Mobilizing God s People Joshua 1:10-18

1. Mobilizing God’s People Joshua 1:10-18 True Success: A victorious and joyful life living in God’s presence by His purpose, promises, precepts and power. Mobilizing God’s People Joshua 1:10-18 True Success: A victorious and joyful life living in God’s presence by His purpose, promises, precepts and power.

3. We are on the threshold of victory or defeat. Our next steps are significant for they reveal where are our hearts presently are. Our real battle is not the enemy out there but right in our hearts. If you have had an opportunity to read through Joshua, you will find it to be a wonderful book filled with adventures and triumph. They have their share of problems but they are minimal. Just contrast this age to the one of the kings a few hundred years later and you all the more will appreciate what God did through Joshua. We need to face a few questions. Is this (Joshua’s conquering of the land) just an ideal glimpse of what was or is it a picture of what can be? These questions are poised here are for us. Yes, Joshua was staged thousands of years ago but God has encoded how He works out His plans in these scriptures. As God’s people in the third millennium, we need to ask ourselves the same questions as Joshua. 1• What are we hoping for God to do in our midst? Do we have a glowing dream of a glorious church going forward winning battles? Or do we lack a vision for the church? Or even worse our vision is on self-fulfillment? Without a vision, we will focus on how the church is around us and follow their path. We will just accept that is the way things are. What is it that made Joshua’s generation so different from the one before and those that would follow? 2• How is it that we can differentiate ourselves from those dying about us? Is there any hope for us? What is needed to make our generation a model nation? We praise God for His Word that always brings hope and direction into our lives.We are on the threshold of victory or defeat. Our next steps are significant for they reveal where are our hearts presently are. Our real battle is not the enemy out there but right in our hearts. If you have had an opportunity to read through Joshua, you will find it to be a wonderful book filled with adventures and triumph. They have their share of problems but they are minimal. Just contrast this age to the one of the kings a few hundred years later and you all the more will appreciate what God did through Joshua. We need to face a few questions. Is this (Joshua’s conquering of the land) just an ideal glimpse of what was or is it a picture of what can be? These questions are poised here are for us. Yes, Joshua was staged thousands of years ago but God has encoded how He works out His plans in these scriptures. As God’s people in the third millennium, we need to ask ourselves the same questions as Joshua. 1• What are we hoping for God to do in our midst? Do we have a glowing dream of a glorious church going forward winning battles? Or do we lack a vision for the church? Or even worse our vision is on self-fulfillment? Without a vision, we will focus on how the church is around us and follow their path. We will just accept that is the way things are. What is it that made Joshua’s generation so different from the one before and those that would follow? 2• How is it that we can differentiate ourselves from those dying about us? Is there any hope for us? What is needed to make our generation a model nation? We praise God for His Word that always brings hope and direction into our lives.

4. The Journey of the People of God (OT) We note here the three red diamonds. The far left marks where the people of God left Egypt after being there 430 years. We might think of it as their crib. They met God at Sinai and received His Law. This was but a few months at the most. The third diamond shows them wandering in the wilderness for 40 unnecessary years. The last stage is where they cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan, the Promised Land.The Journey of the People of God (OT) We note here the three red diamonds. The far left marks where the people of God left Egypt after being there 430 years. We might think of it as their crib. They met God at Sinai and received His Law. This was but a few months at the most. The third diamond shows them wandering in the wilderness for 40 unnecessary years. The last stage is where they cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan, the Promised Land.

5. Joshua 1:10-18 Joshua 1:10-11A. Communicates God’s will Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’” Joshua 1:12-15B. Demand Total Participation And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.’ “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Joshua 1:16-18C. Respond With A Clear Commitment And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:1, 6-18, NASB).Joshua 1:10-18 Joshua 1:10-11A. Communicates God’s will Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’” Joshua 1:12-15B. Demand Total Participation And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.’ “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Joshua 1:16-18C. Respond With A Clear Commitment And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:1, 6-18, NASB).

6. Palestine at the time of the Conquest The Israelites were on the east side of the Jordan and faced an enormous challenge as they faced their enemies on the west side of the Jordan. Who would blame them for wanting to remain on the safer east side. They needed to be mobilized to do all of God’s will.Palestine at the time of the Conquest The Israelites were on the east side of the Jordan and faced an enormous challenge as they faced their enemies on the west side of the Jordan. Who would blame them for wanting to remain on the safer east side. They needed to be mobilized to do all of God’s will.

7. Joshua 1:10-18 Mobilizing God’s People THREE KEYS TO SUCCESSfully mobilizing god’s people to do God’s will. Success has everything to do with doing God’s will for it is there we fulfill the purpose for our lives and find his full blessing. Joshua 1:10-11A. Communicates God’s will Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’” Joshua 1:12-15B. Demands Total Participation And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.’ “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Joshua 1:16-18C. Responds With A Clear Commitment And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:1, 6-18, NASB).Joshua 1:10-18 Mobilizing God’s People THREE KEYS TO SUCCESSfully mobilizing god’s people to do God’s will. Success has everything to do with doing God’s will for it is there we fulfill the purpose for our lives and find his full blessing. Joshua 1:10-11A. Communicates God’s will Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’” Joshua 1:12-15B. Demands Total Participation And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.’ “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Joshua 1:16-18C. Responds With A Clear Commitment And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:1, 6-18, NASB).

