Lifting the Lid of Limitations
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Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII Joshua; or, The Higher Christian Life
The character and life of Joshua gives us a striking illustration of how the promises of God are to be received and enjoyed. Canaan represents the better land, or what God Himself designates “My rest” (Heb. 3:11). This rest did not mean a folding of the arms and a lying down at ease. It meant hardship, warfare, and victory. It simply meant an entering into the plans and purposes of God, and a quiet resting on Him alone, to accomplish all that He had promised
Good Morning,
It’s partial fulfilment of the Abrahamic Covenant…God using Israel to multiply become a nation and ultimately be a blessing to the world. The book of written for our Joshua instruction in how to handle conflict and battles that we have in life…
…
A number a years ago John Maxwell wrote a book entitled, “ The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership” ..
The first law in the book is the “Law of the Lid’
21 .. In the book He says that this law not only impacts leadership but every aspect of life. So what is the law of the lid?
Maxwell says that this law not only impacts our leadership but every aspect of life. So what is the law of the lid?
The law of the lid says.. “ leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness.”
leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness.”
In other words..
So here it is: leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his potential. The higher the individual’s ability to lead, the higher the lid on his potential. To give you an example, if your leadership rates an 8, then your effectiveness can never be greater than a 7. If your leadership is only a 4, then your effectiveness will be no higher than a 3. Your leadership ability—for better or for worse—always determines your effectiveness and the potential impact of your organization.
The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his potential.
The higher the individual’s ability to lead, the higher the lid on his potential.
What limits someone is really their
To give you an example, if your leadership rates an 8, then your effectiveness can never be greater than a 7.
If your leadership is only a 4, then your effectiveness will be no higher than a 3 then your leadership ability—
so, for better or for worse— your leadership always determines your effectiveness and the potential impact of your organization. ---
The question becomes how can one lift the lid on our limitations?
According to Maxwell..
… The way that you increase your potential is through growing as a leader… as you grow as a leader so your potential also increases.
Leadership Ability becomes the Lid… that caps your potential… The solution to the law of the Lid is to keep on Growing as a leader....
This morning I want to talk about lifting the lid on our limitations..
Maxwell says that this law not only impacts our leadership but every aspect of
We are coming the close of series of sermons in the book of Joshua..
Joshua is a historical book it is about Israel crossing over the Jordan… and the conquest of the land of Canaan.
Joshua is a very practical book written for generations that followed — it was a point of reference.. they could turn to the book of Joshua and learn lessons on leadership..…
How to deal with to conflict and warfare…the meaning of covenant… discover what God feels about Idolatry.. the inclusion of other nations into the family of God… how to live by faith,
At the heart of the message of the book is Joshua is the message of the land that Israel was given to posses...the Land was associated with the Abrahamic Covenant and the blessings that God wants his people to enjoy.,
.At the heart of the message is the land they were to possess. what God had given Israel was physical land to possess —
.At the heart of the message is the land they were to possess. what God had given Israel was physical land to possess —
Abraham and his descendants...
…Canaan represents God’s promises, the believers Inheritance, Possession of Divine promises , spiritual warfare.. Driving out enemies. Being fruitful…the Idea of settling in a land and being productive and fruitful
Canaan represents the better land, or what God Himself designates Rest.... now rest is a tricky word…because
This rest did not mean a folding of the arms and a lying down at ease.
Land was the fundamental the promises given to Abraham and his descendants...
It meant hardship, warfare, and victory. Canaan demanded courageous heroes, not relaxed spectators.
If you were doing a google maps overview of the book Joshua…
The book of Joshua presents two views of the nature and scope of Israel’s occupation of Canaan lightning quick and spectacular successful battles and conquering and a series of many battles over a long time with a huge tracts of territory still to be possessed with little by little after the conquest.
There would be two sections of landscape of Israel’s occupation of Canaan -
The first would be chapters 1-10 Israels lightning quick and spectacular successful battles and conquering major cities..Jericho, AI, Gibson… the five kings from the hills.,
God using Israel to multiply become a nation and ultimately be a blessing to the world. The book of written for our Joshua instruction in how to handle conflict and battles that we have in life…
would be a series of many battles over a long time with a huge tracts of territory still to be possessed with little by little after the conquest.
