Faithfulness in a Transition
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· 40 viewsTransitions are difficult things. They become easier with good Godly leadership.
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Introduction
Introduction
Good morning my name is Chaplain Eskind and I have the privilege today to share a message with you. My wife, Laura, and our children Abigail and Asher are thankful to be a part of what God is doing here at Fort Drum through the Inspirational Gospel Service.
Today we will be in . Please turn with me in your Bibles to the first chapter of Joshua. Please stand with me as we read the word of God.
We will be reading today from . Please turn with me in your Bibles to the first chapter of Joshua.
We will be reading today from . Please turn with me in your Bibles to the first chapter of Joshua.
Joshua 1:1–9 (ESV): 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Prayer
Prayer
Heavenly father, God I ask that you would speak through your servant this morning. I pray that you have been working on the hearts of the people here today to receive this message.
Intro Football Transitions
Intro Football Transitions
Intro Football Transitions
Intro Football Transitions
In college football, we compare coaches to the previous coach until they can prove that they can win with their own recruits. I attended Louisiana State University during a time when the school was consistently in the top 10 rankings. In my really long 4 years there, the football team won 2 national Championships. There was a coaching change from Nick Saban, now at the University of Alabama, to a little known coach Les Miles from Oklahoma State. Nick Saban had put LSU on the map with a BCS National Championship win in 2003. LSU went from being a joke of a team to one of the strongest defenses in the nation. After coach Saban went to the NFL, his successor Les Miles lived in this giant shadow. He would win games, but the media and everyone claimed the only reason he was successful was because he had the players Saban recruited. Among his quirks, Les had an unusual habit of tasted grass on the stadium fields his team would play on. It wasn’t until he beat Nick Saban that his own fans started to actually support him. Finally, he won his own National championship in 2007. 11 years later, there is a new coach at LSU who is earning his own respect and is now compared to Les Miles.
Transitions
Transitions
In this season of transitions whether that is the winter cycle moves, Changes of Command or Responsibilities, or your favorite sports team player getting traded. Our lives today are filled with transition. With transitions come strong emotions such as fear, wonder, worry, strength, excitement, insecurity, sadness, disappointment.
Sometimes we are happy when certain people PCS and they are happy when we PCS. Sometimes transition means relief. Now imagine with me that you’ve been working with a person for about 40+ years. Your the second in command or Executive officer. You know how the boss likes his coffee, when he’s bored or upset about something. Your family, maybe more than family. You know that you will be the boss one day, but that day seems far off. That’s the place where we find Joshua. He’s taking command of a nation from one of the greatest leaders ever to walk the earth, Moses.
Who is Joshua?
Who is Joshua?
Portrayed positively in contrast to other figures in the old testament.
Joshua is one of the few Old Testament leaders portrayed positively. As the one who led Israel into the Promised Land, obeying God faithfully, Joshua provides an Old Testament model of what might be expected from the Messiah. With good reason, the Greek name “Jesus” is equivalent to the Hebrew name “Joshua,” which means, “the Lord is salvation.” Like Joshua, Jesus battles against forces opposed to God (e.g., ), and those who follow Him continue in this struggle against the powers of evil (e.g., ). As Israel’s warrior, Joshua is a type of Christ as the Lord’s warrior. Further, chapter 5 records a preincarnate appearance of Christ as “the commander of the army of the Lord” (v. 14).
The Promise of God to be with us. See the great commission where Jesus encourages believers and empowers them to accomplish the great commission.
Verse 1: Transitions require obedience
Verse 1: Transitions require obedience
Interesting enough if we observe the scripture in verse 1 we see how Moses viewed himself as a servant of God. This showed his personal relationship to God was that of servanthood. It was common in that day to be called a “servant of X deity”. Moses belonged to God and was what? He was a servant. Joshua is referred to as the “assistant to Moses.” Meaning he was even lower in servanthood to Moses. After Moses death, God speaks to Joshua in the same way he spoke to Moses, showing us that Joshua was uniquely gifted to take on this responsibility. In the New Testament Jesus introduces us to a new type of relationship that believers can have and that is one of “friend.” Oh to be called a friend of God.
