FHBC Sermon Notes

 Today we begin a new study on the book of Joshua. This is a perhaps familiar but challenging text. How do we apply some of the challenges that are in this text.  Lets begin...
The setting
This books a significant turning point in the biblical narrative. God had raised a people for himself, who had forsaken his promises and failing to follow his law, had been condemned to wander the wilderness for 40 years. It was the end of that period and the peoples long term leader Moses, has died. Uncertainty abounds.
Joshua 1:1-9
Be Strong and Courageous...
1. ... because God's promises are certain and true. 
We all know promise breakers, oursleves included. But God is not only a man that his promises may fail, or out of his control and power. His promises are true and unfailing becuase he is God. Throughout history he demonstrates this through the deeds of his hands.
In this text, this " is the land that I am giving to you." This is in accordance to the promises that he made in Genesis 12 to Abraham, to bless him and to raise from him a great nation from which all the world would be blessed. God hand of protection was on them. We and they are not promise no suffering but that God will lead us through to the fulfillment of his promises. That the start of Joshua, the land is the one part of the promise to Abraham that had not been fulfilled to date. Even when this had not yet happened God still states will all certainty that "I have given to you." How can this be? It is becuase God is in full control. There is nothing beyond the stretch of his hand. And so he says live "strong and courageous."
We can live the same. We can be strong and courageous because God's promises are true. In Christ we are "more that conquerors!" Romans 8:37
2. ... because God's presence abides with us. (1:5,9)
Moses and God had a special relationship. Moses had abided with God, but what about Joshua? In verse 5 God makes it clear, just as with Moses, God will abide with Joshua. Do not be dismayed, he says, I am with you always.
No matter how daunting the situation or task we and Joshua have the great promise that we are in the presence of God. Matthew 28:19-20 "behold I am with you always." What more do we need? We are witnesses, more than conquerors, bearers of the greatest word and proclamation to all the world. We have power not from ourselves, but from the presence of this savior in our lives.
3. ... because obedience to God's word brings us success.
God knows not only what we want and need, but fills our lives with the desires that bring us to him.