8. Joshua 1:10-11 A. Communicates God’s will (1:10-11) People have a lot of great dreams but few are realized. We tend to speculate what could be more than work hard at accomplishing what needs to be done. The Israelites were at a key point in their history. I call it a threshold or turning point. Something happens when you step over a threshold. You all of a sudden are transported into another sphere. Life has so many more opportunities than we ever have noticed. Most of us, however, are like a herd crowded about in a hallway, resisting to step into God’s promises. The promises for a rich and full life are there. Up to this point we have been looking at what the Lord had spoken to Joshua. In Joshua 1:1-6 the promise, vision and charge is all put before Joshua. It is the same thing. God’s commands always lead us to better ground. God’s promises always accompany His charge. The Lord is always sharing what He wants to bring into reality. We cannot differentiate between them. Going into the Promised Land was both a command and a promise of better living. But every challenge also has its obstacles. Fears lurk within and without. We can stand in the hallway and look in, but that virtual image is not the same as reality. Hopes are not the same as the real thing. Joshua was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In obedience lies hope. But who was he to lead? The Israelites? Those stubborn Israelites who not only went against Moses but against God Himself! They even had all sorts of miracles, but it didn’t make them a strong cohesive group devoted to God. But then he also had to lead them into a land of many nations. Do you think they would just passively let Joshua and his troops go into their land? No way. God’s promises are always like that. They bring before our minds something good and lovely and yet they require something from us that we do not have. Most people would readily say that it is impossible. And so dreams remain dreams. They fade away like drifting clouds. They are never lived out in life. It is much like the fans of some great football team telling what the players should do. They act like they are the 7 foot experts. We might watch. We might even cheer but we will not play. Joshua here in 1:10-12 has told them to get ready. He is leading them in. Now frankly, as I look at the church today around us I would say that we are in no Promised Land. One brave friend speaking about the dying churches about us said, “I don’t see it (the church in her glory).” Good for him. I don’t apologize for the dead church. If it is not living we may as well bury it out of sight. Joshua 1:10-11 A. Communicates God’s will (1:10-11) People have a lot of great dreams but few are realized. We tend to speculate what could be more than work hard at accomplishing what needs to be done. The Israelites were at a key point in their history. I call it a threshold or turning point. Something happens when you step over a threshold. You all of a sudden are transported into another sphere. Life has so many more opportunities than we ever have noticed. Most of us, however, are like a herd crowded about in a hallway, resisting to step into God’s promises. The promises for a rich and full life are there. Up to this point we have been looking at what the Lord had spoken to Joshua. In Joshua 1:1-6 the promise, vision and charge is all put before Joshua. It is the same thing. God’s commands always lead us to better ground. God’s promises always accompany His charge. The Lord is always sharing what He wants to bring into reality. We cannot differentiate between them. Going into the Promised Land was both a command and a promise of better living. But every challenge also has its obstacles. Fears lurk within and without. We can stand in the hallway and look in, but that virtual image is not the same as reality. Hopes are not the same as the real thing. Joshua was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In obedience lies hope. But who was he to lead? The Israelites? Those stubborn Israelites who not only went against Moses but against God Himself! They even had all sorts of miracles, but it didn’t make them a strong cohesive group devoted to God. But then he also had to lead them into a land of many nations. Do you think they would just passively let Joshua and his troops go into their land? No way. God’s promises are always like that. They bring before our minds something good and lovely and yet they require something from us that we do not have. Most people would readily say that it is impossible. And so dreams remain dreams. They fade away like drifting clouds. They are never lived out in life. It is much like the fans of some great football team telling what the players should do. They act like they are the 7 foot experts. We might watch. We might even cheer but we will not play. Joshua here in 1:10-12 has told them to get ready. He is leading them in. Now frankly, as I look at the church today around us I would say that we are in no Promised Land. One brave friend speaking about the dying churches about us said, “I don’t see it (the church in her glory).” Good for him. I don’t apologize for the dead church. If it is not living we may as well bury it out of sight.

9. What is your vision of the church? What is it that the Lord wants to give to the church? What do you hope for her? Is it all promise because God is not true to His promises? Is it not real because God has failed us? No. This is the point of the scriptures that we have already looked at and the ones that we look at today. By God’s grace we can make the dream come true. Every generation has a chance, for each generation has the promises and commands. You ask how can we be any different than all the others that have failed? This is what we will find in these verses. In these precious verses the Lord assured Joshua of His purpose, precepts and power. It is like the little David facing Goliath and it is like the little church standing against the tidal wave of humanism coming upon the church. Again, God has given Joshua and the people all that they needed to win. And so our Lord has given us what we need to win. So what is your dream? If it is to have a big house and nice job, you have really missed it. You are like those in the wilderness and should die there. You would pollute his land. You have no dream for God’s land. God only gives His best to those who love Him. I see this dream of what God wants to fulfill in our midst to be of three levels, all are good and lovely and mutually dependent upon each other. By the way, I elaborate on this here because otherwise we will not know what to prepare for. Vision before plans. 1* The Lord wants to take away our burdens. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). All that stress, worry, harshness and fear. He wants to meet you and take it away. God wants to take away our personal problems, family problems, relationship problems and marriage problems. 2* The Lord wants to fill our hearts with His joy, love and peace. God is not just there to take away our problems but gives His Spirit to fill us with the great and glorious things of life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23). For those dealing with burdens, they want the burden released. But God wants to take us higher into His presence. Why just climb out of the hole to level ground. We can climb Mount Zion, the mountain of God. 3* We need to recognize the closet parallel between Joshua’s Promised Land and our situation is the Nations. We are to capture the world through making disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is the process through which the truth of God enters into His people’s lives so that they can be more like Christ and live out God’s will. And of course we have our enemies that love immorality, decry the supernatural and love the things of the world, but what we have is worth living for, battling against and dying for if necessary. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19, 20, NASB).What is your vision of the church? What is it that the Lord wants to give to the church? What do you hope for her? Is it all promise because God is not true to His promises? Is it not real because God has failed us? No. This is the point of the scriptures that we have already looked at and the ones that we look at today. By God’s grace we can make the dream come true. Every generation has a chance, for each generation has the promises and commands. You ask how can we be any different than all the others that have failed? This is what we will find in these verses. In these precious verses the Lord assured Joshua of His purpose, precepts and power. It is like the little David facing Goliath and it is like the little church standing against the tidal wave of humanism coming upon the church. Again, God has given Joshua and the people all that they needed to win. And so our Lord has given us what we need to win. So what is your dream? If it is to have a big house and nice job, you have really missed it. You are like those in the wilderness and should die there. You would pollute his land. You have no dream for God’s land. God only gives His best to those who love Him. I see this dream of what God wants to fulfill in our midst to be of three levels, all are good and lovely and mutually dependent upon each other. By the way, I elaborate on this here because otherwise we will not know what to prepare for. Vision before plans. 1* The Lord wants to take away our burdens. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). All that stress, worry, harshness and fear. He wants to meet you and take it away. God wants to take away our personal problems, family problems, relationship problems and marriage problems. 2* The Lord wants to fill our hearts with His joy, love and peace. God is not just there to take away our problems but gives His Spirit to fill us with the great and glorious things of life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23). For those dealing with burdens, they want the burden released. But God wants to take us higher into His presence. Why just climb out of the hole to level ground. We can climb Mount Zion, the mountain of God. 3* We need to recognize the closet parallel between Joshua’s Promised Land and our situation is the Nations. We are to capture the world through making disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is the process through which the truth of God enters into His people’s lives so that they can be more like Christ and live out God’s will. And of course we have our enemies that love immorality, decry the supernatural and love the things of the world, but what we have is worth living for, battling against and dying for if necessary. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19, 20, NASB).

