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This
being my first sermon, James did an audio recording. You can download it.
(15.8 MB .wav file) This was also before I began writing out my sermons
(which I learned, after this my first one, works better for me), so
it’s not available in text form.
However, the basic outline I used is included below. Joshua 1:1-9 – Joshua commissioned by the Lord Scripture text: After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord,
the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’
assistant, saying, 2‘My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed
to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving
to them, to the Israelites. 3Every place that the sole of your
foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. 4From
the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river
Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall
be your territory. 5No one shall 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 not
fail you or forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous; for you shall
put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to
give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to
act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do
not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be
successful wherever you go. 8This book of the law shall not depart
out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you
shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. 9I
hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or
dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever
you go.’ Sermon in a sentence:
Success in the Christian life comes through obedience to God
(accomplished by learning and meditating on His Word), who has promised to be
with us. Opening idea: Everyone
wants to be a success – lots of people offer promises of ways to be
successful (gimmicks and ‘make it big and fast’ schemes) A. Book of Joshua tells of conquest of
Canaan and division of land among the tribes -
land was promised to Abraham (Gen. 12) B. Moses had served as a great leader -
led people from slavery in Egypt -
mediated Law at Sinai -
helped to mold people into a nation / spoke on their behalf to God -
but disobedience (striking of rock to bring forth water) prevents entrance to
Canaan C. Enter Joshua – new leader -
Joshua a type of Christ figure (as he succeeds Moses to achieve victory so X
succeeds the Law) -
had served as Moses’ aide -
accompanied Moses up Mt. Sinai -
attended Moses at Tent of Meeting -
served as military leader in battle with Amalekites (where Moses lifted his
hands) -
1 of original 12 spies sent to Canaan II. Joshua’s
calling A. Big shoes to fill (Moses) -
had already been commissioned before Moses’ death -
now God speaks directly to Joshua (assurance and personal commission) B. Joshua’s purpose / responsibility -
be “strong and courageous (resolute)” -
lead Israel into Canaan and take the land (requires action) -
must be obedient (requirement for God’s giving success) C. God’s
role -
promises to give the land -
promises to be with Joshua -
promises Joshua will prosper and be successful if he is obedient III. Application A. What’s our commission? -
we all have something: Great Commission to more specific directives B. Our purpose / responsibility –
same as Joshua -
be “strong and courageous” -
expect to have to take action -
be obedient C. God’s role -
promises to be with us -
promises obedience will result in success (in God’s terms, not the
world’s) |