Drew Boswell

a place for us to share ideas, talk about life, and learn together.

“Be Strong and Courageous” Joshua 1

Joshua: Courage Over Fear

A Sermon Series

“Be Strong and Courageous”
Joshua 1

 Introduction

One summer morning as Ray Blankenship was preparing his breakfast, he gazed out the window, and saw a small girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Andover, Ohio, home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath a road and then emptied into the main culvert. Ray dashed out the door and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the foundering child. Then he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. Blankenship surfaced and was able to grab the child’s arm. They tumbled end over end. Within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something–possibly a rock– protruding from one bank. He clung desperately, but the tremendous force of the water tried to tear him and the child away. “If I can just hang on until help comes,” he thought. He did better than that. By the time fire-department rescuers arrived, Blankenship had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. On April 12, 1989, Ray Blankenship was awarded the Coast Guard’s Silver Lifesaving Medal. The award is fitting, for this selfless person was at even greater risk to himself than most people knew. Ray Blankenship couldn’t swim.[1]

Prayer

God’s Purposes Do Not Change (vv. 1-9)

God’s plan for the Israelites is laid out in the first five books of the Bible, and specifically in the book of Deuteronomy they are given specific instructions for what to do once they enter into the promised land.

There have been three delays for God’s people entering into the promised land, 1) In Gen. 15 God tells Abram[2] that the people would enter into slavery for 400 years, then God had set a time of forty years (so the entire generation over 20 had to die in the wilderness because of their lack of faith), 2) Moses had lost his temper before God’s people and because he did that he forfeited his right to enter into the promised land, but God honored his leadership by waiting until his death to enter (Num. 20:6-12; Duet. 1:37, 3:26). 3) 15:16 “And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” We are not told what the sin of the Amorites was that they are being judged for, but when Joshua crossed over and conquers the promised land it is an act of judgement upon the enemies of God.

God Calls People to His Purposes (vv. 1-5)

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead.[3] Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

Prior to Moses’ death, Joshua was appointed to be his successor in Numbers 27:18-23. (V. 22) “And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23 and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.” Then after some time, Moses passed away. So Joshua has this calling upon his life to do this specific thing – lead God’s people.

People change over time – all the people who had left Egypt in the great exodus had now wandered in the desert for forty years because of their rebellion. Those who were less than twenty at the Exodus, and all those born since, are essentially a new group of God’s people (prayerfully they have learned from the mistakes of the previous generation).

And now that Moses is dead, there is also a new leader. So, people in the plan of God change, but God’s purposes don’t change. The plan, even though its been five hundred years since God announced it, it is still the plan. God is going to give His people a promised land.

“I will not leave you or forsake you.” Literally this means “I will not fail you.” We see this verse quoted on Hebrews 13:5 quotes this same verse in the context of not loving money, God will be with you and give you what you need to complete the mission.

God’s Purposes Are Accomplished When His People Obey His Word (vv. 6-9)

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

So while there may be a new leader, God’s Word is still the same. Notice that in the opening verses we see that Joshua has the law of Moses – He already has the written Word of God. Francis Schaeffer wrote, “Joshua knew Moses, the writer of the Pentateuch, personally. Joshua knew his strengths and weaknesses as a man; he knew that Moses was a sinner, that Moses made mistakes, that Moses was just a man. Nonetheless, immediately after Moses’ death Joshua accepted the Pentateuch as more than the writing of Moses. He accepted it as the writing of God.”[4] And God tells him, that his success as a leader would be dependent upon, not just knowing it, but keeping it “that you may have good success wherever you go.”

God moves people in and out of his plan, but God’s Word stays the same and it is God’s Word that remains our source of authority to complete God’s work. In Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, Moses heard from God directly. God told Moses in person what to do, but now Joshua is pointed to the written Word of God to follow. Even though Joshua would encounter the “commander of the Lord’s Army” in chapter 5, and Joshua is given specific instructions about upcoming battles, Joshua was to live and lead according to the written Word of God.

In order to do this Joshua is given four things to do with God’s Word: 1) Study God’s Word “being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you.” In order to be careful to do it, you have to know what it says, which requires diligent study. The written Word of God from it’s beginning was not stored in the Ark of the covenant, it was to be carried around, rolled out and read, again and again.

It was not a relic to be on a shelf, it was a tool to be faithfully and diligently used. The printing press had not been invented yet, so the people did not have personal copies of God’s Word, but it was read aloud, and it was accessible to the people (see Duet. 31:11-13).

2) (v. 8) Talk About God’s Word “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth . . .” Joshua and the people’s lives revolved around the word of God, so when you make plans, or discuss your children, or your careers – how can you discuss those things as a follower of God and not discuss His Word that speaks directly to those things.