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
The apostle Paul continually refers to himself as a servant of Christ. I believe this shows us how we are called to follow orders of Christ. This is a call to friendship as Paul repeatedly states is also a call to willingly submit to Gods call.
This call to friendship as Paul repeatedly states is also a call to willingly submit to Gods call.
Vs 2-5: Transitions show Gods faithfulness to fulfill his promises in his people’s lives
Vs 2-5: Transitions show Gods faithfulness to fulfill his promises in his people’s lives
2-3: If your life was summed up in one to two sentences what would that look like? Verses 2-5 give us the summary of Joshua’s mission in life. More than that the verses reveal the main character of the book of Joshua: the Lord God of Israel! God promises that his people will inherit this gift of land. The Lord lays out his marching orders for Joshua as the leader of Israel. God speaks to Joshua and reminds him that his servant Moses has passed and reassures him that the command is his. All the responsibilities that come with that. The ultimate Change of Command ceremony so to speak.
What is it that God requires of his new commander? He requires loyalty to God and his commandments. To meditate on his word day and night. To not lean on his own understanding but fully trust in Gods promises. God had promised this place to the nation of Israel generations before Joshua or Moses even were in existence. God works on his own timeline. God chose to fulfill his promises through the leadership of Joshua.
In college football, we compare coaches to the previous coach until they can prove that they can win with their own recruits. I attended Louisiana State University during a time when the school was consistently in the top 10 rankings. In my really long 4 years there, the football team won 2 national Championships. There was a coaching change from Nick Saban, now at the University of Alabama, to a little known coach Les Miles from Oklahoma State. Nick Saban had put LSU on the map with a BCS National Championship win in 2003. LSU went from being a joke of a team to one of the strongest defenses in the nation. After coach Saban went to the NFL, his successor Les Miles lived in this giant shadow. He would win games, but the media and everyone claimed the only reason he was successful was because he had the players Saban recruited. Among his quirks, Les had an unusual habit of tasted grass on the stadium fields his team would play on. It wasn’t until he beat Nick Saban that his own fans started to actually support him. Finally, he won his own National championship in 2007. 11 years later, there is a new coach at LSU who is earning his own respect and is now compared to Les Miles.
4: Verse 4 shows us the specific clear boundaries that God outlines for Joshua. Our God is not a God of confusion but of logic and order. God promised a land that was full of the Israelites enemies. This wasn’t going to be an easy mission for Joshua. The Lord reassures him that things are going to be good.
5: Verse 5 God promises victory in the nation of Israel and shows us why he selected Joshua to lead the nation for such a time after the death of Moses. God promises to not leave Joshua or forsake him. Not only is God the ultimate commander telling Joshua that he would execute the mission but he would be there with him while its happening.
VS 6-9: Transitions require us to be Strong and Courageous
VS 6-9: Transitions require us to be Strong and Courageous
Vs 6, 7, 9: Verses 6, 7 and 9 encourage Joshua to be Strong and Courageous. If God is telling Joshua this 3 times it means something. It meant that he was to have an attitude of strength and courage in how he fulfilled the mission ahead. In a reconnaissance squadron we would call this the tempo in how to execute the mission. God is encouraging Joshua and the nation of Israel that He will be there to win the battle. How many of us here need God to win the battles in our lives?
God is charging Joshua to prepare for a military battle but he is also explaining to him that he cannot win unless he’s obedient to the law of Moses. Joshua is to meditate upon it day and night. He will not be the leader the nation needs unless he is dependent upon God for his instructions.
How is success measured for the believer? How do you define success?
How is success measured for the believer? How do you define success?
Is it the rank you where on your chest? How about the candy that come with schools? Maybe its if your family life is going well? Maybe if you have the respect of your peers and subordinates? What does success look like?
I would submit to you today that success is defined by the apostle Paul. See , verses 1 & 2.
