Sermon Notes - Joshua 1:1-9 - Not Alone - Littleby Baptist at New Hope - April 25, 2022

 2.     Open you Bibles to Joshua chapter 1.

3.     Joshua probably had a long of things that would have caused him to doubt, be afraid, or be discouraged.

a.      Joshua saw God use Moses in mighty ways.

                                                    i.     He may have wondered if he could measure up.

                                                  ii.     Wonder if God could use him the same way?

b.     Deuteronomy 31:16-17

                                                    i.     God said that the people will turn away from God.

                                                  ii.     Joshua probably wondered how he could lead these stiff-necked people through what God said.

c.      The Pillar of fire and smoke that guided the people of Israel is last mentioned in Deuteronomy, it went away.

                                                    i.     They had depended on the Pillar for so long, I wonder if Joshua was afraid that he would lead people to make a wrong turn somewhere.

4.     Joshua was likely overwhelmed with all that he was being asked to do.

a.      Afraid that he could not fill Moses sandals.

b.     Doubting he could really lead the people of Israel.

5.     While our struggles are not the same as his, we can probably relate to the feelings he was dealing with.

a.      Whether it is the stuff we see in the news or something closer to home.

b.     Fear, doubt, and discouragement can easily creep in.  

6.     Let’s take a look at how God helped Joshua.

7.     Joshua 1:1-2

a.      The stage is set.

b.     Moses, the servant of God, is dead.

c.      Joshua is told to take command and prepare the people to cross over the Jordan.

d.     If Joshua is like most of us, he probably swallowed real hard when he heard this.

e.      The task before Joshua was not something he could handle on his own.

                                                    i.     Just Like the things that overwhelm us.

8.     Joshua 1:3-4

a.      God lays it out, the outcome is clear, Joshua will lead the people to take the land that is promised to them.

b.     God has laid it out for us in His Word that through our faith in Him we get to spend forever in His presence.

c.      For Joshua and us, the destination is set but the journey is the challenge.

9.     Joshua 1:5

a.      The ultimate encouraging word from God Himself.

b.     God will be with Joshua.

c.      God will never leave him or forsake him.

d.     Like Joshua we are told that we are not doing this alone.

e.      Matthew 28:20b ‘And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

                                                    i.     God is with us always.

f.      Joshua was not alone, and as followers of Jesus we will never be alone.

10.  Joshua 1:6

a.      Be strong and courageous, because Joshua will complete the plan God has for him.

b.     We have been given a similar message.

c.      Ephesians 2:10

                                                    i.     We are God’s workmanship created to carry out the plan God has for our lives.

d.     We don’t know every detail; we don’t know what tomorrow holds.

                                                    i.     Neither did Joshua, each step was not written down for him.

                                                  ii.     But God encouraged Him to stand strong and to have courage regardless of what is before Him.

                                                iii.     If we are His workmanship, created in Jesus, to accomplish the things He has set before us.

                                                iv.     We were created to be here right now.

                                                  v.     Trusting in God to give us the strength and courage we need for the battles we will fight.

                                                vi.     Like Joshua, we are not alone.

                                               vii.     Like Joshua we need to be strong and courageous.

11.  Joshua 1:7-8

a.      Be strong and courageous - TO follow the Word of God.

b.     Strength and courage come from following the Word of God.

c.      As we learn to trust in our King, as we submit to our Lord, as we devote ourselves to His teaching…

                                                    i.     We will have the strength to stand even when it feels like we are facing the impossible.

                                                  ii.     We will have the courage to plant our feet on the truth found in the Word of God.

d.     2 Timothy 3:16-17

                                                    i.     Following the Word of God prepares us for the task before us.

                                                  ii.     It gives us the strength and courage to carry out God’s plan for our lives.

e.      Psalm 119:165

                                                    i.     God’s Word give us strength, courage, and Peace.

f.      In a time when there are many, many things fighting for our attention.

                                                    i.     Time with our God in Word and Prayer are the only things that will carry us through the challenges of the day.

12.  Joshua 1:9

a.      Joshua was not going out alone.

b.     The courage and strength come from God being with him, wherever he goes.

c.      Matthew 28:20 tells us… that Jesus will be with us to the end of the age.

d.     One of Jesus’ names, Immanuel, means ‘God with us.’

e.      We are not alone as we sit here tonight.

f.      We are not alone when we look at all the violence, anger, and hatred in this world.

g.     We are not alone when bad stuff hits close to home.

h.     We are never alone.

13.  Hebrews 10:23-25

a.      As followers of Jesus, we are to hold onto the Hope we have in our Lord.

b.     We need to provoke love and good works in others.

c.      We need to encourage each other to follow God, to carry out His plan for us, and to keep fighting the good fight.

d.     We are not to do all of this alone.

e.      First and foremost, our Lord is with us.

f.      The Holy Spirit is guiding us.

g.     Then we have our brothers and sisters around us.

14.  Joshua was taking over for Moses, who was called the Lord’s servant.

a.      A daunting task, but God came alongside and encouraged him.

b.     Joshua 24:29

                                                    i.     At the end of his life, Joshua the son of Nun, was also known as the Lord’s servant.

                                                  ii.     Did Joshua always do the right thing? No, he made mistakes just like we do.

                                                iii.     But he returned to God each time and God was with him.

15.  As we face the challenges before us.

a.      Remember you are not alone.

b.     God has brought us together to encourage one another as we face adversity.

c.      And He Himself, will never leave us or forsake us.

16.  Proverbs 3:5-6

a.      Trust in God and He will guide your path.

b.     Put your faith in Christ and your Hope is secure.

c.      The journey is challenge, but the destination is glorious!