3) “meditate on it day and night,” – To meditate in something is more than studying it, and talking about it, now you are pulling things from it. When you meditate on God’s Word you are seeking to apply it. What does this mean? How do I apply it to my life?

4) Obey the Word of God “being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you,” Psalm 1:2-3 talks about the righteous man “ . . but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” In order to prosper in the ways of the Lord, and to be a success at the task that God has called you to, the place the Word of God occupies in your life is critical.

As we will see, Joshua was a great leader, and it was because he studied God’s Word, he talked about God’s Word, he meditated on God’s Word and the most important, he did God’s Word. If we fast forward to the end of Joshua’s leadership, look at one of his last instructions to the people, Joshua 23:6 “Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left,”

Joshua Assumes Command (vv. 10-18)

We see in these verses where Joshua has become the new leader of God’s people – he seems to scared to death. He is told multiple times, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,” – so Joshua is frightened; so, how do we do what God has called us to do, even though we may be concerned of failure? You can look back to your past.

This is not the first time we see Joshua leading; we first see him leading in battle in Exodus 17:8-16. The Israelites are making their way through the wilderness and the Amalekites come out against them. Moses goes up on a mountain and holds up his arms and staff – and Joshua is sent to lead the troops in the valley below. As long as Moses kept his hands up, God’ s people would be winning, but as Moses grew tired his hands would drop and the Amalekites would be winning. And once they had won the victory,

13-14 “And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” As Joshua was studying, and meditating, and talking about, and doing God Word – he would have come across this battle and remembered – the battle was won by prayer, teamwork, and God’s presence working on the battlefield – not his military talent. Your success, to do what God has called you to do, is bigger than just you – there are bigger things going on than you even know about. You are a part of a much bigger plan.

The second time we see Joshua is on Mt. Sinai. There is a moment when Moses, Aaron, and seventy elders saw God and ate and drank in God’s presence. When Moses went up onto the mountain to receive the law on the stone tablets, Joshua went with him.

Exodus 24:13 “So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.” He came back down with Moses to deal with the situation of these same leaders, who had sat in the presence of God, now had made golden calves and were worshipping them. God is holy and will not tolerate His people worshipping other gods.

The third time we see Joshua is when he is sent into the promised land as a spy. When the spies returned all their stories were the same, “the land is flowing with milk and honey.” But only Joshua and Caleb had faith that God would give them the land – yes there were giants in the land, but God was much bigger than they were.

Numbers 14:6-9 “And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. God requires that His people have faith.

So when it was time for Joshua to lead the nation, forty years has passed, he had seen God do mighty things, he knew that God was holy, and he knew, from experience, that God’s people had to trust Him and follow His Word.

What was Joshua so afraid of? He had seen military victories, He had trembled before the mighty power of God – He knew no one or army was greater than God. I think Joshua was afraid that the people wouldn’t listen and because of their hard heartedness, they would have to circle back to another forty years of death in the wilderness. They would not follow Moses into the Promised Land, why would they follow him?

There is nothing more terrifying to a leader than wasted years walking around in a desert.

It is wonderful to lead people into the land flowing with milk and honey, it’s quite another thing to be the leader of a people who would rather walk around in the wilderness. So, he gives the order.

10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”

The time had finally arrived after over a million funerals and forty years of wandering in the wilderness, it was finally time to pass into the promised land. Three days to prepare yourself, your family, and to get your stuff ready – we are about to enter into the promised land. Only two men knew what lay ahead – Joshua and Caleb. Both had seen the enemy’s size, the walled fortresses, and the “land flowing with milk and honey.”

12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

God had already instructed a couple of the tribes what to do when they enter into the promised land. Numbers 32 and Deuteronomy 3:18-20 records that Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Mannasseh should be given the land east of the Jordan, but that they were to go in and fight with the other tribes until all the land was conquered. Because Joshua was studying God’s Word, meditating on it, talking about it, and doing it – he knew what to do when it was time to put a plan together.

In Joshua’s mind, he would have remembered the day when he and Caleb came back after scouting out the Promised Land, and gave the report to the people that was part of Moses’ plan to enter the Promised Land. Numbers 14:1-14 “Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” . . . (v. 11) “Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones.”

Now it was Joshua in charge – how would they respond to the command to pack up and prepare to enter into the promised land?

16 And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

The people’s hearts were changed. Before they cried out in the night, now they are packing their backs, and preparing to fight. Did they obey Moses in all things? No. But they recognize that God was with Him, Joshua followed God’s Word, so they encourage him, 1) may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! – confirming he is there because God put him there, just like Moses and 2) “be strong and courageous.” God has his back, and the people have his back, together they go forward to accomplish what God has put before them to do. When God, the leader, and the people come together – then grasshoppers can defeat giants.