The character and life of Joshua gives us a striking illustration of how the promises of God are to be received and enjoyed. Canaan represents the better land, or what God Himself designates “My rest” ().
Canaan represents the better land, or what God Himself designates Rest.... This rest did not mean a folding of the arms and a lying down at ease. It meant hardship, warfare, and victory. Joshua and his contemporaries soon discovered that life in Canaan demanded courageous heroes, not relaxed spectators.
This rest did not mean a folding of the arms and a lying down at ease. It meant hardship, warfare, and victory.
The next section chapters 11-24 would be a series of many battles over a long time with a huge tracts of territory still to be possessed.., everything slows down.. little by little they gain ground.. it reflects exactly how some battles are won., some times their are quick wins.,, other times it’s years of being faithful…, showing up., Howard Hendricks said to his son… Always show up
The character and life of Joshua gives us a striking illustration of how the promises of God are to be received and enjoyed. Canaan represents the better land, or what God Himself designates “My rest” (). This rest did not mean a folding of the arms and a lying down at ease. It meant hardship, warfare, and victory.
Israel had received the promise of God with the land, but the fullness of the promise was still ahead of them, and this meant an ongoing process of occupation - It is the same princple in the NT.. where we are told in that there remains a rest for Gods people… strive to inter the rest.
The word that is used describes the intense concentration of energy necessary to reach a desired goal. It demands everything we have got, but always with the clear recognition that
Every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
And every thought of holiness,
Are his alone.
I was thinking about this word Remain… often we thinking what we’ve attained… completed.... its like cutting up a pie.. serving it to your guests.., there is a potion that is eaten.... then their is what remains… God is interest in what remains…
The word strive discribes intense concentration of energy necessary to reach a desired goal. It demands everything we have got, but always with the clear recognition that
Every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
And every thought of holiness,
Are his alone.
The first 10 Chapters we have seen the major battles that Israel fought and last week we talked about the battle at Gibeon which defeated five major cites at one time… We move from Specific battles to more general description of battles to the North and the South..
by conquering the center of Canaan to drive a wedge between the northern and southern parts of the land and prevent a united counterattack. Then Joshua launched campaigns against the southern and northern cities. Excellent military strategy, yet God tried to let them never forget that their victories were due to His power.
show slide .
From a military Perspective Joshua defeated Canaan by driving a wedge between the northern and southern parts of the land and prevent a united counterattack.
Then Joshua launched campaigns against the southern and northern cities. Excellent military strategy.
yet God tried to let them never forget that their victories were due to His power...
the lid was lifted on Israel’s potential ., because they learned that growing as a leader means walking by faith and not by sight.. they learned how keep to do the task was in front of them and allow God to win the battles..
their victories were due to His power...
T/S How do we Lift the lid of Limitations -we walk by Faith and we...
1. Don't Put a Period where God has put a Comma.
1. Don't Put a Period where God has put a Comma.
We are in Joshua chapter 13..
… now time has moved on… several long years of battle.. during this time 31 Kings have been defeated… After thesevmany battles lsrael was in a season of rest and recovery... taking time to renew their energy
so is a good thing that’s Israel has stopped.,
Renewal and restoration are not luxuries they are essentials. - Chuck Swindoll
We all need healthy patterns and Rhythms of works and renewal… but there is also the danger of seasons of rest.. and that we become comfortable.. or content with our current state… it is possible to put period… where God has put a comma… it’s this point that we see that’s the Lord uses a new stimulus to urge Joshua and the people to proceed.
We all need healthy this healthy balance in life and in order to be health and function at our optimum we need to find the balance between work and rest …
Chuck Swindoll rightly said
“Renewal and restoration are not luxuries they are essentials.“
Make no mistake,We need times of rest and renewal,,
but there is also the danger of seasons of rest.. that in seasons of rest we can become comfortable and complacent .
When David sinned with Bathsheba it was a time when Kings were meant to go to war and yet David stayed behind… it was during a season of rest that he let down his guard.
During seasons of Rest that ...it is possible to put period… where God has put a comma…
In Chapter 13 God approaches Joshua.,,during this time of rest..
Chapter 13:1 is another one of these .. Get up moments..
