Be Strong And Of Good Courage
TEXT: Josh. 1:5-9
INTRODUCTION:
1. Many times. in our haste. we read right past some of the great lessons of the Bible.
2. Imagine how Joshua must have felt in the text.
3. The greatest warrior-statesman and prophet that had ever lived was gone.
4. There stood Joshua – alone with the eyes of two million people turned on him looking for leadership.
5. After all of these years of trusting in the leadership of Moses, where could he turn to now?
6. Then came the comforting words of Jehovah.
DISCUSSION:
I. "As I was with Moses. so will I be with you: I will not forsake thee or leave thee." (V.5)
A. Don't worry. If I never let Moses down I will never let you down.
1. Every time the people rebelled God supported Moses.
2. Every time Moses needed direction, he received it.
B. God kept his promis to Joshua.
C. Just as he stood behind Joshua and those New Testament Christians and gave them strength. he stands behind us (2 Thess. 3:1 Pet. 1:5; John 10:26-30)
II. "Be strong and of good courage" (V.6) "only be thou strong and very courageous" (V.7).
A. God repeated this command three times for emphases.
B. Why must we be courageous? So that we can obey the Law (1:7b; Heb.13:5,6)
C. We must study it (Josh 1:7c; 2 Tim. 2:15)
D. We must Meditate on it continually (Josh 1:8; Psa. 1:1.2).
III. Sometimes God requires waiting (Psa. 27:14
A. Courage and patience build strength (Psa 31:24)
B. Fear is sinful because it cannot abide with faith (Mk. 4:40)
IV. We must be courageous in our defense of the truth.
A. A. Contend for it. (Jude 3)
1. The word translated "contend" means, Contend strenuously ( G.K. Wigram's Lexicon)
B. Southern Baptist Scholar recently said, "The Churches of Christ are growing because:
1. They believe something
2. They know what they believe.
3. They are willing to contend for it.
C. Some say the Gospel doesn't need defending (Phil 1:13)
D. Summarize the book Why Conservative Churches are Growing
E. Cf. Card titled Conservative Preaching Pays Of
F. If we are to trust in the example of Jesus, we must never compromise the truth for fear of offending. (Mt. 15:12-15)
V. We must be courageous in our endeavors.
A. Faith is the victory.
1. A little faith will get little success.
B. When we begin a program we must pray for it work for it, and really believe it can succeed.
C. Sometimes we expect too little from god and his people.
VI. Be courageous in your day-to-day lives (Rom 8:28; Mat. 6:33)
A. Courageous in sharing the gospel (Acts 4:19-20).
CONCLUSION:
1. The Bible condemns the fearful to a Devil’s Hell. (Rev. 21:7.8)
2. Notice the company the fearful will keep (Deut 20:8; Rev 21:8).
3. Fear is sinful because it cannot abide with faith (Mk. 4:40)
David E. Parks