 _____________________

[1] https://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/c/courage.htm

[2] For more information about God’s covenant with Abram, Genesis 15 https://drewboswell.com/gods-covenant-and-abrahams-response-genesis-151-21/

[3] For more information about Moses’ death, Jude 9 https://drewboswell.com/426926-2/

[4] James Montgomery Boice, Joshua We will Serve the Lord (Old Tappan, New Jersey; Fleming H. Revell Publishing, 1989) 21.

“Let Your Manner of Life be Worthy of the Gospel of Christ” Philippians 1:27-2:18

A Study of the Book of

“Philippians” Unity. Humility. Joy.

“Let Your Manner of Life be Worthy of the Gospel of Christ”

Philippians 1:27-2:18

Introduction

“During World War II, Hitler commanded all religious groups to unite so that he could control them. Among the Brethren assemblies, half complied and half refused. Those who went along with the order had a much easier time. Those who did not, faced harsh persecution. In almost every family of those who resisted, someone died in a concentration camp.

When the war was over, feelings of bitterness ran deep between the groups and there was much tension. Finally, they decided that the situation had to be healed. Leaders from each group met at a quiet retreat. For several days, each person spent time in prayer, examining his own heart in the light of Christ’s commands. Then they came together.  Francis Schaeffer, who told of the incident, asked a friend who was there, “What did you do then?” “We were just one,” he replied. As they confessed their hostility and bitterness to God and yielded to His control, the Holy Spirit created a spirit of unity among them. Love filled their hearts and dissolved their hatred. When love prevails among believers, especially in times of strong disagreement, it presents to the world an indisputable mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ.”[1]

Most churches given enough time go through times of strong disagreement, but when that happens the gospel stops moving forward, and it is not until the church reunites, and heals that it begins to move forward again. This morning we are going to look at how a church experiencing division and how it moves forward.

 Prayer

 A Worthy Life Defined (vv. 27-30)

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

(v. 27) “let your manner of life be” – “Behind our English versions of this phrase is a single Greek verb that has citizen at its core; to maintain a standard of conduct befitting a citizen, to behave in a way that enhances the reputation of one’s city.”[2] Or “as citizens of heaven, behave in such a way . . .” This entire city was established by retired Roman soldiers and the colony of Phillipi was given to them as a reward for their winning a very strategic battle. These citizens considered their citizenship in the Roman empire to be very important – so Paul is playing off of this common understanding of the people regarding the importance of citizenship.

Paul writes to the church in Phillipi, to live a life that is “worthy of the gospel of Christ.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God in his love for us, sent Jesus to endure all that went along with the crucifixion, so that we can live with Him in eternity. Now, in light of that level of sacrifice live a life worthy of that level of sacrifice. How does a person even begin to live that kind of life? Not that we have earned it or deserved it or were worthy of it, but the free gift was given – live your life as though you understand the gospel’s value and the expectations of Jesus for you.[3]

Jesus in Luke 14:25-33 is talking with the crowds about what it means to be a follow of Jesus, what is expected of them, “Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” Discipleship requires repentance (of sin) and obedience (following Christ’s commands).

So in order to be a follower of Jesus you have walked away from everything, you are now a follower of Jesus and there clearly is the expectation that you are apart of a/the church; so what does this worthy life look like? “Paul defines three specific aspects of their life as citizens: 1) that you are standing firm in one spirit, 2) striving side by side for the faith of the gospel 3) not frightened in anything by your opponents. These three phrases unpack the obligations of good citizenship (or church membership)”[4] and what it means to live life in a way that is worthy.

“Standing firm in one spirit” – Standing firm is a military term, where soldiers have to hold a line, they cannot fall back, or lose ground to the enemy. As the enemy advances, the gospel doesn’t lose ground. The church was facing persecution and potential imprisonment – because of their advancing the gospel. It would be very easy just to stop, stay at home, focus on each individual’s concern. If this happened the church would splinter.

“striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” – “striving side by side” is a translation of “one psyche, one soul” When the soldiers would fight side-by-side they are fighting as one person, one unified unit. – as though they are the same man. Christians are not striving as individuals, but as a unit together. When Christians fight with eachother, unity is lost, ground is lost, and the gospel loses. Striving also indicates effort, working hard, putting in the work. Christians working/serving, with the same mind, for the faith of the gospel. Working toward a common goal.

Bellevue Baptist Church Exists to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our working, striving, and serving in our church is so that the gospel can move forward – we hold the ground, so that no ground is lost, and when the enemy advances against us, we are not afraid.