10. So how do we get on to making the plans real? There is a lot of discussion about how to take most of what we have learned from the business world and apply it to the church. We will fail here if we follow the world, just as the church has failed in the area of counseling. The pattern is to think that the world offers something that is missing in God’s Word. Once this is done, God’s word is no longer valued and what God would say is missed. The church then becomes an image of the broken world rather than of Christ. Today, for example, rare is the pastor and elder that have confidence in the Word of God to deal with people's personal problems. They ship them off to some counselor with some very worldly assumptions. This worldliness in the area of leadership and management is now drifting into the world. Frankly we have all that we need here in God’s Word all written many years before the business world discovered these principles. God has made the church to lead the world not to follow it. Four Aspects of Good Leadership The issues that we see here are simple but very significant. We find four things seen here that create a sensitive leader. Leaders need to face all sorts of difficulties. If they fail, then those around them suffer. If you are in charge, then carry out your responsibility. Leadership comes hard for me. I never learned it as a boy from my father. But when God has given you responsibility for something, you need to carry it out. Joshua complied by being timely, respectful, directive, and have clear communication. 1) Timely Joshua could have put things off. What a challenge and responsibility! He hadn’t done it before! He was nothing compared to Moses! Isn’t this how Satan attacks us and moves us to procrastinate? If we wait until we are fully ready, then it will be too late. We need to do better training up of men to be leaders. Every man should be a trained leader. God made women to be followers, assistants and helpmates. This does not mean they are not capable but that they are made for a strategic purpose. 2) Respectful Joshua was attentive to the leaders about him. Verse 10 says, “Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people.” Poor leadership is plagued by people going around the authority of leaders. This can happen in two ways. Sometimes it is the leader that does not utilize those that are in authority under him. It is also a problem when those under authority bypass those in direct authority over them. We are not seeking God’s will when we bypass given authority. We can understand why people do such things. The leader is not listening to you. A timid leader in charge avoids telling some strong-minded leaders what needs to be done. On the other hand the strong-minded leader because of pride often ignores those who are called to assist him. This causes other problems. We need to be respectful of those in certain positions. If we do not rightly communicate with them, then the people will begin to have problems with the mission. Factions can easily develop. Frustrations grow. Different opinions arise. 3) Directive Joshua told the people what was going to happen. This is directive leadership. He did not take a poll. What do you think would happen if a poll was given? Clear directives are important. They help provide unity. Of course if this was Joshua’s dream rather than God’s, then it would have been a different matter. But God was leading. His commands were clear. There are places for voting and discussion but it must never be on the things that God has already made clear. These things just need to be spoken out. So how do we get on to making the plans real? There is a lot of discussion about how to take most of what we have learned from the business world and apply it to the church. We will fail here if we follow the world, just as the church has failed in the area of counseling. The pattern is to think that the world offers something that is missing in God’s Word. Once this is done, God’s word is no longer valued and what God would say is missed. The church then becomes an image of the broken world rather than of Christ. Today, for example, rare is the pastor and elder that have confidence in the Word of God to deal with people's personal problems. They ship them off to some counselor with some very worldly assumptions. This worldliness in the area of leadership and management is now drifting into the world. Frankly we have all that we need here in God’s Word all written many years before the business world discovered these principles. God has made the church to lead the world not to follow it. Four Aspects of Good Leadership The issues that we see here are simple but very significant. We find four things seen here that create a sensitive leader. Leaders need to face all sorts of difficulties. If they fail, then those around them suffer. If you are in charge, then carry out your responsibility. Leadership comes hard for me. I never learned it as a boy from my father. But when God has given you responsibility for something, you need to carry it out. Joshua complied by being timely, respectful, directive, and have clear communication. 1) Timely Joshua could have put things off. What a challenge and responsibility! He hadn’t done it before! He was nothing compared to Moses! Isn’t this how Satan attacks us and moves us to procrastinate? If we wait until we are fully ready, then it will be too late. We need to do better training up of men to be leaders. Every man should be a trained leader. God made women to be followers, assistants and helpmates. This does not mean they are not capable but that they are made for a strategic purpose. 2) Respectful Joshua was attentive to the leaders about him. Verse 10 says, “Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people.” Poor leadership is plagued by people going around the authority of leaders. This can happen in two ways. Sometimes it is the leader that does not utilize those that are in authority under him. It is also a problem when those under authority bypass those in direct authority over them. We are not seeking God’s will when we bypass given authority. We can understand why people do such things. The leader is not listening to you. A timid leader in charge avoids telling some strong-minded leaders what needs to be done. On the other hand the strong-minded leader because of pride often ignores those who are called to assist him. This causes other problems. We need to be respectful of those in certain positions. If we do not rightly communicate with them, then the people will begin to have problems with the mission. Factions can easily develop. Frustrations grow. Different opinions arise. 3) Directive Joshua told the people what was going to happen. This is directive leadership. He did not take a poll. What do you think would happen if a poll was given? Clear directives are important. They help provide unity. Of course if this was Joshua’s dream rather than God’s, then it would have been a different matter. But God was leading. His commands were clear. There are places for voting and discussion but it must never be on the things that God has already made clear. These things just need to be spoken out.

