Hunger Mountain Christian Assembly
An Uncommon Church for Common People
Be Strong and Courageous
Sermon Date:
Sun, 07/11/2010 (All day)
Joshua 1:1-9 (NLT)
After the death of Moses the LORD'S servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, 2"Now that my servant Moses is dead, you must lead my people across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you— 4from the Negev Desert in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River on the east to the Mediterranean Sea on the west, and all the land of the Hittites.' 5No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6"Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors. 7Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. 9I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
6"Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors. 7Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. 9I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Introduction: Moses is dead and his assistant Joshua is now being given his place of authority over the nation of Israel. God is telling Joshua that He will promise him what He promised Moses. Joshua has some very big shoes to fill but God tells him to be strong and courageous; that just as He was with Moses, so He will be with Joshua. I believe that God is telling us the same thing today because of the times that we are in. Last week my message to you was “What Do You See?” Now I believe that the Lord is telling us that we must be strong and courageous as we deal with the things that we see, so that His Kingdom is established and we put our lives and our world as we are able into proper plumb. Remember, that God’s plumbline is Jesus and the Word of God. So, my message this morning is “Be Strong and Courageous.”
What does strong mean?
1. Hebrew: Chazaq, kaw-zak, to seize, be strong, be constant, continue, be established, fortify, hold fast, maintain, become mighty, prevail, strengthen, take hold, withstand
2. Dictionary: Physically powerful; capable of exerting great physical force.
1. Hebrew: Chazaq, kaw-zak, to seize, be strong, be constant, continue, be established, fortify, hold fast, maintain, become mighty, prevail, strengthen, take hold, withstand
2. Dictionary: Physically powerful; capable of exerting great physical force.
- In good strong health
- Having force of character, will, morality, or intelligence
- Capable of the effective exercise of authority
- Not easily captured or defeated
- Having force of conviction or feeling; uncompromising
- Able to withstand attack; indomitable, tough
What does courageous mean?
1. Hebrew: Amats, aw- mats, to be alert physically or mentally, (of good courage, steadfastly minded, strong, stronger), prevail
2. Dictionary: The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes (unexpected changes), with self possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery
It means backbone, boldness, fearlessness.
1. Hebrew: Amats, aw- mats, to be alert physically or mentally, (of good courage, steadfastly minded, strong, stronger), prevail
2. Dictionary: The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes (unexpected changes), with self possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery
It means backbone, boldness, fearlessness.
What are we to be strong in?
1. Our faith. 1 Cor. 16:13 (NKJV)
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong
2. In grace. 2 Tim. 2:1 (NKJV)
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus
3. The Lord. Ephes. 6:10 (NKJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might
4. Marriage
5. Commitments
6. Character
7. Morality
8. Will
9. Authority
10. Convictions
1. Our faith. 1 Cor. 16:13 (NKJV)
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong
2. In grace. 2 Tim. 2:1 (NKJV)
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus
3. The Lord. Ephes. 6:10 (NKJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might
4. Marriage
5. Commitments
6. Character
7. Morality
8. Will
9. Authority
10. Convictions
What are we to be courageous about?
1. Christianity
2. Being American
3. Life and its vicissitudes
4. Fears
5. Battles
1. Christianity
2. Being American
3. Life and its vicissitudes
4. Fears
5. Battles
Conclusion: Just as God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, I believe that He has the same thing to say to us today. Although our issues are different, we still need strength and courage to face life in our world today. Either we face our challenges alone or we face them with God. He told Joshua that as He was with Moses, so he would be with him also. And just as God was with Moses and Joshua, He is with us today; “not by power nor by might, but by My Spirit says the Lord.” We cannot be strong and courageous except by the Holy Spirit of God. God will not take us out of our situations but give us the grace to go through them. If you’re looking for escape forget it. Victory is for those that run the race, fight the good fight, and endure to the end. So, how about you? Need a dose of strength and courage today? It’s available to those that will humble themselves and ask. Be strong and courageous, study God’s Word, meditate on it, obey it, and only then will you succeed.
Close: Hebrews 6:18 (NLT)
So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.
So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.