Joshua is slowing doesn’t and the Lord uses a new stimulus to urge Joshua and the people to get up and keep moving .
in Joshua 13 is that when Joshua thought that he winding down… Joshua is a veteran leader --- He has been doing this for a long time... from the time he was young man serving under Moses and then leading Israel… Many Battles… defeating at least 31 Kings in his Career… I can imagine there were days when he was day dreaming of retirement… some where to rest… live out the remaining days of his life… At eighty five ---Joshua thinks that he is done… He is putting down a period… in Africa we call it a Full Stop… but God is not done with Joshua brings a Word..
Don't Put a Period where God has put a Comma.
Don't Put a Period where God has put a Comma.
A word, however great, has no impact unless it becomes integrated into the person who hears it. There are many different kinds of hearing in this world. There is indifferent hearing, uninterested hearing, critical hearing, sceptical hearing, cynical hearing. The hearing that matters is the hearing that listens eagerly, believes and acts. The promises of God are not merely beautiful pieces of literature; they are promises on which we are meant to stake our lives and which should dominate our actions.
What see in is that when Joshua thought that he winding down… Joshua is a veteran leader --- He has been doing this for a long time... from the time he was young man serving under Moses and then leading Israel… Many Battles… defeating at least 31 Kings in his Career… I can imagine there were days when he was day dreaming of retirement… some where to rest… live out the remaining days of his life… At eighty five ---Joshua things that he is done… God appears to Him with another Word...
What see in is that when Joshua thought that he winding down… Joshua is a veteran leader --- He has been doing this for a long time... from the time he was young man serving under Moses and then leading Israel… Many Battles… defeating at least 31 Kings in his Career… I can imagine there were days when he was day dreaming of retirement… some where to rest… live out the remaining days of his life… At eighty five ---Joshua thinks that he is done… He is putting down a period… in Africa we call it a Full Stop… but God is not done with Joshua brings a Word..
-- You are now old...
Joshua is a veteran leader --- He has been doing this for a long time... from the time he was young man serving under Moses and then leading Israel… Many Battles… defeating at least 31 Kings in his Career… I can imagine there were days when he was day dreaming of retirement… some where to rest… live out the remaining days of his life… At eighty five ---Joshua things that he is done… God appears to Him with another Word...
Maybe he was dreaming of retirement… some where to rest… live out the remaining days of his life…
God appears to Him with another Word…Let’s read our text.
God says to Joshua… I am not done with you yet… In fact there remains much of the land to posses...
-- Timothy -- let no one despise your youth
-- Culture limitations
-- locations.
1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.
Now Joshua was old, moving along in years.. God reminds him that even though he is old… There was still a critical task that needed to be done…There was much land to possess and the tribes still had to to be settled in the land.
Now Joshua was old, moving along in years, God reminds him that even though he is old… There was still a critical task that needed to be done…There was much land to possess and the tribes still had to to be settled in the land.
love the way this is written… Joshua is old… (been around a while) but in case you catch it… He was advanced in years… There is story of
— A photographer who was snapping pictures of first graders at an elementary school, making small talk to put his subjects at ease.
“What are you going to be when you grow up?” he asked one little girl.
“What are you going to be when you grow up?” he asked one little girl.
youngot to live the way this is phrased...
“Tired,” she said.
“Tired,” she said.
God appears to Him with a Word…
God appears to Him with a Word…
“You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.”
A word, however great, has no impact unless it becomes integrated into the person who hears it. There are many different kinds of hearing in this world. There is indifferent hearing, uninterested hearing, critical hearing, sceptical hearing, cynical hearing.
The hearing that matters is the hearing that listens eagerly, believes and acts. The promises of God are not merely beautiful pieces of literature; they are promises on which we are meant to stake our lives and which should dominate our actions.
That’s how imagine Joshua felt a this point in his life…He had been faithful to his mission.. He had fought more battles than you could imagine… He had seen first hand God’s faithfulness to Israel… but frankly --- He was begining to feel it physically--- feel his age.... he was tired..
How do we Frame our limitations?
. The first thing we notice that the Lord does not ignore the facts...
-- God says to Joshua You are now old and advanced in Years - How old is advanced in age? We all want to know that! if You were wondering … I found the things to help.,,you know you getting old when
1, You and your teeth don't sleep together.
2 . At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, pop and you're not eating cereal.
