Purpose-filled Obedience

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Sermon

 

Pastor Beau Waldrep, January 12th, 2025
Part of the Bridge to the Future, Lessons from Joshua series, preached at a Sunday Online service

Joshua 1:10-18

10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”

12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

16 And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

Sermon Notes

Realizing God’s purpose and plan for your future requires intentional obedience to His will and His ways.

Joshua immediately began to act in obedience to God’s commands and purpose.

Right preparation (God’s Process)

Instead of the command to prepare food, you would have expected Joshua to say, “Prepare boats so we can cross the Jordan River.” Joshua didn’t try to second-guess God and work things out for himself. He knew that the God who opened the Red Sea could also open the Jordan River. He and Caleb had been present when God delivered the nation from Egypt, and they had confidence that God would work on their behalf again. – Warren W. Wiersbe

Right instructions (God’s Word)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Right actions (God’s Path)

Joshua unified his community around the purpose God had given them.

For Joshua, it is particularly important that all Israel participate in claiming the land that Yahweh is giving. There is no space here for one group to decide that they already have all that they need and thus to leave the others to fend for themselves. That Joshua has to speak this way to these tribes indicates that this is a risk he is already facing. Rather, the demands of faithfulness on those who already have their land are even greater because of the need to leave all behind while entering the land with their compatriots. – David G. Firth

Sacrificial Perspective
Active Purpose

Joshua focused on the promise of the Lord rather than the problems before him.

Promised Land
Purpose-filled