 Adopted by the Nazi Party in the 1930s, Hitler’s infamous “sieg heil” (meaning “hail victory”) salute was mandatory for all German citizens as a demonstration of loyalty to the Führer, his party, and his nation. August Landmesser joined the Nazi Party in 1931 and began to work his way up the ranks of what would become the only legal political affiliation in the country. Two years later, Landmesser fell madly in love with Irma Eckler, a Jewish woman, and proposed marriage to her in 1935. After his engagement to a Jewish woman was discovered, Landmesser was expelled from the Nazi Party. Landmesser and Eckler decided to file a marriage application in Hamburg, but the union was denied under the newly enacted Nuremberg Laws. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Ingrid, in October 1935. And then on June 13, 1936, Landmesser gave a crossed-arm stance during Hitler’s christening of a new German navy vessel. The act of defiance stands out amid the throng of Nazi salutes.[5] August Landmesserstood alone amongst evil.

“not frightened in anything by your opponents.” – The word used here for frightened is same used for horses startled or frightened on the battlefield. Christians as we stand side-by-side, striving for the gospel, we are “not to run from any battle, back down from any attack, compromise anything, or concede in any way.”[6]

(v. 30) The church is also engaged in the same “suffer for his (Jesus’) sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict” as Paul. The church were suffering from and engaged in the same conflict as Paul. Their partnership with Paul in advancing the gospel, has now brought them the same struggle Paul had.

A Worthy Life Explained

A Reminder of the Blessings of Unity (vv. 1-4)

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

 Paul now continues his urging the church to be unified, by reminding them of what they experience when they are unified; 1) encouragement in Christ, 2) comfort from love, 3) participation in the Spirit 4) affection and sympathy. As a church, when you see storms of arguments and disagreements growing on the horizon, remind each other that if this (whatever the things of the day is) causes disunity, then the whole church loses these four things. If you value the joy, love, and encouragement that you have at church then;

(v. 3) “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” – Jesus helps us understand this when he says in Luke 14:8-11 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

We maintain unity through humility and compassion for others.

(v. 4) “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We are not wired to put other’s interests above our own, to consider others of more value than ourselves. Our natural tendency is to put yourself first, and to look after your own self-interests. So, where does a person find this kind of mindset? The answer is the gospel – Jesus gave himself for the salvation of others. We are His disciple – therefore, we give ourselves for the salvation of others.

 Jesus’ Example (vv. 5-11)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul uses Jesus’ incarnation (Jesus as God taking on human flesh, being born into this world) as a way of showing us what he means by humility and relating to others.

The one who “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father – Jesus has the right to do what he wants, to follow his own self-interest (far more right than we have to say, “I’m going to do this, or I believe that this should happen).

But what does this highly exalted one, this one whose name is above every other name do? What is the example that Paul is pointing to? “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Instead of holding on to “grasping” his rights, authority, privileges as God the Son, he followed the leadership of God the Father and humbled himself by taking on human flesh and becoming a human being. The Exalted One, stepped down from His throne and did what he was told, and endured horrific torture and disrespect to purchase the salvation for humanity. If Jesus was willing to humble himself, so should we.

A Reminder of the Seriousness of What the Church Does (vv. 12-17)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

 (v. 12) “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” – Paul is very clear that we don’t earn our salvation, we don’t work for it, or achieve it by works. The context helps us to understand what Paul means, this whole passage has been focused on unity within the church and how that advances the gospel. In the verses following (not grumbling or disputing), again follow this idea. The working out salvation is given in the corporate sense. Just like earlier the church is striving (working hard) to advance the gospel, here the church works (extended effort).

“The entire church, which had grown spiritually ill (2:3-4), is now charged with taking whatever steps are necessary to restore itself to health, integrity, and wholeness.” It is a call for the whole church to rebuild social harmony – and if everyone is focused on themselves and their personal desires, conflict will only continue. That restoration comes when the church serves one another. Stop having attitudes and using words that tear at the fabric of the community.

Everyone has work for unity within the church.

Paul also adds the words, “with fear and trembling.” This phrase indicates the weight and gravitas, the importance of what the church does. We are partners in the gospel – what we do is eternally important. So we approach that seriousness and responsibility with “fear and trembling.”

 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Grumbling and Disputing wrecks the unity and joy of the church. Don’t you want to finish the race blameless and innocent, without blemish? We are to “shine as lights in the world” The light we shine is the hope of Jesus Christ and power of the cross. We must work hard so that nothing gets in the way of that happening.

________________________

[1] http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/u/unity.htm

[2] Dennis E. Johnson, Reformed Expository Commentary, Philippians (Phillipsburg, New Jersey; P&R Publishing, 2013) 89.

[3] For more on this topic see https://www.gotquestions.org/cheap-grace.html,  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, published in 1937. In that book, Bonhoeffer defined “cheap grace” as “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline.”

