Message Notes

13 July 2014

Text: Joshua 1

“ONLY THE LORD YOUR GOD BE WITH YOU, AS HE WAS WITH MOSES”

(I) THE REALITY OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD WITH MOSES

1. A reference to the presence of the Lord with Moses

“Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.” Joshua 1:17

2. The promise of the Lord’s presence to Moses

“So He said, ‘I will certainly be with you.’ ” Exodus 3:12

3. The historical reality of the Lord’s presence to Moses

a) In the giving of signs and miracles…the 10 plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12)

b) In the victories of the battles fought …against the Amorites, King Sihon and King Og (Numbers 21)

c) In the provision of supplies…water, manna and quail (Exodus 15-16, Numbers 11)

d) In answering the prayers of Moses…When he made intercession for Israel (Exodus 32-34)

4. The theological understanding of the Lord’s presence

a) When the Lord’s presence was with Moses, Israel was greatly blessed

b) The Lord did according to all that He promised Moses

c) He fought for Israel and carried them through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 1:29)

(II) THE CHALLENGE OF JOSHUA TO SEEK THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

1. An extended promise of the Lord’s presence given to Joshua

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5

a) No man will be able to stand before Joshua

b) The Lord indeed will not leave nor forsake him

c) To be strong and of good courage

d) The Lord is with him wherever he goes

2. Joshua needed to seek the presence of the Lord

a) He needed to find God

b) He needed to seek the presence of the Lord

c) He needed to have faith in the presence of the Lord

d) He needed to sense the reality of the presence of the Lord

(III) THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE PEOPLE TO JOSHUA

1. A wish for the presence of the Lord to be with Joshua

“Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.” Joshua 1:17

a) The people had seen how the Lord had been with Moses

b) They wish the same presence of the Lord to be with Joshua

2. Promise of full support to Joshua

a) They would do all that Joshua had commanded

“So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you.” Joshua 1:16-17

b) Warnings were given to those who may rebel

“Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death.” Joshua 1:18

3. Personal note of encouragement to Joshua

“Only be strong and of good courage.” Joshua 1:18

a) To have faith

b) To be strong

c) To have courage

(IV) SEEKING THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AS THE NEXT GENERATION

1. To the next generation of leaders, we should seek the presence of the Lord

2. As the next generation, we should give full support to our leaders

3. To encourage them to be strong and of good courage.