1 00:00:30,019 --> 00:00:35,539 Only be thou strong and very courageous that thou mayest observe 2 00:00:35,539 --> 00:00:38,539 to do according to all the law which Moses my servant, commanded 3 00:00:38,539 --> 00:00:38,899 thee. 4 00:00:39,299 --> 00:00:43,499 Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest 5 00:00:43,499 --> 00:00:45,859 prosper, whithersoever thou goest. 6 00:00:46,739 --> 00:00:50,859 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou 7 00:00:50,859 --> 00:00:54,819 shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to 8 00:00:54,819 --> 00:00:57,059 do according to all that is written therein. 9 00:00:57,819 --> 00:01:00,979 For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt 10 00:01:00,979 --> 00:01:01,739 have good success. 11 00:01:02,859 --> 00:01:04,379 Have not I commanded thee? 12 00:01:04,379 --> 00:01:06,219 Be strong and of a good courage. 13 00:01:06,859 --> 00:01:10,379 Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is 14 00:01:10,379 --> 00:01:12,299 with thee, whithersoever thou goest. 15 00:01:13,259 --> 00:01:16,899 Then Joshua commanded the office of the people, saying, pass 16 00:01:16,899 --> 00:01:22,139 through the host and command the people saying, prepare you victuals, 17 00:01:22,949 --> 00:01:26,589 for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan to go in to 18 00:01:26,589 --> 00:01:30,589 possess the land which the Lord your God giveth you to possess. 19 00:01:30,589 --> 00:01:32,149 If you would go me to verse number 16. 20 00:01:33,189 --> 00:01:37,629 And they answered Joshua saying, all that thou commandest 21 00:01:37,629 --> 00:01:38,789 us, we will do. 22 00:01:39,749 --> 00:01:42,389 And whithersoever thou send us, we will go. 23 00:01:43,349 --> 00:01:46,989 According, as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will 24 00:01:46,989 --> 00:01:48,069 we hearken to thee. 25 00:01:48,959 --> 00:01:51,999 Only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. 26 00:01:52,719 --> 00:01:56,519 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment and 27 00:01:56,519 --> 00:01:59,279 will not hearken unto thy words, and all that thou commandest 28 00:01:59,279 --> 00:02:01,039 him, he shall be put to death. 29 00:02:01,919 --> 00:02:04,159 Only be strong and of a good courage. 30 00:02:04,959 --> 00:02:07,519 God records for us his dealings with the children of Israel. 31 00:02:07,919 --> 00:02:10,479 We understand that these people were described for us. 32 00:02:10,479 --> 00:02:13,679 And they weren't described as wonderful saints who were encouragers, 33 00:02:14,199 --> 00:02:14,959 the children of Israel. 34 00:02:14,959 --> 00:02:18,039 If you go back, they were people that were in slavery in Egypt. 35 00:02:18,359 --> 00:02:20,839 They were people that God let out with a strong hand from under 36 00:02:20,839 --> 00:02:22,199 Pharaoh's control. 37 00:02:22,839 --> 00:02:24,759 And they go out in the wilderness and what's the first thing 38 00:02:24,759 --> 00:02:25,439 they begin to do? 39 00:02:25,439 --> 00:02:27,479 We know them to be complainers. 40 00:02:28,039 --> 00:02:30,399 God calls them stiff necked and rebellious. 41 00:02:30,399 --> 00:02:32,799 These are the children of Israel that Joshua had just been 42 00:02:32,799 --> 00:02:34,519 commanded that he's going to lead. 43 00:02:35,319 --> 00:02:38,879 The nation of Israel is facing great blessing, knowing that God 44 00:02:38,879 --> 00:02:40,599 had promised them the promised land. 45 00:02:41,348 --> 00:02:44,228 But for 40 years they have not entered the promised land. 46 00:02:44,948 --> 00:02:48,028 Moses goes up to Mount Nebo and if you've ever had a chance to 47 00:02:48,028 --> 00:02:49,908 go there or see the pictures, you can understand. 48 00:02:49,988 --> 00:02:54,708 Moses saw the possessions that will one day be Israel's. 49 00:02:54,708 --> 00:02:57,788 But Moses didn't get a chance to go and possess the land himself. 50 00:02:57,788 --> 00:03:02,868 And in Joshua chapter number one, God says to Joshua it's time 51 00:03:03,908 --> 00:03:07,519 to arise and move forward with the Lord's help. 52 00:03:07,519 --> 00:03:09,759 This morning, I want to speak to you on this subject. 53 00:03:10,479 --> 00:03:13,919 When moving forward is complicated, when moving forward 54 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:16,199 is complicated, let's pray together and ask the Lord to help 55 00:03:16,199 --> 00:03:16,359 us. 56 00:03:16,359 --> 00:03:16,799 May we? 57 00:03:17,439 --> 00:03:19,199 God, today I pray you'd help me. 58 00:03:20,159 --> 00:03:23,199 Lord, I today stand before you as a needy man. 59 00:03:24,479 --> 00:03:27,439 I am speaking to people whom you love dearly. 60 00:03:28,239 --> 00:03:30,479 Many people whom I love dearly. 61 00:03:31,199 --> 00:03:33,599 Lord, this church is your church. 62 00:03:35,079 --> 00:03:37,399 And this church, Lord, has been through difficult days. 63 00:03:38,759 --> 00:03:43,559 Lord, I beg you, Almighty God and Father, would you please somehow, 64 00:03:43,559 --> 00:03:47,799 someway, use your word in this preacher today to be an encouragement. 65 00:03:48,679 --> 00:03:52,039 I pray you'd help me to say things that would help this church 66 00:03:52,039 --> 00:03:54,839 as they seek to move forward for your honor and your glory. 67 00:03:55,559 --> 00:03:58,839 I pray, Lord, that you would keep the devil from getting any footholds. 68 00:03:59,159 --> 00:04:02,079 And I pray that you'd help me to say only those things that will 69 00:04:02,079 --> 00:04:03,959 be from you as a help to this church. 70 00:04:04,949 --> 00:04:05,709 Encourage me, I pray. 71 00:04:05,709 --> 00:04:07,989 Give me boldness and give me love and give me compassion. 72 00:04:08,469 --> 00:04:09,509 In Christ's name. 73 00:04:10,229 --> 00:04:10,869 Amen. 74 00:04:11,429 --> 00:04:15,629 As you look at the sermon slide, you'll see the idea that a 75 00:04:15,629 --> 00:04:20,069 man has climbed so far, and yet when he looks out on the horizon, 76 00:04:20,069 --> 00:04:22,069 he sees the climb's not over yet. 77 00:04:22,789 --> 00:04:25,349 He's not at the beginning of the mountain he's already climbed. 78 00:04:25,349 --> 00:04:26,509 The process has begun. 79 00:04:26,509 --> 00:04:29,629 But moving forward is going to be complicated. 80 00:04:29,629 --> 00:04:32,309 My wife and I have had the privilege to travel a little bit. 81 00:04:33,429 --> 00:04:35,069 We have had the privilege to go to California. 82 00:04:35,069 --> 00:04:37,429 One of my favorite places in all the world is a place called, 83 00:04:37,429 --> 00:04:39,189 you've probably heard of it, Yosemite. 84 00:04:40,069 --> 00:04:44,989 And I have never climbed Half Dome, but I sure want to climb Half 85 00:04:44,989 --> 00:04:45,509 Dome. 86 00:04:46,389 --> 00:04:47,909 How many all know what Half Dome is? 87 00:04:48,549 --> 00:04:51,829 How many of you all have ever had a Mac computer where the desktop 88 00:04:51,829 --> 00:04:53,709 shows this really beautiful floor of the rocks? 89 00:04:53,709 --> 00:04:54,469 Have you seen that? 90 00:04:54,709 --> 00:04:58,309 Half Dome is a far rock out in the very back right hand corner. 91 00:04:58,749 --> 00:04:59,349 And we've been there. 92 00:04:59,349 --> 00:05:01,949 And here's how I'll tell you, it's really wonderful starting out. 93 00:05:02,989 --> 00:05:06,069 But if you're going to do a hike to maybe like the top of a mountain 94 00:05:06,069 --> 00:05:10,269 or the top of a rock, it starts off slowly and eventually 95 00:05:10,269 --> 00:05:11,269 things go pretty well. 96 00:05:11,269 --> 00:05:12,869 But there comes a point where you say, you know what? 97 00:05:12,869 --> 00:05:15,589 If I'm going to keep on moving forward, it's going to take some 98 00:05:15,589 --> 00:05:18,989 time, some energy, be some cost. 99 00:05:19,949 --> 00:05:25,039 God has called Joshua to get off of his face and move forward 100 00:05:25,039 --> 00:05:26,999 and do what God has called them to do. 101 00:05:27,639 --> 00:05:29,639 If you could say anything about the children of Israel. 