11. 4) Clear Joshua clearly communicated to the people what needed to be said. First of all, he told the leaders and told them to distribute the information outward to the people. Let’s look closer to what he said. Joshua told them to pass on three commands. a. What to do to get ready They are to prepare provisions. “Prepare provisions for yourselves.” Actually, it is very interesting that this is really the only thing they had to do. Now we appreciate the fact that when you go on a trip, you need to prepare things to eat. They should be easily stored and not go bad. Things like granola bars. But did you ever think what they were not told to get ready? If you were going to face seven nations, seven kings and seven armies, don’t you think that you would also get weapons and ammunition ready? This is where we see God’s advice vastly differ than the world’s. They were to be a people marked off by God’s protection rather than their own. They would fight of course but everyone knows that it wasn’t fair. God was on their side. b. When they will go They will take action in three days. Time all of a sudden becomes short. They need to think of all the things that need to be done. He no doubt heard complaints that the time was insufficient. But time was urgent. The people were not to settle down but move one. One way to keep criticism down is to move so fast that they have no time to argue. Pack up or be left behind! c. What they will be doing Lastly they were told what they would be doing after those three days. “You are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you , to possess it.” Joshua was clear. Furthermore he embedded the promises with the vision. It was not a pep rally to convince them that they could do it. All the extra grace that the Lord promised Joshua was compacted in a few words and passed on to them. Joshua used his faith to inspire others. Success had everything to do not with how tough they are (down with pride), how ingenious they are in devising a way across the river but in trusting God’s enabling. A good start is so important for it is this first impression that will be played over and over again. What has been done sets the expectation of what will be. All the things that will be said later will be built on this foundation that God is going to give them the land. The words shape their attitude toward God, their enemies and the mission. If you are a leader, do not feel overwhelmed by this. Remember stay close to God and He will tell you what to say. Doing it is half the job but not the whole job. We need to do it rightly. Behind the scenes, I am convinced that Joshua was securing wisdom by staying close to God. He no doubt had already memorized many of the words Moses had written down. He had to meet God. Only God would give him confidence (not self-confidence but God-confidence). Only God could lead him. He had to meditate in God’s Word day and night. In his personal life had to obey God, which in this case required that he speak thus to the people and lead them over the Jordan. They are to possess the land, and yet the land is something the Lord is giving to them. Now you might be thinking about how strange it is to fight for something which is being given to you but that is what is happening. God has so assured them of victory that they only need to go forth in faith. ‘Possess’ actually means to receive as an inheritance or to occupy and care for what was given to them. Summary & Application Joshua stood up against all the pressures that faced him and led the people of God into the Promised Land. God’s Words were no longer only to be dreams. They have heard those words, “Promised Land” for so long. Now it was going to become true. Joshua would make sure the dreams became true. Aspirations would become reality. There was much more to be done, but his vision and action are in the right place. Application: How are you doing in your quest for which Christ died for and commissioned His people? Are you taking it seriously? It might be as simple as a father leading his family in prayer for other people. You might be a leader with a plan that seems from God but afraid to mention it. You might be the kind of person who sees the needs around you and criticize why something isn’t done. Did you ever ask yourself why it is on your heart? And why you have not done anything about it? Again, we do not want everyone doing his own thing. We are a people of God under His leadership. He has appointed leaders. We should respect them and go through them. Trust them with your ideas. Pray for your leaders that it might be well with you.4) Clear Joshua clearly communicated to the people what needed to be said. First of all, he told the leaders and told them to distribute the information outward to the people. Let’s look closer to what he said. Joshua told them to pass on three commands. a. What to do to get ready They are to prepare provisions. “Prepare provisions for yourselves.” Actually, it is very interesting that this is really the only thing they had to do. Now we appreciate the fact that when you go on a trip, you need to prepare things to eat. They should be easily stored and not go bad. Things like granola bars. But did you ever think what they were not told to get ready? If you were going to face seven nations, seven kings and seven armies, don’t you think that you would also get weapons and ammunition ready? This is where we see God’s advice vastly differ than the world’s. They were to be a people marked off by God’s protection rather than their own. They would fight of course but everyone knows that it wasn’t fair. God was on their side. b. When they will go They will take action in three days. Time all of a sudden becomes short. They need to think of all the things that need to be done. He no doubt heard complaints that the time was insufficient. But time was urgent. The people were not to settle down but move one. One way to keep criticism down is to move so fast that they have no time to argue. Pack up or be left behind! c. What they will be doing Lastly they were told what they would be doing after those three days. “You are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you , to possess it.” Joshua was clear. Furthermore he embedded the promises with the vision. It was not a pep rally to convince them that they could do it. All the extra grace that the Lord promised Joshua was compacted in a few words and passed on to them. Joshua used his faith to inspire others. Success had everything to do not with how tough they are (down with pride), how ingenious they are in devising a way across the river but in trusting God’s enabling. A good start is so important for it is this first impression that will be played over and over again. What has been done sets the expectation of what will be. All the things that will be said later will be built on this foundation that God is going to give them the land. The words shape their attitude toward God, their enemies and the mission. If you are a leader, do not feel overwhelmed by this. Remember stay close to God and He will tell you what to say. Doing it is half the job but not the whole job. We need to do it rightly. Behind the scenes, I am convinced that Joshua was securing wisdom by staying close to God. He no doubt had already memorized many of the words Moses had written down. He had to meet God. Only God would give him confidence (not self-confidence but God-confidence). Only God could lead him. He had to meditate in God’s Word day and night. In his personal life had to obey God, which in this case required that he speak thus to the people and lead them over the Jordan. They are to possess the land, and yet the land is something the Lord is giving to them. Now you might be thinking about how strange it is to fight for something which is being given to you but that is what is happening. God has so assured them of victory that they only need to go forth in faith. ‘Possess’ actually means to receive as an inheritance or to occupy and care for what was given to them. Summary & Application Joshua stood up against all the pressures that faced him and led the people of God into the Promised Land. God’s Words were no longer only to be dreams. They have heard those words, “Promised Land” for so long. Now it was going to become true. Joshua would make sure the dreams became true. Aspirations would become reality. There was much more to be done, but his vision and action are in the right place. Application: How are you doing in your quest for which Christ died for and commissioned His people? Are you taking it seriously? It might be as simple as a father leading his family in prayer for other people. You might be a leader with a plan that seems from God but afraid to mention it. You might be the kind of person who sees the needs around you and criticize why something isn’t done. Did you ever ask yourself why it is on your heart? And why you have not done anything about it? Again, we do not want everyone doing his own thing. We are a people of God under His leadership. He has appointed leaders. We should respect them and go through them. Trust them with your ideas. Pray for your leaders that it might be well with you.

