Expand the Borders
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Introduction:
Lessons from the Russo-Georgia War 10 Years Later
In 2018, USNEWS PUT OUT AN ARTICLE about the Russo-Georgia War. Political scientist Kimberly Joy Marten discussed how the Russian troop invasion into South Ossetia was a harbinger of things to come.
...Russian troops invaded the northern Georgia separatist region of South Ossetia [oseesha], touching off a conflict that simmers today.
The Russians' mission was ostensibly peacekeeping: The Georgian Army had moved in and taken over Tskhinvali, the de facto capital of South Ossetia, after pro-Russian separatists had begun to shell Georgian villages. Using Georgia's "aggression" as a pretext, Russian troops rolled in, pushing past the boundaries of South Ossetia into sovereign Georgian territory, temporarily occupying several cities until several days after a cease-fire was declared on Aug. 12, 2008.
The 2008 conflict was the first time Russia's Army had been used as an invading force on an independent country since the Soviet Union fell nearly two decades earlier. In hindsight, the action appears to have been the first step by a more aggressive Russian state, preceding its invasion of Crimea by six years. Russia's Georgian invasion similarly marked the first time cyber warfare had been waged concurrent to military action, a precursor to Russia's increasingly audacious interference in foreign elections – most notably, the U.S. presidential election in 2016.
...The Heritage Foundation has identified at least 56 instances of "borderization" – moving South Ossetia's border further into Georgian territory – since 2011. [https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2018-08-15/lessons-on-the-10th-anniversary-of-russias-invasion-of-georgia]
A couple of things that are interesting about the article: (1) a nations expansion of borders is not new (2) the writer implies that border expansion includes cyber-warfare.
But kingdom expansion is not merely relegated to geo-political, international conflict. As we see here, the world understands that kingdom expansion involves invasion even through modern means, ideas, computer hacking…etc.
The concern which I have today is not so much regarding invading forces on an international scale; but rather my concern is that there is a passivity which is pervasive among modern Christians to the point where we do not see how the Lord has commissioned us to kingdom expansion; and it is not first an expansion that includes a land grab or even cyber-warfare; nor is is a kingdom whose motives are suspect like the kingdoms of this world. The expansion of the kingdom of God is the expansion of the true kingdom — the kingdom that has holy subjects and live under the rule of the LORD Jesus Christ. It is a kingdom expansion that involves an expansion of God’s rule through an increase of worshippers of the true God alone.
Kid’s Pause
Kid’s Statement: God’s Kingdom means God’s saved people living in a place under the rule of King Jesus.
The problem today can be summed up with two extremes of Christians. First, we have those who are urgent about kingdom expansion, but they serve out of fear that they never do enough. Their marching beat is, “I wonder if I have done enough for Jesus.” They are highly insecure people. The other extreme of Christian is the one who is asleep. Their living shows no urgency about kingdom expansion. They are asleep in their retirement, 60-hour work weeks, athletic, entertainment. Their marching beat is, “Jesus paid it all, NOTHING to him I owe.” They are highly apathetic people. Is there a way between insecurity and apathy?
So, how can we rightly understand our responsibility in God’s kingdom?
The passage before us helps us to cup our ears to the message of the LORD to his aging, obedient, victorious leader Joshua. In this message, we will hear and observe what is means to be in God’s kingdom. This passage will also provide to us the why and how to be surrendered to the expansion of God’s kingdom.
Joshua 13:1-14 is a passage in which the LORD gives to Joshua his final commissioning orders. Simply put — [THEME]
the LORD commands Joshua to divide the land for continued kingdom expansion.
Kingdom expansion literally means that the place where God’s people live under the rule of God must continue to expand.
So, the kingdom expansion must continue here in Joshua and this passage gives us key reasons why.
Body:
Body:
I. (v. 1) Because you're old and the expansion is not finished
I. (v. 1) Because you're old and the expansion is not finished
Kingdom expansion is an eternally-drawn-up plan, carried along (in-part) by aging, temporal humans. Notice how the LORD had to tell Joshua in two different ways. Joshua, at this point, may have been around 85-years-old. Notice also that the Source of this statement is the eternal Lord.