(ESV): 4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
I don’t see where it says that as a steward we are to be fruitful. It says we are to be found faithful. Some leaders God chooses to bless with seeing many souls come to Christ. God’s measure of success is faithfulness today church. In your workplace he requires faithfulness, at home he requires faithfulness, at the commissary and the 24 hour PX he requires faithfulness, here at Fort Drum, NY he requires faithfulness! We are to boldly proclaim Jesus with strength and courageousness. This is the promise of God in our lives. According to Paul, we are to be stewards of the Gospel. We are not our own.
Success in God’s eyes is being found faithful or trustworthy.
Success in God’s eyes is being found faithful or trustworthy.
Our world says that you have to win National Championships to be a great coach. In the Army, you have to make a certain rank and retire to have a “successful” career. In our homes success is measured if our children make good decisions, “like we have any control over that.” There are so many things in this life that we don’t have any control over. As Christians success is measured by how faithful we are to God’s calling on our lives as stewards of the gospel.
Portrayed positively in contrast to other figures in the old testament.
Joshua is one of the few Old Testament leaders portrayed positively. As the one who led Israel into the Promised Land, obeying God faithfully, Joshua provides an Old Testament model of what might be expected from the Messiah. With good reason, the Greek name “Jesus” is equivalent to the Hebrew name “Joshua,” which means, “the Lord is salvation.” Like Joshua, Jesus battles against forces opposed to God (e.g., ), and those who follow Him continue in this struggle against the powers of evil (e.g., ). As Israel’s warrior, Joshua is a type of Christ as the Lord’s warrior. Further, chapter 5 records a preincarnate appearance of Christ as “the commander of the army of the Lord” (v. 14).
The Promise of God to be with us. See the great commission where Jesus encourages believers and empowers them to accomplish the great commission.
(ESV): 4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
hFaithfulness in a Transition
hFaithfulness in a Transition
What’s the gospel you say? I’m glad you asked...
Faithfulness in a Transition
The gospel of Jesus is simply this:
Bart Eskind
God created everything, it began with him (see the book of Genesis). We broke the perfect relationship God had with humans by our sin. God restored the relationship in his only son Jesus (). Jesus paid the price of our sin. Now we can live a life of success in sharing this amazing message.
Joshua (son of Nun) / ;
Do we believe that message today church? I know that life can get us down. When our focus isn’t on Christ, we are prone to feeling despair. God is faithful to forgive us our sins when we turn and look to him. He restores our hope, He give us hope, He is our hope.
Transitions are difficult things. They become easier with good Godly leadership.
Introduction
Introduction
Good morning my name is Chaplain Eskind and I have the privilege today to share a message with you. My wife, Laura, and our children Abigail and Asher are thankful to be a part of what God is doing here at Fort Drum through the Inspirational Gospel Service.
Today we will be in . Please turn with me in your Bibles to the first chapter of Joshua. Please stand with me as we read the word of God.
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Prayer
Prayer
Heavenly Father, God I ask that you would speak through your servant this morning. I pray that you have been working on the hearts of the people here today to receive this message.
Intro Football Transitions
Intro Football Transitions
In college football, we compare coaches to the previous coach until they can prove that they can win with their own recruits. I attended Louisiana State University during a time when the school was consistently in the top 10 rankings. In my really long 4 years there, the football team won 2 National Championships. There was a coaching change from Nick Saban, now at the University of Alabama, to a little-known coach Les Miles from Oklahoma State. Nick Saban had put LSU on the map with a BCS National Championship win in 2003. LSU went from being a joke of a team to one of the strongest defenses in the nation. After coach Saban went to the NFL, his successor Les Miles lived in this giant shadow. He would win games, but the media and everyone claimed the only reason he was successful was because he had the players Saban recruited. Among his quirks, Les had an unusual habit of tasted grass on the stadium fields his team would play on. It wasn’t until he beat Nick Saban that his own fans started to actually support him. Finally, he won his own National championship in 2007. 11 years later, there is a new coach at LSU who is earning his own respect and is now compared to Les Miles. Much like the transition of college football coaches, we witness great changes in leadership. In the military we are consistently changing all the time. We PCS and move.