102 00:05:29,639 --> 00:05:30,359 You would say this. 103 00:05:30,359 --> 00:05:32,759 They were a people that were in a complicated situation. 104 00:05:33,479 --> 00:05:36,359 So this morning, with God's help, as I speak to you on this idea, 105 00:05:36,359 --> 00:05:38,319 I'm going to give you an outline sermon. 106 00:05:38,319 --> 00:05:39,799 And my outline has a number of points. 107 00:05:39,878 --> 00:05:43,799 Please don't be nervous, but as a preacher, my teenagers, they're 108 00:05:43,799 --> 00:05:47,079 not teenagers anymore, but they know I'm not a three point outline 109 00:05:47,079 --> 00:05:49,959 guy and I'm not a guy that has to make everything alliterate. 110 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:51,879 I'm just going to walk through the text with you. 111 00:05:51,879 --> 00:05:55,039 We're going to walk through chapters one, through chapter number 112 00:05:55,039 --> 00:05:56,439 four this morning, God willing. 113 00:05:56,599 --> 00:05:59,159 And if God allows, tonight we'll go into chapter number five 114 00:05:59,159 --> 00:06:02,639 and walk through what was, what was happening there in the life 115 00:06:02,639 --> 00:06:04,679 of the children of Israel this morning with God's help, number one, 116 00:06:04,679 --> 00:06:05,799 would you notice this with me? 117 00:06:06,119 --> 00:06:10,399 If we're going to move forward, we must move forward understanding 118 00:06:10,399 --> 00:06:11,079 God's heart. 119 00:06:11,959 --> 00:06:15,239 We must move forward understanding God's heart. 120 00:06:16,769 --> 00:06:19,089 I can't show this all to you in the text this morning. 121 00:06:19,889 --> 00:06:22,289 Those of you who are students of the scripture will understand 122 00:06:22,289 --> 00:06:22,809 much of this. 123 00:06:22,809 --> 00:06:24,129 But let me give you a little bit of background. 124 00:06:24,769 --> 00:06:26,969 The nation of Israel were not just any people. 125 00:06:26,969 --> 00:06:28,289 These were God's chosen people. 126 00:06:29,089 --> 00:06:32,529 Back in Genesis chapter 12, God says to a man named Abram, hey, 127 00:06:32,529 --> 00:06:35,129 get out from thy country, from thy kindred, and you go to a place 128 00:06:35,129 --> 00:06:35,969 that I'll show thee. 129 00:06:35,969 --> 00:06:38,689 And Moses, not Moses, Abram obeyed God. 130 00:06:39,169 --> 00:06:42,329 But Abram never got a chance to get all the way into the promised 131 00:06:42,329 --> 00:06:42,609 land. 132 00:06:42,609 --> 00:06:44,689 The way that we understand it's happening here in the book of 133 00:06:44,689 --> 00:06:45,169 Joshua. 134 00:06:46,039 --> 00:06:49,559 Then after Abraham, we have Isaac and Jacob and Joseph. 135 00:06:49,559 --> 00:06:53,919 And after Joseph dies, the children of Israel are brought to 136 00:06:53,919 --> 00:06:56,999 the nation of Egypt because of the famine of the land. 137 00:06:57,479 --> 00:06:58,759 And they're now forgotten. 138 00:06:58,759 --> 00:07:00,479 After Joseph's death, a new pharaoh arrives. 139 00:07:00,479 --> 00:07:03,559 And the Bible tells us these people were in bondage and slavery 140 00:07:03,959 --> 00:07:05,959 in Egypt for 400 years. 141 00:07:06,439 --> 00:07:08,519 God raised up a man named Moses. 142 00:07:09,639 --> 00:07:14,079 And Moses was raised up by God after 40 years in Egypt and 40 years 143 00:07:14,079 --> 00:07:15,239 in the backside of the desert. 144 00:07:15,239 --> 00:07:17,159 Now he's 40 years leading the children of Israel. 145 00:07:17,299 --> 00:07:18,579 And here's basically what happens. 146 00:07:18,739 --> 00:07:19,779 They wander around. 147 00:07:19,779 --> 00:07:22,339 If you don't mind, could we put that slide up on the screen? 148 00:07:22,499 --> 00:07:24,819 I want to try to help you understand a little bit of what's 149 00:07:24,819 --> 00:07:25,539 happening here. 150 00:07:26,019 --> 00:07:28,499 You'll see on this image here the red line. 151 00:07:28,979 --> 00:07:31,939 If you were going from the land of Goshen just over to the very 152 00:07:31,939 --> 00:07:32,739 top of the map. 153 00:07:32,739 --> 00:07:36,339 North of Hebron, here, Mount Nebo, there's a pretty straight shot. 154 00:07:36,899 --> 00:07:39,819 But if you'll see the red dots, that's where the children of 155 00:07:39,819 --> 00:07:40,659 Israel were led. 156 00:07:40,659 --> 00:07:41,659 Why were they led there? 157 00:07:41,659 --> 00:07:44,609 Well, again, I can't develop it all, but they were led there because 158 00:07:44,609 --> 00:07:45,729 of their disbelief. 159 00:07:46,609 --> 00:07:49,809 And the children of Israel, although they had disbelieved God 160 00:07:49,809 --> 00:07:52,769 and they wouldn't trust his word, and they wandered for 40 years. 161 00:07:52,929 --> 00:07:53,889 I want you to know something. 162 00:07:54,289 --> 00:07:56,529 God still loved his people. 163 00:07:57,249 --> 00:08:00,449 And God had a plan for his people, the nation of Israel. 164 00:08:00,689 --> 00:08:03,009 I outline my notes using letter A. 165 00:08:03,009 --> 00:08:05,409 So I know some people like to know that the way they can keep their 166 00:08:05,409 --> 00:08:05,649 notes. 167 00:08:05,649 --> 00:08:06,929 Letter A in my notes says this. 168 00:08:07,729 --> 00:08:11,819 God loves and desires his best for his people. 169 00:08:12,939 --> 00:08:15,979 God loves and desires his best for his people. 170 00:08:16,139 --> 00:08:19,019 We're not just talking about some abstract being. 171 00:08:19,739 --> 00:08:24,539 The God of the universe cares about you. 172 00:08:25,739 --> 00:08:29,859 The God of the universe cares about Heritage Baptist Church. 173 00:08:29,859 --> 00:08:32,659 I have the privilege of pastor a place called Victory Baptist Church. 174 00:08:32,659 --> 00:08:34,659 God cares about the church where I pastor. 175 00:08:34,659 --> 00:08:35,819 God cares about his people. 176 00:08:36,729 --> 00:08:39,929 God did not leave the nation of Israel destitute. 177 00:08:40,009 --> 00:08:41,409 Moses was a great man of God. 178 00:08:41,409 --> 00:08:43,769 If you go to the next slide, we'll kind of walk through this just 179 00:08:43,769 --> 00:08:44,329 a little bit. 180 00:08:44,729 --> 00:08:49,009 And you'll see here that God has now led the children of Israel 181 00:08:49,009 --> 00:08:51,129 over to a place called Shittim. 182 00:08:51,689 --> 00:08:54,329 And we're going to find out that God says to. 183 00:08:55,049 --> 00:08:58,889 God says to Joshua, hey, it's time to get up and rise. 184 00:08:59,449 --> 00:09:02,689 And they're about to go over to a place called Gilgal, then to 185 00:09:02,689 --> 00:09:03,209 AI. 186 00:09:03,209 --> 00:09:04,209 I'm sorry, Gilgal. 187 00:09:04,209 --> 00:09:06,089 And then Jericho and then a place called AI. 188 00:09:06,439 --> 00:09:09,639 If you know the book of Joshua, and I know you, do you understand 189 00:09:09,639 --> 00:09:09,919 that? 190 00:09:09,919 --> 00:09:12,199 That all sounds wonderful, but here's the catch. 191 00:09:12,759 --> 00:09:14,759 Someone needed to lead God's people. 192 00:09:15,639 --> 00:09:18,319 And in Joshua, chapter number one, if they're going to move forward, 193 00:09:18,319 --> 00:09:21,839 we must understand that God loves and desires his best for his 194 00:09:21,839 --> 00:09:22,119 people. 195 00:09:22,759 --> 00:09:24,439 Secondly, though letter B, notice this. 196 00:09:24,919 --> 00:09:29,879 God would keep his promises to his people concerning their land. 197 00:09:30,839 --> 00:09:34,199 God would keep his promises to his people concerning the land. 198 00:09:34,909 --> 00:09:37,389 Because we understand that God loves His people. 199 00:09:37,469 --> 00:09:41,469 God had made them promises, and God's promises, He would keep 200 00:09:41,469 --> 00:09:41,669 them. 201 00:09:41,669 --> 00:09:44,709 If you follow the book of Joshua into the book of Judges, you 202 00:09:44,709 --> 00:09:47,589 realize that God's people did go in and the word really is used, 203 00:09:47,589 --> 00:09:48,589 the word appropriate. 