Rev. David Holwick E
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
January 31, 1993
Joshua 1:5-9
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SERMON SUMMARY: Joshua faced a huge task and could have feared failure.
But he knew himself, had faith, and had his priorities right.
Courageous leaders make an impact.
I. Joshua's background.
A. His name:
1) Hoshea means "salvation" Num 13:16
2) Joshua means "God saves" (J.. is prefix of God's name)
3) Greek equivalent is Jesus.
B. His significance.
1) He is the Bible's ideal leader.
2) Not strong in himself, but invincible - with God's help.
C. His daunting task.
1) With inexperienced people, he is to conquer Promised Land.
2) God tells him to be strong and courageous. 1:7
3) Easy for God to say!
II. The fear of failure.
A. Joshua had plenty to worry about.
1) The people behind him were chronic complainers.
2) He wasn't Moses.
a) Only an assistant - Moses went up mountain, Joshua waited. Exod 24:14
b) He had neither the gifts nor the education Moses had.
c) God gave him only some of Moses' authority. Num 27:20
3) One of his first big battles: Ai.
a) One person sinned and whole army was routed.
b) Joshua had to fall on his face before God:
"Why did you bring us across???" 7:7
B. Traci Mullins and new job. Excitement, then torment.
Nagging inner voice told her:
"You just have them fooled.
You're really not as great as you've led them to believe.
Just wait till you've been there a few weeks.
Then they'll see that you can't really cut it,
that you're a fake."
The torment stole her anticipation and joy.
C. The "Imposter Phenomenon."
In 1978 two psychologists at Georgia State University discovered
a syndrome they called the "Imposter Phenomenon".
Those who suffer from this phenomenon believe that they don't
really deserve their successes.
They are phonies who have somehow "gotten away with it".
And because they dread being exposed as fakes, they fear any
POTENTIAL failure that might bring an imaginary house of
cards tumbling down around them.
Root of fear of failure: fear of rejection, and our weaknesses.
#1421
III. How Joshua overcame failure.
A. He had an accurate assessment of himself.
1) He wasn't Moses, and he knew it.
2) He wasn't too big for God to use; hence God exalted him. 3:7; 4:14
3) The wisdom he had, came from God. Deut 34:9
B. He had a strong faith in God.
1) He saturated his mind and heart with the word of God. 1:8
a) He always upheld God's word in the presence of the people. 8:30-35
b) He committed the people to God's word at the end. 23:6
c) Modern Christians need to uphold God's Word in society.
1> (Gay in military issue)
2) He was obedient.
a) He was quick to receive orders from God. 5:13-15
b) Even when it made him look foolish. (Jericho) 6:2-5
3) He prayed for a miracle: hailstorm and standing sun. 10:10-14
C. He had his priorities right.
1) At Mount Ebal he put worship before war and conquest. 8:30-35
a) In 1985 the exact altar was found by archaeologists.
b) Field stones, ramp and not steps, bones of clean animals.
2) He had a clear vision of what had to be done.
Stuart Briscoe writes:
"One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of
a war veteran.
The dead man's military friends wished to have a part in the
service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to
lead them down to the casket,
stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance,
and then lead them out through the side door.
This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was
somewhat marred when he picked wrong door.
The result was they marched with military precision into a
broom closet, in full view of the mourners.
Their hasty retreat dissolved into confusion.
"This true story illustrates two cardinal rules:
First, if you're going to lead, make sure you know where
you're going.
Second, if you're going to follow, make sure that you are
following someone who knows what he is doing!"
#1919
Theodore Hesburgh, the president of Notre Dame, once said:
"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have
a vision.
You can't blow an uncertain trumpet." #1784
a) In war: Joshua displayed sound military strategy.
1> He cut the land in half.
2> He campaigned in north and south simultaneously.
3> He combined surprise and speed, often catching his
enemies in the open and destroying them.
b) In peace: Joshua drew up sensible tribal boundaries.
D. He dared to take risks.
1) Only he and Caleb thought they could invade Promised Land. Num 14:6-8
2) He told the people God would divide the Jordan River. 3:15-16
3) He attacked superior forces and repeatedly won. 31 kings!
IV. The influence of courageous leaders.
A. Courageous leaders make an impact.
When Bruce Larsen[*] was a small boy, he attended church every
Sunday at a big Gothic Presbyterian fortress in Chicago.
The preaching was powerful and the music was great.
But for Larsen, the most awesome moment in the morning service
was the offertory.
Twelve solemn, frock-coated ushers marched in lock-step down the
main aisle to receive the brass plates for collecting the
offering.
These men, so serious about their business of serving the Lord
in this magnificent house of worship, were the business and
professional leaders of Chicago.
One of the twelve ushers was a man named Frank Loesch.
He was not a very imposing-looking man, but in Chicago he was a
living legend, for he was the man who stood up to Al Capone.
In the prohibition years, Capone's rule was absolute.
The local and state police and even the F.B.I. were afraid to
oppose him.
But singlehandedly, Frank Loesch, as a Christian layman and
without government support, organized the Chicago Commission.
This group of citizens was determined to take Mr. Capone to court
and put him away.
During the months that the Crime Commission met, Frank Loesch's
life was in constant danger.
There were threats on the lives of his family and friends.
But he never wavered.
Ultimately he won the case against Capone and was the instrument
for removing this blight from the city of Chicago.
Frank Loesch had risked his life to live out his faith.
Each Sunday at this point of the service, Larsen's father, a
Chicago businessman himself, never failed to poke him and
silently point to Frank Loesch with pride.
#1617
B. Following the leader.
1) Organizations adopt the characteristics of their leaders.
The New Jersey Bell "Tel-News" did a profile on General Norman
Schwarzkopf.
A native of New Jersey, he led our forces to one of the
greatest victories in our history.
A modern business principle called "the shadow of the leader"
claims that an organization will,
if properly trained and motivated,
adopt the characteristics and basic persona of its leader.
#1545
2) You and Jesus: is there any similarity?
V. Joshua's invitation.
A. All of God's good promises came true. 23:14
B. Choose whom you will serve. 24:15
******************** NOTES ************************************
In my original sermon I mistakenly attributed the story to Swindoll's
personal experience but Swindoll correctly attributes it to Bruce
Larsen.
Sermon draws mostly upon Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia.
(The Illustrated Bible Dictionary - below)
I. Joshua as the ideal leader.
A. Assistant to Moses. Exod 24:13
1) He had to learn to wait. Exod 24:14
2) He jealously upheld Moses. Num 11:28-29
3) He received some of Moses' authority. Num 27:20
4) He obeyed God wholeheartedly. Num 32:12
5) He needed encouragement. Deut 1:38
6) God fought for him. Deut 3:22
7) He was commissioned, encouraged and strengthened. Deut 3:28
8) Taking the lead: God went first, then Joshua, then Jews. Deut 31:3
9) Moses tells him to be strong. (and not afraid or discouraged) Deut 31:7
10) The people promised full obedience to him. Josh 1:16
11) Rock memorial set up to honor crossing of Jordan.
B. He was brave.
1) Roosevelt - all we have to fear is fear itself.
C. He was an optimist and risk-taker.
1) Only he and Caleb were allowed to enter from their generation. Num 14:30,38
D. He knew where he was going.
E. He had a plan of attack.
1) Methodical attack through key cities.
F. God fought for him. (promise through Moses) Deut 3:22
II. Joshua is a type of Christ, our conquering commander.
A. Joshua was an agent of both grace and damnation. (holy war)
B. Like Joshua, each believer must claim the spiritual blessings and authority
and power that are our rightful inheritance in Christ.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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