Dec. 31, 2000 Midnight Service

Joshua 1

Following God into New Territory

  1. Introduction
    1. Illustration
    2. Context – The people of Israel stood at the border of the Promised Land. Moses had just died. So the Lord gave some instructions to Joshua.
  1. Scripture Passages

    2. A. Joshua 1:6-11 - 6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 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." 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’"

  2. Hearing and Obeying
    1. Joshua didn’t just listen to God; he immediately began to pass along God’s instructions to the people and they obeyed.
    2. As a church, we stand at the threshold of, not only a new year, but also the threshold of a new time of ministry in the life of our church. God is calling each one of us to lay aside our own personal agendas and move forward to accomplish His agenda. I can’t promise it will be easy; as a matter of fact, it will probably involve some of the most difficult things we have ever done as Christians. I can’t promise we won’t fail from time to time; as a matter of fact, the most successful people and organizations are those who have failed repeatedly because they dared to try new things in new ways. They keep trying until they find what works. God will allow us to fail to show us that He is still God! But I can promise you that if we, as individuals and as a group, are faithful in doing all God leads us into, we will succeed. God’s name will be glorified in all we do and many people’s lives will be transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
  1. Conclusion
    1. Tonight, in many respects, we are Joshua and the people of Israel. We stand at the threshold of something new. How will we respond? Do we want to take another lap or two around Mt. Sinai until we’re ready to go in as the Israelites did? Or are we willing to stake our futures on Jesus Christ?
    2. In order for God to have free reign to work in our church, He has to have free reign to work in each one of our hearts. Another choice. What is life but a series of choices? Do I follow God into new territory, or do I play it safe? Do you follow God into new territory, or do you play it safe? I can’t answer for you, but if you are willing to go where God leads into the new territory He has for each one of us as individuals and as a church, I’m going to ask that you take a physical action. If you are willing to go wherever God leads into new territory and are willing to commit to doing what God calls you to in moving this church in that direction, God will honor that. But He must first have the key to your heart. If you are willing to follow God into new territory, then come up and nail the key to your heart to the cross. As long as you and I hold the key to our heart, we keep God from changing our heart. So if you are willing to follow God into new territory, and in doing so are giving Him permission to change your heart, come and nail the key to your heart on the cross.
    3. Close with prayer after everyone who desires to do this is done.

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