Conqueor # 2 (most from Conquor # 1)

               We’re going to continue on the subject that we’ve been on and that is faith. 2 weeks ago I started a message called “Faith to make the Difference,” but I wasn’t able to finish it. So we’re going to pick up from right where we left off.

     I. Last week we talked about how Israel was set free from Egypt.

              A. Soon after they left Egypt and came to the Red Sea, Pharaoh sent soldiers and his chariots after Israel.

                        1. In (EXO 14:12) The Israelites said, “For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”

                                  a. You can see that they were not in faith at all.

                                           i. They were in total doubt and unbelief.

                        2. But Moses told the people to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

                                  a. Every thing that Moses was saying was in total faith. God never told Him that He was going to destroy the Egyptians.

                                           i. Now remember faith is only based on the Word of God.

                                  b. All Moses had was the Word that God spoke to him saying, “Set my people free.”

                                            i. Moses knew that being killed in the wilderness or being taken back into bondage was not being set free.

                                           ii. So Moses said, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.”

                                           iii. That was a statement of faith.

                        3. Because of his faith, the Lord parted the Red Sea, and the children of Israel walked through on dry ground.

              B. When the children of Israel were up against a wall, Moses was in faith, and because of his faith, the Lord did something supernatural.

                        1. And that’s when the victory came.

     II. As we look back into the OT, we see Joshua who really stood out.

              A. Joshua demonstrated some qualities in his life that will help anyone to move on with God and overcome the challenges they face.

                        1. Joshua was strong in the Lord before he ever took charge of the children of Israel.

              B. The principles that Joshua lived by can help any believer move from where he is now to a place of victory in their lives.

                        1. Overcoming the obstacles that’s hindering you from total victory.

              C. 1 of the qualities that made Joshua walk in victory are found in EXO 24 12-15

                        1. God called Moses to come up into the mountain to receive the instructions that God had for the nation of Israel.

                                  a. Moses took Joshua with him, and left everyone else below.

                                           i. As Moses ascended up the mountain of God, he left Joshua on the slopes of the mountain.

                                           ii. Joshua stayed there 40 days and 40 nights.

                                           iii. He could have returned to camp but even in a time of feeling forgotten and unimportant, he remained confident in God.

                                                     a. There may be times that you feel out of the mainstream of the kingdom of God.

                                                     b. But it’s that desire to go on with God, that stability (in Him and His Word) that faithfulness to Him which is important.

                                  b. As Moses came down the mountain, he heard the sound of music, singing, dancing, shouting in worship to the golden calf, coming from the camp.

                        2. Look at EXO 32 to see what Joshua said about the sound he heard.

                                  a. EXO 32:17

                                  b. Moses dismissed that observation as the sound of singing, not of war.

                                           i. But Joshua’s perception and sensitivity were deeper than that of Moses.

                                           ii. There truly was a war in the camp. It was a spiritual war.

                                  c. This understanding of spiritual battle was the 2nd of Joshua’s qualities that aided him in conquering the Canaan land.

                                           i. (EPH 6:12) Says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high {places}.”

                                                     a. 1 translation says, “We struggle not against flesh and blood...”

                                                     b. Another says, “We contend not with flesh and blood...”

                                           ii. The RSV translation says, “But we do wrestle against the spiritual hosts of wickedness.”

                                                     a. That’s where the battle is, it’s a spiritual battle.

                                                     b. We need to be aware of the enemies spiritual strategies.

                                                     c. Many homes could have been saved and tragedies avoided if we would not have overlooked this area.

                                                          i. It’s a spiritual battle.

                                                   d. Rise up with the authority of God’s Word and bring the presence of the H.S. into the picture, and things will begin to change.

                        3. In EXO 33 we see another part of Joshua’s character. (3rd)

                                  a. After the destruction of the golden calf and the execution of the rebels, Moses again separated himself to meet with God.

                                           i. He had a special tent where he entered to seek God and God’s presence would move into the tent.

                                  b. Look at what happened in EXO 33:9-11

                                           i. Notice that Joshua also separated himself from the people. He wanted to be totally identified with God.

                                           ii. This man who demonstrated his loyalty and devotion to God chose to stay where God would manifest His glory.

                                  c. Joshua was different from the rest.

                                           i. He was not going to be swayed by pressure or opinions of others. He would remain where he could hear the voice of God and then move in accordance with what he heard.

                                           ii. We need, more than ever, a renewed dependence on God’s Word.

     III. Well, after wondering in the wilderness for 40 years it was time for Joshua to take over as the leader of the children of Israel.

              A. For them to get out of the wilderness, their unbelief and wrong thinking had to go.

                        1. That’s the same for us. Many times people will feel that they’re going through a wilderness. Well, it could be brought on by unbelief and wrong thinking.

                                  a. If that’s true then the only way to get out of it is through faith and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

              B. When we think of the “wilderness,” we think of aimless wondering.

                        1. But that’s not the way it should be. There are some definite steps that you have to take to get out of it and to stay out.

              C. Back in the days that the children of Israel were still in Egypt, it says that God sent them into the wilderness.

                        1. Let’s find out why. EXO 3.

                                  a. In (ROM 15:4) it says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

                                  b. Things that are written in the O.T. are for our learning.

                        2. EXO 3:18

                                  a. 1 of the things that they needed to do when in the wilderness is to be a true worshiper of God.

                                           i. God led them there to be free to worship but I don’t think that God is Going to lead us into the wilderness. (Not to a place of destruction and disaster, but sometimes He will lead us into a place of solitude to be alone with Him.)

                                           ii. The 1st step to getting out of a wilderness is to be a worshipper.

                                           iii JOHN 4:23

              D. The 2nd thing that the children of Israel needed to see was that God is their provider.

                        1. God provided them with manna from heaven and water from a rock, their clothes didn’t ware out.

                                  a. To come out of that wilderness they needed to know that God was their provider.

                        2. We need to look to God and trust Him to meet our needs.

                                  a. PSA 37:3

                                  b. And of course, we all know (PHIL 4:19) “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

              E. The 3rd thing that they had to know to get out of the wilderness and into the promise land was the importance of following God.

                        1. If you remember, God provided a cloud by day and a Pillar of fire by night to direct their paths.

a.  We too must learn to follow His leadings and allow Him to direct our paths.

b. PSA 23:2-3

                                  c. (PSA 37:23) Says “The steps of a {good} (righteous) man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”

     IV. But we just can’t stop there. Sometimes we get content in the area of provision. We’re filled, we’re happy, and we don’t want to do any more.

              A. We need to go on to victory. We need to go into the promise land.

                        1. Look at the 1st thing the Lord said to Joshua when they were ready to come out of the wilderness. (After worshiper, God provider, lead by the Lord)

                                  a. JOSHUA 1:2....

                                  b. Now go down to V 11

                                           i. This was “Faith that was going to make the difference.”

                                           ii. This is the faith that is needed to be a conqueror. “Bold Faith.”

              B. But there was a final instruction that the people needed in order to be victorious.

                        1. JOSHUA 3:5

                                  a. This word “Sanctify” means “to consecrate and purify.”

                                  b. In order to see God’s miracles in your life we need to live a holy life before Him, and to sell out totally to Him.

                        2. I’m going to end with this final scripture. PSA 92:12;15 From the AMP “The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful and fruitful]; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable and incorruptible].    (V15) [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

                                  a. Your life can be a sign to all that God is faithful to His children and to His Word.

WOLCC 1/12/92 Sun AM and 8/27/95 Sun AM