Numbers 13:31-14:8, Joshua 5:13-15, John 4:23-24, Exodus 3:5, Colossians 3:17, John 14:12-13,
Today’s Hero, Joshua,
Born a slave in Egypt
Served as Moses’ right hand
1 of 12 spies
(12 Spies Go & see how fruitful land is = 10 Lie)
31 But the men who went up with him said,
“We can’t go up against the people because they are stronger than we.” 32 They started a rumor about the land that
they had explored, telling the Israelites, “The land that we crossed over to explore is a land that devours its residents. All the people we saw in it are huge men. 33 We saw there the Nephilim (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We saw ourselves as grasshoppers, and that’s how we appeared to them.” — Numbers 13:31-33 (CEB)
1The entire community raised their voice and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites criticized Moses and Aaron. The entire community said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt or if only we had died in this desert! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our children will be taken by force. Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to each other, “Let’s pick a leader and let’s go back to Egypt.”
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the assembled Israelite community. 6 But Joshua, Nun’s son, and Caleb, Jephunneh’s son, from those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community, “The land we crossed through to explore is an exceptionally good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he’ll bring us into this land and give it to us. It’s a land that’s full of milk and honey. Numbers 14:1-8
Wandered for 40 years…
Joshua carried on the legacy & Vision of Moses including a vision bigger than His Resources…
“Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” — Phillip Yancey; (Resurrection—Cross)
We need a A Vision Beyond Our Resources…
Which means we also have to pray Big Prayers & Take Holy Risk…
Joshua 5:13-15 (CEB)
13 When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up. He caught sight of a man standing in front of him with his sword drawn.
Joshua went up and said to him, “Are you on our side or that of our enemies?”
14 He said, “Neither! I’m the commander of the Lord’s heavenly force. Now I have arrived!”
Then Joshua fell flat on his face and worshipped.
Joshua said to him, “What is my master saying to his servant?”
15 The commander of the Lord’s heavenly force said to Joshua, (faithfulness) “Take your sandals off your feet because the place where you are standing is holy.” (Moses & Burning Bush)
So Joshua did this.
1. All ground is Holy
Jesus to Samaritan woman
23 “But the time is coming—and is here!—when true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth. The Father looks for those who worship him this way. 24 God is spirit, and it is necessary to worship God in spirit and truth.” — John 4:23-24
Moses Burning Bush
5 Then the Lord said, “Don’t come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground” — Exodus 3:5
The Church buildings = launching pads for ministry
ALL the space we DO have
should be “used” for ministry
2. Wherever We Go & Whatever We Do
17 Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him. — Colossians 3:17
3. Pray for whatever you want…(Go BIG)
12 I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father.
13 I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. 14 When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it. — John 14:12-13
4. Big prayers Lead us to Holy Risk…
Led By Mission
5. God blesses faithfulness