3rd Sunday in Lent – Sermon 64

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ

AMEN

Introduction

“Be strong, be resolute, do not be fearful or discouraged, for wherever you go, the Lord God is with you!”

God’s re-assuring message to Joshua as he is about to cross the Jordan river and begin the conquest of Palestine

God wants us to be strong Christians
Strong in faith – strong in service –
strong in His witness – and strong in His victory

But all too often we get negative thoughts –
think only within our own strength – and not what is available to us through Jesus –
such thoughts separate us from God –

We are engaged in a Spiritual battle – in which God asks for our total commitment in Spirit and in truth

Through our readings we are going to look at what it means to be strong in the Lord – what God has available to help us – and how we can play our part today

First Point   Joshua & the Israelites

 

Our OT reading shows us what a difference 40 years of wanderings had made –

The Israelites were camped at the foot of the Moabite Hills at the south East end of the Jordan Valley –

Moses had just died – and God was about to Commission Joshua – to lead the people into Palestine –

The Israelites would still be facing the same overwhelming odds – with no chariots – no horses – and only primitive arms –

all the people with experience – had died – except Joshua and Caleb – and to cap it all they had a new and untested leader –

but despite all that – they decided to trust God – no matter what –

In the opening verses God is speaks directly and only to Joshua

“Get ready to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to the Israelites”

“I shall not fail you or forsake you”

“Every place where you set foot is yours …”

but you must:

“Observe diligently all the Law my servant Moses has given you … if you would succeed wherever you go…. You must keep it in mind day and night … then you will prosper in everything you do”

Joshua was commanded to take the people where Moses couldn’t

In his own strength he could never follow such a great leader – but with God’s help he and the people would succeed –

Like Joshua and the Israelites – God stretches our calling – we may experience rejection and feel inadequate – fearful of what lies ahead – but God will equip us with all we need – He commands – us to be courageous – not to be without fear – but to go on despite it

Joshua was an outstanding leader with tremendous faith – who lived in accordance with God’s will – he represented the people before God – showed them the way of faith – and led them into a new covenant –

Guided by God the nation of Israel met with overwhelming success – so much so that in chapter 24 v – it concludes that “not a word of the Lord’s promises to the house of Israel went unfulfilled; they all came true.”

The book of Joshua is a good news book – there’s no talk of rebellion – against God – or against their leader – a world of difference between the rumblings recorded in Numbers and Deuteronomy of the earlier generation,
its been described as “ a fresh breeze of hope” – because it shows that things will work out if we follow God – 

Point 2   Armour of God

 

Another inspiring good news book – is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – which he wrote during his imprisonment in Rome – in it the word “love” appears 17 times

It’s a book that tells God’s plan for us all – his exam for the church – and how we should change because of it –

In our passage Paul reminds us of our spiritual responsibilities – and how important it is to use all that God makes available to us –

we have been placed in a supernatural battleground – one in which our own capabilities are dwarfed –

Our battles must be fought in God’s strength – and we must arm ourselves with God’s defenses -and weapons

Paul uses an analogy with a Roman soldier’s armour to show us how we should prepare ourselves for God’s work

There’s the belt of truth – a belt holds the tunic tight – supports the sword – wearing it means we are ready to act confidently about our Faith –

The breastplate of righteousness – makes us impregnable – it’s our bullet proof vest – righteousness is – given to us through the Cross – Jesus’ blood makes us right with God – when we put on the breastplate of righteousness we accept our need to remain free from sin –

Then we have shoes of the gospel of peace – the gospel gives us stability – a sure footing – through it we have peace with God – and are ready to respond to whatever lies ahead –

The shield of faith – is a shield – that completely covers us – it repels those fiery arrows – ambition, greed, pride, discomfort, vanity – it is essential to safety – as is faith in Jesus Christ –with Jesus’ help attacks can be stopped before they do serious injury –

The helmet of salvation protects and enables us to hold our head up with confidence – we know we have been rescued – and are saved

But it is not enough to defend – we have to fight back – the sword of the Spirit – is the word of God which we – are to use to win His battles – and glorify His name –

But Its not our armour or weapons that make us warriors – there must also be courage and strength – and this is given to us through prayer – Paul tells us we must pray constantly – not only when we have problems – but all the time –

Constant prayer gives us daily strength – Our prayers must be intense – and unselfish – asking for the help of the Holy Spirit for saints –

We shouldn’t pray for tasks equal to our strength – but strength equal to our tasks –

Paul asks the Ephesian church to pray for him – so that even in jail – he is still able to speak out clearly – of God’s love – to the people he meets

  

Point 3

 

Sometimes it feels as if we are the only Christian on our street – or in our home – or in our place of work – when the time comes for us to defend our faith and the truth of Jesus Christ – we worry that we might be ridiculed – lose our friends – our family –

But when we do stand for Christ – we use our witness in a most amazing way – to us it may not feel as if much is coming out of it – but God will use it for His glory – the Spirit brings many people to Christ through the faith and commitment of His people –

With God – life’s obstacles and uncertainties become a challenge – and when we overcome them with His strength – they turn into stepping stones in which we can experience God’s power – and develop a stronger faith in Him –

Separation – and isolation is satan’s ultimate goal –
We must not allow the devil to have a foothold in any part of our lives – we must make sure that we use all of God’s resources to help us –

just as most of us – wouldn’t try to cut our lawns with a pair of scissors – so we shouldn’t attempt to carryout God’s work without His help

In an R.E. exam – some students were given an hour to write about the Holy Spirit – and the devil – and spend half the time on each – one student decided to write for the full hour on the Holy Spirit – and put at the end – “I have no time for the devil”

Only completing half the question – is no way to get good exam marks – but “having no time for the devil” – is the only way to resist his forces –

We must protect ourselves with Gods armour, fill ourselves with God’s word – and pray and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit – 
 

Conclusion

 

When God speaks – He gets results – He never speaks in vain – when He spoke through Joshua He challenged and encouraged a whole generation
When He spoke through Paul – He challenged and encouraged His church at Ephesus

Today He speaks to us

are we ready to fight ? are we fit to fight ?

Are we ready to make a firm stand – believing that God is all the help we need ? – that through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit – we will be given the strength to win for Christ –

You can count on God to do His part – can He count on you to do yours?

 
Prayer to Finish

 In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN