Sermon Notes - Joshua 1:1-9 - A New Adventure - Littleby Baptist Church - July 27, 2025

1.        We are going to start on a new adventure in a new book of the Bible this morning.

a.        The person the book is named after was going on a new adventure.

b.       Not too sure how he felt about it.

c.        He had been through a lot.

d.       Seen a lot.

e.        God had done some amazing things.

f.          This guy had a front row seat for many of them.

g.        But now he was the leader.

h.        But now, he was going to be God’s point man.

2.        Prior to this point we have seen Joshua several times.

a.        Exodus 17:8-13

b.       Joshua was the recipient of God’s blessings, when he and the other men were delivered from the Amalekites.

c.        Exodus 24:12-14

d.       Joshua went up part of the way with Moses.

e.        Later in Exodus 33, we see that Joshua took care of the tent where Moses would meet with God.

f.          In Numbers 13 God had Moses send 12 people, 1 from each tribe to scope out the promised land.

g.        They find the land to be as beautiful and as wonderful as they had hoped.

h.        10 of the guys came back and said the people there were too powerful.

i.          That there was no way they could beat them and were convincing the people to turn back, to not listen to God.

j.          Joshua and Caleb did not agree.

k.        Numbers 14:5-10

l.          Moses intervened and God agreed to not wipe out the people for their failure to follow Him.

m.     Instead, they were going to wander the wilderness for a long time.

n.        Those who witnessed God’s miracles were not going to enter the promised land.

o.        Essentially the adult males were never going to step foot into the land they were so close to claiming.

p.       The people tried to test God yet again.

q.       They tried to claim the land on their own and suffered a horrible defeat.

3.        Years later, Moses was able to see the promised land from the top of Mount Nebo.

a.        Deuteronomy 34:4-6

b.       Moses time on with the Israelites came to an end.

4.        Jump down a few verses.

5.        Deuteronomy 34:9-10

a.        We see two things here.

b.       First, Joshua is the successor to Moses.

c.        The people know who God appointed to take Mosses place.

d.       That should help.

e.        Second, there was no one like Moses.

f.          Joshua was chosen to follow him.

g.        But he was not Moses.

6.        Imagine the emotions going through Joshua and the people.

a.        They still see God at work in front of them.

b.       They were still eating manna.

c.        They are being led into the long promised, promised land.

d.       They have been told if they follow God they will be blessed.

e.        But God’s primary spokesperson has just passed.

f.          His long-time assistant is now in charge.

7.        I wonder what they are thinking?

a.        Doubts?

b.       Fear?

c.        Wondering what God is doing?

8.        Let’s begin this new adventure.

9.        Joshua 1:1-2

a.        The timing between what we read from the end of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Jushua is short.

b.       It is possible Joshua was waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain and God let him know that he wasn’t coming.

c.        A time of mourning is needed.

d.       A time of preparation is to follow.

e.        As you are going to be taking the people on a new journey.

f.          You are going to be crossing the Jordan.

g.        Into the land that has been promised to the forefathers.

h.        Now the promised land is what they have been looking forward to.

i.          But crossing the Jordan is not something you can easily get to.

j.          It is a major river.

k.        It runs through a deep gorge.

l.          It has mountains on both sides.

m.     This would be a challenge.

n.       They were going to have to have faith.

10.   This was going to require the people to trust in God.

a.        Trusting in God as they take a step forward in faith.

b.       Even after suffering a major loss.

c.        Facing a lot of uncertainty.

d.       Something we can relate to.

11.   Joshua 1:3-4

a.        This is the same as was promised to Abram in Genesis 15.

b.       Same as was told to Moses in Deuteronomy.

c.        It is God’s land to give.

d.       It is theirs if they follow God.

12.   Joshua 1:5

a.        God is encouraging Joshua.

b.       He states clearly that He will not leave Joshua or abandon him.

c.        God was there for Moses and He will be there for Joshua.

d.       These may look like words to us… and we may question them.

e.        But Joshua knows that God was with Moses.

f.          He witnessed it every day.

g.        He saw it with his own eyes.

h.        He saw the pillar of fire and smoke.

i.          He was eating manna each day.

j.          He saw the glow of Moses’ face.

k.        He believed that God could do what He was saying.

13.   He also knew that this was coming from something that God gave Moses that we read about in Deuteronomy 7.

a.        It was how if Israel remained faithful.

b.       That God would never leave them or abandon them as they stood against the idolatrous nations of the world. 

c.        God would use Israel to bring judgement against the godless people around them.

d.       As Joshua and the people marched into the Promised Land, God would use them to bring judgement.

