1 00:00:14,139 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,359 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,660 --> 00:00:26,920 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,359 --> 00:00:40,420 I'm excited to be going through this the next couple months probably and 5 00:00:41,219 --> 00:00:45,420 I did want to jump into the last chapter of Deuteronomy just to cover it a bit. 6 00:00:46,399 --> 00:00:49,679 This last chapter covers the death of Moses, which 7 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:55,219 You know, I mean we've been reading about Moses for probably six months now 8 00:00:55,219 --> 00:01:01,840 maybe a year and so I would feel so bad to skip over his last moments because what a man of God 9 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:06,299 Honor him for his life and it really does set up Joshua 10 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:10,680 Great. So let's read chapter 34 verse 1 11 00:01:11,460 --> 00:01:15,299 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo 12 00:01:15,299 --> 00:01:22,299 To the top of Pisgah, which is a cross from Jericho and the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan 13 00:01:22,299 --> 00:01:29,459 All Naftali and all the land of Ephraim and Manasseh all the land of West Judah as far as the Western Sea 14 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:39,140 The south and the plain of the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees as far as or the land 15 00:01:39,140 --> 00:01:43,260 Then the Lord said to him. This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham 16 00:01:43,900 --> 00:01:46,480 Isaac and Jacob saying I will give it to your descendants 17 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:50,980 I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there 18 00:01:50,980 --> 00:01:51,959 so Moses the 19 00:01:52,540 --> 00:01:57,340 Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab according to the word of the Lord and 20 00:01:58,079 --> 00:01:59,640 He that is God 21 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:01,060 God himself 22 00:02:01,660 --> 00:02:08,560 Buried him in a valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth pure, but no one knows his grave to this day 23 00:02:09,399 --> 00:02:16,080 Moses was 120 years old when he died his eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished and 24 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,479 The children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 30 days 25 00:02:20,479 --> 00:02:27,259 So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom 26 00:02:27,259 --> 00:02:29,460 For Moses had laid his hands on him 27 00:02:29,460 --> 00:02:33,180 So the children of Israel heated him and did as the Lord had commanded 28 00:02:33,180 --> 00:02:40,039 But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses whom the Lord knew face to face 29 00:02:40,039 --> 00:02:44,520 In all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt 30 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:50,520 Before Pharaoh before all the servants and in all his land and by all the mighty power and all the great terror 31 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:54,000 Which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel? 32 00:02:54,759 --> 00:02:56,639 So man, what a legacy 33 00:02:56,639 --> 00:03:01,599 Moses has do you feel like a little like sad we're leaving him behind now. It's like it's over 34 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:06,240 But I think it's really cool because even though he didn't see the Promised Land 35 00:03:06,759 --> 00:03:08,840 We actually read in the New Testament 36 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:14,360 Before he gets a new body. He gets to see the Promised Land at the transfiguration 37 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,780 Like how gracious is God that he didn't let him come in physically 38 00:03:18,780 --> 00:03:24,300 But at the transfiguration on the mountain he not only saw the land of Israel 39 00:03:24,300 --> 00:03:31,060 He not only saw Israelites in the future and whatever. I forget, you know 1500 years later. I think it was 40 00:03:31,699 --> 00:03:37,460 1400 years like not even the Israelites but he got to see what he had been waiting for his whole life 41 00:03:37,460 --> 00:03:42,599 Which was the Messiah which is who he had been prophesying about this entire time 42 00:03:42,599 --> 00:03:46,879 Which the one he spoke to face to face in the cloud and the pillar of cloud 43 00:03:46,879 --> 00:03:52,360 He got to see him in his full glory and he didn't die like he got to actually see 44 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:59,740 Every single thing and every promise fulfilled in the glory of Jesus on that mountain and he got to be there 45 00:03:59,740 --> 00:04:05,400 It's not cool. I just I just love that and I also think it's so incredible that 46 00:04:06,580 --> 00:04:10,100 God buried him. I mean what a what a funeral to have and 47 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:15,419 You know, I would love to have that could you imagine like one day and a hundred years? 48 00:04:15,419 --> 00:04:20,100 I'm gonna live that long I think and people ask Bo like my son. Hey, where's your dad buried? 49 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:24,579 He's like, I don't know God buried him somewhere between 309 and 476 50 00:04:24,579 --> 00:04:30,139 You know like like nobody knows where I am just out in the middle somewhere like location wise 51 00:04:30,139 --> 00:04:30,620 We don't know 52 00:04:30,620 --> 00:04:38,139 But I just think it's so cool like this mystery of like this man of God kind of continues and and now he's he's in 53 00:04:38,139 --> 00:04:39,920 Glory with God, which is so cool 54 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:48,680 So this transition now is going from Moses to Joshua and a little bit about Joshua 55 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:53,980 He is the assistant of Moses. It says and he's not just you know, some 56 00:04:54,579 --> 00:04:57,040 Random guy at the very end that Moses is like, oh, no 57 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:02,360 I need to figure out who's gonna take my place like he was with him for all the big stuff like everything 58 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:07,019 we see the first time he appears is actually in Exodus 17 and 59 00:05:08,019 --> 00:05:11,979 so this is even before the Ten Commandments are givens this is early days and 60 00:05:13,019 --> 00:05:17,199 Moses says to him he says choose some of the men and go out and fight with Amalek tomorrow 61 00:05:17,199 --> 00:05:22,060 I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand and you guys remember the story 62 00:05:22,939 --> 00:05:25,139 Joshua and the men are fighting the Malekites and 63 00:05:26,039 --> 00:05:31,339 Moses is holding the rod up and they're having victory and as he gets tired and his hands start to sink 64 00:05:31,339 --> 00:05:37,300 Then the Malekites start to overpower that Israel so then he's trying to hold it back up, but he's getting too tired 65 00:05:37,300 --> 00:05:39,800 So Aaron and another guy forget his name 66 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:44,560 they hold his hands up and they defeat the Amalekites and I mean 67 00:05:45,100 --> 00:05:50,759 Imagine being Joshua and seeing that like you're fighting the battle and as you see the rod of God lifted up 68 00:05:50,759 --> 00:05:57,079 Which I believe is a picture of the cross and God Jesus Christ as he is lifted up God 69 00:05:57,079 --> 00:06:03,040 The battle is won. I mean that is a foundation for your faith. That is a foundation to be courageous, right? 