204 00:09:49,389 --> 00:09:53,469 It wasn't that the land wasn't theirs, it was theirs to go and possess. 205 00:09:54,029 --> 00:09:55,629 And so God loves His people. 206 00:09:56,269 --> 00:09:57,669 He will keep his promises. 207 00:09:57,669 --> 00:09:58,669 Let her see, though. 208 00:09:59,549 --> 00:10:00,269 Notice this. 209 00:10:01,049 --> 00:10:04,409 God desires for his name to be glorified. 210 00:10:05,369 --> 00:10:07,249 God desires for his name to Be glorified. 211 00:10:07,249 --> 00:10:08,889 And I think the framework here is so important. 212 00:10:09,049 --> 00:10:11,129 So we understand that God. 213 00:10:11,449 --> 00:10:14,169 If we're gonna move forward, we must understand the heart of God. 214 00:10:14,489 --> 00:10:16,409 And the heart of God is he loves his people. 215 00:10:17,209 --> 00:10:18,489 He keeps his promises. 216 00:10:19,049 --> 00:10:22,889 And more than anything, he is not interested in our comfort. 217 00:10:23,369 --> 00:10:25,449 He's not interested in our plans. 218 00:10:25,449 --> 00:10:27,999 He's interested in his glory. 219 00:10:28,959 --> 00:10:30,359 There's some verse I want to read to you. 220 00:10:30,359 --> 00:10:32,319 Exodus, chapter 34, verse 14. 221 00:10:32,319 --> 00:10:34,559 God says, for thou shalt worship no other God. 222 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,999 For the Lord whose name is jealous, is a jealous God. 223 00:10:38,479 --> 00:10:40,239 Isaiah, chapter 42, verse 8. 224 00:10:40,239 --> 00:10:41,119 I am the Lord. 225 00:10:41,359 --> 00:10:42,519 That is my name. 226 00:10:42,519 --> 00:10:45,199 And my glory will I not give to another. 227 00:10:46,159 --> 00:10:47,759 Isaiah, chapter 48, verse 11. 228 00:10:47,759 --> 00:10:48,719 For mine own sake. 229 00:10:48,719 --> 00:10:50,719 Even for my own sake will I do it. 230 00:10:51,119 --> 00:10:53,679 For how should my name be polluted? 231 00:10:54,379 --> 00:10:56,939 And I will not give my glory to another. 232 00:10:57,499 --> 00:10:58,499 Psalm, chapter 23. 233 00:10:58,499 --> 00:10:59,659 The Lord is my shepherd. 234 00:11:00,299 --> 00:11:01,339 I shall not want. 235 00:11:01,979 --> 00:11:05,379 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. 236 00:11:05,379 --> 00:11:07,579 He leadeth me beside the still waters. 237 00:11:07,579 --> 00:11:09,938 He restoreth my soul. 238 00:11:09,938 --> 00:11:11,499 Aren't we thankful that we have a good shepherd? 239 00:11:11,739 --> 00:11:13,179 But listen, next part of the verse. 240 00:11:13,499 --> 00:11:18,539 He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for my name's sake. 241 00:11:18,619 --> 00:11:19,659 Does the Bible say that? 242 00:11:20,489 --> 00:11:21,929 Can I remind you what God's Word says? 243 00:11:22,249 --> 00:11:27,209 He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for one reason. 244 00:11:27,769 --> 00:11:30,089 For his name's sake. 245 00:11:30,089 --> 00:11:34,129 Can I remind you that God has a plan and God has a purpose. 246 00:11:34,129 --> 00:11:37,809 And if we're going to move forward, we have to understand God's 247 00:11:37,809 --> 00:11:38,009 heart. 248 00:11:38,009 --> 00:11:38,809 Number two, this morning. 249 00:11:39,209 --> 00:11:41,929 If we're going to move forward, we must move forward following 250 00:11:41,929 --> 00:11:42,809 God's method. 251 00:11:43,449 --> 00:11:46,329 If we're going to move forward in our lives, we must move forward 252 00:11:46,409 --> 00:11:47,769 following God's method. 253 00:11:48,539 --> 00:11:51,659 Joshua, chapter number two begins with the phrase, that seems 254 00:11:52,539 --> 00:11:53,419 so heartless. 255 00:11:53,419 --> 00:11:56,219 If you don't understand what God's saying, look at Joshua, chapter 256 00:11:56,219 --> 00:11:56,819 1, verse 2. 257 00:11:56,819 --> 00:11:59,659 Moses, my servant is dead. 258 00:12:00,299 --> 00:12:02,859 If you read that, it just seems so calloused. 259 00:12:03,499 --> 00:12:05,979 But let me remind you, Moses didn't die. 260 00:12:05,979 --> 00:12:07,579 And the children of Israel just keep on going. 261 00:12:07,659 --> 00:12:08,699 Moses died. 262 00:12:08,939 --> 00:12:11,579 And when Moses died, there was a period of mourning. 263 00:12:11,979 --> 00:12:14,859 There was a time when the people who loved Moses, he was their 264 00:12:14,859 --> 00:12:15,139 leader. 265 00:12:15,139 --> 00:12:16,509 There was a time that there was God. 266 00:12:16,739 --> 00:12:17,539 Great heartache. 267 00:12:17,619 --> 00:12:19,339 I'm not going to read this to you, but if you want to put in your 268 00:12:19,339 --> 00:12:19,619 notes. 269 00:12:19,619 --> 00:12:22,459 Numbers, chapter 27, verses 12. 270 00:12:22,459 --> 00:12:26,739 Through verse number 23, God and Moses have a conversation. 271 00:12:27,059 --> 00:12:29,059 And Moses says, hey, I understand. 272 00:12:29,219 --> 00:12:29,899 I've sinned. 273 00:12:29,899 --> 00:12:30,939 I cannot move forward. 274 00:12:30,939 --> 00:12:31,859 The promised land. 275 00:12:32,019 --> 00:12:34,499 So, God, you've got to raise Up a leader. 276 00:12:35,219 --> 00:12:36,899 And guess what God told Moses. 277 00:12:36,979 --> 00:12:37,699 Guess what? 278 00:12:38,019 --> 00:12:39,499 Moses did not pick the leader. 279 00:12:39,499 --> 00:12:40,419 Guess who picked the leader? 280 00:12:41,139 --> 00:12:41,859 God did. 281 00:12:42,909 --> 00:12:43,669 And I love this. 282 00:12:43,669 --> 00:12:48,669 Over in the book of Joshua, God says, moses, my servant is dead 283 00:12:49,469 --> 00:12:52,749 now, therefore arise. 284 00:12:53,709 --> 00:12:58,709 Joshua has been the attendant, the minister, the man who has served 285 00:12:58,709 --> 00:13:02,309 with God and with Moses for these many years. 286 00:13:02,309 --> 00:13:03,109 He was one of. 287 00:13:03,109 --> 00:13:04,989 Brother Weatherby and I talked about this just this morning. 288 00:13:05,069 --> 00:13:06,509 He was one of the 12 spies. 289 00:13:06,909 --> 00:13:08,989 Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report. 290 00:13:08,989 --> 00:13:12,159 Remember the song 10 were bad and 2 were good, right? 291 00:13:12,159 --> 00:13:14,679 Joshua and Caleb, these mighty men of God. 292 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:18,999 And Joshua now says, you're the man who's going to move forward 293 00:13:18,999 --> 00:13:19,999 for God's glory. 294 00:13:20,959 --> 00:13:23,919 No one is irreplaceable. 295 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:25,759 I pastor church. 296 00:13:26,479 --> 00:13:29,559 And if I were to go to my church today and say, hey, you know 297 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:32,439 what I just decided I'm not going to be a pastor anymore and 298 00:13:32,439 --> 00:13:35,759 I'm going to move across the country and I'm going to go do something 299 00:13:35,759 --> 00:13:37,759 else, my church would struggle with that. 300 00:13:38,709 --> 00:13:40,509 I've only been there for six and a half years. 301 00:13:40,509 --> 00:13:45,069 But the pastor is an important position because the pastor is God's 302 00:13:45,069 --> 00:13:45,709 under shepherd. 303 00:13:45,709 --> 00:13:47,669 The pastor's not important because the pastor's important. 304 00:13:47,829 --> 00:13:48,709 The pastor's important. 305 00:13:48,709 --> 00:13:51,549 Brother Wetherby and I understand this is because God calls 306 00:13:51,549 --> 00:13:52,789 a man to lead his church. 307 00:13:52,789 --> 00:13:55,749 And we as Baptists believe very strongly. 308 00:13:56,069 --> 00:13:57,989 And there are two church offices. 309 00:13:58,629 --> 00:14:02,629 There are pastors, and the Bible uses the word elders, bishops, 310 00:14:02,709 --> 00:14:03,469 overseers. 311 00:14:03,469 --> 00:14:06,069 There's these men called pastors and there's deacons. 312 00:14:06,919 --> 00:14:08,839 And God calls people to lead. 313 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:10,999 And God has a method. 314 00:14:11,639 --> 00:14:16,599 God ordains leadership in every local church in order that 315 00:14:16,599 --> 00:14:18,479 they may have an under shepherd. 