I. NEW SERIES - STRONG

6 teachings from the book of Joshua
Big Idea: You were created to go on the offensive. You were not meant to live a defeated, defenseless life!
The book of Joshua is a call to go forward and possess the land God has promised you
Key Scripture for the series – Joshua 1:9 “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.”

II. JOSHUA BACKGROUND

The book of Joshua takes place 40 years after the Exodus
Exodus took place in 1446 BC
Events in the book of Joshua start in 1406 BC.
Theme: Conquest of the Promised Land
Majority of the book covers a span of 7 years
Main character: Joshua
Joshua’s name literally means ‘Yahweh is Salvation’ and is translated – Jesus!
Joshua is one of the greatest leaders in the Bible
Sometimes he gets overshadowed because he follows maybe THE greatest leader in the Old Testament, Moses
Example: Joe Montana and Steve Young

What does it say? (Observe)
a. Observe the text. Who, what, where, when, why, and how?
What does it mean? (Analyze)
a. Analyze the text. Do your background work. Put it in historical context. What did it mean to the original recipients?
What does it mean to me? (Apply)
a. Apply the text. Make the bridge from Bible times to today. What is God speaking into your present situation?

Key Word: Servant
Moses was the LORD’s servant
Joshua was Moses’ servant
Jesus said, ‘…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’
To be a great leader you need to be a great follower. Moses and Joshua were both mighty leaders and both were humble servants.

When the method God uses ‘dies’ we need to be sensitive to His voice to be in tune on how He is going to move next
Moses wasn’t their source, God was. Moses was His instrument and now Joshua will be His instrument. Different instruments/Same God
NOW therefore arise. God is the God of the now
Don’t get paralyzed by your past or your future. What is God saying/doing in your life NOW?
God will always give instruction on what to do next
God had a promised land for them, God has a promised land for you. You were created to be part of his plan for eternity and that starts now
Their promised land was based on the covenant He made with Abraham. Our promised land is based on a greater promise and a greater covenant. The new covenant secured by the blood of Jesus

Incredible promise! Every place on which the sole of their foot treads God has given it to them
He was with Moses, He was with Joshua, and He is with you

God outlines the boundaries of your promised land – nobody else. Not even us
It is useless to compare yourself with others because you have a unique call and destiny
Comparison is a trap to get you off course
‘…all the land of the Hittites…’ There is land that the enemy is controlling in your life. He must be evicted
Don’t settle for a tie with the devil
Fight for your family
Fight for your destiny
Fight for our city and the people who live here

Another incredible promise
Just like the children of Israel had to overcome the resistance of the physical enemy, believers today must overcome the resistance of our spiritual enemy
“No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. We need to believe and live this promise. God wants us to start from a posture of victory
One of the keys to victory: The presence of God in our lives. Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day!
God is with you! He will not fail you or forsake you

First of 3 ‘Be strong and courageous’
We can trust that as we follow God and what He says that we will possess our promised land

Be strong and very courageous
How? Speak the Word and Meditate on the Word
Biblical meditation is not like New Age meditation. New Age meditation tells you to empty your mind. Biblical Meditation means to fill your mind and let your thought life be totally dominated by the Word of God.
‘Chewing the cud’

God is with you so go on the offensive and possess your promised land!