Sermon Tone Analysis

The Passing of the Baton

In Relay racing there is the passing of the baton and the first leg is responsible for moving the baton into the second leg’s hand, the second leg excels in a sprint to create rhythm for stride with the first leg and first leg does a hand off in the upward position of the stride, while the second leg receives the top of the baton with arm extended.

This representation is like a good mentor.

If either party miss steps the baton can be dropped, thus causing the lost of the race.

Moses was well up in age he was 120 years of age and he was drawing near to passing on.

Moses and the generation that he lead out of Egypt was never to see the promise land.

Their children would see it, but not them.

This would only be possible because of the obedience of Moses first, then Joshua second and finally the people of the new generation.

So there is a transferring of power from Mose, to Joshua who is full of the Spirit of God.

Will therefore look and act accordingly to God’s plans.

Mose saw greatness in Joshua before he ever became a leader, he was a great servant first.

The anointing as a leader was still on Moses, didn’t matter that Joshua had the gift and leadership ability to command armies of men.

You cannot become a great leader without great sacrifice and service to others first and Mose demonstrated this by example for Joshua to see and understand.

Who God appoints, He anoints.

Mose knew in his natural state he was weak and feeble.

All his power came from God, so raising up God, gave the advantage to the army that Joshua lead.

It was not Joshua’s military muse, or great strategy, it was God working through who He had appointed leader at that time (Mose) achieving the goals of God’s plan.

1. Learn to follow directions always.

2. Write down the directions of your mentor and commit it to memory.

Learn to be responsible with the little things your mentor gives you and God will prepare you for much.

Listen your success is contingent to your obedience to your mentor.

But your obedience to God is vital to your success and purpose in life.

Mose got the Israelites from Egypt to the front door of the promise land.

Joshua got them through the front door of the promise land and stabled, settled and secured, in it.

Make God’s plans your plans .

In the long run, that is your mentors plan.

I want to leave with this story of a race between the fastest runner in the kingdom and his competitor, the competitor who had never won a race against the fastest runner beat him one day and the fastest runner was furious.

round two and this time it was a rely race, the fast runner was starting out the blocks and proclaimed I am going to destroy my competitor off the blocks!

The fastest runner was laser and razor sharp focused, all he could see in his mind was how he was going to show any mercy and prove that no one could beat him!

In his mind he had already one.

Gun fired, racers took off and he was way ahead of the competitor smiling form ear to ear he yelled to the crowd I am the greatest!

Extending his hand to the next runner he realized boom!

NO BATON!

Coming to a dead stop, dead in his tracks, his competition passed him by never even looking in his direction and handing off the baton to his runner in front of him who went on to win the race for that team.

What’s the point?

If it’s only about you and no one else then you already lost the race!

Mose never tried to carrie the baton any further then what God called him to do.

Joshua never tried to take it before it’s time.