Be Strong and Courageous

 

Be Strong andCourageous

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevesermons.blogspopt.com

 

                                       

INTODUCTION:

A. A contemporary Christian author has written, “The time has come to attack the
    disease. It has raged, untouched, too long. Infected, unhindered, too many. Misery
    bobs in its wake. Abandoned dreams, ravaged marriages, truncated hopes. Hasn’t
    the malady contaminated enough lives? It is time to declare war on the pestilence
    that goes by the name “I can’t.”   
    1. So many people are held captive by this disease.
     2. Ungodly habits go unchallenged.
    3. Careers are sacrificed.
    4. Marriages falter and families are defeated while people mumble, “I can’t.”
B. How do you handle the difficulties you face in life? All of us face difficulties with faith
    or fear. Whenever you are facing difficulty in your life I encourage you to turn to the
    book of Joshua and read the first nine verses.
    1. Joshua is one of my favorite Biblical personalities. My son is named Joshua.
        Tami’s paternal grandfather was named Joshua.
    2. The name Joshua is filled with significance.
        a. In Hebrew the word “Ho-shea” meant “salvation.” When you add the covenant
            name of God “YHWH” as a prefix you have “Ya-Ho=jshea” or “Joshua” meaning
            “God is salvation.” In the New Testament the name “Ya-Ho-shea” becomes
            “Jesus.”
    3. We are introduced to Joshua in Exodus 17 where Moses told him to gather an
        army from among the Israelites and fight against Amalek. From this time forward
        Joshua was Moses’ servant and assistant. When Moses went upon the mountain
        of God in Exodus 24, he took Joshua along for the first part of the journey.
    4. In numbers 13 and 14 Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent into the land of
        Canaan. Only Joshua and Caleb said, “Let us go up at once and possess the land”
        (Numbers 13:30; 14:6). As a result, these were the only two men out that faithless
        generation who did not die during the forty years of wandering in the wilderness
        (Numbers 14:30,38).      

    5. In Numbers 27:18 God referred to Joshua as “a man in whom my spirit dwells” and

        told Moses to lay hands on him and appoint him as his successor. Moses did so

        in the presence of the congregation (a gesture that let the entire nation know of

        God’s will).

C. As we come to the book that bears Joshua’s name we find these words in1:1-2 ,  

    “Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord    

    spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, ² “Moses My servant is

    dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land

    which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.”

    1. How do you deal with change? For forty years Israel’s life had revolved around

        Moses. Suddenly, Moses is gone. God said, “Moses is dead.”

    2. Some people have a hard time accepting change. When it comes to change they

        live in Egypt – “de-nial.” They do not want a different leader, a different situation, a

        different schedule, a different lifestyle or a different location.

    3. If you are a person who does not like change, the past three months have been

        difficult for you. So many things have changed.

    3. Change is reality. Moses was dead. God told Joshua it was time to step up to

        the plate. He was no longer the batter on deck. He was no longer the pitcher

        warming up in the bull pen. He was at bat. He was now on the pitcher’s mound. 

    4. Can you imagine how intimidating this might be for someone in Joshua’s shoes?  

        Four times in this chapter (Joshua 1) there is a phrase which Joshua needed to

        hear. “Be strong and courageous,” (verses 6, 7, 9, 18). The first three of these it is

        spoken by God to Joshua. The fourth is spoken to Joshua by the Israelites.

D. The question we face is the same one faced by Joshua. “How do we remain strong

    and courageous in the midst of a changing world?”  In the remainder of this text there

    are three essential principles.

 

I. PROMISES

    A. Joshua’s leadership was not based on his strength but upon God’s promise.

        1. In verses 2-3 God told Joshua, “arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people,

            to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. ³ Every place on

            which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to

            Moses.”  Notice the emphasis, “I am giving,” and “I have given.”