3. It takes two tries to get up from the couch.
4. When you step off a curb and look down one more time to make sure the street is still there.
5.Your address book has mostly names that start with Dr.
2. Your try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren't wearing any.
3. At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, pop and you're not eating cereal.
4. Your back goes out but you stay home.
5. When you wake up looking like your driver's license picture.
6. It takes two tries to get up from the couch.
.
.
9. When you're on vacation and your ENERGY runs out before your money does.
10. When you say something to your kids that your mother said to You, and you always hated it.
11. When all you want for your birthday is to not be reminded of your age.
12. When you step off a curb and look down one more time to make sure the street is still there.
14. It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.
15. Your memory is shorter and your complaining lasts longer.
6.You give up all your bad habits and still don't feel good.
7. You wonder how you could be over the hill when you don't even remember being on top of it.
6.You give up all your bad habits and still don't feel good.
7. You wonder how you could be over the hill when you don't even remember being on top of it.
16.Your address book has mostly names that start with Dr.
17. You sit in a rocking chair and can't get it going.
.
19. Getting "lucky" means you found your car in the parking lot.
20. The twinkle in your eye is merely a reflection from the sun on your bifocals.
21. It takes twice as long - to look half as good.
22. Everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt - doesn't work.
23. You look for your glasses for half an hour and they were on your head the whole time.
24. You sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there.
25.You give up all your bad habits and still don't feel good.
P.
27. You finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart.
28. You wonder how you could be over the hill when you don't even remember being on top of it.
In we we are told that Joshua is 85 and in Chapter 24 at the end of Joshua’s life He is 110 years old. Most commentators agree that Joshua is between 85-90..so Joshua is advancing in age,,
but God is not done with him yet..
How you frame something is important… You could see yourself as being 85 years old.. or you could see what frame your life in terms of what remains. God was looking at what remains… not in terms of his age but in terms of his mission.
Age is not the only thing that can make us feel limited.
There are many things that can cause feelings of being limited… Timothy felt that his youth was a problem...Pauls words to Timothy..
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
-- Paul said something similar to Timothy -- let no one despise your youth
---
-- Culture limitations - - If God called us to another nation or culture — How would we relate?
Jonah ran away from his mission to Nineveh — yet God gave him the grace to speak to the city.l
When every you see limitations in the Bible - God seems to counter act our limitations with posibilities..
--- Financial limitations - Often financial budgets determine what we do and don’t do… When it came to Christ’s mission — there wasn’t really an annual budget…
Jesus told his disciples… Son of man had no where to lay his head.
--- Skills and Abilities - One of the problems about ministry is that we are looking for professionals… we don’t see that in the Bible.. very few qualified for ministry in the Bible.. the disciples were all fisherman..
-- Location — In the business world it’s location location.. not so with the church.
Remember when Philip found Nathanael and said - We have found him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote about… Jesus of Nazareth, the son of David… Nathaniel first response is “Can anything good come out of Nazareth.” Philip says come and see…
--- sometimes we look at our set of limitations as unique…
The scholar and theologian N.T Wright says:
All of us face the challenge to trust God rather than to trust the way we feel or the things we see in front of us.
The truth is that God uses us in spite of our limitations
We need to Re-frame our limitations by seeing our limitations through fresh lenses through Gods periscope... How God does God view them….In Joshua’s case…God doesn’t dwell on Joshua’s limitations but rather focuses on the extent of the task
God appears to Joshua with a Word…
“You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.”
God comes to motivate Joshua with his word… The word of God has a way of reaching out towards and awakening us.
God gives Joshua a word of Instruction…
us with our many limitations with His word…logos
The Alexandrian Jewish philosopher Philo spoke of the power of the universal, divine “Word” to subdivide the soul into smaller and smaller units, especially into its rational and irrational components —
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
The living and effective Word of God probes into the deepest part of a person like a surgeon’s knife to discern his innermost thoughts and intentions
A word, however great, has no impact unless it becomes integrated into the person who hears it. There are many different kinds of hearing in this world. There is indifferent hearing, uninterested hearing, critical hearing, sceptical hearing, cynical hearing.
The hearing that matters is the hearing that listens eagerly, believes and acts. The promises of God are not merely beautiful pieces of literature; they are promises on which we are meant to stake our lives and which should dominate our actions...
