TEXT:  Joshua 1:1-6

INTRODUCTION:

A.      OT CHARACTERS SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE OF FAITH AND COURAGE.

B.      JOSHUA IS SUCH A CHARACTER.

          1.       Faith and courage led to dedication.

          2.       And to unduplicated success (Josh. 21:43;  24:31).

C.      JOSHUA CHOSEN BECAUSE HE WAS EQUAL TO THE TASK.

          1.       Rare character – see the 12 spies (Num. 13) – not subject to follow the crowd.

          2.       A rare task requiring the rare character of Joshua.

I.      THE GREAT PROMISES.

A.      THE LAND PROMISE (vs. 2-4).

          1.       A promise God made good (Josh. 21:43;  Neh. 9:7-8).

          2.       A promise has been made to us (John 14:1-3;  2 Cor. 5:1).

B.      STRENGTH TO OVERCOME ADVERSITY (vs. 5).

          1.       Strength from God.

          2.       God commands us to be strong and mature (1 Cor. 16:13).

          3.       True strength comes from God (Eph. 6:10).

                   a.  How strong is God? (Eph. 1:19-20).

                   b.  I can do all things (Phil. 4:13).

          4.       Where do we find this strength? (Eph. 6:14-17).

THE GOSPEL ARMOR!

1 Sam. 17:47

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD

C.      PROSPERITY AND GOOD SUCCESS (vs. 7-8).

          1.       In blessings (James 1:17-18;  Eph. 1:3).

          2.       In accomplishment (Col. 1:10-11;  John 15:5).

F.      FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD (vs. 9).

          1.       When Israel was good (Isa. 41:10).

                   -  on the personal level (Psa. 27:1, 4;  84:10-12).

          2.       What about us (2 Cor. 6:16-18).

                   -  on a personal level (1 John 1:3, 7).

II.     THE GREAT CONDITIONS.

                   GREAT BECAUSE OF THE RESULT.

A.      BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE (vs. 6, 7, 9).

          1.       Joshua’s need for courage.

                   a.  The responsibility of leading God’s people (vs.2-3, 6).

                   b.  The difficulties of the task (Num. 13:31-33).

          2.       Our need for courage(1 Pet. 5:8).

                   a.  Our responsibilities (1 Tim. 4:16;  1 Pet. 2:11-12).

                   b.  The dangers (Eph. 5:15-16;  Heb. 13:6).

B.      OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THE LAW (vs. 7).

          1.       The great and the small (Matt. 23:23).

          2.       All of the Law is important because of who it comes from (James 2:10).

          3.       To neglect it is to sin (Matt. 7:21;  James 4:17).

C.      TURN NOT FROM IT TO THE RIGHT HAND OR THE LEFT (vs. 7).

          1.       Because of temptations (1 Cor. 10:13;  James 1:12).

          2.       Because of hardship or persecution (2 Tim. 3:12;  2:11-13).

          3.       Because of distraction (2 Tim. 2:3-4;  Heb. 12:1).

          4.       Because of false doctrines (Matt. 15:13-14;  Rom. 16:17-18;  Col. 2:8).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE PROMISES GOD MAKES TO US ARE WONDERFUL.

B.      JUST LIKE ISRAEL, WE HAVE OUR REST IN A PROMISED LAND.

C.      Heb. 4:8-11.  LET US THEREFORE GIVE DILIGENCE TO ENTER INTO THAT

          REST.