14.   Joshua 1:6

a.        If we were to go back to Deuteronomy 1 or 3 we would see God encouraging Moses to pour into Joshua for what is to come.

b.       Here God is doing it Himself.

c.        It is time.

d.       Joshua needs to be Strong.

e.        He needs to be Courageous.

f.          God is going to use him to fulfill a promise that was made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

15.   When we are encountering things in our lives, it can be hard.

a.        Things that we know are right.

b.       Things that we know are what God wants us to do.

c.        Standing up for the unborn for example.

d.       There is no doubt about that being the right thing to do.

e.        But in today’s society it can get ugly.

f.          Yet, we still need to stand up.

g.        To be strong.

h.        To be courageous.

i.          That does not mean angry and hateful.

j.          But it does mean to take a stand for what is right.

k.        To share with people that all lives do matter.

l.          To share what the Bible teaches.

m.     This is just one example, there are many more.

16.   Joshua 1:7

a.        Be strong.

b.       Be very courageous.

c.        Observe the whole instruction…

d.       Observe the law given by Moses.

e.        Following God’s commands will result in God’s blessings.

f.          If the people do what God tells them.

g.        They will receive all of the promised land.

h.        If they can resist from worshipping any pagan gods.

i.          If they can only worship the One and only God.

j.          They will be blessed.

k.        It they can honor God with the proper sacrifices and holidays.

l.          They will be blessed.

m.     If they can be strong and very courageous and honor God.

n.        He will bless them.

17.   Joshua 1:8

a.        For Joshua and the fledgling Nation of Israel it was the first 5 books of the Old Testament.

b.       For us it is all of Scripture.

c.        We need to make spending time with Scripture a priority.

d.       It makes a difference in our lives.

e.        When we spend time in the Word of God.

f.          It makes a difference in how we see things.

g.        How we think about the world around us.

h.        And how we respond to the things that are happening around us.

18.   For example, we can look at the stuff that recently went on between Israel and Iran.

a.        War is ugly.

b.       It can be scary.

c.        For many who don’t know Jesus.

d.       Who don’t read Scripture.

e.        They might have been having a really hard time with it.

f.          Now for those who read the Word of God.

g.        We would not enjoy the events as they were happening.

h.        But we knew they were not the end.

i.          But even if they got bad, we knew that if something happened to us here in Missouri we would be with our Jesus.

19.   The more time we spend in the Word of God.

a.        The closer we draw to Him.

b.       The better we can handle the life we have.

c.        The easier it is to see the blessings our God has given us.

20.   Joshua 1:9

a.        This is the third time in a handful of versus that God has told Joshua to be strong and courageous.

b.       I think He means it.

c.        God adds a bit to it this time.

d.       Do not be afraid.

e.        Do not be discouraged.

f.          Because the Lord your God is with you.

21.   Joshua is picking up for his mentor.

a.        The task before him is huge.

b.       He knows that no one is going to measure up to Moses.

c.        The people are likely watching to see if he will be able to do it.

d.       He is probably wondering if he can do it.

e.        But God is with him.

f.          There is no reason to doubt.

22.   We don’t always get the same level of reassurance as Joshua does.

a.        God is not directly talking to us.

b.       Would be nice at times.

c.        But we do have the Holy Spirit alive in us.

d.       We have all of the Old Testament Scriptures.

e.        We have the New Testament with the teachings of Jesus.

f.          We know that Jesus has told us that we are to be witnesses.

g.        That we are to Love others as we love ourselves.

h.        Jesus has told us to have faith.

i.          Faith as small as a mustard seed and it can have an amazing impact.

j.          Our prayers can change lives, if we believe.

23.   The words spoken to Joshua… should resonate to us.

a.        Our God is with us.

b.       He will not abandon us.

c.        He is encouraging us to be strong and courageous.

d.       No matter what adventure we are going on.

e.        Step out in faith.

f.          Whether it is here at Littleby.

g.        At work.

h.        At Home.

i.          Or who knows where…

j.          Wherever God is calling you to serve.

k.        However, God is calling you to serve.

l.          Trust in Him and step out in faith.

24.   If you don’t know Jesus this morning.

a.        If you would like to know more about our God.

b.       About our Savior Jeus.

c.        The one who will never leave you.

d.       The one who died to forgive you of your sins.

e.        I would love to talk to you.