[4] G. Walter Hansen, 95.

[5] https://www.businessinsider.com/the-lone-german-man-who-refused-to-give-hitler-the-nazi-salute-2015-6

[6] Hansen, 98.

Panic; Psalm 74

There was a time when my boys were of an age where they loved to get up and turn on the TV and choose “their” show (Batman Brave and the Bold, Star Wars Clone Wars, H-G’s was Olivia), etc. One morning Kimberly had gone to run some errands with the rest of the kids, and Caleb I were left in the house. I was going to do some yard work so I called Caleb’s name. He didn’t respond, so I called a little louder, he was focused on this tv show that he was watching, and I he really didn’t hear me. But I told him, “I’m going out to the garage.” So I went out into the garage and started to get the lawnmower ready to cut the grass, I put some new string in the head of the weed eater, filled them up with gas, and I was out there about forty-five minutes just doing different things.

When the TV show went off, Caleb regained consciences and began to look around. He began to run through the house yelling for Kimberly and I. No one was in the house and he began to panic. His loving father was not there, and he felt all alone. Eventually he came outside, really upset – to find me in the garage.

Have you ever had a time when suddenly you realized that God was not there anymore, or at least it felt that way? You pray, but don’t sense His presence. You serve, and discover that His power is not there anymore – you know you are doing it in your strength. You come to worship – But He doesn’t speak to you – you are just going through the motions. You seek Him, but you can’t seem to find Him anywhere – He is gone. Just like with Caleb, God told you “I’m not staying here anymore, I want you to go with me”, but you have allowed ourselves to be distracted by something. For some time it has had our complete focus. But now there is an awakening.

“Few things in life are more excruciating than suffering defeats while serving God. When God’s work is met with setbacks, his people agonize over these losses and long for God’s kingdom work to be reestablished. And until God’s kingdom is again prospering, distress fills the hearts of his servants. Until we find Him, and are in His presence again there is panic. This is the focus of Psalm 74.”[1] This lament expresses how God’s people experienced agony because of their devastation and were calling upon him for relief and restoration.

In 2 Kings 25 the enemies of God have destroyed the temple, and even worse it seems that God has forgotten them. It occurs 586 years before Christ is born – those who were not killed by Babylon were carried off into exile. The people are pleading for God to reestablish his people in their land. So they pray – but if we find ourselves in a similar situation what should we pray for? The following Psalm walks us through how to pray for the panic to stop, and our hearts to be calmed.

I. Pray with a Realistic Picture of Reality (vv. 1-3)  

O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? 2 Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. 3 Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary!

Because of the events that occurred around them, God’s people cry out and ask God, “Why have you rejected us forever?” God had not rejected them; he had withdrawn the power of his presence from them. The psalmist asked how long will this rejection last? His abandonment was demonstrated by the ransacked city and ruined temple (Psalm 79:1).

“Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?” – God’s people see the image of a smoldering city that had been devastated by a foreign power and link it to God’s rejection and abandonment of his people.

The psalmist asks God to remember how He has dealt with them in the past – his people who He had purchased from Egypt (Ex 20:2). God had chosen them to be His inheritance (Deut 4:20), those that He has redeemed (Ex 15:13, 16), God had dwelt among his people on Mt Zion (1 Kg 6:12-13), which was God’s holy hill (Ps 2:6), and dwelling with them (Ps 132:5, 7). God has done all of these same things for us.[2]

The Psalmist is asking God to look at the smoldering temple, how God’s people have been carried off into exile – in other words, “Lord look at our current condition.” This was not just a short term thing, but “perpetual ruin.” The destruction keeps going on and on and on.

“Lord this has been going on for some time now”, and “the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary” There was nothing left within the temple that the enemy had not desecrated and destroyed.

II. Pray With A Realization of the Destruction (vv. 4-9)

4 Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place; they set up their own signs for signs. 5 They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees. 6 And all its carved wood they broke down with hatchets and hammers. 7 They set your sanctuary on fire;
they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground. 8 They said to themselves, “We will utterly subdue them”; they burned all the meeting places of God in the land. 9 We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long.

The psalmist now points us to the foe himself. He comes into God’s house of worship and roars! He lifts up his battle flags and plants them right there in the meeting place where God’s people worship.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” While God’s people are distracted and focused on everything but the Lord, the enemy enters into the very temple of the Lord, and roars. His teeth snap the necks of the weak and the young.

As the enemy of the Lord he raises his disgusting and foul flag and he dares to plant it among the congregation. The enemy who roars says, “I have this one, and this one, and this, and this one, and this one, and this one – they are mine.” All the while, God’s people stare blindly into space.