316 00:14:18,479 --> 00:14:21,399 But let me tell you what I've learned pastoring these six and a 317 00:14:21,399 --> 00:14:21,879 half years. 318 00:14:22,839 --> 00:14:24,759 I am not the shepherd. 319 00:14:25,559 --> 00:14:27,159 I am the under shepherd. 320 00:14:28,119 --> 00:14:31,799 And every time that I've ever began to think I'm the shepherd, 321 00:14:32,409 --> 00:14:35,369 God has just quickly and quietly lovingly said to me, jesse, 322 00:14:36,489 --> 00:14:38,529 you're just my under shepherd. 323 00:14:38,529 --> 00:14:41,449 Because God will remind me often, I'm replaceable. 324 00:14:41,849 --> 00:14:43,169 And all of us are replaceable. 325 00:14:43,169 --> 00:14:46,089 Moses was the meekest man, the great prophet. 326 00:14:46,089 --> 00:14:50,169 And God says, hey, Joshua, Moses is dead. 327 00:14:50,649 --> 00:14:54,409 And then he says these words now, therefore, what right. 328 00:14:54,409 --> 00:14:58,999 It's time, Joshua, to move forward. 329 00:14:59,079 --> 00:15:02,279 But guess what, Joshua, it's going to be complicated. 330 00:15:02,839 --> 00:15:04,719 And so we understand God's heart. 331 00:15:04,719 --> 00:15:06,759 We want to understand God has a method. 332 00:15:06,759 --> 00:15:07,719 Number three this morning. 333 00:15:08,199 --> 00:15:12,039 We must move forward obeying God's mandate. 334 00:15:12,759 --> 00:15:16,199 We must move forward obeying God's mandate. 335 00:15:16,679 --> 00:15:20,439 I love God's word, especially when I first started preaching. 336 00:15:20,679 --> 00:15:23,279 I go back, and those of you who are teenagers and we are here, 337 00:15:23,279 --> 00:15:25,729 my wife and I, I apologize you had to listen to me preach. 338 00:15:26,449 --> 00:15:29,289 I go back and listen to my messages, and I'm like, did I actually 339 00:15:29,289 --> 00:15:30,289 have that outline? 340 00:15:30,689 --> 00:15:33,209 I'll listen to a message and I'll say, man, I thought that message 341 00:15:33,209 --> 00:15:33,569 was so good. 342 00:15:33,569 --> 00:15:37,409 And I go look at my notes and I'm like, man, not. 343 00:15:37,489 --> 00:15:39,969 I'm saying, I'm a better preacher now, but I have learned 344 00:15:39,969 --> 00:15:44,649 to fully and wholly let the scriptures teach, instead of me trying 345 00:15:44,649 --> 00:15:46,209 to make the scriptures say what I want. 346 00:15:46,929 --> 00:15:50,049 And when you go through Joshua chapter one, I'm just walking through. 347 00:15:50,049 --> 00:15:51,089 So you say, I don't agree with. 348 00:15:51,089 --> 00:15:53,819 The pastor said, feel free to not agree with what I say. 349 00:15:54,059 --> 00:15:57,019 But if you disagree with God says, that's your problem, not mine. 350 00:15:57,659 --> 00:15:59,899 So God says, hey, here's a mandate, Joshua. 351 00:15:59,899 --> 00:16:02,179 Look what the Bible says in verse number beginning here. 352 00:16:02,179 --> 00:16:08,419 In verse number, verse number six, God says, be strong and of good 353 00:16:08,419 --> 00:16:12,539 courage, for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance 354 00:16:12,539 --> 00:16:15,019 the land which I swear unto their fathers to give them. 355 00:16:15,339 --> 00:16:16,059 Verse 7. 356 00:16:16,059 --> 00:16:20,219 Only be thou strong and very courageous that thou mayest observe 357 00:16:20,219 --> 00:16:24,339 to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded 358 00:16:24,339 --> 00:16:24,699 thee. 359 00:16:25,259 --> 00:16:29,019 Turn not from the right hand nor to the left, that thou mayest 360 00:16:29,019 --> 00:16:30,779 prosper whithersoever thou goest. 361 00:16:31,099 --> 00:16:32,339 What did God say? 362 00:16:32,339 --> 00:16:36,419 Well, if we're going to move forward obeying God's mandate, letter 363 00:16:36,419 --> 00:16:39,179 A, we must know God's word. 364 00:16:40,139 --> 00:16:44,139 You cannot move forward, not turn the right hand to the left unless 365 00:16:44,139 --> 00:16:45,039 you know we're straight. 366 00:16:45,189 --> 00:16:50,189 Trait is you cannot say, well, I'm going to follow God and let God 367 00:16:50,189 --> 00:16:50,629 lead me. 368 00:16:50,629 --> 00:16:52,229 Unless you know what God leads. 369 00:16:52,229 --> 00:16:56,029 And here's what I would be very careful to tell you, that no 370 00:16:56,029 --> 00:17:00,269 man, no preacher can say, I have a word from God that God hasn't 371 00:17:00,269 --> 00:17:01,349 already given us. 372 00:17:02,469 --> 00:17:05,269 If I were to come here to say to you, most of you all know brother 373 00:17:05,269 --> 00:17:05,989 Wiggins, right? 374 00:17:06,469 --> 00:17:09,589 I joked with brother Wiggins and said, brother Wiggins will hate 375 00:17:09,589 --> 00:17:10,269 me for doing this. 376 00:17:10,269 --> 00:17:12,869 But I joked, Brother Wiggins said, wouldn't it be funny if I said 377 00:17:13,329 --> 00:17:17,129 God spoke to me and told me that your next pasture should be 378 00:17:17,129 --> 00:17:17,409 my. 379 00:17:17,409 --> 00:17:19,009 And brother Wiggins says, jesse, don't do that. 380 00:17:19,009 --> 00:17:20,449 Well, now he can say, I did it right. 381 00:17:20,849 --> 00:17:22,649 God didn't speak to me and tell me anything. 382 00:17:22,649 --> 00:17:24,849 You understand that I don't know what God has. 383 00:17:24,929 --> 00:17:26,009 I can't tell you. 384 00:17:26,009 --> 00:17:27,969 I can't tell you what God's will is for you. 385 00:17:28,129 --> 00:17:28,729 I don't know. 386 00:17:28,729 --> 00:17:32,369 But I do know that God's Word clearly tells us what he wants. 387 00:17:32,849 --> 00:17:34,049 What does God want from us? 388 00:17:34,049 --> 00:17:36,689 He wants you to personally know God's Word. 389 00:17:37,329 --> 00:17:42,139 If we're going to be people who follow and love God, then we 390 00:17:42,139 --> 00:17:43,379 have to know God's Word. 391 00:17:43,379 --> 00:17:48,059 And God reveals us to Himself through conscience and through creation. 392 00:17:48,059 --> 00:17:50,859 Yes, but do you know that God speaks to us through His Word? 393 00:17:51,339 --> 00:17:52,539 And here's what I love. 394 00:17:53,339 --> 00:17:56,939 God's will never violates God's Word. 395 00:17:58,139 --> 00:18:00,739 If someone tells you to do something that doesn't line up with 396 00:18:00,739 --> 00:18:05,389 God's Word, you can quickly say, false lie. 397 00:18:05,389 --> 00:18:06,309 It's not true. 398 00:18:07,269 --> 00:18:08,309 But you know the problem. 399 00:18:09,189 --> 00:18:13,469 So many Christians say they love God but spend no time in His 400 00:18:13,469 --> 00:18:13,709 Word. 401 00:18:13,709 --> 00:18:15,269 And we don't know God's Word. 402 00:18:15,669 --> 00:18:18,909 And we fall susceptible to every prey and every kind of wind 403 00:18:18,909 --> 00:18:22,389 because we don't know God talks about we should be anchored, 404 00:18:22,389 --> 00:18:25,469 settled, that we should not be tossed Ephesians to and fro with 405 00:18:25,469 --> 00:18:29,389 every wind of doctrine by the cunning sleight of men whereby they 406 00:18:29,389 --> 00:18:30,109 will lie in wait. 407 00:18:30,109 --> 00:18:30,629 To do what? 408 00:18:30,629 --> 00:18:34,199 To deceive, we must know God's Word. 409 00:18:34,759 --> 00:18:36,839 God's will never violates God's Word. 410 00:18:36,839 --> 00:18:39,559 If I could leave you with that thought, that's something God has 411 00:18:39,559 --> 00:18:44,479 used in my life to always make sure whatever advice I have lines 412 00:18:44,479 --> 00:18:45,799 up with God's Word. 413 00:18:46,599 --> 00:18:47,159 Letter B. 414 00:18:47,159 --> 00:18:47,719 Notice this. 415 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:51,239 You had better obey God's Word fully. 416 00:18:52,199 --> 00:18:55,359 God's mandate not just to know His Word, but not knowing His Word 417 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:55,959 is one thing. 