        2. In verses 4 God amplified the promise by setting forth the specific territory that

            Israel would occupy. “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the

            great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the

            Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.”

            a. God was reminding Joshua of a promise that He had made to Abraham long

                ago. According to Genesis 12:7, after calling Abraham to leave his home and

                 go to Canaan God said, “To your descendants I will give this land.”                     

             b. After Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, 450 years in Egypt (Exodus 12:40) and

                40 years in the wilderness God’s promise is about to be realized.                 

    B. God is always faithful to His promise.

        1. This was the repeated message in the book of Deuteronomy.

        2. In Hebrews 10:23 the writer admonished, “Let us hold fast the confession of our

            hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

        3. In 2 Peter 3:9 Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slow about His promise.”

    C. The difficulty we have with God’s promises is that we want them at our time and in

        our way.

        1. God promised Abraham an heir through whom his descendants would be a

            numerous as the stars or the sands of the seashore. When time passed and

            there was no son Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands.

            Abraham had Ishmael through Hagar. Even today we see the animosity

            between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac.

        2. You and I live in a world of broken promises. Brides and grooms promise to be

            faithful, and they stray. Politicians make campaign promises that are never

            fulfilled. Our hearts are broken by promises not kept.

        3. The boldness and courage Joshua needed could not be realized by his own

            strength. He was dependent upon the promises and presence of God.  Always

            remember that God will fulfill His promises to you. You can be assured, based

            on His faithfulness, that He will do what He says.

     

II. PRECEPTS

    A. The second essential principle for Joshua’s courage and boldness was to keep the

        precepts of God. In verse 5-8 God told Joshua, “No man will be able to stand

        before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with

        you; I will not fail you or forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, for you shall give

        this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

        ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law

        which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the

        left, so that you may have success wherever you go. ⁸ 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 success.”

    B. In His commission to Joshua, God had spoken about His reliability. Now He

        speaks of Joshua’s responsibility.

        1. God’s reliability is seen in verses 5-6, “No one will stand against you.”  “I will

            not fail you or forsake you.”  

        2. Joshua’s responsibility was threefold. 

            a. Be careful to do according to all the law (verse 7).

            b. Do not turn to the right or to the left (vs. 7).

            c. Do not let it depart from your mouth but meditate on it day and night (vs. 8).

    C. If you want to be strong and courageous in your life you must keep God’s word

        within your heart.             

        1. Joshua had been in Canaan as one of the twelve spies. In Numbers 13 the

            spies reported that the cities were walled and the people very large. Talk about

            intimidating!

        2. It was so important for Joshua to keep God’s message in his heart and maintain

            his desire to follow it without wavering.

        3. My greatest fear in this COVVID 19 crisis is that Christians will drift to the right

            and the left. That we will become content to allow a Facebook stream one hour

            a week to pacify us and we will lose our spiritual hunger. When that hunger is

            lost Satan offers cheap substitutes that delude us into thinking we are okay but

            prove impotent in the difficult challenges of life.

 

III. PRERSENCE

    A. The most familiar verse in this text is verse 9, “Have I not commanded you? Be

        strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is

        with you wherever you go.”

    B. Have we forgotten the difference God’s presence makes?

        1. In Genesis 1 the presence of God created something from nothing.

        2. It was the presence of God that led Abraham to Canaan and that delivered

            Israel out of Egypt by parting the Red Sea. It was the presence of God that

            provided food and water for the Israelites in the wilderness. It was the presence

            of God that gave them the land. It was the presence of God that healed the sick,

            gave sight to the blind, that brought good news of salvation. It was the presence

            of God that raised Jesus from the tomb. It is God’s presence in our life that

            enables us to be strong and courageous.

 

CONCLUSION:

A. In 1917 a young man named Martin Treptow left his job in a small-town barber shop

    to join the army. He was sent to France to fight in World War I. There on the western

    front he was killed. On his body was found a diary in which he had written, “I will

    work. I will save. I will sacrifice. I will endure. I will fight cheerfully and I will do my

    upmost as if the whole struggle depended on me.”