12. B. Encouraging Total Participation (1:12-15) The Second Kadesh Barnea Being a leader is not easy. The easiest kind of leader to be is when there is no one to follow! The most difficult part of leadership is to get along with others. Actually it is a balance. If the leader had nothing to require of the people, then it would be easy to get along with them. But leaders have a responsibility to shape the people’s thoughts and activities. Never will every one agree. Joshua did not have an easy case here. The Israelite’s past record, self-indulgence, selfishness and fear all fought against his faithfulness.. Joshua boldly spoke out what he requested of the two and a half tribes. They already had their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan where they were at the present moment. They were now going to cross over the Jordan and physically separate themselves from them. They would go from the east to the west. The Jordan River was not a huge river but it was not easy to cross in a hurry. It was even more difficult to take your possessions across. The Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh were a formidable group. It was not easy to confront them about some pass decision. If you are a leader like a parent, you know what I mean. The parent asks himself whether he should ask his child to do something. If he asks him to do something, then the child might say no. If the child says, “No!” then he will not being able to control him. So the father submits to using candy or bribes to win the child to do what he wants. Although we see the holes in this kind of parenting, it is done over and over. This provides horrible training for the child. It is not realistic in this world. People just tell you to do things. You are expected to do it. Few are the people that will bribe you to get something (unless it is illegal)! This training provides a horrible idea of leadership. If you don’t want something, you fuss until you get it. This is totally opposite to how God wants you to respond to His leadership. If Joshua used this to communicate with the tribes, he would have thought of some great bribe to get God’s people to do what they should do. But we should not be motivated by lusts but simple obedience. This was the problems with the Israelites in the wilderness. The lived for what they got. They had no heart for God. Now Joshua is facing them. He chose the right way to lead God’s people and they amazingly followed. Could you not imagine many other responses? “What! Leave my family on the other side of the river unprotected?” “That was then, now is now. We made our promise to Moses not to you. No one is stopping you from going on over!” “Why not just stay over here and join us? We have enough land.” “We might get hurt!” “Do you really believe in God?” B. Encouraging Total Participation (1:12-15) The Second Kadesh Barnea Being a leader is not easy. The easiest kind of leader to be is when there is no one to follow! The most difficult part of leadership is to get along with others. Actually it is a balance. If the leader had nothing to require of the people, then it would be easy to get along with them. But leaders have a responsibility to shape the people’s thoughts and activities. Never will every one agree. Joshua did not have an easy case here. The Israelite’s past record, self-indulgence, selfishness and fear all fought against his faithfulness.. Joshua boldly spoke out what he requested of the two and a half tribes. They already had their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan where they were at the present moment. They were now going to cross over the Jordan and physically separate themselves from them. They would go from the east to the west. The Jordan River was not a huge river but it was not easy to cross in a hurry. It was even more difficult to take your possessions across. The Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh were a formidable group. It was not easy to confront them about some pass decision. If you are a leader like a parent, you know what I mean. The parent asks himself whether he should ask his child to do something. If he asks him to do something, then the child might say no. If the child says, “No!” then he will not being able to control him. So the father submits to using candy or bribes to win the child to do what he wants. Although we see the holes in this kind of parenting, it is done over and over. This provides horrible training for the child. It is not realistic in this world. People just tell you to do things. You are expected to do it. Few are the people that will bribe you to get something (unless it is illegal)! This training provides a horrible idea of leadership. If you don’t want something, you fuss until you get it. This is totally opposite to how God wants you to respond to His leadership. If Joshua used this to communicate with the tribes, he would have thought of some great bribe to get God’s people to do what they should do. But we should not be motivated by lusts but simple obedience. This was the problems with the Israelites in the wilderness. The lived for what they got. They had no heart for God. Now Joshua is facing them. He chose the right way to lead God’s people and they amazingly followed. Could you not imagine many other responses? “What! Leave my family on the other side of the river unprotected?” “That was then, now is now. We made our promise to Moses not to you. No one is stopping you from going on over!” “Why not just stay over here and join us? We have enough land.” “We might get hurt!” “Do you really believe in God?”