What a reminder that our lives are temporary, and we must see our lives in light of our eternal LORD and His sovereign plan.
Why tell Joshua twice? I am not sure, but we all need good reminders. Some need to face the reality that you are coming to the end of your life, but you must also see your life in light of kingdom expansion.
Illustration:
The shocking news of Chadwick Boseman’s death rattled the world yesterday; as the famous actor died from cancer at age 43.
In other words, to the young and old, you and I are often closer to the end of our lives that we often imagine. Consider carefully the words of the eternal LORD to Joshua: there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. You are old, and there is work to be done before you die.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, have you considered carefully why you are here on this earth? how long are you here on this earth for? Are you living for the expansion of the LORD’S eternal kingdom, or are you sleeping away your life for his kingdom?
Kid’s Pause
Kid’s Statement: Entering the kingdom of God and living under King Jesus is not something only for old people.
2. (v. 2-6a) Because there is a specific expansion that must be finished
2. (v. 2-6a) Because there is a specific expansion that must be finished
Wasn’t the land acquisition done? Remember Joshua 11:23
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
Yet, here we see that there is more. While Israel could live in the land, and they had experienced a measure of victory, the job was not completely done. This is sometimes referred to as the “Already.....Not Yet...” Some things have already been done, but not everything has been completed.
Illustration:
We went on a missions trip one time to a location in the mountains. When we arrived to our location, the missionary took us to a large, unfinished concrete structure built into the side of a mountain. There were at least 4 floors. The missionary took us floor by floor, and told us what his plan was for each of the floors. The bottom floors would be dorms for college students, the next floor would be for Sunday schools, the next floor for church corporate worship…etc. There were no windows, and the top floor had no roof. So, you can imagine my surprise when the missionary told me that they were already hosting their weekly church services in this structure.
This gives you a little bit of an idea of the “Already/Not Yet” principle. The missionary and the church were enjoying the benefits of having a joint location and meeting together, but the full building was not ready yet. Imagine if I changed the illustration slightly. Imagine if I said to you that the church members were gathering, but everything that was going to be saved has not be saved yet. Though, there were already many members who had believed Jesus Christ, all who would become saved had not come yet. This is the idea of God’s kingdom expansion.
Jesus has already come, but the new creation is not finished yet.
Notice the land in South (Joshua 13:2-4) and the Coastal lands, including key Philistine cities, all the way to the north with the land of Lebanon (Joshua 13:5). In addition, this included the “inhabitants” reminding us that this is not merely about a land; but it is about people. The LORD not only owns the earth, but He deserves and demands worship.
This is a specific expansion that the LORD is anticipating, and this reminds us how the LORD would one day use this land and even some of the residual inhabitants of the land, for it would be in this land that one of the greatest stories in all of the world would take place as a young man named David would defeat a Goliath of the Philistine city of Gath so that the whole earth would know that there is a God in Israel. Though David lives around 300-400 years after the time of Joshua, there are glimpses of God’s planning now.
Application:
Friend, remember that those who have been born again into the kingdom of God are part of a plan that continues beyond our lifetime. And we are sure of this continuing work because death has no power over our Lord. And we are sure that death has no power over our Lord because after Jesus died for our sins, he arose from the dead three days later. Thus, the plan of God never ceases with the death of his saints.
If this is true, which kingdom are you committed to? Are you living according to an eternal expansion plan, or are you sleeping?
Kid’s Pause
Kid’s Statement: King Jesus’ kingdom is to be preached to all people of every generation.
3. (v. 6b-7) Because the LORD'S work does not eliminate your current responsibility
3. (v. 6b-7) Because the LORD'S work does not eliminate your current responsibility
First, the scripture does not see a contradiction between the work of God and the work of man — both are necessary in God’s divine plan. The LORD confirms his covenant faithfulness, but the LORD’S commitment is given with an expectation of Joshua to obey the command.
Second, the LORD’S commission is more significant than we think.
Joshua is being commanded to divide land for an inheritance, which has not been fully conquered.