70 00:06:03,540 --> 00:06:05,800 so this is where it starts and 71 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,680 right away, there's a 72 00:06:08,220 --> 00:06:10,519 Moses builds an altar and names it 73 00:06:10,519 --> 00:06:13,100 Yehovah Nisi, which is the Lord is my banner 74 00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:20,120 and so what that means is like, you know a flag or a banner is used in times of battle for everyone to rally around and signal us 75 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:26,759 signal of strength and victory and protection and so the very first battle they win because of God and 76 00:06:26,759 --> 00:06:33,280 He knows God is my strength. God is my protection and it sets this foundation for him all through his life and 77 00:06:34,199 --> 00:06:38,019 Then he's also there at the Ten Commandments. I don't I don't know if he goes up to the mountain 78 00:06:38,019 --> 00:06:44,560 I believe it's just Moses, but he goes up a certain way with Moses and then Moses goes the rest of the way up and 79 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:48,019 He sees like the whole mountain on fire. It says 80 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:50,620 In Exodus 33 it says 81 00:06:52,139 --> 00:06:58,699 That oh, no, they're Exodus 24 the sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain 82 00:06:58,699 --> 00:07:00,680 And in the eyes of Israel 83 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,519 So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain and Moses saw 84 00:07:04,519 --> 00:07:09,540 It was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. So he saw the strength of God 85 00:07:09,540 --> 00:07:16,540 He saw the power and the glory of God which instills, you know, a healthy fear of the Lord. Yeah, Frank 86 00:07:20,020 --> 00:07:22,299 We're going into Joshua one now, yeah 87 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:24,959 Yeah, you're good 88 00:07:25,500 --> 00:07:28,379 Then also Joshua was one of the two good spies 89 00:07:28,379 --> 00:07:33,339 So remember is like there's 12 spies 10 said we can't go into the promised land 90 00:07:33,339 --> 00:07:36,939 They're too strong for us and then Joshua and Caleb say no 91 00:07:36,939 --> 00:07:42,519 We're gonna we have to go in and they weren't afraid of what Israel thought they weren't afraid of these 92 00:07:42,519 --> 00:07:43,939 Giants in the promised land 93 00:07:43,939 --> 00:07:50,139 But they had courage in the Lord because they knew the same God who gave the Ten Commandments that brought them out of Egypt all the stuff 94 00:07:50,139 --> 00:07:56,120 That he has done and proven himself to be true. This is the God they serve so they don't have to be afraid and 95 00:07:57,299 --> 00:08:01,399 One other thing I love which just shows the heart of Joshua 96 00:08:02,079 --> 00:08:03,600 Exodus 33 it says 97 00:08:04,319 --> 00:08:08,540 All the people this is Moses going into the tabernacle to meet with God 98 00:08:08,540 --> 00:08:14,339 says all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle tabernacle door and 99 00:08:14,339 --> 00:08:17,180 All the people rose and worshipped each man in his tent door 100 00:08:17,180 --> 00:08:23,300 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend and he would return to the camp 101 00:08:23,300 --> 00:08:28,279 But his servant Joshua the son of none a young man did not depart from the tabernacle 102 00:08:29,339 --> 00:08:30,860 So he had a close 103 00:08:30,860 --> 00:08:34,700 Intimate relationship with God that even when his you know 104 00:08:35,299 --> 00:08:40,100 When Moses would leave and he was following him. He's like, I just want to be with God longer 105 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:45,500 I'm gonna stay here and he would stay back and we don't know how long probably a long time for it to be mentioned 106 00:08:45,500 --> 00:08:51,259 But he just wanted to live in the courts of the Lord. He wanted to be as close as possible to him 107 00:08:51,259 --> 00:08:55,399 so you can see why he was a super successful leader because 108 00:08:55,399 --> 00:08:59,500 Look at his heart and look at what has been the foundation of his faith 109 00:08:59,500 --> 00:09:02,259 He is a respect and a fear of the Lord of reverence 110 00:09:02,259 --> 00:09:08,200 He has a courage and a boldness in the Lord to not be afraid of what people think and what is 111 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:12,379 Coming up against him and he is a love for God that he just wants to be with him 112 00:09:12,379 --> 00:09:14,240 That is the heart of a leader right there 113 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:20,980 And I believe honestly for the believer for you and me that is a heart that we should desire and want to cultivate and how 114 00:09:20,980 --> 00:09:26,980 we live our lives and that's something that the Holy Spirit can do in every single one of us, so and 115 00:09:27,779 --> 00:09:32,940 So when Moses does transfer the leadership to him and at the end of Deuteronomy 116 00:09:32,940 --> 00:09:34,179 I think it's so cool that 117 00:09:34,179 --> 00:09:41,679 It happens in the tabernacle again with the pillar of cloud by the front door and he prays over him and says be strong 118 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:46,759 And of good courage for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them and I will be with 119 00:09:46,759 --> 00:09:50,940 You that's what the Lord says through Moses. So in the same place 120 00:09:50,940 --> 00:09:56,000 He dwelt all those hours and days just wanting to be with God is the same place 121 00:09:56,000 --> 00:10:01,000 He's commissioned to go and bring the people in the same place where he found 122 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:07,820 Honestly, the biggest mission of his life he found in the presence of God the same place he spent all those hours and days 123 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,639 So that says something to us, right if we want to know 124 00:10:12,279 --> 00:10:14,580 Specifics of why we're here and what we're called to do 125 00:10:14,580 --> 00:10:16,360 Like we find that in him 126 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,159 We need to have time with him to truly know what this our life 127 00:10:20,159 --> 00:10:26,919 purposes and like that we could put a lot of pressure on our own our life purpose like our life purposes to follow Jesus like 128 00:10:26,919 --> 00:10:28,360 We don't have to over complicate it 129 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:33,419 But every single day there's opportunities and things God was calling us to and we need to be 130 00:10:33,419 --> 00:10:37,000 Alert and aware of his voice to be able to walk into them 131 00:10:38,019 --> 00:10:44,159 So Joshua had a good mentor right? I mean to have a mentor like Moses. You're set up for success and 132 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:50,580 But Moses spoke of a person right he prophesied of someone to come Jesus Christ 133 00:10:50,580 --> 00:10:57,399 And we have him as a mentor we have he's the one we're following his actual spirit is inside of us 134 00:10:57,399 --> 00:11:04,259 So Joshua was set up for success by all the work Moses did and the spirit was on him and we actually have