Transitions
Transitions
In this season of transitions whether that is the winter cycle moves, Changes of Command or Responsibilities, or your favorite sports team player getting traded. Our lives today are filled with transition. With transitions come strong emotions such as fear, wonder, worry, strength, excitement, insecurity, sadness, disappointment.
Sometimes we are happy when certain people PCS and they are happy when we PCS. Sometimes transition means relief. Now imagine with me that you’ve been working with a person for about 40+ years. You're the second in command or Executive officer. You know how the boss likes his coffee when he’s bored or upset about something. Your family, maybe more than family. You know that you will be the boss one day, but that day seems far off. That’s the place where we find Joshua. He’s taking command of a nation from one of the greatest leaders ever to walk the earth, Moses.
But who is Joshua?
But who is Joshua?
Joshua was one of the few figures portrayed positively in contrast to other figures in the old testament. At one point he was a spy or scout. He lead an small team to explore the promise land. He was one of the few who believed they could take on the enemies of the nation.
Joshua was the leader who led Israel into the Promised Land, obeyed God faithfully. Joshua provides an Old Testament model of what might be expected from the Messiah. With good reason, the Greek name “Jesus” is equivalent to the Hebrew name “Joshua,” which means, “the Lord is salvation.” Like Joshua, Jesus battles against forces opposed to God (see ), and those who follow Him continue in this struggle against the powers of evil (see when we are called to put on the whole armor of God). As Israel’s warrior, Joshua is a type of Christ as the Lord’s warrior. Further, chapter 5 records a preincarnate appearance of Christ as “the commander of the army of the Lord” (v. 14).
All this being said what can we learn from todays passage. I believe we can learn a lot about how to transition well. Our first point is that when going through a transition God requires only obedience in service to himself.
Transitions require obedience to God
Transitions require obedience to God
Interesting enough if we observe the scripture in verse 1 we see how Moses viewed himself as a servant of God. This showed his personal relationship to God was that of servanthood. It was common in that day to be called a “servant of X deity”. Moses belonged to God and was what? He was a servant. Joshua is referred to as the “assistant to Moses.”
Joshua’s status was even lower in servanthood to Moses. After Moses died, God speaks to Joshua in the same way he spoke to Moses. This tells us that Joshua was uniquely gifted to take on this responsibility. In the New Testament, Jesus introduces us to a new type of relationship that believers can have and that is one of “friend.” Oh, to be called a friend of God. That’s a pretty big jump from servant to friend when you think about it. It’s all about relationship. Let’s take a look at how Jesus changed the viewpoint.
ESV
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
The apostle Paul continually refers to himself as a servant of Christ. I believe this shows us how we are called to follow orders of Christ. This is a call to friendship as Paul repeatedly states is also a call to willingly submit to Gods call.
How do we live out this call? It is through faithfulness. Our second point for going through a transition is that God is faithful to fulfill his promises in his people’s lives.
God is faithful to fulfill his promises in his people’s lives.
2-3: If your life was summed up in one to two sentences what would that look like? “Pause”. I mean if at the end of your time on earth, how would you want to be remembered?
Verses 2-5 give us the summary of Joshua’s mission in life. More than that the verses reveal the main character of the book of Joshua is actually the Lord God of Israel! It is God who promises that his people will inherit this gift of land. The Lord lays out his marching orders for Joshua as the new leader of Israel. God speaks to Joshua and reminds him that his servant Moses has passed and reassures him that the command is his. All the responsibilities that come with that. The ultimate Change of Command ceremony!
What is it that God requires of his new commander? He requires loyalty to God and his commandments. To meditate on his word day and night. To not lean on his own understanding but fully trust in Gods promises. God had promised this place to the nation of Israel generations before Joshua or Moses even were in existence. God works on his own timeline. God chose to fulfill his promises through the leadership of Joshua.