418 00:18:56,519 --> 00:18:59,639 Obeying His Word is where the priority should be. 419 00:19:00,189 --> 00:19:03,269 God says to Joshua in verse number seven only be thou strong 420 00:19:03,269 --> 00:19:08,669 and very courageous that thou mayest observe to what do. 421 00:19:09,709 --> 00:19:13,189 Do you know how many people in this world can tell you all the verses 422 00:19:13,189 --> 00:19:15,789 of Scripture to back up how they should do things? 423 00:19:16,189 --> 00:19:17,269 And the thing is this. 424 00:19:17,269 --> 00:19:18,989 It's not about what you know. 425 00:19:19,869 --> 00:19:21,309 It's about who you know. 426 00:19:21,389 --> 00:19:25,549 And it's about if you'll obey what God actually says in His Word. 427 00:19:26,639 --> 00:19:27,679 James tells us this. 428 00:19:28,559 --> 00:19:31,519 Whoso looketh in the perfect law of liberty and continueth not 429 00:19:31,839 --> 00:19:32,399 therein. 430 00:19:32,399 --> 00:19:36,959 He being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this 431 00:19:36,959 --> 00:19:38,519 man shall be blessed in his deed. 432 00:19:38,519 --> 00:19:41,678 How often do we look into God's Word And God says, you know 433 00:19:41,678 --> 00:19:41,959 what? 434 00:19:41,959 --> 00:19:43,439 This needs to change in our lives. 435 00:19:44,639 --> 00:19:48,759 As James said, we cannot walk away and forget what we just got 436 00:19:48,759 --> 00:19:49,359 done hearing. 437 00:19:49,839 --> 00:19:53,239 May God help us to be people who obey God's Word fully. 438 00:19:53,239 --> 00:19:54,239 Look at verse number eight. 439 00:19:54,589 --> 00:19:57,709 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth. 440 00:19:58,269 --> 00:20:01,109 But thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou 441 00:20:01,109 --> 00:20:06,869 mayest hear it is observed to do according to all that is written 442 00:20:06,869 --> 00:20:07,389 therein. 443 00:20:07,949 --> 00:20:09,469 Now we want prosperity. 444 00:20:10,348 --> 00:20:11,229 We want success. 445 00:20:11,389 --> 00:20:15,109 Joshua wanted to be a great military leader for God. 446 00:20:15,109 --> 00:20:17,949 And can I tell you, Joshua was a man's man. 447 00:20:18,829 --> 00:20:20,429 Joshua was God's man. 448 00:20:20,429 --> 00:20:23,629 And Joshua was humanly used to go in and to possess the land and 449 00:20:23,629 --> 00:20:24,669 lead the children of Israel. 450 00:20:25,019 --> 00:20:26,259 But do you know what God says to them? 451 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:30,739 Hey, here's where your success lies, Joshua, you know my word and 452 00:20:30,739 --> 00:20:31,819 you obey my word. 453 00:20:31,819 --> 00:20:33,259 And you do my word. 454 00:20:34,459 --> 00:20:35,979 Church, can I encourage you today? 455 00:20:36,379 --> 00:20:39,819 May we be people who spend much time in God's word. 456 00:20:40,299 --> 00:20:43,859 May we know what God's word said, and may we determine we're 457 00:20:43,859 --> 00:20:47,059 going to fully follow after the God of his. 458 00:20:47,059 --> 00:20:49,419 Of his word thou mayest observe to do. 459 00:20:49,419 --> 00:20:50,299 Look at verse number nine. 460 00:20:50,379 --> 00:20:52,139 Have not I commanded thee. 461 00:20:52,839 --> 00:20:54,439 Be strong and of a good courage. 462 00:20:54,439 --> 00:20:56,879 Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. 463 00:20:56,879 --> 00:20:57,679 I love this. 464 00:20:57,679 --> 00:20:58,439 I love this. 465 00:20:58,439 --> 00:20:59,239 I love this. 466 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:05,319 For the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest. 467 00:21:06,519 --> 00:21:10,759 I want you to know that letter C. You had better be courageous. 468 00:21:11,559 --> 00:21:14,559 If you're going to know God's word and follow God's word, you better 469 00:21:14,559 --> 00:21:15,639 do it with courage. 470 00:21:16,679 --> 00:21:18,519 Been pastor now for six and a half years. 471 00:21:18,519 --> 00:21:19,719 It sounds weird to say that. 472 00:21:20,399 --> 00:21:21,399 It doesn't seem like that long. 473 00:21:21,399 --> 00:21:22,879 Other ways it sounds even longer. 474 00:21:23,679 --> 00:21:27,359 We have had wonderful blessings and we had seasons of hardship. 475 00:21:27,839 --> 00:21:31,039 And can I tell you that you cannot know if you've never pastor 476 00:21:31,039 --> 00:21:31,919 what a pastor goes through. 477 00:21:31,919 --> 00:21:33,799 You can't know Brother Weatherby. 478 00:21:33,799 --> 00:21:36,279 I've not asked him this, but I'd imagine he and Mrs. Wetherby 479 00:21:36,279 --> 00:21:36,639 would agree. 480 00:21:36,639 --> 00:21:39,879 But I was here as a youth pastor for eight years, and when 481 00:21:39,879 --> 00:21:42,639 I left, I thought pridefully, I'm ready for this. 482 00:21:43,439 --> 00:21:44,439 Like, I'm ready. 483 00:21:44,439 --> 00:21:45,359 I'm ready to pastor. 484 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:48,499 Brother Rens can know what I'm talking about, and Brother Cox knows 485 00:21:48,499 --> 00:21:48,939 what I'm talking about. 486 00:21:48,939 --> 00:21:50,339 Other men, I'm sure do as well. 487 00:21:50,579 --> 00:21:51,619 But you know what happens? 488 00:21:51,619 --> 00:21:53,779 I call this the other side of the desk. 489 00:21:54,659 --> 00:21:57,179 Because it's one thing to sit on the desk and walk in and be able 490 00:21:57,179 --> 00:21:58,259 to say, let me ask the pastor. 491 00:21:58,259 --> 00:21:59,499 Or I used to love this one. 492 00:21:59,499 --> 00:22:01,419 I wouldn't say, well, you have to ask the pastor. 493 00:22:01,419 --> 00:22:02,259 I don't know that one. 494 00:22:02,659 --> 00:22:05,299 There's no one to kick it up to except for to God. 495 00:22:06,019 --> 00:22:07,419 But here's what I'm trying to say to you. 496 00:22:07,419 --> 00:22:09,059 That does not make the pastor infallible. 497 00:22:09,059 --> 00:22:09,699 I'M not saying that. 498 00:22:09,699 --> 00:22:10,659 Here's what I'm saying to you. 499 00:22:10,739 --> 00:22:14,549 You had better pray for, for the people God put in your life who 500 00:22:14,549 --> 00:22:19,029 have pastoral responsibility because they have to walk with God 501 00:22:19,029 --> 00:22:21,749 and know God's word and they have to lead courageously. 502 00:22:21,749 --> 00:22:23,709 And God says, joshua, here's what I want you to do. 503 00:22:24,269 --> 00:22:25,669 Only be thou with me for. 504 00:22:25,669 --> 00:22:29,268 Only be thou courageous, for I am with thee wherever you go, whitherso 505 00:22:29,268 --> 00:22:29,869 thou goest. 506 00:22:31,149 --> 00:22:33,669 Well, continuing our texture number four this morning. 507 00:22:33,669 --> 00:22:34,429 Would you notice this? 508 00:22:34,669 --> 00:22:38,589 We must move forward when we don't fully understand. 509 00:22:40,539 --> 00:22:42,459 We must move forward when we don't fully understand. 510 00:22:42,619 --> 00:22:45,099 It's great to say, I know God's word, I'm going to follow God's 511 00:22:45,099 --> 00:22:45,259 will. 512 00:22:45,259 --> 00:22:45,979 But guess what? 513 00:22:45,979 --> 00:22:50,099 There comes a moment when Joshua has to actually get up and 514 00:22:50,099 --> 00:22:52,219 he has to actually walk forward. 515 00:22:52,379 --> 00:22:54,059 And not just Joshua, move forward. 516 00:22:54,139 --> 00:22:56,939 Joshua has to go lead a group of people who are struggling and 517 00:22:56,939 --> 00:22:57,339 hurting. 518 00:22:57,419 --> 00:22:59,779 And Joshua has to say, let's go, move forward. 519 00:22:59,779 --> 00:23:00,699 Verse number 10. 520 00:23:01,819 --> 00:23:04,419 Then Joshua commanded the office of the people, saying, pass 521 00:23:04,419 --> 00:23:08,559 through the host and command the people saying, prepare you victuals, 522 00:23:09,199 --> 00:23:13,439 for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan. 523 00:23:15,439 --> 00:23:18,599 Ye shall pass over this Jordan to go in to possess the land which 524 00:23:18,599 --> 00:23:20,639 the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. 525 00:23:20,879 --> 00:23:23,239 Now, would you put that image back up on the screen one more time 526 00:23:23,239 --> 00:23:25,119 there of there, the Jordan River. 