## Joshua Intro

## Joshua 1:11

Over the next few Sunday evenings I want to bring a series of lessons on the book of Joshua. It has been some time since we have looked at this book as a whole, and it is altogether appropriate for us to do so as we begin a new year of ministry here at GBT.

The book of Joshua is filled with wonderful examples and applications for our Christian life. There is much to be gained from the study of the Old Testament. In fact, God clearly tells us "that these things happened unto them (Israel) for examples" and "for our admonition," and for our "learning" (Cf I Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4).

As we study the book and consider the applications we find our lives for Christ will be strengthened greatly.

I. A Book of Conquest

JOS 1:11 PASS THROUGH THE HOST, AND COMMAND THE PEOPLE, SAYING, PREPARE YOU VICTUALS; FOR WITHIN THREE DAYS YE SHALL PASS OVER THIS JORDAN, TO GO IN TO POSSESS THE LAND, WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD GIVETH YOU TO POSSESS IT.

A. It is God's to give!

1. In our study we will find the accounts of some great battles.

2. Victories and defeats.

3. In it we will observe as God proves His faithfulness to Abraham.

4. He promised His people this land, and God will not fail to fulfil His promises!

B. It is ours to possess!

1. As the nation of Israel entered into their material heritage…

2. We realize that God has promised us a spiritual heritage.

Note: Ephesians 1:3-14

3. Just as they were to possess their possessions and it came about through faith, tears, warring and obedience

4. It is in the same manner that we enter into our spiritual possessions through faith, tears, and warring against sin, the world, and the devil.

5. We are assured of victory through Jesus Christ.

II. A Book of Character

A. Moses, my servant is dead.

1. The book begins with the announcement of Moses' death.

2. Moses had been a great leader of God's people.

3. But due to his disobedience of God, he was not permitted to lead the people into victory.

4. God has high standards for those who will lead His people.

B. Now was the time for Joshua to step up to the challenge before him.

1. It is significant that his name means God's salvation.

2. Joshua was the leader, the appointed one by God, and his name-is the same in meaning as the name - "Jesus"

3. As a matter of fact, the Greek form of Joshua's name would be.... "Jehovah the Saviour", speaking of Christ.

C. Some comparisons.

1. This book is named after the hero (Joshua) of this great conquest, he is the Captain.

2. Jesus Christ is our Saviour; He is our Captain.

3. Moses, the Law-Giver, was dead, as he was not permitted to lead them into the promised land.

4. And the law cannot lead us into the promised land.

GA 3:11 BUT THAT NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, IT IS EVIDENT: FOR, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.

5. There is no life in the law…only in Christ.

GA 2:16 KNOWING THAT A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BUT BY THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, EVEN WE HAVE BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE FAITH OF CHRIST, AND NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW: FOR BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED.

III. A Book of Continuation

A. This isn't a new story…

1. Joshua took up where Moses left off.

2. This book takes up where the book of Deuteronomy leaves off.

3. It is a continuation of the history of the chosen people.

4. God used Moses to lead them out of bondage, and now they are to be led into the promised land.

5. In this book, Israel not only-overcomes the enemy, but occupies the land God hath promised. 6. God always completes what He has begun.

PHP 1:6 BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST:

B. God had been preparing Joshua for years.

1. He was born in slavery in Egypt, but God led him out and made him a co laborer of Moses.

2. He was always a valiant captain.

3. He was, along with Caleb, almost stoned to death because he urged the children of Israel to advance into Canaan forty years earlier. (Numbers 14:6-10)

4. God was ready for him to now step up and lead His people to victory.

C. Joshua is a good example for us.

1. Joshua was ready to take the place of God's choosing.

2. God is looking for Joshua's today.

3. He was a humble man who knew how to walk with God and seek His power.

4. He was a man of prayer, courage, faith, leadership, enthusiasm, and honesty.

God's desire for us is not so much a matter of victory, because the victory is already won. What God desires from us is the willingness to step up and claim our possession.

JOS 1:3 EVERY PLACE THAT THE SOLE OF YOUR FOOT SHALL TREAD UPON, THAT HAVE I GIVEN UNTO YOU, AS I SAID UNTO MOSES.

JOS 1:5 THERE SHALL NOT ANY MAN BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE THEE ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE: AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO I WILL BE WITH THEE: I WILL NOT FAIL THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.

Are we ready to possess all that God has given us?

JOS 1:2 MOSES MY SERVANT IS DEAD; NOW THEREFORE ARISE, GO OVER THIS JORDAN, THOU, AND ALL THIS PEOPLE, UNTO THE LAND WHICH I DO GIVE TO THEM, EVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.