Joshua 1:5-9
May 2, 1999

Joshua Series #2

INTRO: Historical setting. Moses had led Israel out of Egypt. They had wandered in the wilderness 40 years. Moses has died. Now Joshua is God's appointed leader, and in only three days will lead the nation over the Jordan River to fight for the land. The date is approximately 1400 BC. This is history. These things actually happened, and were recorded for our instruction. In this passage we read what might be called "God's Charge to Joshua." When a minister is ordained, he is given a solemn charge by the presbytery. A "charge" is a combination of encouragement, exhortation, and warning. God gave this charge to Joshua, because he was about to take over the leadership of Israel. We too are leaders in various ways: In our families, our businesses, our church and our community. What did Joshua need in order to be a good leader? What do we need to give solid Christian leadership. This charge tells us:

I. We need to know that God is with us (verse 5).
A. Joshua had to take lonely positions sometimes.
B. You may need to stand alone against the popular opinion.
C. It is good to know that you are not really alone.

II. We need strength (fortitude).
A. Fortitude is the ability to keep on keeping on, to last for the long haul.
It took Joshua and the Israelites many years to conquer the land!
B. Ace Hardware has three grades of paint. 5, 10 and 15 year guarantee.
Every now and then I hear of 50 and 60 year olds getting divorced. They
were faithful to their vows for 30 or 40 years, why not keep on!
C. When you build a skyscraper, you need the best steel, to last a lifetime!
When you build a life, you need to build for a lifetime.

III. We need courage (goes hand in hand with strength).
A. It takes courage to face opposition. Joshua was in many frightening
situations!
B. ILLUS: The judge in Alabama who refuses to take down the 10 comms.
The girl in CO who said, "Yes, I believe in God!" The teenager in school
who says to his friends, "I don't care if everybody is doing it, I won't do it!"

IV. We need to live by God's book.
A. Moses wrote the Torah, and gave it to Joshua.
Joshua knew what was right, and what was wrong. He knew how the people
should worship. He knew what the civil laws were supposed to be.
B. Christian leaders cannot succeed without living by God's book.
Why do we have so many broken homes? Shootings in Colorado, the war
in Kosovo? Why is it OK for students to wear T-shirts glorifying heavy
metal rock bands, and Nazis, but illegal for the school to post the 10 comm?
Because people are not living by God's book!

CONCLU: Joshua was a great leader. He had strength and courage. He knew that God was with him, and he lived by the Word of God. May the Lord help each of us to be like Joshua!