Sermon Series: The Book of Joshua: Taking the Land 01-15-12 Pastor Mark DuPre.

The Israelites had spent 400 years as slaves and 40 years being tested and provided for in the wilderness. Now there were positioned by God to enter and TAKE the Promised Land. We are in the same place--positioned to take our promised land as well. Find out what we can learn from Joshua on how differently we have to think and act if we’re going to successfully take what God has given to us.

Take the Land 

Joshua 1:10-11; 3:14, 17  

We’re ready to take the land, as a church and as individuals.

Backstory: Israelites were slaves for 400 years in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and spent 40 years in the wilderness. Moses their leader dies. 

Then there they stand, ready to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. God had GIVEN them the land, but they had to TAKE it, to POSSESS it. 

What’s it mean to possess the land?

It means to TAKE what’s been GIVEN to us—PROMISED to us!

What realm? Spiritual, physical, financial, emotional, relational, and every promise in the Word of God. 

What’s God given you, but you haven’t yet taken? What’s in front of you that you don’t own yet? 

Life is different when you’re about to take the land.

Here’s what we can learn from the book of Joshua: 

God never changes His character, but He changes the ways He works with His people sometimes! 

Good News: God has gone on before us and prepared the way. 

Joshua 2:8-11 – Story of Rahab and the fear of God. 

He’s going to be just as faithful as before, but He’s going to bring victory in a different way. 

Joshua 6 Jericho—not a normal battle approach.  

Many of us are trying to walk in the same way, doing the same things as we did when we were younger Christians. Many times we find it’s not working. We blame God. 

God’s provisions come in a different way.

Josh. 5:10-12  Manna and the produce of the land. 

Many of us get comfortable with the way He’s provided in the past. But if we’re going to take the land and possess it, provisions may come in a different way. 

More prayer, less sin. 

More prayer needed: Jericho was defeated. They didn’t pray about Ai and got defeated. Sin in the camp had to be dealt with. Then they heard from God and were victorious. 

There’s a higher degree of accountability when you try to possess your land 

Danger of compromise—Gibeonites and the treaty. 

Are there things left to conquer in your life that you’ve made a treaty with? 

If we want to see changes, we need to pray more. 

There might be some (painful) catch-up involved! 

Joshua 5:2  Ouch. 

To take the land, we need a recommitment 

What’s in front of you this year? Is it God’s will for you to have it? 

As a church, we are all in this together. 

As individuals, there is something in front of each of us. 

Are you ready to take it!

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