The Church of Joy, Williamson Ga
Series: Ordinary Hereos (Sermon 1 - Joshua)
Sunday Morning Sermon by Pastor Vaughn Drawdy
Locations & Times
The Church of Joy
3080 GA-362, Williamson, GA 30292, USA
Sunday 10:45 AM
The Bible is full of ordinary people that God has walked with, encouraged, empowered, and placed in hard places in order that His name be made great. These were ORDINARY people. But with God, they did extraordinary things. Their lives have been recorded for us to see, examine and find encouraging insight in our daily lives. In this series we will look at many ordinary people who God used.
But first, we must embrace the method for learning about these people. God reveals His relationship in His way, in His story, in His Book. God loves to reveal through story. Simple stories, complex stories, long stories, short stories. That is very eastern. These stories are not a form of entertainment but for gaining knowledge. Stories teach. It is not so much about information transfer, but an invitation to join... Join the story.
As you hear a story you are drawn into the action, the characters, identifying with someone. God wants us to join the great story, not just simply know the story or what the story means.
To start this series, we are going to look at the story of Joshua.
So let’s go to Joshua 1 and read a bit of God’s interaction with Joshua…
But first, we must embrace the method for learning about these people. God reveals His relationship in His way, in His story, in His Book. God loves to reveal through story. Simple stories, complex stories, long stories, short stories. That is very eastern. These stories are not a form of entertainment but for gaining knowledge. Stories teach. It is not so much about information transfer, but an invitation to join... Join the story.
As you hear a story you are drawn into the action, the characters, identifying with someone. God wants us to join the great story, not just simply know the story or what the story means.
To start this series, we are going to look at the story of Joshua.
So let’s go to Joshua 1 and read a bit of God’s interaction with Joshua…
This is a pivotal time in Joshua’s life. Moses is dead and God has just tapped him and said, you’re up…
How was this a challenging position to fill?
In order to fulfill God’s plan, Joshua is told that God was with Him
>Joshua 1:3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
>Joshua 1:5 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.
>Joshua 1:6 - 7 - Joshua is told twice to be strong and courageous (once of those times (very) courageous - vs 7.
God is calling Joshua to walk by faith and not by sight.
As I have looked at Joshua’s life, I see a few things that I feel we need to glean from… I am sure there is more but these are key.
How was this a challenging position to fill?
In order to fulfill God’s plan, Joshua is told that God was with Him
>Joshua 1:3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
>Joshua 1:5 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.
>Joshua 1:6 - 7 - Joshua is told twice to be strong and courageous (once of those times (very) courageous - vs 7.
God is calling Joshua to walk by faith and not by sight.
As I have looked at Joshua’s life, I see a few things that I feel we need to glean from… I am sure there is more but these are key.
1. He knew God was with Him
-Joshua heard the cries from captivity
-Joshua saw God bring Moses the deliverer
-Joshua saw the 10 plagues
-Joshua saw how God delivered Israel from captivity
-Joshua saw how God parted the Red Sea and rescued Israel
-Joshua was there when God gave Israel water from a bitter brook, the rock and quail and manna to eat in the wilderness.
A significant moment that Joshua knew God was with Him:
(Exodus 17:8-16)
-Joshua heard the cries from captivity
-Joshua saw God bring Moses the deliverer
-Joshua saw the 10 plagues
-Joshua saw how God delivered Israel from captivity
-Joshua saw how God parted the Red Sea and rescued Israel
-Joshua was there when God gave Israel water from a bitter brook, the rock and quail and manna to eat in the wilderness.
A significant moment that Joshua knew God was with Him:
(Exodus 17:8-16)
Why tell Joshua? (verse 14) Could it be that God wanted Joshua to know and understand how he was victorious in battle? I believe so…The result: Joshua saw God working in the life of His people to deliver them, provide for them and protect them. (All faith builders)
FOR US:
Where have you seen God work in your life? Most of the time, we don’t acknowledge God’s provision properly, but sure long for it when it’s not there.
