:16) I will not leave you nor forsake you. (12:20) Now Joshua is then given some encouragement.

(12:28) He says, be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. (12:45) Only be strong and very courageous. (12:52) So he wants them to, him to be strong.

(12:57) He wants Joshua to have the fortitude to lead the Israelites over into the land. (13:10) Now these people are the children of those who earlier were given the chance to go over into the land. (13:26) But they did not believe that they could go over.

(13:30) They would not believe that God would help them deliver the land. (13:37) He said there are giants in that land. (13:43) And we’re just not able to go over.

(13:49) Because twelve spies went over to inspect that land. (13:57) Ten of these spies brought that report. (14:03) Among these spies was Joshua and Caleb.

(14:09) They told the people, if God is favorable to us, we will be able to take their land. (14:19) The people chose to believe the ten spies. (14:25) They were even at that time going to stone Moses and Aaron and even Joshua and Caleb.

(14:36) Because they were trying to get these people to realize that yet they just would not listen. (14:50) They were even going to make captains in place of Moses and Aaron, of their own self, and go back to Egypt. (15:02) God did not want them to go back into Egypt.

(15:10) And so because they would not believe, at that time they did go over into the land. (15:21) God smote those people that chose to rebel against his command to go over. (15:33) And he also said that the Israelites would roam around forty years.

(15:47) A year for each day that the spies spied out the land. (15:53) They spied it out in forty days. (15:57) And so now it is time, forty years later, for these people who rose up after that generation that did not want to go over into Egypt.

(16:15) These people then, as Joshua was commissioned to lead these people over, (16:26) they also at the end of the book, well anyway, (16:35) he is told to be strong and very courageous. (16:42) That you may observe to do according to the law which Moses my servant commanded you. (16:51) Do not turn to the right hand or to the left.

(16:56) That you may prosper wherever you go. (17:01) This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth. (17:04) But you shall meditate in it day and night.

(17:10) That you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. (17:18) For then you will make your way prosperous. (17:22) And then you will have good success.

(17:26) Have I not commanded you? (17:29) Be strong and of good courage. (17:33) Do not be afraid nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (17:47) And then at the end of this chapter Joshua gathers the people together.

(17:59) And also he gathers those of the Reubenites, the Gaddites and the half-tribe of Manasseh (18:12) that had their inheritance on this eastern side of the Jordan. (18:21) And he told them, you know, that they were to go over and fight with their brothers (18:32) and help them to take the land. (18:39) And then he said, until the Lord has given your brothers rest as he gave you.

(18:49) And they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. (18:57) Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it (19:03) which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of Jordan toward the sunrise. (19:13) So they answered, saying, All that you command us, we will do.

(19:21) And wherever you send us, we will go. (19:26) Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. (19:33) Only the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.

(19:40) Whoever rebels against the command and does not heed your word (19:47) and all that you command him shall be put to death. (19:53) Only the strong and of good courage. (19:56) Now this is the people, and Joshua is giving them the commission (20:04) that they were to go over along with the rest of the Israelites (20:11) and overtake the land that God is giving them.

(20:17) So we find in this that it’s going to take some strength. (20:26) It’s going to take some courage to do this. (20:32) The only thing that will have them do what is acceptable to God, (20:44) that will make them victorious.

(20:49) And that’s what God tells Joshua. (20:55) He says for him too, what is in the book of the law, and that is the law of Moses. (21:05) He said you shall do, you shall observe it, and it shall not depart from your mouth.

(21:14) You shall meditate in it day and night, (21:17) that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. (21:26) That will make Joshua a prophet because God then would be with them (21:34) if they are obedient, if Joshua and the people are obedient to God’s commands. (21:45) Well, that’s the same thing with us today.

(21:49) Now we’re not under the old law. (21:52) We’re not under the law of Moses. (21:56) But we are expected to be obedient to the commands of Jesus.

(22:06) We are expected to be obedient. (22:11) And I see the time has slipped by. (22:21) I’m going to offer the invitation.

(22:27) You know, it’s going to take courage for us to stand up for God, for the Lord. (22:36) As Jim pointed out, as he was leading us in the Lord’s Supper, of course, (22:46) he was married and he arose on the third day. (22:55) You know, Jesus is the Son of the living God.

(23:00) And he was obedient to God, his Father. (23:04) He did all things that his Father had said. (23:09) And in Matthew 28, his whole power is given unto me in heaven and on earth.

(23:21) And you know, that makes him a member of the Godhead. (23:29) He’s God as well as God’s Son. (23:34) And he is the one that is ruling.

(23:39) And just as Joshua was promised to be with him, that he would be with him, (23:49) Jesus also promised that he would be with his disciples and he would be with us. (23:57) He said always. (24:00) Now, someone may have complained one time that God moved away from them.

(24:11) His question was, who moved first? (24:18) Yeah, so we must decide whether we’re going to stay true to God or not. (24:29) Yes, it’s going to take some courage. (24:31) We are going to face some opposition, but we must stay with him.

(24:37) We must be courageous. (24:40) So if there is anyone that wants to either put Christ on and baptize him (24:49) for the remission of sins and be baptized into Christ, to put him on, (24:56) we are going to do so. (24:59) For someone that needs to be restored, we are going to come at this time.

(25:07) And the church will pray for you to be that God may accept you. (25:16) And he will. (25:18) Let’s be courageous in order to follow God and obey him.

(25:24) We need a knowledge of his word. (25:28) And why not do so now while we stand and while we speak?