The temple had beautifully carved wood paneling build by master craftsmen. So when we see “They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees. 6 And all its carved wood they broke down with hatchets and hammers.” The enemy takes his ax to the temple paneling and splinters the temple. The enemy seeks to destroy what has been built. It is so much easier to tear down and burn rather than build.

How many churches has Satan taken his hatchet to, so that at the end of day it lays as a pile of splinters? Some here, some there – churches litter the landscape that have been destroyed – that have closed their doors for the last time.

Then when it was completely devastated, before it has a chance to rebuild – he goes one step further “They set your sanctuary on fire; they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground.” There is a very real enemy who seeks to bring every church burning to the ground.

The enemy has a plan and he is relentless in his carrying it out. The enemy is set on bring about our destruction – in hell they hold pep rallies where 8 They said to themselves, “We will utterly subdue them”; they burned all the meeting places of God in the land.” They will not be happy until every church is destroyed – including yours. Have you not seen him parade with his flags and clamp his teeth on your fellow church member? You seek to build, but he splinters it again and again with his ax of destruction.  

“9 We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long” – There is nothing more terrifying and discouraging then not knowing how long will this pain and devastation continue. How long will this condition last among God’s people? Will the church wake up?

Will it regain consciousness? When will the destruction become so great that it will awake and do something? Will the church have to burn around us? The splinters are hitting you in the face. The person that sat next to you last week isn’t there anymore, only his foul and horrific flag is left. Blood paw prints stains the aisles and the mother’s around you weep.

III.       Pray with God’s Reputation in Mind (vv. 10-11)

10 How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever? 11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!

Why does God seem to do nothing as His temple is destroyed and His people are carried off into captivity? To answer this question we go back to 2 Kings 25.

2 Kings 25 tells us that the nation is punished because of the sins of Manasseh. Manasseh was a king that we first see in 2 Kings 21:2-9 â€œAnd he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem will I put my name.” 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. 7 And the carved image of Asherah that he had made he set in the house of which the Lord said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever. 8 And I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander anymore out of the land that I gave to their fathers, if only they will be careful to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the Law that my servant Moses commanded them.” 9 But they did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.”

There was a king who led the people to walk away from God. And the people willingly followed and left the Lord, and did things in the presence of the Lord that were horrible. The Lord moved, and His people did not follow, and it was only as they were being carried off into captivity that they awoke and realized what was going on.

IV. Pray With a Worshipful Heart (vv. 12-17)

12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. 13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. 15 You split open springs and brooks; you dried up ever-flowing streams.
16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. 17 You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.

 When things seem the darkest and you don’t know how you will continue, it is helpful to remember what God has done for you in the past. The psalmist says “you” eleven times in vv. 12-17 – and he praises the Lord for what he has done for His people. He praises God for his strength to crush and control.

For example, we don’t know what a Leviathan is but God has crushed it. God has power over all of creation, streams, brooks, day and night, stars and moons, seasons, and where the land begins and where it ends – God is in control. God has the power to stop this condition that His people are in.

Even after Israel had turned to false gods, (which involved the killing of their own children), even after all that they had done – God was still their God and He was still their king. When they turn from their wicked ways, He is still there. This God and King is always seeking to restore and redeem his creation “working salvation in the midst of the earth.”

God is able to see and understand something that we can’t. Since he “is from old,” He has seen all this before. A people who follow God, then turn from Him, then He must discipline them, and then they return – only to repeat the cycle again.

V. Pray with God’s Promises In Mind (vv. 18-23)

18 Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name. 19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever. 20 Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. 21 Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day! 23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!

When the nation has forgotten why God had allowed the destruction of the temple, the psalmist asks God to remember. But to remember how the enemy has mocked Him and His name. He is asking God to not hand over his covenant people to the world or “wild beasts.”

Genesis 17:1-22 – God had promised to preserve them as a nation. When the “wild beasts” invaded their land they brought violence, and it filled the land with darkness – which is a reference to the grave. So the psalmist asks on behalf of the oppressed, poor, and needy for God to rise up and defend their cause. God’s people understood that as God’s people they were to be serving and helping the oppressed, the poor, the needy, the widows and orphans.[3]

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” If God would spare and restore the church, then it would be for the reason that it could bring His name glory and be His hands in feet by serving others (widows, orphans, poor, needy).

So you went to church on Sunday? Did you eat some lunch afterwards? This week you plan to take the kids to ball games and swim practice. You’ll go to work and put in another week. You’ll probably even go back next week sing some songs and hear another massage. But be prepared to see another flag, and the enemy will claim another. Will it be one of mine? Will it be one of yours? Will we awake from our distractions?

There is a way to change the course of the wayward church – They don’t have to sit by and watch as the enemy plants his flags and destroys their families. Jeremiah 29:10-14 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

They can awake and cry out to God. 

