FHBC Sermon Notes

 The book of Joshua is a climatic moment in the history of Israel. After wandering the wilderness as a result of their disobedience, here a new generation was set to finally enter the promised land.

Historical context

Moses dies east of the Jordan, at Mount Nebo, and here God calls Joshua to now be the leader of Israel. He is given the command to cross the Jordan and to lead his nation, God's nation into the land that was promised. Joshua was given God's own authority. God did not simply hand over his authority, but he has appointed his people for such a time like this. 

God has worked leadership in to all parts of our lives. As husbands we are commanded to be leaders of our home. God has given us leadership in our country, we have bosses at work, there are teachers at school, elected officials and appointed officials alike. And most significantly, we are given leadership in church. We like to thing that church is about our own individual desires, but God has given the church spiritual leadership to shepard us. These leaders lead us not to do their own desires over ours, but instead to see God's glory revealed. What we see here in Joshua is a foreshadowing of what will build in his church. 

What is the relationship of pastors and leadership in the church to the people?

1. Pastors lead the church to obey God's word faithfully.

1 Timothy 3:2-7 - one difference between the deacon and pastor is must be able to teach. 

Acts 6:1-7 - the conflict hear is that the apostles were trying to do their primary task which was that they we're preaching the Word of God. "devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Because the apostles were able to keep preaching then "the word of God continued to increase." 

The ministry of the word is critical to the church. We meditate on the word, that we may do the word. 

Matthew 28:20 - the teaching and the doing go together.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

We study God's word first to do his word. 

2. Pastors seek to unify the church in grace and truth.

Unity is not something we can produce on our own.  It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that this happens. 

• Titus 1:10-13 - Sometimes there are attacks from within and without. Sometimes pastors must defend from such.
  
• Ephesians 4:13-16 - "builds itself up in love". Pastors also build up and deify the church. 
  

Jim is telling the story of how Joshua had to deal with a conflict in which some of the tribes wanted to stay on this side of the Jordan and Joshua goes back to the word of God, to explain the promises and they people in understanding submitted to the leadership. The tribes that we're to stay must come over to fight, and so in love and in seeking the word of God first in is, Joshua was able to maintain the leadership of the nation. 

 We do not unify ourselves around some set of propitiations, but around the word of God. It is around his word that we rally. 

3. The church encourages its pastors and submits to their leadership.

The task of ministry is a difficult journey. The burdens of the Shepard are the burdens of all, for these burdens are our own. 

Did you know that the average tenure of southern baptist pastors is only 3.5 years. Jim's is committing himself to being here for the long term. It should be a joy to lead God's people.

Hebrews 13:17 - When we have joy, our pastor has joy, when he has joy, we have joy!

We need to tell our leadership not just abut our problems and burdens, but also about our joys. We need to encourage them, and submit to them. For it is by this God leads us. 

Jim says he wants to confess his love for us! It is a true joy!

Jim let me say this is a challenging and difficult sermon. I receive it and I say to it amen. We love you brother. And to James and all the rest of our leadership, we encourage and submit. We love you all. Let us seek God's glory, in joy, for he is good and great!