13. B. Encouraging Total Participation (1:12-15) The Second Kadesh Barnea Let’s make a few observations. (1) Joshua addressed the issue ahead of time. He knew people were thinking of the issue, “Why should we have to cross over if our inheritance is on this side of the Jordan?” If he waited for them to murmur and complain, it would lead to a sad rebellion. This is another advantage of quick obedience. We likewise need to anticipate possible problems. As we sense their presence, we pray, seek God’s grace and confront the situation. (2) Joshua reminded them of their promise. Again we sense this could have gone wrong but this did not stop Joshua. He held them to their word. “Remember” is the key word here. “We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance. “For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.” So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war, and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him, and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD. (Numbers 32:18-22). (3) Joshua specified the exact things that needed to be done. He mentioned the difficult aspect of leaving their family behind. He told them who would need to fight in battle. The valiant warriors were to fight and not stay home and protect their sheep and families. They too needed to walk in faith. (4) Perhaps most important, Joshua led them to know of God’ s reward upon their faithful service. He painted before them the scene of obedience. He showed them that their reward would be that land for their inheritance. Summary It is critical for the leader to rightly address the people. Fear disables a leader. Courage enables him to lead the people into God’s will. It is not right to allow some to be wayward. God calls all of His people to obedience. We need to be diligent in calling them together for the vision God has given His people.B. Encouraging Total Participation (1:12-15) The Second Kadesh Barnea Let’s make a few observations. (1) Joshua addressed the issue ahead of time. He knew people were thinking of the issue, “Why should we have to cross over if our inheritance is on this side of the Jordan?” If he waited for them to murmur and complain, it would lead to a sad rebellion. This is another advantage of quick obedience. We likewise need to anticipate possible problems. As we sense their presence, we pray, seek God’s grace and confront the situation. (2) Joshua reminded them of their promise. Again we sense this could have gone wrong but this did not stop Joshua. He held them to their word. “Remember” is the key word here. “We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance. “For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.” So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war, and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him, and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD. (Numbers 32:18-22). (3) Joshua specified the exact things that needed to be done. He mentioned the difficult aspect of leaving their family behind. He told them who would need to fight in battle. The valiant warriors were to fight and not stay home and protect their sheep and families. They too needed to walk in faith. (4) Perhaps most important, Joshua led them to know of God’ s reward upon their faithful service. He painted before them the scene of obedience. He showed them that their reward would be that land for their inheritance. Summary It is critical for the leader to rightly address the people. Fear disables a leader. Courage enables him to lead the people into God’s will. It is not right to allow some to be wayward. God calls all of His people to obedience. We need to be diligent in calling them together for the vision God has given His people.

14. C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) Success cannot be defined alone by what a leader does. Significant changes take place only when the people pull together under the leadership. We only have to think about Moses’ difficult time. Just think how far ahead the Israelites would have been if they believed the Lord and obeyed Him! They would have saved many years of suffering in the wilderness. The people’s good or bad response doesn’t change things for a leader but a people that love the Lord make a significant part of the generation that makes a good difference. What made Joshua and this mission so successful compared to the disasters in Judges and judgment in 1 & 2 Kings? The people obeyed. The people were wiling to sacrifice for a greater good. It is a powerful statement when one person sacrifices his own time, money and preference in order to better the life of another. This is called love. In Joshua 1:16-18 we see love en-masse. There is nothing like it. Purposely become a wave of love and you will never want to step out of it. Perhaps right now you have an opportunity to join in. God is calling you to make some sacrifice. What is holding you back. You can be sure these 2.5 tribes thought about the consequences of their decision to obey. Let’s look at three things that set them apart. C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) Success cannot be defined alone by what a leader does. Significant changes take place only when the people pull together under the leadership. We only have to think about Moses’ difficult time. Just think how far ahead the Israelites would have been if they believed the Lord and obeyed Him! They would have saved many years of suffering in the wilderness. The people’s good or bad response doesn’t change things for a leader but a people that love the Lord make a significant part of the generation that makes a good difference. What made Joshua and this mission so successful compared to the disasters in Judges and judgment in 1 & 2 Kings? The people obeyed. The people were wiling to sacrifice for a greater good. It is a powerful statement when one person sacrifices his own time, money and preference in order to better the life of another. This is called love. In Joshua 1:16-18 we see love en-masse. There is nothing like it. Purposely become a wave of love and you will never want to step out of it. Perhaps right now you have an opportunity to join in. God is calling you to make some sacrifice. What is holding you back. You can be sure these 2.5 tribes thought about the consequences of their decision to obey. Let’s look at three things that set them apart.

