Profiles in Faith:

Joshua

“Joshua”

Joshua: Faith-filled Life •Assistant to Moses as he led the people out of

Egypt into the Promised Land. (Exodus 24:13)

•Remained in the Tent of Meeting after Moses went back to camp. (Exodus 33:11)

•A spy (1 of 12) who surveyed the Promised Land the first time. (Numbers 13)

•Replaced Moses the leader of Israel in the Promised Land campaign.

“Joshua”

Joshua 1:1-2

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.” (ESV)

“Joshua”

Final Challenge Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV)

“Joshua”

Judges 2:6-9

When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. (ESV)

“Joshua”

And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 (ESV)

“Joshua”

Israel’s Generational Drift

And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 (ESV)

•Did not know the Lord – דעו Hebrew - yaw-dah י

•Or the works that he had done for Israel. Did not know how they got to this land.

Intentional Preparation

Counter Measure #1 - We cannot combat what we do not acknowledge

“Joshua”

A Real Drifting Away

• The drift downward through Judges • “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in

the sight of the Lord.” • Through the Kingdom Period

• Solomon’s wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 11:4 (ESV)

• In the Early Church • I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who

called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to another gospel. Galatians 1:6&7 (ESV)

• Letters to the 7 Churches in Revelation 2&3

“Joshua”

A Real Adversary

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

“Joshua”

Real Advice Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

“Joshua”

Real Hope God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Active Participation

Counter Measure #2 - Stay together or you’ll be swept away.

“Joshua”

Joshua 24:28 … So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance. (ESV)

Judges 2:6 … “When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. (ESV)

“Joshua”

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (ESV)

“Joshua”

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (ESV)

Deep Personalization

Counter Measure #3 – Train to have faith that is heart-deep and

not head-shallow.

“Joshua”

Matthew 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (ESV)

“Joshua”

Deuteronomy 11:18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” (ESV)

Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (ESV)

“Joshua”

Matthew 22:36-40

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. (ESV)

“Joshua”

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)

Profiles in Faith:

Joshua