A Prosperous Course Of Life Joshua 1:8-9

Transcription

1 A Prosperous Course Of Life Joshua 1:8-9 The Third Message In A Series Addressing The Abundant Life In Christ Pastor Larry Goding Community Church At Sun Village Surprise, Arizona

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3 The Good Life - Part Three A Prosperous Course Of Life Joshua 1:8-9 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go [Joshua 1:8-9 NLT]. The story is told of a prosperous, young investment banker who was driving a new BMW sedan on a mountain road during a snowstorm. As he veered around one sharp turn, he lost control and began sliding off the road toward a deep precipice. At the last moment he unbuckled his seat belt, flung open his door, and leaped from the car, which then tumbled down the ravine and burst into a ball of flames. Though he had escaped with his life, the man suffered a ghastly injury. Somehow his arm had been caught between the door and the car body as he jumped and had been torn off at the shoulder. 1

4 A trucker saw the accident in his rearview mirror. He pulled his rig to a halt and ran to see if he could help. He found the banker standing at the roadside, looking down at the BMW burning in the ravine below. My BMW! My new BMW! the banker moaned, oblivious to his injury. The trucker pointed at the banker s shoulder and said, You have bigger problems than that car. We must find your arm. Maybe the surgeons can sew it back on! The banker looked where his arm had been, paused a moment, and groaned, Oh no! My Rolex! My new Rolex! 1 Perhaps that illustration is a bit extreme. However, we need to remember and appreciate the fact that God gives us material possessions so we will enjoy them, but not so we will worship them. Therefore, I am not going to talk this morning about becoming prosperous in a material sense but becoming successful and prosperous from God s perspective. We might ask, How are we as Christians to understand it when it seems clear from the Engaging Illustrations, #423. 2

5 Word of God that God wants to prosper us? What is God s perspective on success and prosperity? You turn on the TV and you see a television preacher who preaches that as a Christian you need to plant some seeds financially, then prosperity will come to you and God will bless you materially. Then you hear another TV preacher speaking on the subject of giving everything to God for His use; forsaking worldly pleasures and all that goes with it. He talks about the fact that when you truly desire to follow God, you will give Him everything. Now you sit there and you hear these two TV preachers, one talking about material prosperity and the other talking about giving up everything for Christ s sake but both of them use the Scripture to make their point. You sit there and you say, Now, which is correct? Am I as a Christian to believe that if I serve God, give Him my all, and follow biblical principles God will bless me? Does God have an issue with His children having wealth and possessions? If so, what or how much am I supposed to give up? The apostle John starts out his third letter to believers with an encouragement, first of all, to maintain close 3

6 fellowship among themselves. The letter is addressed to his good friend Gaius who is a leader in the church and upon whom John is wishing a life of both physical and spiritual prosperity Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers [3 John 2-3 NKJV]. I wish you both physical and spiritual success and prosperity. The idea of Christians living in prosperity is a well discussed topic today among preachers and teachers who often misinterpret the intent of Scripture with regard to man s physical well-being and potential of material blessing. Here we read of John s caring words to his friend Gaius and to the gathering of Christians with him. Although he is talking about their physical well-being, he was not talking of prosperity as most people express it today. He was concerned for what he considered the more essential things, those things that are spiritual...just as your soul prospers. John was equally interested in their spiritual welfare as he was in physical prosperity what the world considers as necessary for success and one s well-being. Spiritual prosperity is so often crowded out 4

7 from the minds of many and is frequently set aside in favor of material prosperity. To get God s perspective on success and prosperity we need to go to the command that He gave to Joshua through Moses as he prepared him to lead the children of Israel into the Land of Promise. As we study the command we will realize that God s idea of prosperity and success is not the same as what materialistic minded people look for. He is more interested in spiritual prosperity and success rather than material. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go [Joshua 1:8-9 NLT]. I want to refer to it as more of a prosperous course of life. What we have in those words to Joshua is a guide for us so we may understand and focus our eyes of faith more on the important things related to God s blessing which we can experience in our course throughout life. 5

8 God wants us to be equipped with spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom. These essentials lead us to spiritual maturity and prepare us to be courageous and maintain hope for more successes and victories as we continue our journey along the path of faith. In the words of the apostle Paul: 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe [Ephesians 1:15-19 NIV]. So, what are we talking about when we speak of spiritual prosperity and success? It is something that should be desired far above worldly success. It is putting God first. Putting God first in our daily lives will not deprive us of 6

9 earthly success, but will be a turning point to gain all the good things that God has to offer. Attaining good success in life is promised and written in the Word of God; therefore, we should not put aside what Jesus said concerning true success. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well [Matthew 6:33 NIV]. The words of Moses to Joshua will serve as our outline to teach us how to maintain a prosperous course of life. Spiritual prosperity and success comes through at least the following four means: Saturation In The Word Of God [vs. 8]. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Moses was referring to the Book of the Law what we know today as the first five books of our Bible. It is a book that details the guidelines that God has set for man s behavior both in relation to God and his fellow man. The implication is that Joshua should become so saturated 7

10 with the content of the law that he will know how he should live each day in accordance with its principles. The message for us today is that as we saturate ourselves in the Word of God it becomes a part of our speech, a part of our thought life, a part of our action, a part of our faith, and a part of our vision. Listen to how the writer of Hebrews puts it. 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account [Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV]. Furthermore, the apostle Paul admonishes us with these words: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise [Philippians 4:8-9 NLT]. He is talking about thoughts and actions that come from being submerged and saturated with the Word of God. It 8