4: In Verse 4 we are shown the specific and clear boundaries that God outlines for Joshua. Our God is not a God of confusion but of logic and order. God promised a land that was full of the Israelites enemies. This wasn’t going to be an easy mission for Joshua. The Lord reassures him that things are going to be good.
5: In Verse 5 we see God promises victory in the nation of Israel and shows us why he selected Joshua to lead the nation for such a time after the death of Moses. God promises to not leave Joshua or forsake him. Not only is God the ultimate commander telling Joshua that he would execute the mission but he would be there with him while its happening.
Gives us the Promise of God to be with us. This points towards the great commission where Jesus encourages believers and empowers them to accomplish the great commission. Jesus promises to be with his followers to empower them to accomplish the mission. I don’t know about you, but it would be pretty cool knowing that God is right there with me during the hardest times in my life.
God not only is with the believer through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Transitions require us to be Strong and Courageous
Transitions require us to be Strong and Courageous
Verses 6, 7 and 9 encourage Joshua to be Strong and Courageous. If God is telling Joshua this 3 times it means something. It meant that he was to have an attitude of strength and courage in how he fulfilled the mission ahead. In a reconnaissance squadron, we would call this the tempo in how to execute the mission. God is encouraging Joshua and the nation of Israel that He will be there to win the battle. How many of us here need God to win the battles in our lives?
God is charging Joshua to prepare for a military battle but he is also explaining to him that he cannot win unless he’s obedient to the law of Moses. Joshua is to meditate upon it day and night. He will not be the leader the nation needs unless he is dependent upon God for his instructions.
How is success measured for the believer? How do you define success?
How is success measured for the believer? How do you define success?
Is it the rank you where on your chest? How about the chest candy that comes with schools? Maybe its if your family life is going well? Maybe if you have the respect of your peers and subordinates? What does success look like?
I would submit to you today that success is defined by the apostle Paul. See , verses 1 & 2.
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
I don’t see where it says that as a steward we are to be fruitful. It says we are to be found faithful. Some leaders God chooses to bless with seeing many souls come to Christ. God’s measure of success is faithfulness today church. In your workplace he requires faithfulness, at home he requires faithfulness, at the commissary and the 24 hour PX he requires faithfulness, here at Fort Drum, NY he requires faithfulness! We are to boldly proclaim Jesus with strength and courageousness. This is the promise of God in our lives. According to Paul, we are to be stewards of the Gospel. We are not our own.
How do we become successful in being faithful? We do it through spending time and learning from people who are obedient and faithful. Chaplain Ade will be taking over the responsibility head pastor the service. I’m sure he was discipled and spent many years preparing for the transition. As pastors we are to be prepared in season and out to preach the word of God. Each person here today God has placed a call on your life to be faithful. Some of us would benefit from having a spiritual mentor to walk with us through life.
We are fare welling those who have been a part of our family and we recognize their contribution of faithfulness to our church body and those Soldiers family members that they serve with the gospel.
Success in God’s eyes is being found faithful or trustworthy.
Success in God’s eyes is being found faithful or trustworthy.
Our world says that you have to win National Championships to be a great coach. In the Army, you have to make a certain rank and retire to have a “successful” career. In our homes, success is measured if our children make good decisions, “like we have any control over that.” There are so many things in this life that we don’t have any control over. As Christians success is measured by how faithful we are to God’s calling on our lives as stewards of the gospel.
What’s the gospel you say? I’m glad you asked...
The gospel of Jesus is simply this:
God created everything, it began with him (see the book of Genesis). We broke the perfect relationship God had with humans by our sin. God restored the relationship in his only son Jesus (). Jesus paid the price of our sin. Now we can live a life of success in sharing this amazing message of hope.
Do we believe that message today church? I know that life can get us down. When our focus isn’t on Christ, we are prone to feeling despair. God is faithful to forgive us our sins when we turn and look to him. He restores our hope, He gives us hope, He is our hope.
At this time I would like to offer a time of prayer. Could the ministers please come up. If you need prayer this morning, don’t leave without coming this morning.