Encouraged Hearts Take God’s Ground!
March 30, 2008
Contact the Web Team for an audio recording of this sermon.Text: Joshua 1:1-9
Experience with discouragement - broken promises - lose heart - settle in the promiseless land. How about you? God - values at OHC - encouraging the heart - Why? Encouraged hearts will take the Promised Land! Encouraged hearts take God’s ground!
How does God encourage your heart?
1) God's promises never die
V1-6 -As God’s people we have promises to take possession of! Are you God's people?
A) God’s people are under authority - V1 - “servant leader” - servant to the servant!
B) God people are prepared - V1 - Joshua - warrior, servant, and aide
C) God’s people are able - V5 - Invincible - Left in a lurch, dropped like a hot rock
God is with you!! Romans 8:31-32
Formula for success - hard work - know right people - longevity?2) God's word never fails
V7-8 - God says keep the law as your guide and you will be successful and prosperous - You will come out on top!
A) Billy Graham - “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” “The law is a moral mirror.”
B) Doesn’t the culture prove evil? Successful?
C) Live intentional - you will be successful.
Joseph - the eleventh son of Jacob - is a good example. Gen 39:9 - ”How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
He didn’t sleep with her, he stayed with God! “The Lord was with Him.”
V7 - ”successful wherever you go” - do everything God says - YIELD!!
Truth is something we are often avoiding - because of the reality
3) God's presence never leaves
V5, 9 - God knows your heart! Is he the Lord your God?
A) Get fear right! V9 - Public speaking – death - fear right and find God!
B) Quote - “Your deepest fear tells you about your dearest love.” What do you REALLY care about?
SELF – Saul - 1 Samuel 15:24 - ”Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.’” Don’t give in to fear or dismay! God is with you!
C) Inseparable! He will be with you! God proven and present! Romans 8:38-39
Conclusion
Explorers taking ground - Seeking and searching for new lands -Joshua 24:14 - finally you will have a heart setttled on God's ground!