15. C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) (1) Fully obedient (1:16) “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” Did you ever note that often on important decisions that we have a choice to obey some or all? Perhaps nobody else knows about it. But certainly the choice is there. A command elicits a response. Obedience is the best of course. You would think we have learned that early on but still we make compromises. You perhaps at first make a total commitment but then upon thinking wonder whether you should have made it. You even wonder if you made the decision to do it. Somehow the zeal at the time of commitment is not so overwhelming as it was in the beginning. Or even before you give of yourself, you question whether you should give all. You might think of giving so much to a certain missionary or commit to teaching a certain class. But then you decide that you are going to qualify your commitment. This is not the way the two and a half tribes handled themselves. They began with zeal, carried on in faithfulness, fully helped their brothers and were fully rewarded in the end. There is no greater story than this. We will have to wait until the end of the book to see this reward. It is worth looking forward to it. But just remember during some of the battles, those tribes were there and their families far away. They didn’t compromise their decision after a few battles. What a wonderful example for us. We have looked at different definitions of success. The godly definition was the one that we were concerned with. Godly success always has several key features: obedience, sacrifice, commitment, faithfulness, victory and reward. We see them all implemented here. Let me mention a bit more about the sin of compromise or should we call it partial obedience. Compromise reveals a less-than-fully committed devoted heart and love for God. Every little sin that we reserve becomes rotten. Think of the opposite example as we see in these brothers. They were fully ambitious. Excited without reserve. Clear as to what they should do. Blameless conscience. Victorious. These are the kind of men God is seeking. It made a wonderful difference for that and succeeding generations. Don't congratulate yourself with 50% obedience. Not even 95% obedience. Be like the Psalmist who said, “The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep thy words” (Psalm 119:57). God might be calling you to more faithfulness in some service. He might be asking you to forsake some delight so that you can visit people on a certain evening. He might be calling you to be a pastor or missionary. Full obedience is the only way. It fills one’s heart with joy. There is a wonderful example in church history of a people who made a difference for the Lord. They are still often remembered today. Often we hear about individuals, but this was a movement among the people of God. Surely they had faithful leaders like Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf. But they had a vision that went beyond themselves. They were known for keeping a 24 hour prayer vigil going for more than one hundred years years. Someone would always be praying. In two decades, “the Moravians sent out more missionaries than all Protestants (and Anglicans) had sent out in the previous two centuries.”1 What about their hopes of a family? They made sacrifices. What a great people these Moravians were. Starting in the early 1700s they are considered the longest surviving Protestant church. By the mid 1700s they had already sent missionaries to West Indies, Greenland and Africa. It is through their sending of missionaries to Georgia that John Wesley came to know the Lord. He was so impressed by their trust in the Lord even when the ship was falling apart in a terrible storm. All the Moravian missionaries were not trained in theology but as evangelists. They self-supported themselves alongside their prospective converts, witnessing by spoken word and living example. Leaders are important but when the people catch a vision for obedience, earthshaking events take place. The Moravian church continues to this day with once center in Bethlehem, PA.C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) (1) Fully obedient (1:16) “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” Did you ever note that often on important decisions that we have a choice to obey some or all? Perhaps nobody else knows about it. But certainly the choice is there. A command elicits a response. Obedience is the best of course. You would think we have learned that early on but still we make compromises. You perhaps at first make a total commitment but then upon thinking wonder whether you should have made it. You even wonder if you made the decision to do it. Somehow the zeal at the time of commitment is not so overwhelming as it was in the beginning. Or even before you give of yourself, you question whether you should give all. You might think of giving so much to a certain missionary or commit to teaching a certain class. But then you decide that you are going to qualify your commitment. This is not the way the two and a half tribes handled themselves. They began with zeal, carried on in faithfulness, fully helped their brothers and were fully rewarded in the end. There is no greater story than this. We will have to wait until the end of the book to see this reward. It is worth looking forward to it. But just remember during some of the battles, those tribes were there and their families far away. They didn’t compromise their decision after a few battles. What a wonderful example for us. We have looked at different definitions of success. The godly definition was the one that we were concerned with. Godly success always has several key features: obedience, sacrifice, commitment, faithfulness, victory and reward. We see them all implemented here. Let me mention a bit more about the sin of compromise or should we call it partial obedience. Compromise reveals a less-than-fully committed devoted heart and love for God. Every little sin that we reserve becomes rotten. Think of the opposite example as we see in these brothers. They were fully ambitious. Excited without reserve. Clear as to what they should do. Blameless conscience. Victorious. These are the kind of men God is seeking. It made a wonderful difference for that and succeeding generations. Don't congratulate yourself with 50% obedience. Not even 95% obedience. Be like the Psalmist who said, “The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep thy words” (Psalm 119:57). God might be calling you to more faithfulness in some service. He might be asking you to forsake some delight so that you can visit people on a certain evening. He might be calling you to be a pastor or missionary. Full obedience is the only way. It fills one’s heart with joy. There is a wonderful example in church history of a people who made a difference for the Lord. They are still often remembered today. Often we hear about individuals, but this was a movement among the people of God. Surely they had faithful leaders like Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf. But they had a vision that went beyond themselves. They were known for keeping a 24 hour prayer vigil going for more than one hundred years years. Someone would always be praying. In two decades, “the Moravians sent out more missionaries than all Protestants (and Anglicans) had sent out in the previous two centuries.”1 What about their hopes of a family? They made sacrifices. What a great people these Moravians were. Starting in the early 1700s they are considered the longest surviving Protestant church. By the mid 1700s they had already sent missionaries to West Indies, Greenland and Africa. It is through their sending of missionaries to Georgia that John Wesley came to know the Lord. He was so impressed by their trust in the Lord even when the ship was falling apart in a terrible storm. All the Moravian missionaries were not trained in theology but as evangelists. They self-supported themselves alongside their prospective converts, witnessing by spoken word and living example. Leaders are important but when the people catch a vision for obedience, earthshaking events take place. The Moravian church continues to this day with once center in Bethlehem, PA.

16. C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) (1) Fully obedient (1:16) (2) Dependent upon God (1:17) Some might think what they said here in verse 17 was show of lack of commitment. I don’t think so. They just knew that although their participation was important, it was not everything. They said, “Only may the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.” They knew the Lord’s power and how Moses had led them into victory. They also knew they had no chance if Yahweh would not be with them as He was with Joshua. The Lord likes His people dependent upon Himself. Sometimes people trust leaders, but when the people of God trust God and follow God, then God is able to mightily use them. Shouldn’t we be so dependent upon the Lord that we wouldn’t want to live without Him? I am amazed how many Christians put up with a Christless Christianity. They know of jealousies, worries and selfishness. Why tolerate such unholy things when we could choose and be delighted with the best? Should we live our lives without His presence? I should hope not. He is our God and we want Him great in our midst. Think of it this way. Perhaps there was a special dinner by invitation. They had two choices. One choice you absolutely hated. The other you liked. You of course would choose the one you like. Say it is Roast Beef. When served, however, you got the meal you didn’t choose. What would you do? Just take a bite and be rather unsettled the evening? I think many of us do that with our faith. In the beginning you choose Christianity with love. You want the full package. But somehow you get something less. You just once and while nibble away with the unwanted. Brothers and sisters, we need to stand up and seek what we really want! We want the true Christian faith full of the Spirit of Christ in our lives. We want His life, His power and His love! This was the spirit of these tribes. They wanted the Lord’s presence and because they sought it, received it. C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) (1) Fully obedient (1:16) (2) Dependent upon God (1:17) Some might think what they said here in verse 17 was show of lack of commitment. I don’t think so. They just knew that although their participation was important, it was not everything. They said, “Only may the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.” They knew the Lord’s power and how Moses had led them into victory. They also knew they had no chance if Yahweh would not be with them as He was with Joshua. The Lord likes His people dependent upon Himself. Sometimes people trust leaders, but when the people of God trust God and follow God, then God is able to mightily use them. Shouldn’t we be so dependent upon the Lord that we wouldn’t want to live without Him? I am amazed how many Christians put up with a Christless Christianity. They know of jealousies, worries and selfishness. Why tolerate such unholy things when we could choose and be delighted with the best? Should we live our lives without His presence? I should hope not. He is our God and we want Him great in our midst. Think of it this way. Perhaps there was a special dinner by invitation. They had two choices. One choice you absolutely hated. The other you liked. You of course would choose the one you like. Say it is Roast Beef. When served, however, you got the meal you didn’t choose. What would you do? Just take a bite and be rather unsettled the evening? I think many of us do that with our faith. In the beginning you choose Christianity with love. You want the full package. But somehow you get something less. You just once and while nibble away with the unwanted. Brothers and sisters, we need to stand up and seek what we really want! We want the true Christian faith full of the Spirit of Christ in our lives. We want His life, His power and His love! This was the spirit of these tribes. They wanted the Lord’s presence and because they sought it, received it.