the spirit 135 00:11:04,259 --> 00:11:08,320 Inside of us and if Joshua could do such great things 136 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:13,080 I mean imagine what a temple the Holy Spirit like you and me can do we have Jesus that we're following 137 00:11:13,659 --> 00:11:16,019 So let us jump in 138 00:11:18,220 --> 00:11:19,159 Joshua 1 139 00:11:19,159 --> 00:11:27,120 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of none 140 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:29,340 Moses assistant saying 141 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:31,379 Moses my servant is dead 142 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:34,899 Just ripping off the band-aid right off the bat. He's dead 143 00:11:34,899 --> 00:11:40,559 Let's move on and now therefore arise and go over this Jordan you and all this people to the land 144 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:46,379 Which I'm giving to them the children of Israel every place at the sole of your foot will tread upon 145 00:11:46,379 --> 00:11:50,860 I have given you as I said to Moses from the wilderness and this 146 00:11:50,860 --> 00:11:56,940 Lebanon as far as the Great River the river Euphrates all the land of the Hittites and to the great sea toward the going 147 00:11:56,940 --> 00:11:59,039 Down of the Sun shall be your territory 148 00:11:59,039 --> 00:12:03,740 No, man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life as I was with Moses 149 00:12:03,740 --> 00:12:06,640 So I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you 150 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,080 Be strong and of good courage 151 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:15,179 For to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them 152 00:12:15,179 --> 00:12:22,840 Only be strong and very courageous that you may observe to do according to the law which which Moses my servant commanded you 153 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:27,000 Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left that you may prosper 154 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:31,399 What wherever you go this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth 155 00:12:31,399 --> 00:12:38,080 But you shall meditate in it day and night and you may observe to do according to all that is written in it 156 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:41,700 For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success 157 00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:45,399 Have I not commanded you be strong and of good courage? 158 00:12:45,399 --> 00:12:50,799 Do not be afraid nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go 159 00:12:51,860 --> 00:12:53,580 Anybody see a theme there 160 00:12:53,580 --> 00:12:55,379 Anybody here like the same? 161 00:12:55,899 --> 00:13:01,860 Multiple things like five times there to be strong and courageous to not be afraid 162 00:13:01,860 --> 00:13:05,100 Like I love that it is a command 163 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:12,919 And that's the title this message the command of courage like it's not a suggestion to it's not like hey 164 00:13:12,919 --> 00:13:15,399 You know if you really want to do a good job 165 00:13:15,399 --> 00:13:21,519 It's good to like look really brave before the people then they'll kind of file you a little better and it's not like best 166 00:13:21,519 --> 00:13:23,700 Practices, you know when you're taking over 167 00:13:23,700 --> 00:13:28,159 31 Kings like he's gonna do it's good to be bold. It's like it's none of that 168 00:13:28,159 --> 00:13:33,500 It is a straight-up command and a command is an authoritative order 169 00:13:33,500 --> 00:13:36,100 There's an authority that's telling you you have to do this 170 00:13:36,100 --> 00:13:40,320 Like this is what I'm calling you to do this is what I expect and that is what is 171 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:45,460 Joshua is called to to be strong to be courageous to not be afraid and 172 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,980 the first time that this like a 173 00:13:49,759 --> 00:13:55,639 Command appears a command to a human kind of sets a good tone of what this is like and in Genesis 2 174 00:13:55,639 --> 00:14:01,759 Says the Lord commanded God or the Lord God commanded the man saying of every tree of the garden you may freely eat 175 00:14:01,759 --> 00:14:05,299 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat from the day that you eat it 176 00:14:05,299 --> 00:14:10,259 You shall surely die as a command and we know what happened when it wasn't followed, right? 177 00:14:10,860 --> 00:14:11,059 like 178 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:15,440 All of history changed on that day, but there is a command 179 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:18,240 Here for a positive thing 180 00:14:18,980 --> 00:14:22,320 Which I love I mean, honestly that should inspire us because 181 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:27,080 God doesn't command us to do something that we can't do like why would he set us up for failure? 182 00:14:27,299 --> 00:14:29,080 Like do this even though it's impossible 183 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:37,539 Right where the command of God is there's also grace and empowerment to do it and that grace comes from God himself 184 00:14:38,100 --> 00:14:43,779 And in Ezekiel 36 it says I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees 185 00:14:43,779 --> 00:14:45,879 And be careful to keep my laws 186 00:14:45,879 --> 00:14:53,100 Also, philippines 213 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill this good purpose 187 00:14:53,100 --> 00:14:56,039 So Joshua is commanded to be courageous 188 00:14:56,600 --> 00:15:01,860 Joshua is commanded to be brave and that's something that God is actually able to do in him 189 00:15:01,860 --> 00:15:07,379 Um, and today honestly like all of us are called to be courageous and to be brave, right? 190 00:15:07,539 --> 00:15:12,120 Like we do not have the spirit of fear, but a power and love and of sound mind 191 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:14,980 That is the spirit we have in us and Ephesians 192 00:15:14,980 --> 00:15:20,919 It says to be strong in the Lord and the power of his might like we are called to be brave and to be courageous 193 00:15:21,419 --> 00:15:21,899 and 194 00:15:21,899 --> 00:15:27,320 The world wants to kind of like push us like Christians in a corner and make us think that you know 195 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:32,460 We have to have this false humility and this false kind of meekness like the Lord is meek and gentle 196 00:15:32,460 --> 00:15:36,419 But he's also very courageous when we read Jesus in the gospels 197 00:15:36,419 --> 00:15:38,840 He was not afraid to speak up 198 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:44,820 He was not afraid to go through awkward moments to share the love of God and to save sinners like 199 00:15:44,820 --> 00:15:49,320 Jesus was the bravest most courageous person the world has ever seen like he 200 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:56,659 Literally went through the most excruciating pain and went to the depths of hades to free the world from sin and death 201 00:15:57,300 --> 00:16:01,820 To rise again and sit at the right hand of the father so that you and I can be here right now 202 00:16:01,820 --> 00:16:08,419 And alive in his spirit like that is what he did because of how brave and courageous he was that he's the son of God 203 00:16:08,419 --> 00:16:09,340 and so 204 00:16:10,619 --> 00:16:16,019 We too like are called to have courage and braveness and so like bravery. Sorry braveness 205 00:16:16,019 --> 00:16:18,740 It's not even a word so to have courage and bravery and 206 00:16:19,340 --> 00:16:20,559 What we are called to? 207 00:16:21,539 --> 00:16:24,580 Is good works that he's prepared in advance, right? 