THE VISION – Part 3 – The Joshua Generation

When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you see? Who do you see? Do you see God’s precious son or daughter with a divine calling, or do you see a stranger not meeting any expectations? How you see yourself depends on the mirror you are looking into. It might be the mirror of your parents, your siblings, your spouse, your children, your friends, your job, your situation, who you think you are, or the Bible. The mirror you look into most often reflects the picture you see of yourself. The me I see is the me I will be.

Sometimes or most of the time, we let other people, our surroundings, and even our own opinions dictate how we value ourselves instead of the Mirror that defines everyone. Stop for a moment and think about this question: “Who am I?”

The world and social media want us to believe that our identity is not about who we are as a person, but about what we do and what we own. The measures that the world uses to define us are imperfect and weak and the opposite of how God sees us.

WORD

Nothing in life or in ministry ever happens apart from COURAGE. Somebody has to pull the trigger. Leadership is by its very nature a prophetic declaration of the way things should be.

When you read Joshua 1, you must read it in the context of its emotional content.  Moses is dead because he disobeyed God. He gave in to the pressure of those who were following him and he acted in unbelief. Joshua was given the go-ahead to continue and lead the people of Israel.

God personally visits Joshua to give him the definition of courage. The best biblical passage about leadership is this one. It’s not for the weak of heart.  Joshua (and us) feel as though God reaches out and grips us by the collar. He doesn’t pamper us but gives us what courage is all about.

Joshua 1:1-8 – “1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (NIV)

The children of Israel are about to enter a new chapter in their lives. Moses, the leader they knew, the deliverer they followed is dead but the promise, the vision is not. Never base your pursuit of a vision on the man or woman of God who taught it but on our great God who promised it. When God says “get ready”, it means to start moving towards your goal, the thing you desire, the thing you’ve been believing in. When you move forward in faith, you move with our great Yahweh’s blessings.

In other words, get up and get going.  Do something. Stop talking and start pursuing God’s promises. Then the verse tells the children of Israel where to go to get the inheritance they’ve been promised. God’s Word reveals to us every day where He wants us to go, and the promises He has given to us.  He wants us to pursue with passion the inheritance He has promised us as well. Are you still alive? Then, you still have a purpose, whether you are young, or even if you’re already old. All you need to do is find your purpose and live it.

Joshua 1:2 says, “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them.” (NIV)

There is more going on than just a change of leadership. The children of Israel are getting ready to leave their past sins behind and enter the Promised Land. It’s time to “go over” and take what God has given you. It’s time to leave the past behind and move into the new things God has in store for you. It’s time to leave behind the old way of thinking and doing things as you embrace the new thing God wants to do in your life.

Joshua 1:3  – “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”  God is telling Joshua it’s time to possess what He’s given to the children of Israel. That’s where we are today.  God wants each of us to possess A LIFE OF PURPOSE He has planned for us. Is it just to be rich, successful, and powerful? Those are bonuses. But we are to live as Jesus tells us to live in Mark 16:15-20 which says: Mark 16:15-20 – “15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (NIV)

As we journey through this life, we need to fully understand that everywhere our feet tread on is holy ground because of the God we serve.  This realization will bring boldness in every situation you face and every opportunity you receive. You can look back at all the favors God has given you when you became a Christian and you will really say that God’s favor is upon you.

Do you remember something that God has delivered you from? Maybe, you were in a very messy situation before and God overturned it.  Well, if He delivered you before, He can surely do it again.  God has a grip on you. He holds you in the palm of His hand.

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

Courage means having the strength to do something despite being afraid. How do you become courageous?  The same way you become strong. By reading, meditating, speaking, and acting on the Word of God. When you become totally committed to trusting and living God’s Word, there won’t be anything or anyone who can keep you quiet about it. People don’t lack strength so much as they lack the courage to do something with what they’ve got. Moving into your Promised Land means you might have to fight some giants but you are not alone. You may have to fight some battles as you take possession of your Promised Land but you’re not fighting alone.

Our obedience to His instructions is proven when we move forward without fear or doubt. Joshua 1:7 – “Be strong and brave. Be sure to obey all the teachings my servant Moses gave you. If you follow them exactly, you will be successful in everything you do (NCV).” God doesn’t want you to be successful in some things. He wants you to be successful in everything you do. I’m talking here of success in God’s standards and not men’s.

BUT here’s the catch. God instructs us in Joshua 1:8 – “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips (NIV).” Joshua 1:8 – “Study this Book of Instruction continually (NLT).” Joshua 1:8 – “Never stop reading The Book of the Law he gave you (CEV).” Joshua 1:8 – “And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind (MSG).”

The Word of God is the key! No matter what translation you use, it’s clear that we are to be in the Word of God. Not just on Sundays, when times get tough, or when there’s trouble.  Putting the Word into action within us is a continual process.  It is to be an essential part of our talk and our walk. In other words, read your Bible and do what it says.

Let me sum up this message. Joshua and his generation were allowed to enter, conquer and inhabit the Promised Land. The generation of Joshua were those who would enter the Promised Land without the bondage of the past. In many ways, the generation of Joshua is symbolic of a type and shadow of the church today.  God is calling us to leave our traditions and move into the fullness and promises of His Word. We have to increase in boldness, increase in influence, and increase in favor.

And we have to do it now. Proverbs 6:4 – “Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do (NLT).” The most difficult part of any assignment or journey is the first step.  Don’t let the enemy of your success keep you from organizing your priorities and your life. You have everything you need, to walk on your Holy Ground, to be victorious in every battle, and to do more than you have thought possible. Moses led a people who had to witness miracles first in order to follow orders. But Joshua led a people who obeyed first, then saw miracles. How about you?

CONCLUSION

The church needs this message from the book of Joshua more than ever before. We’re living in a day when many of God’s people are walking in defeat and discouragement. God’s destiny for every one of us is that we become the salt and light of the world. And today is the day to come out of hiding.  Joshua went ahead to discover what God was doing. There was something prophetic about him. Joshua was a leader and a visionary. He had to see what was out there. His ministry was founded as a result of the encounter and hearing God speak. Joshua was a man of faith, courage, and strength.

Do you sense a calling to go past your past and live a life of purpose and service? To put God’s people above and below you before yourself, to stand up and bravely face challenges, and serve them? Are you prepared to join the new Joshua generation? A generation that will proclaim Jesus to others? We need you. We need your energy, we need your passion and your zest for life. Why not live your life purposefully by sharing the love of Jesus with others? I tell you, a life that is lived for God is a life that is meaningful and abundant.

 

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION:

1) What is success to you? What is it for you to be successful? And how will this definition of success influence your life?

2) What key principles did you learn from the message? How can you apply them to your daily life?

3) What are you hoping for God to do on your behalf?