__________________

[1] Max Anders (ed.), Homlan Old Testament Commentary, Psalms 1-75 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman & Holman, 2003), 373.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid. 374.

Career Sabotage: Fear of Success

images1Paulo Coelho in the introduction of The Alchemist discusses four ways that people “fail to confront their dreams”[1] (or one’s personal calling). The first way is that people are told from childhood that what they are seeking to do is impossible for them. People often do not try because there is a voice in their head that says, “you can’t do it.” It may be an echo from childhood, or the way they speak to themselves where they say, “stupid, ugly, fat, and who do you think you are?”

The second reason is love; we have those in our lives that are resistant to us leaving them behind in order to pursue the dream. Coelho says, “We do not realize that those that genuinely wish us well, want us to be happy and are prepared to accompany us on that journey.” There will be times when a person may want to grow and those around them are not ready for them to change. They fear that they won’t be loved anymore, or that when they depart for this new journey that they will not return (either in the physical or in the way we grow as people).

There may also be financial obligations where support for a family or spouse and this commitment may outweigh one’s personal desire for exploration. It may just have to wait to a more opportune time.

Third is the fear of defeat. We cease trying to fight for our dream and stop reaching for it because we believe that we will fail. Similar to number one but different in that we may set out on this new journey but are willing to take set backs as a way to quit. We say to ourselves, “well, I tried.” If you don’t really try, then you don’t really fail.

Then the fourth way that we fail to confront our dreams is that we fear that we will actually achieve it. Coelho quotes Oscar Wilde where he said, “Each man kills the thing he loves.” We ask ourselves, “what if I am actually successful.” There is a scene in the book where the protagonist is working for a merchant who sells crystal. In their discussions it is discovered that the boy is on a journey toward his life’s calling and the merchant has always wanted to go to Mecca as an act of worship.

The protagonist, by working for the merchant, has brought renewed business and success to the shop owner. Before this newfound success the storeowner has always been able to say that he could not afford to travel, or could not leave the shop, etc. But now he has the ability to go to Mecca but has come to realize that he really doesn’t want to have the success.

The boy didn’t know what to say. The old man continued, “You have been a real blessing to me. Today, I understand something I didn’t see before: every blessing ignored becomes a curse. I don’t want anything else in life. But you are forcing me to look at wealth and at horizons I have never known. Now that I see them, and now that I see how immense the possibilities are, I’m going to feel worse that I did before you arrived. Because I know the things I should accomplish, and I don’t want to do so.”[2]

___________________________

Fear of Success

“I have known a lot of people who, when their personal calling was within their grasp, went on to commit a series of stupid mistakes and never reached their goal, when it was only a step away.”

— The Alchemist

There are things that I have seen leaders do, and I myself have done, that when “success” is within grasp or is appearing on the horizon have done things or made decisions that have sabotaged that success (consciously or subconsciously).

Why would a person do things that would sabotage their own success?

  1. Fear of Leadership. They don’t like the idea of moving from the crowd to standing alone as the leader. It may mean having more resources, money, power, etc. than those around them, so they take actions that will keep them on the same level as their friends, workmates, family members, etc.

The idea of leaving home or moving away from loved ones in order to make our next career move may seem scary so they are unwilling to take the steps required to move forward.

  1. Not Feeling Worthy of Success. Some struggle with the idea of seeing themselves as successful. They may say they want this, but just can’t see it in their mind’s eye because their self-image won’t let them. It may be a form of self-punishment where they keep themselves from success in order to punish themselves because of previous sins.
  1. Fear of Change. Success brings changes in life. But you can never predict how these changes will affect your life, so you decide that it is better to stay with what you know instead of advancing toward what you don’t .
  1. Fear of Embarrassment. If you never try to climb the mountain, then you will never have to deal with the embarrassment of only getting half-way up the mountain. If you don’t try, then you won’t fail. There are many very talented people who because they fear they will be embarrassed never step on the stage and try.
  1. Feeling Trapped. There are those in positions of responsibility that feel trapped and because of emotional immaturity don’t know how to get out. They don’t want others to look to them as a leader. They do not want to carry the weight of leadership, so they sabotage their position so they can just “be normal.”

Often times these individuals don’t know how to get out from under this weight in a healthy manner so they do something destructive (an affair, embezzlement, hurt themselves, etc.) in an effort to cut themselves off from this feeling of being suffocated.

  1. Loving the Journey. If you actually achieve the goal, cross the finish line, make the sell, etc. (choose your best metaphor) then the journey is over, you are now successful in your life. As long as you were seeking the goal then you know where the path leads and what is involved on the journey. There are some people who become bored once they have what they want.