208 00:16:24,659 --> 00:16:29,000 He's prepared good works for you in advance that we should walk in them 209 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:32,899 There are honestly like if you look back at your life 210 00:16:33,539 --> 00:16:37,840 You won't even really be able to be able to see all the things that you might have done for God 211 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:41,220 You probably won't be able to remember the impacts you've had on people 212 00:16:41,220 --> 00:16:44,779 But you might be able to remember some of the impacts people have had on you, right? 213 00:16:45,259 --> 00:16:50,159 Maybe someone who shared the gospel with you. Maybe someone who prayed with you when you're just like 214 00:16:50,159 --> 00:16:52,620 Down in the dumps or maybe you know 215 00:16:52,620 --> 00:16:55,659 Someone just came alongside of you and and and 216 00:16:55,659 --> 00:17:01,919 Discipled you and your life you finally just laid hold of some of the promises of God and you started living differently like 217 00:17:02,460 --> 00:17:05,140 We don't fully know the power we are 218 00:17:05,740 --> 00:17:07,319 We have in other people's lives 219 00:17:07,319 --> 00:17:10,599 Until we get to heaven and that's going to be amazing when you see all the people 220 00:17:10,599 --> 00:17:13,700 That you can go up to and thank because I believe we're going to have 221 00:17:13,700 --> 00:17:17,400 Full memory of all the good things of God that he did in our lives 222 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:22,119 And when people are coming up to you saying thank you for this the words you shared with me like 223 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:28,579 Changed my life and it's it's all Jesus, but there are eternal impacts that you are called 224 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:35,680 To do to make in the power of God and there's responsibilities that God has given you in this life 225 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,599 That if you're afraid to take the next step 226 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:45,200 You won't do like if i'm too afraid to take the next step that God has put in front of me 227 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:49,299 It's not going to get done by me. Like I love a quote by st 228 00:17:49,299 --> 00:17:54,720 It says without God we cannot and without us. God will not 229 00:17:54,720 --> 00:18:00,180 So we can't do anything apart from God, but he won't make us do anything 230 00:18:00,740 --> 00:18:05,819 I love that and like he's not going to force you to take the next step. He's not going to 231 00:18:06,419 --> 00:18:10,380 Like drag you kicking and screaming into doing this great thing for him 232 00:18:10,380 --> 00:18:16,140 He's going to honor your free will but like God has called us and if he's called us he's equipped us 233 00:18:17,380 --> 00:18:18,799 So courageous 234 00:18:19,980 --> 00:18:22,539 Simple definition. We all know the word but 235 00:18:23,180 --> 00:18:25,720 strong alert brave bold 236 00:18:26,620 --> 00:18:28,660 Not deterred by danger or pain 237 00:18:29,420 --> 00:18:31,380 So Joshua is going into this 238 00:18:32,380 --> 00:18:33,980 Really strong 239 00:18:35,100 --> 00:18:39,299 Seven nations actually the land of Canaan, but he's going into this area 240 00:18:39,820 --> 00:18:42,839 Where there's 31 kings he's going to have to fight against 241 00:18:43,559 --> 00:18:47,359 Like to even take over a few of them like the first one Jericho 242 00:18:48,019 --> 00:18:48,819 impenetrable walls 243 00:18:49,399 --> 00:18:53,440 This is like something that they Israelite army cannot do on their own 244 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:57,720 But he's going to have to overthrow 31 of these kings, which is insane 245 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,460 It talks like you need bravery to do that, right? 246 00:19:01,319 --> 00:19:01,599 and 247 00:19:02,180 --> 00:19:03,640 This command though 248 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,940 If if we read the last couple verses again, it says 249 00:19:07,559 --> 00:19:09,220 Be strong and of good courage 250 00:19:09,220 --> 00:19:13,579 Do not be afraid nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go 251 00:19:14,819 --> 00:19:16,980 This command isn't 252 00:19:16,980 --> 00:19:19,220 Like set on the foundation of him 253 00:19:19,740 --> 00:19:24,240 Of his own skills, right? It's not like hey, you knew moses. So, you know what to do now 254 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:30,140 Or hey, you're naturally a really good leader. You should be able to do this like be strong courageous in yourself 255 00:19:30,660 --> 00:19:37,259 like there is actually a foundation here that all of this is built off of and it's those last few words 256 00:19:37,259 --> 00:19:41,619 For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go 257 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:44,680 Because courage has to be built on something, right? 258 00:19:45,140 --> 00:19:48,619 Like if you go into an interview and you're feeling pretty confident in it 259 00:19:49,259 --> 00:19:54,059 It's because you know that you have the the um qualities that they're looking for 260 00:19:54,059 --> 00:19:58,720 You know that your abilities may be technical in earning personal skills, whatever it is 261 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:00,940 You feel confident because you're like, yeah, I can do this 262 00:20:00,940 --> 00:20:06,200 And if you realize you're not as good as you think you are then you suddenly don't have much courage 263 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:11,839 And you're pretty nervous and like I have had plenty of those moments in my life my life like I wrestled 264 00:20:11,839 --> 00:20:13,180 I shared the story before but 265 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:16,160 I wrestled and I was pretty good at it 266 00:20:16,700 --> 00:20:22,279 And then when I got to high school, I just wanted to wrestle for our smaller, um Christian school team 267 00:20:22,279 --> 00:20:30,039 And there wasn't much competition. So, you know, I was like I think my record was usually around like 21 and 2 like every season 268 00:20:30,039 --> 00:20:35,240 And then I won districts and I went to regionals and i'm like, okay, let's go like I got this 269 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:38,539 And I went out there and within the first I think 270 00:20:38,539 --> 00:20:42,339 30 seconds I was on my back and pinned and I didn't even know what happened 271 00:20:42,339 --> 00:20:45,240 Like it just looks like a whirlwind like got hit by a truck 272 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:48,720 I was on my back and pinned and then I go down to like the loser's bracket 273 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:51,480 They call you call it which feels really good to hear 274 00:20:51,959 --> 00:20:56,539 And same thing so i'm in the loser's bracket getting slammed to the ground and pinned in the first period 275 00:20:56,539 --> 00:21:03,200 So it's like I had a lot of confidence because I thought my skills were really good until I realized I wasn't as good as I thought 276 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:10,180 And then i'm on my back and pinned and suddenly my confidence and my courage and my bravery was like way down here 277 00:21:10,180 --> 00:21:14,039 I'm like, okay, i'm i'm good. Now i'm gonna head out the back door 278 00:21:14,039 --> 00:21:17,519 But like that's what happens when your confidence is 279 00:21:17,519 --> 00:21:20,079 Your foundation of your confidence is yourself 280 00:21:20,079 --> 00:21:25,180 You're up one moment and then you're down the next but this is saying something totally different 281 00:21:25,180 --> 00:21:27,920 This isn't saying anything about him. This is saying 282 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:34,480 That his confidence is strong. Why because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go 283 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:37,160 So our confidence is built on 284 00:21:37,840 --> 00:21:38,720 someone else 285 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:40,880 Not something else 286 00:21:41,519 --> 00:21:47,900 Not on ourselves, but on someone else and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. We have a firm foundation 287 00:21:47,900 --> 00:21:54,079 Can I get an amen to that? We have a firm foundation which cannot be moved. So if we have something 288 00:21:54,740 --> 00:22:02,519 If our foundation is built on Jesus Christ, which is the same yesterday yesterday today and forever and will never change 289 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:08,299 And he's always with us and he says all his promises are yes and amen in him 290 00:22:08,299 --> 00:22:10,700 What did we have to be afraid of? 291 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:13,440 Like I love that verse. It says 292 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:19,220 What like why fear man who can kill my body rather fear the Lord who can kill your body and your soul in hell 293 00:22:19,220 --> 00:22:20,440 That is you know 294 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:25,819 That's it sounds like a downer but it's puts into perspective how strong God is and if God is for you 295 00:22:25,819 --> 00:22:27,240 Who can be against you? 296 00:22:27,599 --> 00:22:30,680 Like no one can come against what God wants to do in your life 297 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:37,920 If you are in agreement with him and you pick up your courage and your bravery and you follow the Lord 298 00:22:38,740 --> 00:22:40,039 and even in 299 00:22:40,039 --> 00:22:42,039 Jesus's last words 300 00:22:42,759 --> 00:22:47,000 He wants to remind us of this very thing that God is with you wherever you go 301 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,980 And that's in matthew 28. It says 302 00:22:49,980 --> 00:22:57,759 Therefore well i'll start with the verse to sets it up all authority all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me 303 00:22:57,759 --> 00:22:59,119 to Jesus 304 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:01,839 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations 305 00:23:01,839 --> 00:23:05,460 baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit 306 00:23:05,460 --> 00:23:13,359 And teaching them to obey everything. I have commanded you and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age 307 00:23:14,299 --> 00:23:17,759 He wants to remind you of the same thing he reminded joshua 308 00:23:18,700 --> 00:23:19,259 those 309 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:26,240 That was 1500 years earlier. I believe he wants to remind us now of the same exact thing 310 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:33,160 That we can have courage and boldness to walk in the great commission to fulfill the great commission and walk in his power 311 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:36,480 Because we are reminded he's with us currently 312 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,279 All his promises are yes and amen 313 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:49,019 So this this passage is not a pep talk to joshua. This is grounding him in the truth of the promises of God 314 00:23:53,740 --> 00:23:55,779 So i'm going to read uh 315 00:23:55,779 --> 00:23:57,960 Let's read verses 10 through 18 316 00:23:58,720 --> 00:24:04,359 Then joshua commanded the officers of the people saying pass through the camp and command the people saying prepare 317 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,680 Provisions for yourself for within three days 318 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:13,519 You will cross over this jordan and go into possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess 319 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:18,480 And to the rubenites the gadites the half tribal menassa joshua spoke saying 320 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:24,839 Remember the word which moses the servant of the Lord commanded you saying the Lord your God is giving you rest and giving 321 00:24:24,839 --> 00:24:29,799 You this land your wives your little ones and your livestock shall remain in the land 322 00:24:31,500 --> 00:24:33,779 Which moses gave you on this side of the jordan 323 00:24:33,779 --> 00:24:38,740 But you shall pass before your brethren armed all your mighty men of valor and help them 324 00:24:38,740 --> 00:24:42,799 Until the Lord has given your brethren rest as he gave you 325 00:24:42,799 --> 00:24:47,259 And they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them 326 00:24:47,259 --> 00:24:50,519 Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it 327 00:24:50,519 --> 00:24:54,319 Which moses the Lord serving gave you on this side of the jordan toward the sunrise 328 00:24:54,919 --> 00:24:58,460 So they answered joshua saying all that you have commanded us we will do 329 00:24:59,019 --> 00:25:05,680 And wherever you send us we will go just as we heeded moses and all things which wasn't really true if you guys remember 330 00:25:06,299 --> 00:25:10,700 So we will heed you only the Lord your God be with you as he was with moses 331 00:25:10,700 --> 00:25:16,420 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words in all that you command him shall be put to death 332 00:25:16,420 --> 00:25:18,660 Only be strong and of good courage 333 00:25:21,059 --> 00:25:26,099 So some things i'm pulling out of the last few verses for application one 334 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:30,779 We saw in that previous section to meditate 335 00:25:31,380 --> 00:25:36,140 On the word of God day and night and do not turn from it to the left or to the right 336 00:25:37,220 --> 00:25:41,480 So that thing I pulled up at the very beginning, you know the whole blanket over the mystery 337 00:25:42,220 --> 00:25:43,799 If we're not in the word 338 00:25:44,259 --> 00:25:46,599 We don't know that that's actually not true 339 00:25:47,079 --> 00:25:52,500 And if we don't know what's true and what's right and wrong you can easily start to get swayed 340 00:25:53,140 --> 00:25:59,220 By false teachers or by you know, the course of this world which is trying to conform you to itself 341 00:25:59,779 --> 00:26:02,740 But we're being transformed by the renewing of our minds, right? 342 00:26:03,079 --> 00:26:10,619 We need to have the word washing us and preparing us and setting our minds on things above rather than things below 343 00:26:11,140 --> 00:26:13,259 And so to walk in courage 344 00:26:13,940 --> 00:26:18,279 And bravery to follow the command of the Lord to do what he's called you to do 345 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:21,619 It's essential to be in the word 346 00:26:23,039 --> 00:26:25,039 Like we can't even really know 347 00:26:25,039 --> 00:26:28,819 God and what he's like we have the Holy Spirit if you're saved 348 00:26:28,819 --> 00:26:31,319 But you need the word to actually 349 00:26:32,019 --> 00:26:37,059 To help you know what he's like because you still can easily start to believe things that aren't true 350 00:26:37,059 --> 00:26:40,359 You can turn to the left to the right and next thing, you know 351 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:46,839 You're not prosperous in all your ways and you're walking in sin because you're you're going like off the path 352 00:26:47,460 --> 00:26:52,059 And psalm 119 it says your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path 353 00:26:52,059 --> 00:26:55,140 His word will direct you his word will guide you 354 00:26:55,140 --> 00:27:00,400 So when you wake up in the morning or at night whenever you read and you spend time with him 355 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:06,500 You're getting a clearer understanding and vision for your life. Your path will be lighting up before you 356 00:27:06,500 --> 00:27:08,559 You will know what God wants you to do 357 00:27:08,559 --> 00:27:14,839 And when you come up against opposition like joshua and the israelites are going to be doing for the next like, you know 358 00:27:14,839 --> 00:27:16,380 Couple months we're going to be reading 359 00:27:17,019 --> 00:27:21,859 They have they have confidence like has anyone struggled with insecurity or um 360 00:27:22,059 --> 00:27:22,740 like worry 361 00:27:23,900 --> 00:27:27,980 Everyone right. Yeah me like even yesterday 362 00:27:28,619 --> 00:27:29,019 and 363 00:27:29,019 --> 00:27:31,640 The only thing I knew I could do 364 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:38,740 Was to pray to the Lord to read his word and ask him to fill me with his spirit and his confidence 365 00:27:39,259 --> 00:27:42,640 And then I went into that meeting and I felt great, right? 366 00:27:42,819 --> 00:27:46,700 I felt awesome because I find my courage and my confidence in the Lord 367 00:27:47,299 --> 00:27:51,019 And not only is it a light to your feet, but it's also 368 00:27:51,660 --> 00:27:52,859 food for your soul 369 00:27:53,519 --> 00:27:59,519 Matthew 4 when Jesus is tempted in the wilderness says man does not live by bread alone 370 00:27:59,519 --> 00:28:01,859 But by every word that comes from the mouth of God 371 00:28:01,859 --> 00:28:03,839 So when we are in the word 372 00:28:04,460 --> 00:28:08,039 Like when you're eating you're hitting the gym and you're eating protein. You're getting stronger 373 00:28:08,700 --> 00:28:15,319 Like we need to be in the word to be feeding our souls to be stronger inside like our actual 374 00:28:16,039 --> 00:28:19,839 Personality and who we are can actually be stronger. Isn't that amazing? 375 00:28:19,839 --> 00:28:25,000 You can be a stronger version of yourself than you are today just by eating from the word of God 376 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:28,039 That's what feeds you and grows you his word 377 00:28:28,940 --> 00:28:36,200 And another thing that I saw was the preparation for in three days. We're going in there's there is preparation that is involved 378 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:37,319 you can't just like 379 00:28:37,319 --> 00:28:42,700 suddenly wing it when an opportunity comes your way like there needs to be preparation 380 00:28:43,420 --> 00:28:43,960 of 381 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:47,079 Spending time in prayer with God. I I think about 382 00:28:47,079 --> 00:28:54,220 Remember when Jesus, uh, his disciples come to him and they couldn't cast out that demon and he said he cast it out like right away 383 00:28:54,220 --> 00:28:59,160 Obviously, he's Jesus, but he says this one does not come out except by much prayer and fasting 384 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:02,799 And so there are things in this life that require 385 00:29:03,759 --> 00:29:12,740 intentionality in in the spirit and it requires time with the Lord in prayer and in fasting and just spending time and worship with him so 386 00:29:13,460 --> 00:29:19,720 Being in the word being in worship being in prayer all those things and the preparation will prepare you for the hard days 387 00:29:19,720 --> 00:29:24,799 When things are easy, that's great. Keep hitting the spiritual gym 388 00:29:24,799 --> 00:29:31,319 Okay, like keep getting in there getting in the word praying and you will become stronger and stronger and ready to go 389 00:29:31,319 --> 00:29:35,940 and like an amazing example of that was david right do you remember when 390 00:29:36,539 --> 00:29:42,720 He uh, I just watched the kids david movie like 300 times in the last month because bow and van love it 391 00:29:43,299 --> 00:29:43,980 but uh 392 00:29:43,980 --> 00:29:48,940 Yeah, you remember when the amalekites like when they were out of their village and the malekites came and stole 393 00:29:48,940 --> 00:29:54,720 All of their family and possessions and they come back and all everyone following him wants to stone them 394 00:29:54,720 --> 00:29:58,859 So now he like lost everything and everyone who's supposed to be on the side wants to kill him 395 00:29:58,859 --> 00:30:02,700 And what does it say? He did he strengthened himself in the Lord 396 00:30:03,220 --> 00:30:04,440 And then he goes back 397 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:09,960 And kills the malekites gets every single person and every single lost object back 398 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:17,140 But he strengthened himself in the Lord and in that moment he intentionally stepped away and prayed to God and he was strong 399 00:30:18,259 --> 00:30:19,160 another thing 400 00:30:19,660 --> 00:30:20,140 is 401 00:30:20,140 --> 00:30:25,980 These three tribes that are on the the um east side of the jordan, which was their land 402 00:30:25,980 --> 00:30:30,220 They wanted that land instead of the land on the west side. So moses said you can have it 403 00:30:30,220 --> 00:30:34,220 That's fine, but you can't sit out of the war now. You have to still come and fight 404 00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:37,660 So there's an aspect that we can't miss in this 405 00:30:38,300 --> 00:30:43,279 An applicational aspect that we do this together like to be strong 406 00:30:43,279 --> 00:30:46,740 In the Lord, you can't just do that on your own 407 00:30:46,740 --> 00:30:50,680 Like you can't just be in a silo like if you're off by yourself 408 00:30:51,359 --> 00:30:52,940 You might you know 409 00:30:52,940 --> 00:30:56,359 You'll probably not feel very confident and strong in the Lord 410 00:30:56,359 --> 00:31:01,299 And if you do that can usually be mixed with a lot of pride and arrogance, you know 411 00:31:01,299 --> 00:31:04,559 Where you think everyone else is wrong and you're the only one who's right so you don't go to church 412 00:31:04,559 --> 00:31:06,480 That's a bad place to be 413 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:09,759 So we have to do this together like you know 414 00:31:09,759 --> 00:31:15,059 Proverbs 27 iron sharpens iron if you want to be sharp in the Lord and you want to be confident 415 00:31:15,059 --> 00:31:17,759 And you want to be walking in what he's called you to do 416 00:31:17,759 --> 00:31:22,619 You have to be in church and in the body of Christ. You need to be socialized 417 00:31:22,619 --> 00:31:27,700 You need to be worshiping together. That's like how we really do sharpen each other and grow 418 00:31:27,700 --> 00:31:30,839 Like the early church met every single day. That's 419 00:31:30,839 --> 00:31:35,940 Unbelievable, I would that's pretty cool. But um, that's why we have life groups. That's why we have 420 00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:41,039 You know prayer nights and this and all those things like we got to get plugged in 421 00:31:41,039 --> 00:31:44,279 and be there for each other and sharpen each other but 422 00:31:46,339 --> 00:31:47,119 Was that 423 00:31:48,299 --> 00:31:49,680 Getting locked in. Yeah 424 00:31:51,220 --> 00:31:57,039 So one other thing I mean just to make this even more practical I want to share some examples because sometimes I mean i'm sure all 425 00:31:57,039 --> 00:31:57,740 of you know 426 00:31:57,740 --> 00:31:58,839 areas where 427 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:04,819 you want to have more confidence and more courage and more bravery in your life and in 428 00:32:04,819 --> 00:32:09,460 Things God's calling you to but I just figure i'll share a few things that happened in my life 429 00:32:09,460 --> 00:32:11,779 Some of them a while ago and some more recently 430 00:32:12,339 --> 00:32:17,480 Uh that was really just an example where I like had to make that step like st 431 00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:19,200 Augustine said where it's like, okay 432 00:32:19,779 --> 00:32:24,460 I know this isn't gonna happen unless I take that first step and God will meet me in that step 433 00:32:24,460 --> 00:32:28,859 So one thing was you know, trying to live a holy life like live 434 00:32:29,379 --> 00:32:30,160 for the Lord 435 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:34,539 And it was easy when I went to a Christian high school and you know 436 00:32:34,539 --> 00:32:37,240 I'm in church twice a week and then I went to college 437 00:32:37,839 --> 00:32:39,220 Drexel university in philly 438 00:32:39,959 --> 00:32:42,859 And so immediately like within the first few hours 439 00:32:42,859 --> 00:32:47,299 Everyone's inviting me to this party with a bunch of drinking and all this stuff and so 440 00:32:47,299 --> 00:32:51,180 Like I know i'm not going I wasn't going to go but i'm like, how do I get out of this? 441 00:32:51,359 --> 00:32:54,380 Maybe like I could I mean, I guess I could swing by for a little bit 442 00:32:54,380 --> 00:32:58,339 I won't drink anything i'll dip out because I want to be weird like all this stuff is going through my head 443 00:32:58,879 --> 00:33:05,519 And then so that's where those verses like do not be afraid be courageous. Those are two separate things. So 444 00:33:06,020 --> 00:33:07,720 I like I was feeling afraid 445 00:33:07,720 --> 00:33:13,500 And then I wasn't really afraid but I wasn't being bold and I was just trying to like avoid the the conversation 446 00:33:13,980 --> 00:33:16,859 Until finally like I realized they're not going to let up 447 00:33:16,859 --> 00:33:19,900 They're going to keep asking me to come so I just need to like be bold now 448 00:33:19,900 --> 00:33:23,380 And I told him i'm like, hey like I don't do that. I'm a Christian 449 00:33:23,380 --> 00:33:27,779 And then it opened up a ton of conversations and they now knew me as the Christian 450 00:33:27,779 --> 00:33:33,420 But I was still friends with him, which is great and I invited some to church. I invited some to the campus 451 00:33:34,319 --> 00:33:38,539 Ministry and some of them got saved and so all this happened from a simple 452 00:33:39,220 --> 00:33:41,160 Like choice to be like i'm just 453 00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:45,279 Gonna say no to this party and tell them why like that's all it was 454 00:33:45,279 --> 00:33:49,220 And honestly, those were amazing monumental times in my faith 455 00:33:49,940 --> 00:33:51,180 during those college years 456 00:33:51,900 --> 00:33:52,940 another thing 457 00:33:53,519 --> 00:33:54,500 That is 458 00:33:55,039 --> 00:33:59,299 Requires courage for me is just doing this like to be totally honest 459 00:33:59,299 --> 00:34:05,640 A year ago when my dad asked me to start doing this. It's actually been over a year. You're in four months now 460 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:06,259 It's unbelievable 461 00:34:06,740 --> 00:34:08,159 But I remember he asked me like hey 462 00:34:08,159 --> 00:34:09,280 Would you want to be on the rotation? 463 00:34:09,860 --> 00:34:12,400 And I was like, oh like I don't know if I can do that 464 00:34:12,400 --> 00:34:17,599 I was so I was honestly scared like my heart starts beating i'm like, I can't get up there and talk for 465 00:34:17,599 --> 00:34:21,880 I won't even be able to fill up 10 minutes and here I am at 41, which is cool 466 00:34:21,880 --> 00:34:26,639 You know, but I can't do it and I had like anxiety about it 467 00:34:26,639 --> 00:34:30,300 Like and I start I had anxiety about speaking in front of people during that time 468 00:34:30,300 --> 00:34:32,599 It was just a weird time where the enemy was attacking me 469 00:34:32,599 --> 00:34:36,539 So like in all areas of my life if I had to get up in front of people my heart's pounding 470 00:34:36,539 --> 00:34:40,699 I'm like forgetting what i'm gonna say and it took that step to be like 471 00:34:40,699 --> 00:34:45,360 Put me on the rotation. Yeah, i'll do it because I knew God was calling me to it 472 00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:49,119 I knew that doing this like it's not like I think i'm like great at it 473 00:34:49,119 --> 00:34:54,480 And i'm like God's telling me like you're you're amazing. It's like no he's saying I want you to do this 474 00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:59,179 That was all it was. I want you to teach. I want you to share the word and what i'm putting on your heart 475 00:34:59,179 --> 00:35:05,039 So it took courage to finally be like yes. Okay, dad. Sure. Yeah, i'll do it 476 00:35:05,039 --> 00:35:07,559 And then the first few honestly were pretty 477 00:35:08,119 --> 00:35:13,340 I don't know if they were good and I had to like pray three times at the beginning because my mind was racing 478 00:35:13,340 --> 00:35:18,599 But then the Lord just continued to make me stronger and stronger and I just realized I need to rest in him 479 00:35:18,599 --> 00:35:22,159 Like he's with me here. He's with me while i'm preparing for this. So 480 00:35:23,059 --> 00:35:26,559 Um, yeah, that's another example and then two weeks ago 481 00:35:26,559 --> 00:35:30,440 Uh, we were on vacation and this is about sharing your faith 482 00:35:31,000 --> 00:35:35,039 And I was going for a run on the beach and as i'm like going all the way up 483 00:35:35,039 --> 00:35:40,699 Uh, it's like long island and it bends and then there was no houses for him about a mile and a half 484 00:35:41,300 --> 00:35:47,420 so as i'm going up i'm like thinking about this bible story I told my son bow and 485 00:35:48,839 --> 00:35:53,760 I would you know when peter is on the road and he goes down and he meets the ethiopian 486 00:35:53,760 --> 00:35:59,679 Munich or eunuch and then he shares the gospel with him and he overtakes the chariot, which is so cool 487 00:35:59,679 --> 00:36:03,039 So i'm running up there and it's like just sand and 488 00:36:03,659 --> 00:36:04,800 dunes i'm