11 is what Jesus prayed for his disciples, when he said to the Father, Sanctify them keep them set apart to Yourself in the truth. Your Word is truth. He said to the crowd of would-be followers that sat listening to him, You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free [John 8:31-32 NLT]. The message that Jesus gave is that if they would abide in his word, the things that he had taught them, they would indeed be His disciples. As they gain an understanding of truth they will live a life of truth. In living the life of truth it is as the apostle Paul puts it,... that you may grow in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love [Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT]. So, Jesus is saying let the truth set you free from the slavery of evil passions, and a corrupt predisposition. 2 It will free you to trust implicitly in God s plan and purpose 2 Barnes' Notes. 9

12 for your everyday life and for the ultimate outcome of the path that He has chosen for you to follow. Moses instructed Joshua with an admonition that is fitting for Christians today, Be diligent in your study of it. Let your heart be gripped by the truth of it. The apostle Paul picked up on that command and reiterated it to young Timothy. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth [2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV]. It is the Word of God that gives light to our earthly path of life. It is the Word of God that when stored in your heart and mind will keep you from sin. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path [Psalm 119:105 NKJV]. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You [Psalm 119:11 NKJV]. Moses further instructed Joshua, Meditate upon it. The term that is often translated meditate, reflects the sighing and low sounds one may make while musing. 3 You might call it that aha moment that comes when 3 Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. 10

13 you begin to grasp the truth of what you are reading from the Word of God. It is a moment when through your quiet meditation God reveals the truth to you that you need to know and you get it. The psalmist gives us his perspective on it. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word [Psalm 119:15-16 NKJV]. The apostle Paul also admonishes us: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him [Colossians 3:16-17 NIV]. Let the Word of God produce in you the spirit of true wisdom in abundance. Let it make you wise. Let it fill your heart and mind to guide you and give you wisdom as you journey along the path of life. 11

14 Strength And Courage Gained From Trust In God [vs. 9]. This is my command be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. Moses was not making this as a suggestion to Joshua. Rather, it was a command. Step out in faith. Set aside your fears. Move forward in the strength and ability that God will give you as you follow His leading. We need physical and spiritual strength. We need inner strength. But, you cannot muster that on your own. Your spiritual prosperity and success will come to you as you step out in faith to follow the path that God has laid out for you. Moses reminded Joshua that God had given him the command so he, in turn, forwarded it on to Joshua. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. The truth for every child of God is that God is with you all along the path of life. He will make you prosperous and successful in the way that He chooses for you. It is written in Isaiah 40:30-31, Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, 12

15 but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. God does not measure strength by what a person can do physically. He measures it by a spiritual measure. Think about what He asks of you. Will you trust me? Will you follow me without hesitation? Will you allow me to lead you beside still waters, or through the valley of the shadow of death? Will you commit every aspect of your life to me and allow me to do have my way with you? We need inner strength that comes from God, so we can be conquerors through every circumstance of life. The apostle Paul would remind us: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord [Romans 8:37-39 NKJV]. 13

16 So, Moses is instructing Joshua to look to God for the strength and courage he will need as he takes the necessary steps to lead the people forward into the Promised Land. The task was too big for him to do on his own. To prosper and be successful in accomplishing the task he needed to rely on God for the necessary strength. Let us take heed to that same instruction for our lives. Say to yourself with confidence, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Obedience To God s Command [vs. 8, 9]. "...be sure to obey everything written in it...do not be afraid or discouraged." Study it. Meditate upon it. Obey it. Too many of us let s be honest hear the Word, and even give an intellectual nod to what we have just heard and then go on our merry way without giving it another thought. The apostle James say, Let that not be so with you. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man 14

17 he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does [James 1:22-25 NKJV]. Determine to obey it. It has been said, No man can live a decent life and no Christian can live a separated life, in this wicked and corrupt world without the Word of God as the guide along the path of life. God s Word energizes our faith. It leads us to walk in the right path and guards us from the deceitfulness of sin. The Word of God stirs our heart to know the true value of true wisdom and to live by her in the fear of the Lord. Walking In God s Way [vs. 9]. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Going through the course of life is not an easy journey. Consider the situations we face every day of our lives. Some bring us joy and happiness while others bring us sadness and grief. Recognize the attacks of our greatest enemy the devil that we encounter day after day. Beware of the worsening uncertainties of the future. 15

18 Truly, we need the abiding presence of God. Our spiritual prosperity and successes are greatly jeopardized when we walk a path in life that is not in keeping with God s ways. Every step of faith we take escorts us to a well-lived life. The apostle Peter gives us some sound words of encouragement and advice. 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires [2 Peter 1:2-4 NIV]. Conclusion God s formula for prosperity and success is completely unlike the world s formula. And His formula works for every child of His in every situation, wherever we may be along the path of life. The pathway to spiritual prosperity and success cannot be traveled by anyone who does not practice God s formula for success. 16

19 God s Formula for success works, but there are no shortcuts. It calls on us to saturate ourselves with the Word of God, to find strength and courage by trusting in God, to obey the Word of God, and follows His way throughout our lives. That was the command God gave to Joshua through His servant Moses. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go [Joshua 1:8-9 NLT]. 17