First This is first of all a word of instruction…
First this
there remains yet very much land to possess.”
The question that God asks Joshua --- What remains... There have been huge wins and success...Such great success that only major battles are recorded.. we have 31 Kings and cities destroyed... Joshua is thinking He is finished... but at 85 years old there was much to be done... God is concerned with both the work and what remains...Scripture is always concerned both the here and the there... teleological view... pressing onto to what is ahead of us... Every battle they fought was a hurdle a limitation... Every battle was a challenge to stop...
This is first of all a word of instruction…
Instruction is an ongoing part of the Christian life…Paul tells us in Ephesians that God uses pastors and teachers to Equip the saints for the work ministry so that church might build itself up…
sometimes these two words are distinguished.. Instruction (didache) and preaching (Kerguma). At the beginning of Joshua there is this blessing that comes with the word..
sometimes these two words are distinguished.. Instruction (didache) and preaching (Kerguma). At the beginning of Joshua there is this blessing that comes with the word..
How many of you love IKEA? — Well, when ever you buy something from IKEA you know that you have DIY project ahead of you… There have been studies done where people get more satisfaction from putting something together than buying something outright… So, the first thing you do is make sure all the parts are there then you go through the instructions starting and step one moving through all the steps… That is the quickest way to get the project done… the alternative is try and figure it out.. free style… but you may take a lot longer to finish the project… Instruction is to set us up for success.... it’s didactic meaning to give us some instruction on life.. Isaiah talks about precept upon precept —line upon line…
If we follow the instructions you get the desired result… but if you free style --- it’s going take you lot longer to g
At the beginning of Joshua there is this blessing that comes with the word..
At the beginning of Joshua there is this blessing that comes with the word..
Instruction ultimately is found in the Word and where each us is responsible for growing in the word. God puts his word front and center stage...
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.
The reason the word of God is written to be a blessing to bring us success—
Or something that might be assumed…
Charles Spurgeon - Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years.
… Much of Joshua was written for the instruction of Israel.. when they came through the Jordan they lifted up 12 Stones from the Jordan… Joshua tells the people that when your children and grandchildren ask you what these stones are you can tell them this what the Lord did....He stopped the waters at Adam and Israel walked over on dry land… We all need instruction… Instruction is the transfer of knowledge and wisdom…
Joshua receive a word from God --- It was instructive in that that it Pointed him in a new direction…You can see how a veteran like Joshua might have thought he had arrived..... There is no time while living on earth at which a Christian “arrives” at spirituality. Each day God’s people are making a choice either to grow closer to him or to drift away.
Charles Spurgeon said that - Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
phil 2:12
Second it is a humbling word…
The enemy was still in possession of many parts of the land… There were still areas that needed to be dealt with… It sometimes difficult to hear that we still need to grow…
Joshua could have hung his hat on many of his accomplishments.. The first 10 chapters you have these massive battles they are specific battles and we have covered them in some details... where we see the hand God — We also see Joshua’s leadership and skills… From chapter 10-13 - The battles are listed more generally… lists 31 kings and battles that Joshua won…
One of my devotional actually makes the point that The longest month we can have is 31 days long, if we think of each day as a king to be conquered, the application would be that we have a battle of some sort to fight every day.
The longest month we can have is 31 days long, if we think of each day as a king to be conquered, the application would be that we have a battle of some sort to fight every day.
These battle went on for a long time…Joshua is a veteran Leader and accomplished leaders… It is a humbling word because even veterans have areas that the enemy still has strongholds.
What’s Humbling is what remains.
One of my devotional makes the point that The longest month we can have is 31 days long, if we think of each day as a king to be conquered, the application would be that we have a battle of some sort to fight every day.
Thirdly, it was an exhorting word; it’s encouragement… its affirming when people come along side us and say.., God has still got a great work for us to do… thankful for those voices… I was so encouraged by the general meeting.. because you guys stayed and supporters! We are have lots to do.,
One of the things you notice about the book of Joshua is that God is always encouraging Joshua.. its be strong and courageous do not be discouraged because the Lord is with you where ever you go… When Achan sinned in Chapter 6-8 God says to him get up… Again God encourages Joshua --- I am not done with you… You might feel old and advanced in years… And that you don’t have much to offer… But
Fourthly, it was an inspiring word, for it was to remind him of his duty to divide the land so that the Israelites could root out its inhabitants
Fourthly, it was an inspiring word, for it was to remind him of his duty to divide the land so that the Israelites could root out its inhabitants.\
God is concerned with both the work and what remains...Scripture is always concerned both the here and the there... teleological view... pressing onto to what is ahead of us...