A faith-builder for us, look back over your life, ask God to help you see and remember those moments of deliverance, provision and protection.
Where have you seen God work in your life? Most of the time, we don’t acknowledge God’s provision properly, but sure long for it when it’s not there.
A faith-builder for us, look back over your life, ask God to help you see and remember those moments of deliverance, provision and protection.
Another thing that made Joshua strong and courageous:
2. He spent time in God’s Presence
-As Moses assistant (Exodus 24:12-18)
-At the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:7-11)
2. He spent time in God’s Presence
-As Moses assistant (Exodus 24:12-18)
-At the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:7-11)
All of this had great effect on Joshua - what he had seen God do, what He had heard God say. He knew God was with Israel.
Joshua was confidant in his knowledge that God was with them (him). We hear this in his words to Moses after they had been sent out to spy the land they were promised. 12 spies were sent out - only 2 had a good report - Joshua and Caleb. (Numbers 14:6-9)
Joshua was confidant in his knowledge that God was with them (him). We hear this in his words to Moses after they had been sent out to spy the land they were promised. 12 spies were sent out - only 2 had a good report - Joshua and Caleb. (Numbers 14:6-9)
Sadly, the people continued to rebel against God, so God punished them all. Even Caleb and Joshua had to walk through it… After forty years, Moses dies, and the whole of that rebellious generation except Joshua and Caleb died. Then, Joshua is chosen to lead.
God is calling him back to his earlier faith... "Be strong and courageous" (as you were). In order to stay strong and courageous, God gives Joshua clear commands: (Joshua 1:7-9)
God is calling him back to his earlier faith... "Be strong and courageous" (as you were). In order to stay strong and courageous, God gives Joshua clear commands: (Joshua 1:7-9)
God gave Joshua 3 things here to do in order to have the right results:
1. OBEY
2. STAY ON THE RIGHT PATH
3. PUT GOD's WORD IN, SO GOD’s WORD COMES OUT
To do this: Joshua must meditate on it constantly.
Define: Meditate (haggah)
Result - Overcome fear because of strength
Result - Overcome discouragement because of knowledge. (you know - “God is with you.”)
1. OBEY
2. STAY ON THE RIGHT PATH
3. PUT GOD's WORD IN, SO GOD’s WORD COMES OUT
To do this: Joshua must meditate on it constantly.
Define: Meditate (haggah)
Result - Overcome fear because of strength
Result - Overcome discouragement because of knowledge. (you know - “God is with you.”)
Closing thoughts:
Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we find strength and courage in the issues of daily life. We too can have strength and courage - it is given when we realize God is with us, He has given His Holy Spirit to be our guide, teacher, and encourager. The Holy Spirit gives us rebirth and renewal into a new and glorious purpose (Titus 3). We have God’s living word that we can learn, embrace, live in and live out. His words need to be our words, His Word gives us guidance and sets out the right path for us to walk on. He empowers us by the Holy Spirit to walk this path and gives us the Body of Christ. Strength and Courage are ours - today. Join His story... live in the strength and courage He gives in order that you reveal His love and life to those around you. Then you lead them like Joshua into a land flowing with God's blessing.
Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we find strength and courage in the issues of daily life. We too can have strength and courage - it is given when we realize God is with us, He has given His Holy Spirit to be our guide, teacher, and encourager. The Holy Spirit gives us rebirth and renewal into a new and glorious purpose (Titus 3). We have God’s living word that we can learn, embrace, live in and live out. His words need to be our words, His Word gives us guidance and sets out the right path for us to walk on. He empowers us by the Holy Spirit to walk this path and gives us the Body of Christ. Strength and Courage are ours - today. Join His story... live in the strength and courage He gives in order that you reveal His love and life to those around you. Then you lead them like Joshua into a land flowing with God's blessing.