Chandler Christian Church Sermon Notes

April 3-4, 2002 FAITH QUEST! Joshua 1:1-11 and Selected

FAITH LETS GOD USE YOU!

GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE IS GREATER

THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE!

*** 1 Cor. 2:9 "That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." [New Living Translation]

*** Eph. 3:20 "With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine." [New Century Version]

FOUR NECESSITIES TO BEING USED BY GOD!

1. BY LETTING GO OF DOUBT!

*** James 1:6 "…a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." [NLT]

*** Joshua 1:1-9 "After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, "Now that my servant Moses is dead, you must lead my people across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev Desert in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River on the east to the Mediterranean Sea on the west….' No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. "Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors. Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." [NLT]

*** Joshua 1:9 "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." [Living Bible]

WE DOUBT OUR DOUBTS AND BELIEVE OUR BELIEFS!

TWO REASONS FOR SELF-DOUBT:

A. COMPARING OURSELVES TO OTHERS!

*** 2 Cor. 10:12 "They are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!" [NLT]

B. REMEMBERING OUR PAST FAILURES!

*** Phil. 3:12-14 "I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be….I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize…heaven." {NLT]

2. BY LOOKING FOR GOD’S PROMISE TO US!

*** Joshua 1:3 "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses." [New International Version]

*** Joshua 23:14 "Soon I will die, going the way of all the earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!" [NLT]

IF WE WANT TO BE USED BY GOD WE NEED A PROMISE OF:

A. STRENGTH!

*** Josh. 1:5 "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life."

WHERE HE GUIDES, HE PROVIDES!

B. SUCCESS!

*** Joshua 1:7 "Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do." [NLT]

SUCCESS IS ACCORDING TO HIS PLAN AND HIS CRITERIA!

C. SUPPORT!

*** Joshua 1:9 "Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." [LB]

GOD’S WORK DONE IN GOD’S WAY WILL NOT LACK GOD’S WEALTH!

*** Joshua 1:8 "Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything." [NCV]

3. BY WORKING AND WALKING WITH GOD!

*** Joshua 1:7-8 "Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed." [NLT]

THE PROMISE OF SUCCESS IS CONDITIONAL ON OBEDIENCE!

*** Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." [NLT]

4. BY LAUNCHING OUT IN FAITH!

*** Joshua 1:10-11 "Then Joshua gave orders to the officers of the people: "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan River and take the land the Lord your God is giving you.' " [NCV]

WHAT IS YOUR JORDAN RIVER?

*** Eph. 3:20 "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." [The Message]

BEING USED BY GOD BEGINS WHEN WE GIVE HIM OUR LIFE

AND CONTINUES AS WE GIVE HIM OUR LIFE!