like 489 00:36:05,559 --> 00:36:09,800 Lord, I feel like you're saying that there might be someone way out in the middle of nowhere here too that i'm gonna have to 490 00:36:09,800 --> 00:36:13,280 Talk to I was like I don't want to and i was like i'll do it though 491 00:36:13,280 --> 00:36:17,599 Lord if there's someone at the very end of this island i'll do it and i'm coming up 492 00:36:17,599 --> 00:36:22,739 I'm like not seeing anything. I'm like some you know, I was obedient Lord and you know, I don't have to do it 493 00:36:22,739 --> 00:36:23,579 It's not going to be awkward 494 00:36:23,579 --> 00:36:30,340 And then as i'm coming over this dune, I see a boat docked on the side of the beach and as i'm getting closer 495 00:36:30,340 --> 00:36:36,159 There's two people it's a couple and they're laying down in the boat having like a romantic moment looking at the lighthouse 496 00:36:36,159 --> 00:36:37,860 I'm like i'm gonna have to interrupt this 497 00:36:37,860 --> 00:36:41,079 Are you kidding me? I'm like just ruining the mood for them 498 00:36:41,599 --> 00:36:43,900 So I pass them catch my breath 499 00:36:44,460 --> 00:36:49,800 And i'm like, okay Lord prepare me for this i'll go up and go up and i'm like, hey guys 500 00:36:49,800 --> 00:36:51,000 I know this is really random 501 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:53,980 But I felt the Lord tell me that if there's someone up here 502 00:36:53,980 --> 00:36:54,920 I should pray for them 503 00:36:54,920 --> 00:37:00,880 And they hopped out of the boat shook my hand and both the guy and the girl and they're like we'll never turn down 504 00:37:00,880 --> 00:37:02,539 Prayer sure. Yeah, this is great 505 00:37:03,000 --> 00:37:04,699 And so they knew the Lord 506 00:37:04,699 --> 00:37:09,699 But they were they were unsure about some of the things of the future together and I got to pray with them 507 00:37:09,699 --> 00:37:10,760 and I was like just 508 00:37:11,659 --> 00:37:16,619 Know that this is a sign that God sees you and hears your prayers and loves you and it's a plan for your life 509 00:37:16,619 --> 00:37:18,500 Whether that's you guys together or not 510 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:23,780 Like he has you guys and I knew it meant a lot and so I just say that to be like 511 00:37:23,780 --> 00:37:25,980 There's so many moments every single day 512 00:37:25,980 --> 00:37:31,320 They don't have to be huge crazy things that he's calling us to they can be very small things 513 00:37:31,320 --> 00:37:36,920 But like I said in the beginning there's good works that God has prepared for you to walk into 514 00:37:36,920 --> 00:37:39,820 And they always usually seem pretty small 515 00:37:40,460 --> 00:37:45,320 But we still get nervous about it like why if God's with you 516 00:37:45,320 --> 00:37:47,920 What do we have to like what do I have to be afraid of right? 517 00:37:48,119 --> 00:37:50,900 But he's with you and when he puts something on your heart 518 00:37:50,900 --> 00:37:56,280 Just lay hold of it take that first step and you'll find as you take that first step 519 00:37:56,280 --> 00:38:02,860 He fully empowers you by the Holy Spirit to continue to walk in and complete that good work. He's called you to do 520 00:38:04,719 --> 00:38:05,199 Amen 521 00:38:06,280 --> 00:38:09,360 So there's one thing I forgot to share way earlier 522 00:38:09,820 --> 00:38:15,820 About the promises of God and it doesn't even apply anymore, but it's so cute because it's my son 523 00:38:16,420 --> 00:38:19,059 um, so i'm gonna share this recording so 524 00:38:20,340 --> 00:38:24,039 One thing to strengthen yourself in the Lord is to remember like I said 525 00:38:24,039 --> 00:38:25,260 the uh 526 00:38:25,260 --> 00:38:32,699 The promises of what God says to us to be in his word and this is something that maria thought of um 527 00:38:32,699 --> 00:38:36,440 Probably like five months ago and we've done it every single night at bedtime 528 00:38:36,440 --> 00:38:41,219 It's these promises of God that bow has memorized that he says so 529 00:38:41,720 --> 00:38:46,760 I just love it because these promises are really like setting a foundation for him that I hope when he's 530 00:38:46,760 --> 00:38:50,860 80 years old. He still has these in his heart and he knows who he is 531 00:38:50,860 --> 00:38:54,920 So I just want to share here is him saying it last night. Let me turn it up 532 00:38:57,280 --> 00:39:03,539 I am a child of God. Nothing can separate me from God's love 533 00:39:03,539 --> 00:39:11,280 He's with me wherever I go. He makes me strong and courageous and kind 534 00:39:13,200 --> 00:39:13,840 Amen 535 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:16,840 Yeah 536 00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:19,599 Yeah 537 00:39:20,579 --> 00:39:21,980 Like you are a child of God 538 00:39:21,980 --> 00:39:29,480 He is with you wherever you go like nothing can separate you from his love and he does make you strong and courageous and kind 539 00:39:30,099 --> 00:39:30,519 amen 540 00:39:31,460 --> 00:39:33,260 So Lord, we just thank you so much 541 00:39:33,539 --> 00:39:36,619 That you called us to great amazing things Lord 542 00:39:37,460 --> 00:39:41,139 And sometimes from the outside looking in they can seem so small Lord 543 00:39:41,900 --> 00:39:47,639 But I believe so many people are in heaven because of such small yeses God 544 00:39:48,259 --> 00:39:50,920 so many times where we just said yes to you 545 00:39:51,539 --> 00:39:56,139 and people said yes to you and they just shared the gospel or shared the love of God 546 00:39:57,260 --> 00:40:02,159 And people receive the good news and their eternities are forever changed 547 00:40:02,860 --> 00:40:07,360 So Lord, I just pray that you would bless us tonight Lord with your spirit of wisdom 548 00:40:08,019 --> 00:40:10,920 And your spirit God of courage Lord 549 00:40:11,759 --> 00:40:17,199 Pray that we would see you Lord as a forerunner the one who goes before us in all things 550 00:40:17,719 --> 00:40:22,739 And that we would know that you're always with us even to the end of the age. So whatever you call us to Lord 551 00:40:23,199 --> 00:40:27,840 We know that you are the one who empowers us to do it and we have nothing to be afraid of 552 00:40:28,399 --> 00:40:30,380 So we love you in Jesus name. Amen 553 00:40:32,519 --> 00:40:35,619 Cool, so I don't have any questions for up there, but 554 00:40:36,240 --> 00:40:39,059 I figure we can think of them on the spot. So 555 00:40:40,059 --> 00:40:46,460 What is an example of something that you've kind of stepped out of your comfort zone to do in the Lord? 556 00:40:47,760 --> 00:40:50,760 And what are areas that you would like prayer for? 557 00:40:51,239 --> 00:40:53,579 To have more courage instead of fear 558 00:40:54,500 --> 00:40:55,699 those two questions 559 00:40:56,440 --> 00:40:57,300 so again 560 00:40:58,019 --> 00:41:03,659 What are some areas that you have stepped out in faith? It could be a long time ago. It could be very recently 561 00:41:04,740 --> 00:41:11,019 And and you're courageous and then what are some areas that you're struggling with some fear and you would like to overcome 562 00:41:11,019 --> 00:41:12,460 And walk in more courage 563 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:21,719 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale life church as we praise God and discuss his word 564 00:41:22,280 --> 00:41:27,860 Don't forget to join us for worship live Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube 565 00:41:28,680 --> 00:41:31,079 Be blessed and have a great day