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,
Sense of Mission and Purpose.
Excitement about the future...
Sense of Adventure for tomorrow.
Don't give up on your dreams... (stay the course)
Joshua: A Devotional Commentary The First Section (vv. 1–7)
Thirdly, it was an exhorting word; there was much more that needed to be done. He had to press on to further achievements. Fourthly, it was an inspiring word, for it was to remind him of his duty to divide the land so that the Israelites could root out its inhabitants.
Joshua still had 35 years where God was going to use Him... settle the people in the land..
Every battle they fought was a hurdle a limitation... Every battle was a challenge to stop...
The question is not what was --- or what is --- Rather God asks What remains...
T/S How do we Lift the lid of Limitations:
1. Be Comfortable with In-completion:
2. Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
2. Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
Principle - Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
Principle - Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
How many have looked at the task before you and say to yourself I am not sure I am up to the task? Maybe your parenting… maybe it’s work situation… marriage...
…
Joshua 13:2
What we talking about here is the extent of God’s mission in the World. Sometimes we define the boarders and limitations…
While Joshua closer to writing the memoirs of his adventures..God days put down your pencil… I am not done with you yet… and then he reveals to him the extent of the promised land…
God is reveals to him the extent of the promised land… Not only is there much to land to be possesed but God outlines the extend of the boarders.
2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites
3 (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), and those of the Avvim,
The land was before them. It was not for them to stay forever in their comfort zones—Gilgal and later Shiloh (18:1). They had received an inheritance and it was now for them to possess their possessions
Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
Joshua: A Devotional Commentary The First Section (vv. 1–7)
The land was before them. It was not for them to stay forever in their comfort zones—Gilgal and later Shiloh (18:1). They had received an inheritance and it was now for them to possess their possessions
There were some key territories that needed to be possesed… Including the city of Jerusalem.. and five major Philistine Countries.
Joshua 2:
Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen.
This was not news Joshua because in Chapter One, before Joshua even crosses the Jordan…God gives him the lay of the land...
Joshua had got to a point where he was maybe feeling a little settled… But God does not want them to stay forever in their comfort zones. They had received an inheritance and it was now for them to possess their possessions. The Conquest of the land is outlined in
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.”
The picture of complete conquest did not finally happen until the time of David ().
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.
2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites 3 (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), and those of the Avvim, 4 in the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites, 5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath,
The people were not able to conquer Jerusalem, which belonged to the Jebusites (15:63)—as if the God of Jericho could not possibly be the God of Jerusalem! By the way, Jerusalem would eventually be conquered by King David. God would prove sufficient for it after all
Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen (2-5)
Don't Pencil Over what God has already written in Pen (2-5)
The land was before them. It was not for them to stay forever in their comfort zones—Gilgal and later Shiloh (18:1). They had received an inheritance and it was now for them to possess their possessions.
When we set our own boundaries we operating with a safety Zone or comfort Zone…
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
The problem with being comfortable as a Christian is that we easily become dissatisfied… When Joshua begins to settle the tribes in the land.. some of the people complained about the smallness of their lot.. It is easy to get dissatisfied with Christian life when it is narrow and shallow… In fact when we get comfortable as Christians we actually start looking inwards instead of outwards… Our vision shrinks… It is possible to get just enough of the promised land to make us miserable...
The word remain Captures the tension that we have today..
The NT presents the same tension regarding the kingdom of God: it is already here but in its fullest sense ‘not yet’.
Spiritual Growth is always going to enlarge our view our purpose and God’s mission in the world…
There are not a few who, like the tribe of Joseph, have just got about as much of the “land of promise” as make them miserable, a
Now, it is as Joshua and the people look back to what God has already done on their behalf that they are to look forward to what he will continue to do.
As Christians our what remains falls into two categories. Spiritual Growth and God’s mission in the world…
We think we know how much we can possibly handle… Spiritual Growth is always going to stretch our view of God and his mission in the world…
Now, it is as Joshua and the people look back to what God has already done on their behalf that they are to look forward to what he will continue to do.