There must always be a mountain to climb. As long as they are preparing to climb, or are on the side of the mountain then they are happy. They love the journey, and may even sabotage the achievement (or at least delay it) because, for them, the climb is why they are doing it; the end result is really not important to them.

Whatever the reason may be for intentionally or unintentionally wrecking one’s career, it is worth the time to sit down and ask “where am I going?” “What are my immediate life goals?” (And) “Am I doing something consciously or subconsciously to keep those goals from happening?”

_______________________

[1] Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist (New York, New York; Harper Collins, 1993) v-vi.

[2] Ibid. 58.

[3] Seth Godin and his discussion of the Lizard Brain. We sabotage our success because of our survival instincts drive us to be safe (start at 9:19).

Seth Godin: Quieting the Lizard Brain from 99U on Vimeo.

Fear Factor, John 12:9-11

pharisees1Fear makes us do some pretty incredible things. While fishing in a bay in Florida I was asked to jump overboard to push the boat off of a sandbar. I asked how deep the water was according to the depth gauge. The captain told me about four feet. However, when I jumped into the water I sunk far above my head and continued to sink for several seconds. I never touched the bottom before swimming to surface. I was so scared at the shock I grabbed to side of the boat and literally jumped out of the water into the boat. Later in the day I tried this when I was not being terrorized by Jaws flashbacks and was unable to even pull myself somewhat out of the water. Fear, when allowed to control our minds, can make us do some very bizarre things.

 John 12: 9-11  “When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.”

Evidence the religious leaders had right in front of them:

 A Person Raised From the Dead

God’s people, the Jews, were coming to see Jesus and the one who had been raised from the dead, Lazarus. It was a very large crowd. Lazarus had died of an illness and Jesus intentionally waited for him to die (John 11). He was dead for four days before Jesus came to his town and raised him form the dead. There was no doubt among the people and the religious leaders that Jesus had raised a man from the dead.  So in their brilliance, the religious leaders thought it was a good idea to kill Lazarus so all the talk about him being raised from the dead would go away.

Prophesy

In John 11:50-52 the High Priest (for that year) had prophesied that “Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered.” The high priest himself had a word from the Lord, and told the others leaders what he was told from the Lord. They were so focused on  holding on to their power and prestigious positions that they didn’t listen when the Lord actually spoke to them.

Miracles

The religious leaders also recognized that Jesus had performed ‘signs.’ No one doubted that he was regularly doing miracles. Instead of recognizing the miracles for what they were (proof of Jesus being the Messiah), they wanted to kill Jesus so he would stop proving He was the Messiah.

__________________

From these things they determine in John 11:48 “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away (lose) both our place and our nation.” What kept the religious leaders from seeing the true movement of God? They had the correct information – but they had interpreted it incorrectly.

 Why would those who are the religious experts miss the arrival of the Messiah?

Not only do they miss the advent of the Messiah, but they seek to kill him.  They say in John 11:50, “it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” They are right that Jesus would die, not only for their nation, but for all the nations (John 3:16). They were blind to see that their own sinful nature would bring it about. They had all the pieces of the puzzle, but when they put it together and looked at the picture, what they see is skewed by a sinful heart.  This is why so many people when they encounter the truth of the Bible, have even experienced miracles in their own lives, and have heard God speak to them seek to destroy that voice because their sinful hearts.

How do we keep this from happening to us?

1)            Fear of Loss of Influence

Crowds were following Him (Jesus) not them (Pharisees).  The religious leaders wanted to hold the place of “experts” and to be able to tell people how to live and control their behavior. Matthew 23:4 says, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.”

When we leaders are more concerned about our name, reputation, plan, etc. than Christ getting the glory and praise, and all glory going to Him, then we are on our way to working against God and His plan instead of being apart of it.

John 3:30 shows the difference in how John the Baptist responds to Jesus’ popularity where he says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  These men fear fading into obscurity where others will stop looking to them for knowledge and forget who them.  We must trust God with our recognition, and point all men to Him who is worthy of recognition and praise. What if God desires to use someone else instead of us? Are we willing to step aside and let someone else do our jobs if the Lord will it?

2)            Fear of Loss of Power

The Pharisees also feared the Romans would take away their positions, and eventually the nation. God is in control, not the Romans. When we seek to control our world instead of trusting the Lord, we begin to look to the temporal authorities as having ultimate control over our lives.

They also feared they would lose the plan they had for the people. How many times have religious leaders developed a plan, sought help from local magistrates, and then get frustrated when God shows up in power and leaves their plan dismantled? Instead of being part of the movement of God, they were actually working against it.

When we don’t understand who truly has the power we fear the apparent influence men have over us and we place our plan for others over what God has planned. We also misinterpret the signs God gives to all and instead interpret them through self-serving eyes.

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

Contact Drew
error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)