527 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:26,639 I want to draw your attention here. 528 00:23:27,999 --> 00:23:31,559 They knew they were supposed to go over to Jericho, over that 529 00:23:31,559 --> 00:23:32,119 part of the nation. 530 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:33,439 Go back one slide, if you don't mind. 531 00:23:33,439 --> 00:23:36,199 Actually, I think one more slide there, brother Troy, if you'll 532 00:23:36,199 --> 00:23:38,519 go to the third slide, I think that's where we want to be. 533 00:23:38,519 --> 00:23:39,399 Okay, here we go. 534 00:23:39,399 --> 00:23:40,319 This is the route. 535 00:23:40,319 --> 00:23:42,239 If you look on the left hand side, the Exodus route. 536 00:23:42,239 --> 00:23:44,519 You go up by the Salt Sea, which is Mount Nebo. 537 00:23:44,919 --> 00:23:47,279 You come over this one right here and you see up there where the 538 00:23:47,279 --> 00:23:48,279 Sea of Galilee is. 539 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:49,999 They're going to come across right down here. 540 00:23:49,999 --> 00:23:53,319 I'm sorry, the salt sea in the bottom, the sea down here by Moab. 541 00:23:53,559 --> 00:23:56,959 If they're going to go across into the promised land, there's a 542 00:23:56,959 --> 00:23:57,639 major problem. 543 00:23:58,359 --> 00:23:59,159 There's an issue. 544 00:23:59,479 --> 00:24:01,399 And that issue is called the Jordan River. 545 00:24:03,519 --> 00:24:05,639 And God says, hey, Joshua, it's time to get up. 546 00:24:05,639 --> 00:24:08,239 And the first thing Joshua has to do is tell the people, hey, we're 547 00:24:08,239 --> 00:24:10,159 going to go cross a place that's not crossable. 548 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:14,199 Isn't it interesting when God tells us to do things that we can't 549 00:24:14,199 --> 00:24:16,799 fully grasp, we can't fully Understand? 550 00:24:16,959 --> 00:24:19,119 And we face a difficulty. 551 00:24:19,599 --> 00:24:21,679 What happens when we don't know what to do? 552 00:24:21,679 --> 00:24:24,399 Joshua says, hey, we're passing over this Jordan. 553 00:24:25,599 --> 00:24:28,719 There had to be, I think, a lot of opinions, don't you think? 554 00:24:29,499 --> 00:24:32,579 I'm sure the people all said, joshua, you've been our leader now 555 00:24:32,579 --> 00:24:33,339 for five minutes. 556 00:24:33,339 --> 00:24:35,019 Whatever you say, I'll do. 557 00:24:35,659 --> 00:24:36,939 Is that what you think happened? 558 00:24:37,819 --> 00:24:39,939 I don't know if it's an independent Baptist church, what 559 00:24:39,939 --> 00:24:42,859 they had there in the wilderness, but I'd say that if I 560 00:24:42,859 --> 00:24:45,899 know people, I'm sure there are lots of thoughts, lots of opinions, 561 00:24:45,899 --> 00:24:48,059 lots of ideas, like, Joshua, isn't there another way around? 562 00:24:48,059 --> 00:24:48,619 But guess what? 563 00:24:48,619 --> 00:24:52,699 God said, joshua, you need to move forward when you don't understand. 564 00:24:53,339 --> 00:24:57,329 Now let me go back and say, God's word never violates God's. 565 00:24:57,329 --> 00:24:58,929 God's will never violates God's word. 566 00:24:59,089 --> 00:25:01,489 But God clearly told Joshua, it's time to move forward. 567 00:25:01,969 --> 00:25:04,529 And what you don't understand, you still have to move forward. 568 00:25:04,529 --> 00:25:06,649 I love the Bible says this, trust in the Lord with all thine 569 00:25:06,649 --> 00:25:06,929 heart. 570 00:25:07,809 --> 00:25:09,209 Lean not to thine own understanding. 571 00:25:09,209 --> 00:25:11,449 In all thy ways, acknowledge him. 572 00:25:11,449 --> 00:25:12,289 And I love this. 573 00:25:12,369 --> 00:25:15,089 And he shall direct thy paths. 574 00:25:15,329 --> 00:25:17,889 What does God have for Heritage Baptist Church? 575 00:25:18,289 --> 00:25:19,089 I don't know. 576 00:25:20,299 --> 00:25:21,019 But I know this. 577 00:25:21,339 --> 00:25:24,699 There's a God in heaven who delights in leading and directing 578 00:25:24,699 --> 00:25:29,739 and sending us on the path as we direct our attention to him, acknowledge 579 00:25:29,739 --> 00:25:30,939 him, walk with him. 580 00:25:30,939 --> 00:25:34,819 And that's what God desires for you and me in our lives and also 581 00:25:34,819 --> 00:25:36,139 as corporately as a church. 582 00:25:37,019 --> 00:25:37,899 But guess what? 583 00:25:38,939 --> 00:25:40,059 Story doesn't stop there. 584 00:25:40,539 --> 00:25:42,219 Fifthly, this morning, would you notice this? 585 00:25:42,459 --> 00:25:44,859 We must move forward with unity. 586 00:25:46,309 --> 00:25:48,149 We must move forward with unity. 587 00:25:50,229 --> 00:25:52,109 I love that God's word just speaks for itself. 588 00:25:52,109 --> 00:25:53,349 Go back to the verse number 12. 589 00:25:54,549 --> 00:25:57,789 There's a little challenge here because not all the Israelites 590 00:25:57,789 --> 00:25:59,269 care about going to the promised land. 591 00:25:59,989 --> 00:26:02,549 Verse number 12, the Bible says, and to the Reubenites and to 592 00:26:02,549 --> 00:26:05,509 the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh spake Joshua saying, 593 00:26:05,669 --> 00:26:08,629 remember the word which Moses the servant Lord commanded you, saying, 594 00:26:08,949 --> 00:26:11,949 the Lord your God given you the rest and have given you this 595 00:26:11,949 --> 00:26:12,309 land. 596 00:26:12,309 --> 00:26:15,959 Your wives, your little one and your cattle shall remain in the 597 00:26:15,959 --> 00:26:18,759 land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan. 598 00:26:19,399 --> 00:26:24,359 But ye shall pass before your brethren, armed all the mighty men 599 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:29,159 of valor, and help them until the Lord have given your brethren 600 00:26:29,159 --> 00:26:33,519 rest as he have given you, and they also have possessed the land 601 00:26:33,519 --> 00:26:35,039 which the Lord your God giveth them. 602 00:26:35,039 --> 00:26:38,079 Then shall you return unto the land of your possessions and enjoy 603 00:26:38,079 --> 00:26:41,519 it, which Moses the Lord's servant gave you on this side, Jordan, 604 00:26:41,519 --> 00:26:42,789 toward the sun rising. 605 00:26:42,789 --> 00:26:43,669 What happened? 606 00:26:43,989 --> 00:26:46,709 Well, if you were to go back and read deuteronomy, chapter number 607 00:26:46,709 --> 00:26:50,309 three, verse 18 through 19, the Bible says the Reubenites, the 608 00:26:50,309 --> 00:26:52,509 Gadites, the half tribe Manasseh said, hey, can we have land 609 00:26:52,509 --> 00:26:52,989 over here? 610 00:26:52,989 --> 00:26:57,389 And God said, yes, but you have to go fight with your children, 611 00:26:57,389 --> 00:26:58,549 the other children of Israel. 612 00:26:59,109 --> 00:27:01,349 Now everything has moved forward. 613 00:27:01,429 --> 00:27:06,549 Years have passed, and there has to be a unified Israel. 614 00:27:07,439 --> 00:27:10,519 There cannot be the two and a half tribes over here having their 615 00:27:10,519 --> 00:27:13,359 own opinion and the 10 tribes, nine half tribes having their own 616 00:27:13,359 --> 00:27:13,839 opinion. 617 00:27:13,919 --> 00:27:16,639 God says, hey, if you're going to move forward, there's some complication. 618 00:27:16,719 --> 00:27:18,799 And the complication is not all the time. 619 00:27:18,799 --> 00:27:19,679 Does everybody agree? 620 00:27:20,239 --> 00:27:23,158 If I were to ask a question in my church and ask 10 people the same 621 00:27:23,158 --> 00:27:27,119 question, do you may have different answers I'd get if I asked? 622 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:28,479 We have three deacons in our church. 623 00:27:28,479 --> 00:27:29,279 I have staff members. 624 00:27:29,279 --> 00:27:31,799 If I sit in a staff meeting and say to my pastoral staff, what 625 00:27:31,799 --> 00:27:32,359 do you think? 626 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:33,519 I get different opinions. 