SUCCESS GOD'S WAY

SUCCESS GOD’S WAY

Joshua 1:1-11
1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

It was a time of uncertainty for Israel.
Moses had just died and God buried him on Mount Pisgah..
Joshua had just taken the reins of leadership in Israel.
He was to lead the children of Israel into the promised land.
To whom was he going to turn? What would he tell the people? Where would he go first?
There must have been a million questions going through his mind.
Then, God speaks directly to Joshua.
He tells Joshua to go over the Jordan and claim the land that God had given to them.
He tells Joshua to observe the law and keep it faithfully.
He then tells him to 1) be strong and of good courage, 2) be not afraid, neither be dismayed, and 3) the Lord thy God is with thee wherever he goes.
In essence he gives Joshua to keys to success.

If we desire to be spiritually successful we must . . .
I. JOSHUA 1: 6 BE STRONG AND HAVE GOOD COURAGE.
A. Courage is Complete composure or self-assurance.
1. God tells Joshua to be strong.
2. To be courageous. Courage was something that he would need in facing his enemies.
3. Strength was what he needed to motivate his friends.
4. He would need both to be successful in leading the children of Israel into the land of Canaan.
B. As Christians we need to be courageous.
1. Courage is to be brave or bold in adverse circumstances.
2. We need to be bold, brave, and courageous to speak the truth in the face of opposition. It is not popular to stand for God, Christ and the Bible, but it is needed by every Christian today. We must oppose sin in every form.

3. Acts 4: 29 The apostles prayed for such,
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Do we pray for courage and boldness in this sinful world? Are we willing to stand for that which is right even if we stand alone? God is with us.
4. Hebrews 13:6 Paul often asked for prayers on his behalf so that he would speak boldly.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Do we sometimes have those fears? Do we pray to God for strength?
5. Ephesians 6:19 - 20 Paul request prayer for others
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Do we pray that we might say the right thing? That we might speak boldly?
C. We also need strength as Christians to live faithfully and encourage our brethren.
Ephesians 6:10 Paul says in instruction to brethren.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
1. Putting on the whole armor of God helps us to be strong.
a. Gird our loins with truth.
b. Breastplate of righteousness.
c. On our feet the preparation of the gospel.
d. Shield of faith.
e. Helmet of salvation.
f. Sword of the Spirit.
D. 2 Cor. 12: 10 Strength for the Christian, that may come from the unlikeliest of sources. Paul writes,
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Do we thing sometimes in our weakness we are defeated? Paul says he gained strength from his weakness.
E. Phill. 4: 13 Paul reminds us from where our strength comes.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Let us adopt courage, a determined spirit, with composed confidence, with Christ.

II. JOSHUA 1: 9 BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT DISMAYED, AVOID ANXIETY
A. Anxiety is worrying about things over which we have no control. It leads to fear and dismay. God told Joshua to have no fear and be not dismayed. When we have this kind of fear, we will fail to act. To be dismayed is to be like a deer looking into the headlights. When we have such an attitude, we will be overcome and fail.
As Christians we must avoid anxieties.
Matt. 6: 33 Jesus tells us not to be anxious for food, clothing, and shelter but instead,
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
All the things and needs of this world will perish. Only the things done for God will last. These are spiritual and eternal things. God first.
B. Phill. 4: 6 Paul writes to let God know your request.,
“In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”
C. Matthew 10:28 There is a type of fear that we must have, namely, Godly fear, a respectful fear.
“And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Only God can destroy both soul and body.

III. JOSHUA 1: 9 ACCEPT GOD’S ASSURANCE.
. Josh. 1: 9 God assured Joshua. God said that He would be with Joshua wherever he went. What a great assurance knowing that God is on our side! The Creator, the Ruler of the Universe, the All Powerful – He is here and present with us! Could Joshua have greater assurance than that?
A. Jesus gave His disciples the same assurance.
1) In Matthew 28:20 Jesus promised to be with His disciples until the end.
2) John 14:23 Jesus said unto Judas.
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Do we believe Jesus?
B. The churches were also encouraged by Christ's present in the first century.
Philippians 4:9 Paul says do what we have shown and told you.
“The things which ye both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
The obedience is in the doing. Are we doers of the word?
C. Ephesians 4:6 Paul wrote there is one God for all.
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
D. We need to accept God's assurance that He is with us and get busy doing His will in our lives regardless of what comes our way.
CONCLUSION:
1. God gave Joshua three attitudes for success. If we adopt these attitudes then we will be successful as well.
1) Adopt our courage in God
2) Avoid Anxiety, do what you can.
3) Accept God’s Assurance.
Are you a Christian? How do you know? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God? Have you repented of your sins? Have you confessed Christ? Have you been baptized in water for the remission of your sins? Are you confused by these questions? How do you know you’re a Christian?
Jesus said, “if you love me you will keep my commandment.” Do you love Jesus? Are you obedient to his word, the Bible? Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Are you saved? Jesus said “be thou faithful until death and I will give thee a crown of life.” Are you in Christ today? Are you faithful? Will you come to Jesus and obey him?