Thus, Joshua has to act by faith on what God says about driving out the inhabitants of the land.
Application:
For God’s people to make choices about life and events that may not happen until after they are dead and gone requires faith. Our lives are lived by faith when we obey Jesus, even though we may not see the results in this life. What I am not saying is “only eternity will tell.”
Illustration:
Today, you and I sit as people who are beneficiaries. Someone worked in obedience to the will of God — that Someone is Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ commanded others who obeyed, and in working together with the Holy Ghost they went. Though those people are not here to physically observe — they labored by faith that God would continue the work even after they were gone.
What about you? Are you laboring in the power of God’s grace and in obedience to our LORD by faith — though you will never see the results here? God’s people obey by faith.
4. (v. 8-12) Because the LORD'S servant has given inheritance to your brethren
4. (v. 8-12) Because the LORD'S servant has given inheritance to your brethren
Kid’s Pause - Map of East Cities
Borders must be expanded because Moses, the LORD’S servant has made your brethren to be inheritors. Joshua 13:8-12 recap again what the Lord did through Moses, the LORD’S servant on the East side of the Jordan River. Two and one-half tribes had become inheritors of land on the East of the Jordan River through the work of this Servant of the Lord.
This gives us at least three important considerations (1) Joshua is continuing the work begun by God’s servant (2) All God’s people are to be inheritors (3) A pattern has been given for the work which Joshua was to do.
Joshua is to be like the Servant of the LORD Moses and give an inheritance to the rest of God’s people. Though Joshua does give an inheritance to God’s people, the inheritance was ultimately taken away because of the utter sinfulness of God’s people; but that does not end the SERVANTHOOD pattern…
It is this kind of SERVANTHOOD pattern that continues that even after the death of Joshua. Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold;
Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth;
I have put my spirit upon him:
He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
A righteous Servant would come according to prophet Isaiah, and he would bring judgment to the Gentiles. This Servant would bring God’s Kingdom into this world in a wildly different way than we see in the story of Joshua.
Kid’s Pause
Illustration: [STOP AT 4:43]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmFPS0f-kzs
In Christ, we see God defeating the enemies. Through Christ, we become inheritors of eternal life. In Christ, we also see the pattern that must continue in our lives. In Christ, we have been equipped to continue his commission. The Spirit of the Servant indwells those who have been conquered in this conquest. In this Servant, we ARE victorious so that we can expand the borders of His kingdom.
Illustration:
Consider the illustrative ministry of the Apostle Paul.
Acts 20:24-25
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Acts 28:23-31
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
What Paul illustrates for us is that even though victory had been accomplished by Jesus Christ, the borders of Christ’s kingdom need to continue to be expanded through the preaching of the gospel so that there would be other worshippers of the One true God.
Forgiveness of sins only comes through receiving Jesus Christ. If we have been forgiven through Christ, then we are victorious so that we can worship Him. Thus...
Goal:
Because of victory, expand the borders where God is worshipped.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Because of victory in Christ, Christians should expand the borders of God’s kingdom by preaching the gospel to every creature.
Because of victory in Christ, the church should be making disciples of all nations.
Because of victory in Christ, consider wisely choices of faith. Make choices about your time which reveal your faith in the ongoing Kingdom expansion of God.
Singles and young people, don’t live under the allusion that you are guaranteed tomorrow. Give yourselves to the advancement of God’s kingdom through the kingdom outpost - His church.
Wednesday nights - basketball (see J. Berry)
Start in-home Bible studies (see R. Hedge)
Parents, advance the kingdom, by teaching your children the supremacy of Jesus Christ above educational, academic, and even familial pursuits.
This kingdom outpost is trying to help you do this through Master Clubs and Christian Education
Seasoned Saints/Empty Nesters, what does this passage call you to but to make choices now, believing that God will prosper His work through you.
Give time from your retirement to have coffee with college students and teens (see J. Berry).
Invite your neighbors over for coffee and speak of Christ to them.
Pray about snow-birding overseas to help one of our missionary couples for a month or two or three.
Because of victory, expand the borders where God is worshipped.
Present your bodies for Kingdom expansion.
Pray.