627 00:27:34,649 --> 00:27:35,249 And guess what? 628 00:27:35,249 --> 00:27:35,969 That is life. 629 00:27:35,969 --> 00:27:38,769 If you husbands today pick out where you're going to go to lunch 630 00:27:38,769 --> 00:27:40,729 at, your wife may want to go somewhere different. 631 00:27:41,689 --> 00:27:44,489 One of the favorite things I do as a dad, I'm completely joking, 632 00:27:44,489 --> 00:27:46,689 is ask my family, where do you want to go for dinner? 633 00:27:46,689 --> 00:27:50,569 Because no one ever agrees unless we choose some nice place. 634 00:27:50,569 --> 00:27:52,609 If it's not a nice place, I don't want to go there. 635 00:27:52,609 --> 00:27:53,249 I want to go there. 636 00:27:53,249 --> 00:27:53,849 Guess what? 637 00:27:53,929 --> 00:27:55,689 We never fully always agree. 638 00:27:55,689 --> 00:28:01,479 But in the children of Israel and in God's local church, there 639 00:28:01,479 --> 00:28:02,639 has to be unity. 640 00:28:03,599 --> 00:28:06,719 There has to be a spirit of what does God want? 641 00:28:08,079 --> 00:28:10,999 And there has to be, and I would not say concessions. 642 00:28:10,999 --> 00:28:13,839 I want to be clear for what I say here, but there has to be a willingness 643 00:28:14,399 --> 00:28:17,319 that no one says, I will only do what I want. 644 00:28:17,319 --> 00:28:21,439 Because it's not about what any one person wants, it's about 645 00:28:21,439 --> 00:28:22,239 what God wants. 646 00:28:22,239 --> 00:28:23,559 And the question is always this. 647 00:28:23,559 --> 00:28:24,719 Not what do I want? 648 00:28:24,719 --> 00:28:26,019 But the question very simply, what? 649 00:28:26,249 --> 00:28:27,449 What does God want? 650 00:28:28,329 --> 00:28:31,729 And since God's will never violates God's word, as we spend 651 00:28:31,729 --> 00:28:32,809 time in God's word, guess what? 652 00:28:32,809 --> 00:28:33,289 God does. 653 00:28:33,609 --> 00:28:34,649 God brings unity. 654 00:28:35,529 --> 00:28:38,809 And I'm so thankful that the children of Israel, the Reubenites, 655 00:28:38,809 --> 00:28:41,329 the Gaddites, half tribe Manasseh said, hey, we're going with 656 00:28:41,329 --> 00:28:42,809 you, and we'll go to battle with you. 657 00:28:43,289 --> 00:28:44,569 Notice this number six. 658 00:28:45,529 --> 00:28:49,369 We must move forward when seemingly impossible. 659 00:28:50,489 --> 00:28:52,609 We must move forward when seemingly impossible. 660 00:28:52,609 --> 00:28:55,929 So you're telling me, preacher, that There is a new leader 661 00:28:56,699 --> 00:28:58,939 and there is people on the other side that are going to go after. 662 00:28:59,019 --> 00:29:00,739 And there is disunity. 663 00:29:00,739 --> 00:29:01,899 All those things are happening. 664 00:29:01,899 --> 00:29:03,259 And Josh is supposed to move forward. 665 00:29:03,899 --> 00:29:08,619 Yes, it's complicated, but he has to move forward. 666 00:29:10,139 --> 00:29:14,299 Sometimes after we see this, we go to Joshua chapter number three. 667 00:29:14,299 --> 00:29:16,139 Would you go there with me to Joshua chapter three? 668 00:29:18,379 --> 00:29:22,219 In Joshua, chapter number three, the Bible says in verse number 669 00:29:22,219 --> 00:29:22,539 one. 670 00:29:23,759 --> 00:29:28,239 And Joshua rose early in the morning and they removed from Shittim 671 00:29:28,959 --> 00:29:30,119 and came to Jordan. 672 00:29:30,119 --> 00:29:32,559 He and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they 673 00:29:32,559 --> 00:29:34,879 passed over, came to pass. 674 00:29:34,879 --> 00:29:38,439 After three days, the officers went through the host and they commanded 675 00:29:38,439 --> 00:29:42,439 the people, saying, when ye see the Ark of the Covenant of the 676 00:29:42,439 --> 00:29:45,519 Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites bearing it, 677 00:29:45,839 --> 00:29:48,799 then shall you remove from your place and go after it. 678 00:29:49,319 --> 00:29:52,839 That doesn't sound too bad, because they understand to follow 679 00:29:52,839 --> 00:29:54,359 God's lead in the Ark of the Covenant. 680 00:29:55,319 --> 00:29:58,079 But if you know the rest of the story, he didn't say, hey, just 681 00:29:58,079 --> 00:29:59,239 go stand behind the Ark. 682 00:29:59,239 --> 00:30:00,919 He says, the priests, the Levites. 683 00:30:00,919 --> 00:30:01,799 I need you to do something. 684 00:30:02,039 --> 00:30:02,639 Keep on going. 685 00:30:02,639 --> 00:30:04,599 Look down with me, if you would, in verse number 10. 686 00:30:05,799 --> 00:30:11,199 And Joshua said, hereby ye shall know that the living God is 687 00:30:11,199 --> 00:30:16,159 among you, that he will without fail drive out from before 688 00:30:16,159 --> 00:30:19,089 you the Canaanites and the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites 689 00:30:19,089 --> 00:30:21,409 and the Girgestites, the Amorites and the Jebusites. 690 00:30:21,409 --> 00:30:25,049 Behold the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord God of all the earth 691 00:30:25,049 --> 00:30:26,529 passes owed before you. 692 00:30:27,249 --> 00:30:30,089 Now therefore take you 12 men out of the tribes of Israel, out 693 00:30:30,089 --> 00:30:31,169 of every man, a tribe. 694 00:30:32,449 --> 00:30:36,769 And it shall come to pass as soon as the soles of the feet of 695 00:30:36,769 --> 00:30:38,289 the priests that bear the Ark of the Lord. 696 00:30:38,289 --> 00:30:41,249 The Lord of all the earth shall rest in the waters of Jordan, 697 00:30:41,489 --> 00:30:44,769 that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters 698 00:30:44,769 --> 00:30:45,889 that come down from above. 699 00:30:45,889 --> 00:30:47,969 And they shall stand upon an heap. 700 00:30:48,989 --> 00:30:52,309 Guess what God says, okay, if it's not most difficult, already 701 00:30:52,309 --> 00:30:53,749 the Jordan River's keeping you. 702 00:30:53,749 --> 00:30:54,669 We got to have unity. 703 00:30:54,669 --> 00:30:58,069 God says, by the way, priests, I want you to take the Ark of the 704 00:30:58,069 --> 00:31:01,749 Covenant, the prized possession, the thing that represented 705 00:31:01,749 --> 00:31:03,149 the very presence of God. 706 00:31:03,149 --> 00:31:05,229 And I want you to go stand in the water. 707 00:31:06,909 --> 00:31:08,429 Do you think people had opinions about that? 708 00:31:09,549 --> 00:31:11,629 Do you think that people thought, how is this going to help 709 00:31:11,629 --> 00:31:12,269 us get across? 710 00:31:12,269 --> 00:31:13,469 But here's what happened. 711 00:31:14,279 --> 00:31:19,799 They had to trust God when things seemed seemingly impossible. 712 00:31:19,799 --> 00:31:22,999 And I just want to encourage you in your personal life. 713 00:31:24,199 --> 00:31:29,319 God is a God who delights in taking Things that seem impossible 714 00:31:30,599 --> 00:31:32,759 and moving things forward for his glory. 715 00:31:33,879 --> 00:31:38,799 God is a God who delights in taking broken marriages and broken 716 00:31:38,799 --> 00:31:42,309 lives and putting them back together for his glory. 717 00:31:42,949 --> 00:31:46,589 God is a God who delights seeing people who want his will to 718 00:31:46,589 --> 00:31:48,669 be done and saying, you know what? 719 00:31:48,669 --> 00:31:49,709 I'm going to extend mercy. 720 00:31:49,709 --> 00:31:51,269 You think about the Book of Hosea. 721 00:31:52,149 --> 00:31:54,669 I believe it's chapter number three that God says, hey, here's 722 00:31:54,669 --> 00:31:55,189 what's going to happen. 723 00:31:55,189 --> 00:31:55,829 I'm going to do this. 724 00:31:55,829 --> 00:31:56,949 I'm going to do this because you rebelled. 725 00:31:56,949 --> 00:31:59,869 And then God says, but I'm going to give you in the Valley of 726 00:31:59,869 --> 00:32:02,229 Achor a door of hope. 727 00:32:05,909 --> 00:32:06,789 I love this place. 728 00:32:08,279 --> 00:32:11,399 You guys are going through some stuff, a lot of stuff. 