Concordia Lutheran Church
Passing the Test of the Past
The book of Joshua opens with a recap of Israel’s wandering through the wilderness. In this message, we’ll recap the Pentateuch and discover how our past can both warn us and teach us.
Locations & Times
Concordia Lutheran Church
16801 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Worship Online
https://live.concordia.ccGive Online
https://concordia.cc/givingJoshua: Passing the Test of the Past
Joshua 1:1-3, 7-9
6.26.2022
This is what God says to Joshua…
Joshua 1:1-3, 7-9
6.26.2022
This is what God says to Joshua…
- Be strong and very courageous.
- Be careful to obey all the law. Joshua 1:7
There is a reason why God says what He does! It goes back to 40 years earlier. Israel was supposed to enter the Promised Land. When they sent spies to check things out and the spies (10 of 12) come back with a report that says, “We will be slaughtered!”
- Be careful to obey all the law. Joshua 1:7
There is a reason why God says what He does! It goes back to 40 years earlier. Israel was supposed to enter the Promised Land. When they sent spies to check things out and the spies (10 of 12) come back with a report that says, “We will be slaughtered!”
Joshua is saying to the Israelites, “Remember what happened 40 years ago? Don’t let that happen again! Let’s learn from the mistakes of our past to make better choices and be more faithful today!”
1. Your past can be a Burden. Shame can weigh you down
The pain of the past can oppress us. It can take over and dictate the way we live our lives. For example, the pain or hardship of the past can become an excuse for your bad behavior.
- “I’m an alcoholic because my father was an alcoholic.”
- “I don’t know how to (manage money, work hard, love well) because nobody ever taught me.”
- Ahazia served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done. 1 Kings 22:53
- Jehoiachin served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done. 2 Kings 24:9
Many Israelites kings were evil because their fathers were evil. But it didn’t have to be that way. They chose to follow their father’s footsteps. Our past doesn’t have to rule our lives!
The pain of the past can blind us.
1. Your past can be a Burden. Shame can weigh you down
The pain of the past can oppress us. It can take over and dictate the way we live our lives. For example, the pain or hardship of the past can become an excuse for your bad behavior.
- “I’m an alcoholic because my father was an alcoholic.”
- “I don’t know how to (manage money, work hard, love well) because nobody ever taught me.”
- Ahazia served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done. 1 Kings 22:53
- Jehoiachin served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done. 2 Kings 24:9
Many Israelites kings were evil because their fathers were evil. But it didn’t have to be that way. They chose to follow their father’s footsteps. Our past doesn’t have to rule our lives!
The pain of the past can blind us.
2. Your past can be a Blessing.
The beauty of learning from the past is that you can learn from BOTH
- bad things (I’ll never ... do that again OR let that happen to me again) AND
- good things (I will definitely do that again).
In fact, when we learn and grow from our past, something truly amazing happens. That past (good or bad) can become a source of strength and hope.
The beauty of learning from the past is that you can learn from BOTH
- bad things (I’ll never ... do that again OR let that happen to me again) AND
- good things (I will definitely do that again).
In fact, when we learn and grow from our past, something truly amazing happens. That past (good or bad) can become a source of strength and hope.
“Remember what I’ve done for you.” What Jesus did and promised 2,000 years ago is still changing our present – and changing eternity. So, to start off our week well, let’s repeat a part of God’s command to Joshua ... a part that applies directly to you and me ...
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9