The Message of Joshua 1. Directions for Joshua (13:1–7)
We do, however, need to see this promise within the framework of the mission of God. God’s purpose is to bring creation back to himself, and Israel’s existence within the Old Testament was part of this
God’s purpose is to bring creation back to himself, and Israel’s existence within the Old Testament…
Joshua was given the land we are given the Great commission
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
1. Our Inheritance in Christ.
Their inheritance was the land; our inheritance is Christ. What the land was to them, Christ is to us. The possibilities of the life in Christ are endless. There is so much to possess.
Paul says, ‘… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death … I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus’
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Joshua: A Devotional Commentary The First Section (vv. 1–7)
Their inheritance was the land; our inheritance is Christ. What the land was to them, Christ is to us. The possibilities of the life in Christ are endless. There is so much to possess. Paul says, ‘… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death … I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3:10, 14).
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14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2, Mission of God in the world
God’s purpose is to bring creation back to himself, and Israel’s existence within the Old Testament…
Joshua was given the land we are given the Great commission
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
There are parallels between Joshua’s commission and the great commission....that I would lik to mention.. The first is the extent of the great commission.. there is much more to possess…the second is the task. Make disciples.. baptise them.. teach them to obey all things… We Don’t have to go far to find out our mission… God says to Joshua… I will drive out the inhabitants,.,. God says I will be with you..
When you think about what has happened in our region over the last couple of years with Oroville dam and the camp fire… i believe that we are being positioned to see God move in our area… Why because God is drawn towards the broken hearted and the those who are on the fringes.... when people get displaced… unsettled they stop looking at themselves.., start seeking… we as a church are church are located in a perfect place..to see God move in a major way...
The New Bible Commentary Settlement in Canaan
The picture of complete conquest is by way of an assertion of the inevitable fulfilment of God’s promises; yet this did not finally happen until the time of David (2 Sa. 7:1). In reality, therefore, Israel’s initial occupation of the land was only partial, and for centuries the Israelites remained as merely one element of the population of the land.
Joshua 13:8–21:42 (OUJ): Along with the strong faith of Joshua and Caleb, we see weak faith. The people were not able to conquer Jerusalem, which belonged to the Jebusites (15:63)—as if the God of Jericho could not possibly be the God of Jerusalem! By the way, Jerusalem would eventually be conquered by King David. God would prove sufficient for it after all
T/S How do we Lift the lid of Limitations:
3. Give over your limitations to a limitless God.
3. Give over your limitations to a limitless God.
“Give over your limitations to a limitless God.”
“Give over your limitations to a limitless God.”
Give your limitation to a limitless God.
Give your limitation to a limitless God.
Moves - You have more Reserves in your tank than you Think
Moves - You have more Reserves in your tank than you Think
You have more Reserve in your tank than you Think
There is this point where we realize that we are part of something that is much bigger than us…
God sees your life as a fixer-upper. - Mark Simpson
Knowing our limitations is not necessary a bad thing, because it puts us in the place of Faith --- where we need to believe God,
6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you.
Joshua: A Devotional Commentary The First Section (vv. 1–7)
God says, ‘I will drive out [the residents of the land] from before the children of Israel’ (v. 6). We are to be inspired to action by the promises of God. We are not to wait for God to do something for us when he expects us to be involved. We ‘are workers together with him’ (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Joshua was not to worry about what was God’s to do but rather on the task… The task was to be divided between the tribes. From Chapter 13-19 — we have the territories and towns listed here with careful detail.
Their territories and towns are listed here with careful attention to detail.
The tribes of Judah and Joseph are given most of the south of Canaan, with Benjamin between them. The tribe of Dan is given the coastal plain, which proves impossible to occupy because of the presence of the powerful Philistines. The remaining tribes are awarded land in the northern area of Canaan which is not yet completely conquered. It will be many years before they enter into all that has been promised.
The tribes of Judah and Joseph are given most of the south of Canaan, with Benjamin between them. The tribe of Dan is given the coastal plain, which proves impossible to occupy because of the presence of the powerful Philistines. The remaining tribes are awarded land in the northern area of Canaan which is not yet completely conquered. It will be many years before they enter into all that has been promised.