729 00:32:12,439 --> 00:32:16,799 And I don't exactly know what Jordan river and how the Lord's going 730 00:32:16,799 --> 00:32:19,959 to lead you next, but I know this. 731 00:32:20,839 --> 00:32:23,999 The God of Heritage Baptist Church, the God of the Bible that 732 00:32:23,999 --> 00:32:28,039 we serve, that you serve, still delights in the impossible. 733 00:32:29,079 --> 00:32:32,599 And I know the God of the Bible delights in when his children 734 00:32:32,839 --> 00:32:36,899 come to him and say, I want to follow you and walk with you. 735 00:32:36,899 --> 00:32:41,019 That God can take the seemingly impossible and say, with 736 00:32:41,019 --> 00:32:42,179 me, all things are possible. 737 00:32:42,179 --> 00:32:43,899 You know, the Bible says all things are possible. 738 00:32:43,899 --> 00:32:46,979 It's said about a woman named Mary who's a virgin about to have 739 00:32:46,979 --> 00:32:50,499 a baby and says this, with God, nothing is impossible. 740 00:32:51,859 --> 00:32:55,419 I look forward to continue this message tonight because guess 741 00:32:55,419 --> 00:32:55,659 what? 742 00:32:55,659 --> 00:32:58,139 All that's happened so far is their feet are going to dip in the 743 00:32:58,139 --> 00:32:58,419 water. 744 00:32:58,419 --> 00:33:00,179 They're not across the Jordan river yet. 745 00:33:00,179 --> 00:33:01,899 They haven't even faced the first enemy. 746 00:33:01,899 --> 00:33:05,129 And by the way, before they face the first enemy, God says, time 747 00:33:05,129 --> 00:33:05,449 out. 748 00:33:05,449 --> 00:33:08,289 Before we go, all the men have to be circumcised. 749 00:33:09,169 --> 00:33:11,889 They're not out of the complicated process yet. 750 00:33:12,769 --> 00:33:15,289 But I'm going to stop here this morning with God's help, I want 751 00:33:15,289 --> 00:33:16,529 to encourage this church. 752 00:33:16,529 --> 00:33:18,129 I want to encourage you to come back tonight. 753 00:33:18,849 --> 00:33:21,049 But more than come back and listen to this preacher, because 754 00:33:21,049 --> 00:33:22,849 this preacher doesn't know anything. 755 00:33:24,049 --> 00:33:26,569 I want to encourage you to turn your attention to the God of 756 00:33:26,569 --> 00:33:27,409 all the universe. 757 00:33:28,369 --> 00:33:32,529 And I want to encourage you to ask God that God would help you to 758 00:33:32,529 --> 00:33:37,769 wholly follow him and that God would help this church to have unity. 759 00:33:38,489 --> 00:33:42,489 And that God would imagine God would lead this church to move forward, 760 00:33:42,649 --> 00:33:45,049 even though things seem complicated. 761 00:33:46,009 --> 00:33:48,089 Not so that people can say, look what we did. 762 00:33:49,289 --> 00:33:51,169 Not so that someone can say, isn't that awesome? 763 00:33:51,169 --> 00:33:54,929 So that the God of the universe can be glorified in and 764 00:33:54,929 --> 00:33:56,329 through Heritage Baptist Church. 765 00:33:56,889 --> 00:33:58,409 May God help us, Brother Weatherby. 766 00:34:12,979 --> 00:34:17,139 As you've heard many times, truth changes nothing until it is 767 00:34:17,139 --> 00:34:17,699 applied. 768 00:34:18,899 --> 00:34:21,339 And so right now, heads are bowed, eyes are closed. 769 00:34:21,339 --> 00:34:22,739 I want you to say, so what? 770 00:34:23,139 --> 00:34:24,819 What has this got to do with me? 771 00:34:26,349 --> 00:34:28,189 I want you to honestly ask that question. 772 00:34:29,869 --> 00:34:31,149 Are you ready to move forward? 773 00:34:34,589 --> 00:34:35,629 Are you ready? 774 00:34:36,669 --> 00:34:38,549 You say, well, it depends. 775 00:34:38,549 --> 00:34:40,669 No, it doesn't depend. 776 00:34:40,909 --> 00:34:43,789 It's a choice you make in your own heart and life. 777 00:34:44,589 --> 00:34:45,629 Lord, I'm ready. 778 00:34:47,069 --> 00:34:47,909 I want to help. 779 00:34:47,909 --> 00:34:48,989 I want to move forward. 780 00:34:50,029 --> 00:34:51,149 I don't want to hinder. 781 00:34:53,128 --> 00:34:57,448 I want to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem. 782 00:34:58,488 --> 00:35:01,008 And maybe God's touched in your heart and you say, well, Lord, 783 00:35:01,008 --> 00:35:03,208 I don't know what to do, but I do want to do something. 784 00:35:03,368 --> 00:35:07,207 Why don't you come and say, lord, just tell me, show me what 785 00:35:07,207 --> 00:35:08,168 you want me to do. 786 00:35:08,568 --> 00:35:09,528 Where do I start? 787 00:35:11,208 --> 00:35:16,088 Maybe in your life, maybe in your home, I don't know. 788 00:35:17,379 --> 00:35:23,299 But God cares about you and he puts you in this church for a reason. 789 00:35:24,819 --> 00:35:27,339 And we got enough people to hold the chairs down. 790 00:35:27,339 --> 00:35:32,259 But we need more people that say, I'm ready to move forward. 791 00:35:34,419 --> 00:35:36,739 I want to help unify. 792 00:35:38,259 --> 00:35:39,779 I want to see more unity. 793 00:35:41,699 --> 00:35:42,899 I want to move forward. 794 00:35:46,569 --> 00:35:48,089 The music's playing softly. 795 00:35:48,409 --> 00:35:50,369 Many have already come toward the altar. 796 00:35:50,369 --> 00:35:53,609 Maybe you'd like to come say, well, I don't know what to do. 797 00:35:53,609 --> 00:35:55,529 Well, tell God you don't know what to do. 798 00:35:55,689 --> 00:35:56,969 He'll tell you what to do. 799 00:36:00,489 --> 00:36:01,929 Well, I don't know what to pray. 800 00:36:02,409 --> 00:36:03,929 Yeah, I've been there many times. 801 00:36:03,929 --> 00:36:07,329 Lord, we know not what to pray for as we ought. 802 00:36:07,329 --> 00:36:12,509 But the Holy Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings 803 00:36:13,789 --> 00:36:15,229 that cannot be uttered. 804 00:36:16,749 --> 00:36:20,589 Are you groaning in your heart, in your spirit, for revival, 805 00:36:20,589 --> 00:36:26,189 for unity, for victory, for power, for souls to be saved, for 806 00:36:26,189 --> 00:36:29,229 families to be healed? 807 00:36:34,509 --> 00:36:37,469 I'm going to pray and we're going to sing a verse of invitation. 808 00:36:37,899 --> 00:36:40,659 And when we begin to sing, join these that have come. 809 00:36:40,659 --> 00:36:43,499 If there's not room, you can use these chairs. 810 00:36:43,499 --> 00:36:44,859 Or maybe you can't kneel. 811 00:36:45,339 --> 00:36:48,859 Maybe you'd like to just come and sit on one of these chairs and 812 00:36:48,939 --> 00:36:50,299 make that your altar. 813 00:36:52,459 --> 00:36:54,419 Heavenly Father, we need the every hour. 814 00:36:54,419 --> 00:36:56,539 But Lord, it seems that this is the hour. 815 00:36:57,819 --> 00:36:59,979 And Lord, we're not guaranteed the next hour. 816 00:36:59,979 --> 00:37:01,179 We only have this hour. 817 00:37:02,459 --> 00:37:06,099 And so, Lord, I pray that we might be all touchable. 818 00:37:06,099 --> 00:37:10,539 Help us not to draw back but to draw nigh. 819 00:37:13,259 --> 00:37:14,699 Lord, you know our hearts. 820 00:37:14,699 --> 00:37:15,579 You know my heart. 821 00:37:15,579 --> 00:37:19,339 Sometimes my own heart deceives me, but never your. 822 00:37:20,619 --> 00:37:24,819 Lord, give courage people that are maybe on the fence. 823 00:37:24,819 --> 00:37:25,739 They're not sure. 824 00:37:27,259 --> 00:37:32,569 I pray, Father, that yout would give them, Father, that assurance 825 00:37:32,569 --> 00:37:34,289 that they desperately need. 826 00:37:35,169 --> 00:37:37,689 And, Lord, if there's someone here today that's not even sure where 827 00:37:37,689 --> 00:37:41,009 they're gonna live after they die, they don't know for sure. 828 00:37:42,129 --> 00:37:44,729 Maybe they would come and say, I want to settle that today. 829 00:37:44,729 --> 00:37:48,048 I can't settle anything else till I settle that. 830 00:37:48,609 --> 00:37:50,649 Maybe you would like to join the church today. 831 00:37:50,649 --> 00:37:51,249 You're here. 832 00:37:51,809 --> 00:37:52,689 You're not a member. 833 00:37:53,809 --> 00:37:56,049 You'd like to be a part of this church family? 834 00:37:57,419 --> 00:37:59,339 Lord, I pray you would speak to every heart. 835 00:38:00,299 --> 00:38:01,979 In Jesus name, I pray. 836 00:38:02,619 --> 00:38:04,459 Heads are still bowed, eyes are closed.