Sermon Notes - Joshua 1:10-18 - Littleby Baptist Church - August 3, 2025

1.        A new adventure.

a.        A new adventure for us as we start a new book of the Bible.

b.       A new adventure for Joshua as he picks up the mantel from his mentor.

c.        And a new adventure for the Israelites as they finally head into the land that was promised to the Patriarchs.

d.       A land they would have been given 40 years earlier if they had obeyed God.

2.        Joshua and the people were likely going through a lot of emotions.

a.        Some ups and some downs.

b.       They knew they still had God with them as they were eating manna.

c.        They knew they were about to head into the promised land.

d.       But Moses was gone.

e.        Joshua was an unproven leader.

f.          He was likely nervous.

g.        The people may have been wondering if he was up to the task.

3.        Emotions and thoughts we all deal with.

a.        Ups and downs.

b.       Doubts.

c.        Fears.

d.       Can we handle it.

e.        Questioning what is going on.

f.          Just like Joshua and the people looking to his leadership.

4.        But God was talking to Joshua.

a.        Be strong and courageous.

b.       Do not be afraid or discouraged.

c.        God repeated this message to Joshua several times in the handful of verses we looked at.

d.       He meant it.

e.        God was with him.

f.          He did not need to worry about what was going to happen.

g.        He needed to trust in God.

5.        With the Holy Spirit in us.

a.        With the knowledge that Jesus is with us.

b.       That He will never leave us or forsake us.

c.        We to need to be strong.

d.       We need to have courage.

e.        There is an adventure ahead of us.

f.          We need to step out in faith.

g.        Without fear.

h.        Trusting in our God.

i.          Knowing that He will carry us through.

6.        A great start to our new adventure with Joshua.

7.        Let’s see where it goes from here.

8.        Joshua 1:10-11

a.        Sounds like God’s pep talk appeared help Joshua.

b.       He has taken command.

c.        He told the leaders of the people what needed to be done.

d.       He commanded them.

e.        He was clear.

f.          In a couple days we are heading out.

g.        Gather provisions.

h.        For you WILL be crossing the Jordan.

i.          You will take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit.

9.        We obviously do not know what is going through his head.

a.        But when I read these words.

b.       Joshua is showing confidence.

c.        He is showing courage.

d.       He is showing that he is trusting in his God.

10.   When we know that our God is with us.

a.        We should show similar confidence.

b.       We should have courage as we step out in faith.

c.        We should be willing to face challenges, difficulties, the unknown…

d.       When Jesus is our Lord.

e.        We are never Alone.

f.          Like the people Joshua is speaking to, we still have to take action.

g.        We still have to prepare.

h.        But we can trust in the promises of God.

i.          We can have faith in the Hope we have in the gift of Christ.

11.   Joshua 1:12-13

a.        This is tying back to an agreement that has already been made in Numbers 32.

b.       They knew they were going into the promised land.

c.        But they saw this land they were in, and still in before they crossed the Jordan River, and it was good for supporting their livestock.

d.       They approached Moses.

e.        Numbers 32:5-22

f.          A commitment was made.

g.        If they honored it.

h.        If they marched into the promised land with their brothers.

i.          If they helped them take the land.

j.          The land they requested would be their inheritance.

12.   The verses here in Joshua are a reminder.

a.        That the entire Nation is to proceed forward.

b.       It cannot be 9 ½ tribes marching forward.

c.        It must be all 12 tribes heading into the promised land.

d.       Only with an untied nation of Israel will they receive the Promised Land from our God.

e.        It is a reminder that they are to fulfill their commitment.

13.   Joshua 1:14-15

a.        Your families can stay.

b.       All the details we read in Numbers 32.

c.        But you must march forward.

d.       Until God gives your brothers rest.

e.        Until each of the 12 tribes conquer their designated lands.

f.          Once they have received the gift God is giving them.

g.        Then they can return to the land they had requested.

14.   God’s promises do require a commitment from us.

a.        When He tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us.

b.       We have a part in that.

c.        When we are told that we will not perish but have eternal life.

d.       There is something that we must do.

e.        We are told that we will receive a comforter.

f.          One who will work in us and empower us.

g.        But like these other things… we have something we must do.

h.        These promises from God do not happen if we do not turn to Him.

i.          If we do not declare Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

j.          If we do not repent of our sins.

k.        The Holy Spirit will not comfort us and work in us.

l.          He will not empower us.

m.     We will not have an eternal life with Jesus.

n.        We cannot say that Jesus will not leave us or forsake us.

15.   The 2 ½ tribes had to do their part.

a.        We have to do our part and give our lives to Jesus.

16.   Joshua 1:16-17

a.        It is likely have two different ‘They’s’ here.

b.       We were just talking about the 2 ½ tribes ‘they’.

c.        They are onboard.

d.       They remember their commitment.

e.        They will honor it.

f.          They will march forward and fight until all of Israel has received the land God is giving them.

17.   Then we have the greater ‘they’, which is all of the officers of the people that we started with in verse 19.

a.        They are going to do as Joshua directed.

b.       They are going to prepare to leave.

c.         They are going to get ready to cross the Jordan, as crazy as that may sound.

d.       With the cliffs on both sides.

e.        No bridges to help them cross.

f.          With all the women and children traveling with them.

g.        Herding all of their animals.

h.        Not sure how it is going to happen.

i.          But they are going to trust that God is guiding Joshua.

18.   Which is exactly what they said.

a.        Reread the last part of verse 17.

b.       They did not understand it all.

c.        But they were going to trust in God.

19.   We do not always understand what is happening.

a.        It may seem impossible to us.

b.       Beyond our capabilities.

c.        But we need to trust in our God.

d.       He is in control.

e.        It may be a battle we are fighting, but He has already won.

f.          We need to trust in our God.

20.   Joshua 1:18

a.        The leadership is ready.

b.       They are committed.

c.        To the point that dissent will not be tolerated.

d.       Those who disobey will be put to death.

e.        They want to honor God.

f.          I suspect they recall what happened to their parents and grandparents and don’t want to wander the wilderness for another 40 years.

g.        They want to claim what God is offering.

h.        They want to receive what was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

21.   They are ready to honor God.

a.        They remember all that Moses taught them.

b.       If they follow God’s commands, they will be blessed.

c.        If they do not, it will not be pleasant.

d.       So, they are going to follow God.

e.        They are going to follow God’s new spokesperson, Joshua.

f.          And they want Joshua to be strong and courageous.

22.   As we look at this, we should not be looking for earthly blessings.

a.        But to eternal blessings.

b.       If we follow our Lord and Savior.

c.        If we give our lives to Him.

d.       If we repent of our sins.

e.        We receive His Hope.

f.          An Eternal Hope that no one can take away.

g.        A Joy that is not impacted by our situation.

h.        A love that has no end.

i.          A peace that is beyond understanding.

j.          We can be facing the craziest of battles.

k.        But with Jesus we know that in the end we will be with Him and all will be well.

23.   Brothers and Sisters, I want to encourage you to give Him your All.

a.        Step out in boldness.

b.       Be strong.

c.        Be full of courage.

d.       Living for Him in this world we are in.

24.   If you do not know Jesus.

a.        He died for you.

b.       To give you Hope.

c.        To give you Live eternal.

d.       To give you a peace that is beyond anything you have ever known.

e.        If you would like to know more, I would love to talk to you.