Comfort Zones Aren't Permanent

Big Sandals • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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God uses unavoidable change to push us out of our comfort zone: step out and follow, with His solid promises to guide the way.

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Scripture Introduction (earlier in the service)

Some folks like adventure…they love surprises. But most people feel the need for a comfort zone…a place they feel safe and where they don’t have to think too hard or face too much stress. They don’t like being pushed too hard…or “stretched”. There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable and feeling secure. On the other hand…comfort zones are not permanent. Something will always come along to rock the boat. Let’s take a peak into Joshua’s boat-rocking experience.

Joshua 1:1–3 NIV

Joshua 1:6 NIV

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

Joshua now faced a huge change…he was called upon to fill some big sandals — Moses’. Change is inevitable…and God knows all about it. He has something for each of us to do — we need His strength and courage to do it.

Main Introduction

My comfort zone is a nice, cozy, comfy place. I can get real lazy, real fast, if I stay there too long. We all have our routines…our lifestyle, likes, dislikes, things we are drawn to and things we run away from. It might be that you don’t really like talking to people, so you stay in your comfort zone by avoiding long conversations with people. Perhaps you don’t like Chinese food, so when friends want to go out for Chinese, you might try to surreptitiously direct them to something else.

Eventually a change in your life will come along and force you away from your comfort zone. It might be an illness, a change in jobs, a move, a death in the family or some other family crisis. It may be an encounter with God that rocks your world.

Since God is sovereign…He knows about the situations that will pull our comfort zone out from under us. Since He knows…and He does, we can be sure He has a plan

God uses change to force us out of our comfort zone: step out and follow, with His solid promises to guide the way.

Since we know God is good and has our best interests at heart; and since change is inevitable, what shall we do about it?

FUTURE CHANGE MEANS PREPARATION IS IMPORTANT

Exposition: After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord… ()

This phrase connects what is about to happen to the events recorded at the end of Deuteronomy.

It affirms that the Joshua in Joshua chapter 1 is indeed Joshua, Moses’ assistant/apprentice

Deuteronomy chapters 33 & 34 record the end of Moses’ life. The book of Deuteronomy was Moses’ message to the generation that would soon enter the Promised Land. It was a reminder of the Covenant, along with some practical advice on how to live it out, thus honoring the Lord.

Joshua was Moses’ student, helper, and one day successor.

Exodus 24:13 NIV

Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.

Exodus 33:11 NIV

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Joshua 1–3 NIV

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’ ” But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.” Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ” Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Joshua 1:1–3 NIV

Numbers 11:28 NIV

Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”

Joshua

…God had been preparing Joshua,all his life, for the inevitable changes that were coming

Change is inevitable

Joshua probably knew God was preparing him, especially as the time grew close to take the land (Moses knew that he and the first generation of people would not cross over)

Even when we know a change is coming…sometimes it is overwhelming

Joshua probably knew God was preparing him, especially as the time grew close to take the land (Moses knew that he and the first generation of people would not cross over)

Even when we know a change is coming…sometimes it is very overwhelming

This is why it is important to pursue the Lord and allow Him to prepare you for the future

In Moses climbed up Mount Nebo…God showed Him the Promised Land from a distance. Then Moses died and the text tells us that God Himself buried Moses…and no one every found His grave

…change may or may not take you by surprise, but we can be sure that

Change doesn’t shake God’s promises

A.Change doesn’t shake God’s promises

Content of the promises

I will give you every place where you set your foot (1:3)

From the desert in the south up to Lebanon. From the Euphrates in the East to the Mediterranean in the West

God gave Joshua very real promises…He defined them in specific terms

Context of the promises

What was the setting…the atmosphere of Joshua’s life in this passage?

Moses my servant has died…now rise up — BIG CHANGES

Moses my servant has died…now rise up

Why was this such a huge transition for Joshua and the people?

Dale Ralph Davis

No other prophet even comes close to comparing with Moses... You can imagine the dismay in Israel…what do you do when the servant of God dies and a raging river lies between you and the land you are to inherit?

It was indeed a giant transition…but it was all part of God’s plan — He would keep His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Moses, etc.

No matter what may come, God’s promises never fail…we can stand firm upon them

C. Change doesn’t steal God’s presence

It can drive us closer to God…or it can drive us further from God — that is our choice

Joshua 1:5 NIV

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Be strong and courageous — The Lord said this to times between verses 6-9 of chapter 1. When something is repeated three times, it is significant.

Joshua was probably shaking in his sandals as he faced the responsibility of leading the people. “God, how can I be strong and courageous?” God said, “I am with you and I won’t leave you”

When you respond to change by submitting your will to God’s plan…you can rest assured He will be with you every step of the way. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS — I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.

When you are forced out of your comfort zone because of change…faith is essential

CHANGE CHALLENGES YOUR FAITH

Change challenges your faith…more importantly, it strengthens your faith

How can you maintain a strong faith, in the face of inevitable changes and challenges?

Faith is found in the Living Word

Joshua 1:7–8 NIV

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 1:7 NIV

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Joshua 1:7-8

In the midst of a huge transition and time of personal and national mourning, God reminded Joshua of the importance of obedience to His statutes— (faith comes by hearing)

Immerse yourself in the Living Word

John 1:1 NIV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:11 NIV

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

As you immerse yourself in the Good News — your faith will naturally grow

As you act upon the Good News of Jesus Christ — your faith will be conditioned and strengthened

Dwell upon the Living Word

Psalm 1:1–2 NIV

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 1:2 NIV

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 1:1 NIV

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

Faith grounded in the Living Word is not threatened by change

Joshua 24:29–33 NIV

After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel. And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants. And Eleazar son of Aaron died and was buried at Gibeah, which had been allotted to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim.

Joshua 24:29

Where did these burials take place?

Joshua…in the promised land

Joseph…in the promised land (hundreds of years after his death)

Eleazar son of Aaron…in the promised land

It’s never too late…God’s promises are always on time.

Conclusion:

Genesis ends with Joseph’s death

Deuteronomy ends with Moses’ death

Joshua ends with the deaths of Joshua and Eleazar (Moses’ nephew)

We can all agree that changes in life are inevitable. Some of them we see coming, others only God knows the when, where, why, and how of

CHALLENGE

God uses unavoidable change to push us out of our comfort zone: step out and follow, with His solid promises to guide the way.

Ask God to prepare you each day for whatever may come

He might use change to propel you to a closer walk with Him

He might use change to awaken you to a gift or calling He is opening up in your life

God prepared Joshua as he faithfully served God at Moses’ side and as he pursued the presence of God…make no mistake, Joshua was a man of faith and one who worshipped God from the depths of his soul.

God will use change and trials to prepare you

God will lead you out of your comfort zone

You can rest assured He will go with you…because He has prepared you and continues to prepare you for what’s next

God’s promises will strengthen your faith as you faithfully live them out

“Okay Pastor…that’s all fine and dandy for Joshua way back in the day, but things are different now”

God’s ultimate promise was fulfilled when He sent Jesus Christ to walk this planet, bring truth, suffer, bleed, and die to atone for our sins.

He not only died…be He arose from the grave, so that all who call upon Him can also have eternal life

John 10:

John 10:9–10 NIV

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:9–11 NIV

What changes, transitions, or challenges have you experienced or are coming fast?

Let God move you out of your comfort zone

First to put your faith in Jesus, the promise fulfiller

Next, stand on the promises of His Word

Then, choose to obey — take steps of faith to live for Christ in thought and in daily living

Other folks need to know there is hope…God has promised life and hope for them.