The emphasis in v. 6a, however, shifts from a simple catalogue of territories (or peoples) to the activity that God promised he would undertake, namely, to drive out these peoples before the Israelites
The emphasis in v. 6a, however, shifts from a simple catalogue of territories (or peoples) to the activity that God promised he would undertake, namely, to drive out these peoples before the Israelites
While Joshua was to focus on the task of dividing up the land. God says, ‘I will drive out [the residents of the land]…
What we see in Joshua is a principle found through scripture…
We are to be inspired to action by the Word… the promises of God. We are not to wait for God to do something for us when he expects us to be involved. As we focus on the task - we find that God is working with us....
God says, ‘I will drive out [the residents of the land]… What we see
). We are to be inspired to action by the promises of God. We are not to wait for God to do something for us when he expects us to be involved. We ‘are workers together with him’
1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
Daily Truth: Study and Application Notes for the 365 Day Connect the Testaments Bible Reading Plan Do something with the victory God has won
God fights for His people and will drive the peoples from the land for them, but He will not divide the land for them as this was a task that He had given to Joshua, as the leader of the people. God has won the victory for us too but like Joshua, we are called to follow His commands in regards to using what God has won for us. See Galatians 5:1
God fights for His people and will drive the peoples from the land for them, but He will not divide the land for them as this was a task that He had given to Joshua, as the leader of the people. God has won the victory for us too but like Joshua, we are called to follow His commands in regards to using what God has won for us.
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the Lord told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. 9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day. 10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people passed over in haste. 11 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the Lord and the priests passed over before the people.
Hebrews 4:8
Joshua 4
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Conclusion:!
The New Bible Commentary Settlement in Canaan
On more careful inspection, however, it is clear that the biblical narrative knows that it was in fact long and difficult (Jos. 9; 11:22; 13:1; 15:63; 17:12–13; 19:47; Jdg. 1). The picture of complete conquest is by way of an assertion of the inevitable fulfilment of God’s promises; yet this did not finally happen until the time of David (2 Sa. 7:1). In reality, therefore, Israel’s initial occupation of the land was only partial, and for centuries the Israelites remained as merely one element of the population of the land.
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The people of Israel had won many victories in the land of Canaan (10:1–12:24), but the Lord would not allow them to rest on what they had done. He spoke to Joshua about how much there was yet to do and about Joshua’s own advancing years.
Everything we achieve in our service to the Lord is due to him prompting and using us. The apostle Paul puts it in these words: ‘… it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure’ (Phil. 2:13).
Everything we achieve in our service to the Lord is due to him prompting and using us. The apostle Paul puts it in these words: ‘… it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure’ (Phil. 2:13).
Everything in the life of the Christian is to the praise of his grace!
Everything in the life of the Christian is to the praise of his grace!
Israel had received the promise of God with the land, but the fullness of the promise was still ahead of them, and this meant an ongoing process of occupation - The book of Hebrews tells us that there remains a Rest for Gods people.
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.
9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,
10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
I was thinking about this word Remain… often we thinking what we’ve attained… completed.... its like cutting up a pie.. serving it to your guests.., there is a potion that is eaten.... then their is what remains… God is interest in what remains…
The word strive describes intense concentration of energy necessary to reach a desired goal… which is the Rest of God… This is multifaceted word… It speaks to the tension to “Already” and Not Yet..
Every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
Westcott assists us in understand the Rest of God… He tells us that the Rest of god is the “Highest Destiny of Israel in perfect fellowship with God.” It is God’s design for the fulfillment of our highest identity and development.
And every thought of holiness,
Are his alone.
Part of the Rest means -
to be at His place, at His time, doing the thing He has planned for us to do, confident in His strength and resources, in the design of the system.
We have become accustomed to limits its difficult for us to conceive a God of no limits. Joshua had seen God move through many battles -- He was veteran in Spiritual Warfare and yet there came a point when he thought to himself... My work here is done... Joshua forgot that it is God defines our boarders... God message to Joshua and to us is that there is still inheritance ahead… The boarders were part of something bigger and greater than Joshua..
Impact is not just for us --- but for the generations that follow... An inheritance in the saints... Don't get weary in well doing.. You have more Reserves in your tank than you Think