The Battle Begins
Notes
Transcript
02/11/2019 The Battle Begins
Series: The Story Of The Bible
https://vimeo.com/313743632
What Does The Bible Say?
Joshua
After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. (Joshua 1:1–5 NLT NLT)
God tells Joshua and the people three things they need to be successful.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6–9 NLT)
Be people of the Book—the Word of God.
2 At that time the LORD told Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise this second generation of Israelites.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the entire male population of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. 4 Joshua had to circumcise them because all the men who were old enough to fight in battle when they left Egypt had died in the wilderness. 5 Those who left Egypt had all been circumcised, but none of those born after the Exodus, during the years in the wilderness, had been circumcised. (Joshua 5:2–5 NLT)
Be people who identify with God.
13 When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” 14 “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” 15 The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told. (Joshua 5:13–15 NLT)
Be people of prayer.
The battles begin and the land is taken.
Two reasons God commands Israel to take the Promised Land.
16 After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.” (Genesis 15:16 NLT)
31 You must not worship the Lord your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods. (Deuteronomy 12:31 NLT)
15 “You must not make a treaty of any kind with the people living in the land. They lust after their gods, offering sacrifices to them. They will invite you to join them in their sacrificial meals, and you will go with them. 16 Then you will accept their daughters, who sacrifice to other gods, as wives for your sons. And they will seduce your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods. (Exodus 34:15–16 NLT)
Because of the wickedness of the inhabitants of the land.
Because God wants to make Himself known among the nations.
23 So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war. (Joshua 11:23 NLT)
The giants in the land were bigger than the Israelites, however, God was bigger than their giants.
How Can You Obey:
Are you a person who reads the Bible?
Have you identified with God through baptism?
Are you a person of prayer?
Question 1 of 5
Just like the people of Israel, we sometimes are fearful of challenges and don’t want to deal with them. What challenge in your life have you put on the back burner, but you know it is time to face it and deal with it? How can your group members pray for you, cheer you on, and keep you accountable in the process?
Question 2 of 5
How does consistent reading of the Bible help us remain strong and courageous as we swim upstream against the currents of this world?
Question 3 of 5
When Christians live in a world that flows so strongly against the desires and heart of God, we often are identified as believers simply by the way we live. Name some actions and attitudes that show the world we are followers of Jesus.
Question 4 of 5
Baptism is an outward sign of our identification with God. What is the meaning of baptism and why is this public celebration so important and powerful? Please share your baptism story.
Question 5 of 5
When people look at you during a normal day, do they see you as a follower of Jesus? What can you do to live and think in ways that will identify you more closely with Jesus?