17. C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) (1) Fully obedient (1:16) (3) Accepted Discipline (1:18) Discipline is a key to success. Discipline has two meanings and both are important. Spiritual discipline: a habit of regularly doing some spiritual activity that has a good effect on a person’s life. A discipline is firstly a habitual aspect of a person’s life. It spoke about something they were more than something they chose. We speak of the necessity of spiritual disciplines like daily prayers and going to church. These things become our lives. Receive discipline: Receive unpleasant consequences for something not rightly done so that they will do better in the future. Discipline also speaks to the training aspect. When we speak of someone being disciplined, it is evident that the person has not completed what he should and thus received unpleasant consequences. This is to help him on his own choose the right thing the next time. These 2.5 tribes committed their lives to the task and made it so that it was not easy to cut out early. They did not need to make such a commitment. But on the other hand, perhaps they knew the weakness of man. Maybe they knew their own tendency to slide to compromise. In whatever case, their words became powerful future shapers of their behavior. Summary Many of us waste half our lives debating over whether we should sin or not. We are so wishy-washy that each day is a tug-of-war. Do you know why? Things do not need to be so rough. It is only because you are so indecisive. You make up your mind to do one thing and then change it the next. Why not make a commitment and keep it? Assess what is best, commit to it and then endure. It will be hard to fight against the contrary voices for a little bit, but once you are clear, it will be like heaven. Indeed if God’s people would be fully obedient, dependent upon God and kept accountable, they should do very well. C. Respond With A Clear Commitment (1:16-18) (1) Fully obedient (1:16) (3) Accepted Discipline (1:18) Discipline is a key to success. Discipline has two meanings and both are important. Spiritual discipline: a habit of regularly doing some spiritual activity that has a good effect on a person’s life. A discipline is firstly a habitual aspect of a person’s life. It spoke about something they were more than something they chose. We speak of the necessity of spiritual disciplines like daily prayers and going to church. These things become our lives. Receive discipline: Receive unpleasant consequences for something not rightly done so that they will do better in the future. Discipline also speaks to the training aspect. When we speak of someone being disciplined, it is evident that the person has not completed what he should and thus received unpleasant consequences. This is to help him on his own choose the right thing the next time. These 2.5 tribes committed their lives to the task and made it so that it was not easy to cut out early. They did not need to make such a commitment. But on the other hand, perhaps they knew the weakness of man. Maybe they knew their own tendency to slide to compromise. In whatever case, their words became powerful future shapers of their behavior. Summary Many of us waste half our lives debating over whether we should sin or not. We are so wishy-washy that each day is a tug-of-war. Do you know why? Things do not need to be so rough. It is only because you are so indecisive. You make up your mind to do one thing and then change it the next. Why not make a commitment and keep it? Assess what is best, commit to it and then endure. It will be hard to fight against the contrary voices for a little bit, but once you are clear, it will be like heaven. Indeed if God’s people would be fully obedient, dependent upon God and kept accountable, they should do very well.

18. Conclusion We started by mentioning whether we could be a generation of change? Do we need to just accept what is around us as normal? Not at all. We can become a people known for following God. We do not need to be a big congregation to do this. We only need to be faithful in seeking the Lord. This is the great hope that each generation needs to shine bright in their hearts. But how? I am thankful for Joshua’s example. I am thankful for those 2.5 tribes that lived in faith and commitment. We have an example to follow. Our pathways will be very different perhaps, but in some ways they will be the same. If we will be such people, we will need to be a committed people who do three things: 1) Leaders who prize God’s mission so that they clearly communicate God’s will to others. 2) Leaders that believe that everyone is important so that they withstand intimidation and challenge everyone to join in and find God’s great reward. 3) We will say, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever yo send us we will go.” God’s people wholeheartedly work commit themselves to do God’s will as long as God is with them. Conclusion We started by mentioning whether we could be a generation of change? Do we need to just accept what is around us as normal? Not at all. We can become a people known for following God. We do not need to be a big congregation to do this. We only need to be faithful in seeking the Lord. This is the great hope that each generation needs to shine bright in their hearts. But how? I am thankful for Joshua’s example. I am thankful for those 2.5 tribes that lived in faith and commitment. We have an example to follow. Our pathways will be very different perhaps, but in some ways they will be the same. If we will be such people, we will need to be a committed people who do three things: 1) Leaders who prize God’s mission so that they clearly communicate God’s will to others. 2) Leaders that believe that everyone is important so that they withstand intimidation and challenge everyone to join in and find God’s great reward. 3) We will say, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever yo send us we will go.” God’s people wholeheartedly work commit themselves to do God’s will as long as God is with them.

19. Mobilizing God’s People Joshua 1:10-18 True Success: A victorious and joyful life living in God’s presence by His purpose, promises, precepts and power. Mobilizing God’s People Joshua 1:10-18 True Success: A victorious and joyful life living in God’s presence by His purpose, promises, precepts and power.