    1. This weekend we honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to

        our country. They made the ultimate sacrifice because they were bold and

        courageous.

    2. You and I are engaged in a battle more important that any world war. It is a

        spiritual battle that has eternal consequences for every man, woman and child who

        hears my voice. Are you prepared?

B. “Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!”

     If we can help you in your relationship with the Lord ple

How To Get Where You Want To Go

 

 

How To Get Where

You Want To Go

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevesermons.blogspopt.com

 

 

INTRODUCTION:                                      

A. Many people have read or heard of Stephen R. Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of
    Highly Effective People. The first of those seven habits is crucial in the life of every
    individual and organization. It is, “Begin with the end in mind.” In other words, “set a
    goal and determine how to reach it.” Decide what you want to accomplish or where
    you want to be at the end of your journey and take the steps that will lead you to that
    destination.
    1. If you want to be an expert in the field of medicine you must begin by learning
        basic principles of science, chemistry, biology and related disciplines.
    2. If you want to be financially secure you must begin by learning basic principles like
        “Do not allow your outgo to be more than your income lest your upkeep become
        your downfall.”
   3. If you want to live a rewarding spiritual life there are some practical principles you
        need to follow.
B. In 2 Timothy 4 we have a picture of a man who had reached the end of his journey.
    The man was the apostle Paul. His second letter to Timothy was the last letter he
    wrote as he lived in the cramped darkness of a Roman dungeon illuminated only the
    the light of a torch.
    1. There was, however, no remorse in Paul’s words. Instead, they were filled with
        hope and confidence.
    2. In 2 Timothy 4:6-8 this great spiritual giant wrote, “For I am already being poured
        out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the
        good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is
        laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
        award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His
        appearing”
C. In the verses that follow this statement, Paul demonstrates the important principles
    that had led him have such confidence.
I. PEOPLE
    A. No one travels the road of life by themselves. Paul had not arrived at this critical
        moment in life without encountering many people along the way. Some of his
        relationships were favorable and profitable. Others were difficult and damaging.    
    B. In verses 9 -13 there are four attitudes we need to develop regarding people.
        1. Desire close relationships.
            a. In verses 9 and 22 Paul urges Timothy to “make every effort” to come to him
                quickly and to come before winter. Earlier in his writing to Timothy, he referred
                to Timothy as his “beloved son (2 Timothy 1:2). In his first letter to Timothy he
                called him, “my beloved child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).
            b. Paul had met Timothy during his second missionary journey recorded in Acts
                16. The date of that occasion was approximately 47 A.D. Paul’s second
                letter was written approximately 65 A.D. For almost twenty years these two
                men had traveled together, suffered together, worshipped together,
                preached together and prayed together. In Romans 16:21 Paul wrote that
                Timothy was his “fellow worker.”
            c. All of us need the support and encouragement of friends. Solomon wrote,
                “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.
                       ¹⁰For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the
                one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. ¹¹Furthermore, if two
                lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? ¹² And if
                one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three
                strands is not quickly torn apart.”
            d. In the book The Friendship Factor, Alan Loy McGuiness tells about two
                legendary comedians named George Burns and Jack Benny. George Burns
                lived to be 100 years old and commented about his friend, “Jack and I were
                best friends for over fifty years, We talked nearly every day. I never walked
                out when he played the violin and he never walked out when I sang.”
        2. Determine that you will not be deterred by the failures of others. Such was the
            case with Demas.
            a. In verse 10 Paul wrote, “Demas, having loved this present world, has
                deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.”
            b. Demas is mentioned three times in Paul’s letters. In Colossians 4:14 he is
                mentioned along with Luke as sending greetings. In Philemon 1:2 he is
                included in a list of Paul’s co-workers. It is obvious that at one time Demas
                was very close to Paul. Now, however, Paul wrote that Demas “has deserted
                me.”
            c. There will be people in your life who, for various reasons, will disappoint you.
                You may even feel betrayed by them. On such occasions you will face an
                important decision.
                1.) You can become bitter as you allow that disappointment or betrayal to
                     fester like an infection in your mind.
                2.) You can turn it over to the Lord, let Him deal with it, and get on with your
                      life.
            d. Do not let the failure of others cause you to lose your faith. Paul did not say,
                “I am going to quit,” because Demas is not who He should be.
        3. Develop the potential of others.  
            a. In verse 11 Paul surprisingly wrote, “Pick up Mark and bring him to me, for he
                is useful for service.”  
            b. John Mark had accompanied Paul and Barnabas as they set out on the first
                missionary journey in Acts 13. However, when they came to Pamphylia, John
                Mark turned around and went home. Why he did so is a matter of speculation.
                However, John Mark’s departure on that occasion irritated Paul to the extent
               that when Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on the second journey (Acts
                15:36-41) he and Paul had a sharp contention between them. Ultimately
                Barnabas  took John Mark and Paul took Silas.
            c. Now, some twenty years later, Paul’s opinion of Mark had changed. Why?
                Mark had changed. Paul had changed. Too often we base our judgments of
                people on a snapshot we took years ago. We do not consider how they might
                have changed through God’s redemptive grace or through the process of
                maturity. Paul came to see John Mark as a man of service. Of course, it was
                Mark who wrote (or as some scholars speculate, recorded Peter’s thoughts)
                the second Gospel account.  
        4. Depend on reliable people.
 
II. PROBLEMS   
    A. Your journey in life will not always be easy. At various points there will be people
        who oppose you. Paul was not immune to this. In verse 14 he stated, “Alexander
        the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his
        deeds.”
        1. Alexander was mentioned by Paul in 1 Timothy 1:20 along with Hymenaeus as
            having been “handed over to Satan.”
        2. This Alexander may also be the one mentioned in Acts 19 who was
            involved in a riot in Ephesus. (Remember that Timothy had been in Ephesus
            and would have known of this man.)
    B. How did Paul respond to this man who had done such great harm to him?
        1. Did he seek revenge?
        2. Did he invest time and effort in trying to harm him?
        3. He did neither of these things. Instead, he said, “the Lord will repay him for his
           deeds” (vs. 14).     
    C. The person who goes through life always seeking to even the score with those
        who have hurt him will never get where he wants to go because he will spend
        his life keeping accounts. General Robert E. Lee was once asked to give and
        opinion of a fellow general who had been very critical of him. Lee spoke of the
        general in glowing terms. An aide pulled him aside and said, “Are you not aware of
        the harsh things the General has said about you?” Lee replied, “Yes, but the
        question was about my opinion of him, not his opinion of me.”
 
III. PERSPECTIVE   
    A. The essential key to Paul’s ability to “get where he wanted to be,” is found in verse
        17. “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.”
        1. He had faced loneliness and isolation.
        2. He had faced opposition.
        3. He had even faced lions (vs. 17).
        4. Notice Paul’s trust in God according to verse 18, “The Lord will rescue me from
            every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.”
    B. The key to getting to where you want to be is to stay focused. Keep your focus on
        God.
        1. Philippians 3:12-14 – “Not that I have already obtained it or have already
            become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was
            laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid
            hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward
            to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
            of God in Christ Jesus.”
        2. Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses
            surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so
            easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
            ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set
            before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
            right hand of the throne of God.”
 
CONCLUSION:
A. It has been estimated that 97% of people have no goals in life. No professional goals,
    no physical goals and no spiritual goals. You will never get where you want to go
    unless you know where that is.
    1. Paul knew exactly what his goal was. He stated it over and over and over.
    2. The reason he could write those words, “I have finished the course,” is that he
        had done the things he needed to do to get where he wanted to be.
B. The most important destination you will ever determine is your eternal one. You may
    may have all types of dreams, hopes, desires and goals for this life but Jesus said,
    “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul” (Mark
    8:36).