Rev. David Holwick ZE
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
August 30, 1998
Joshua 1:1-9
A LEADER FOR OUR TIMES
======================
I. How important is leadership?
A. Some historians argue individuals don't make a difference.
1) People cannot rise above their societies.
2) Common sense argues otherwise.
a) Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Lincoln...
b) (Brother Jeb, holding back tyranny singlehandedly...)
B. Joshua one of greatest leaders in OT.
1) General Douglas MacArthur once listed Joshua among the
truly great generals of world history.
2) President Theodore Roosevelt often said the book of Joshua
was his favorite book of the Bible, and he often referred
to Joshua in his speeches.
II. Challenges of Joshua.
A. A time of crisis.
1) Replacing a beloved (and inspired) leader.
a) Moses had brought them out of Egypt.
b) He had led them 40 years in the wilderness.
c) Now he was dead.
2) Holding diverse tribes together.
a) Book will reveal tensions between the groups.
b) Even a few defections would bring about defeat.
3) Facing a huge task - conquering the Promised Land.
a) This had been a disaster the first time around.
b) The land was filled with fortified cities.
B. Our time of crisis.
1) Financial turmoil.
a) Russia's meltdown.
b) American stock market nosedives.
2) Moral turmoil.
a) Kids committing atrocities, teenagers killing their
own babies should be a warning.
b) Breakdown of family.
c) Sexual standards have fallen.
3) Political turmoil.
a) Lack of trust in leaders.
1> Clinton/Lewinsky is just latest episode.
b) Cynicism. Not just the President, but locally as well.
C. Who will be our "Joshua"s?
1) We need leaders with vision, courage, integrity.
2) Will YOU fill the bill?
III. Qualities of Joshua.
A. Prepared.
1) He spent forty years as Moses' right hand man.
2) He was now between age 60 and 80.
B. Spiritual.
1) Had God's presence. 1:5,9,17
Some of you are old enough to remember when Jackie Robinson
broke into baseball.
He was a tremendous player for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
He was also the first black man to put on a major league
uniform.
Jackie Robinson once told of some excellent advice he
received from Branch Rickey.
Rickey was a devout Methodist and the head of the Dodgers.
Both of them knew there would be trouble up ahead.
Rickey said to him, "You know, Jackie, I was a small boy when
I took my first train ride.
On the same train was an old couple, also riding for the first
time.
We were going through the Rocky Mountains.
The old man sitting by the window looked forward and said to
his wife: `Trouble ahead. Ma! We're high up over a cliff
and we're gonna run right off.'
"To my boyish ears," said Rickey, "the noise of wheels repeated
`Trouble-ahead, trouble ahead....'
I never hear train wheels to this day but what I think of this.
But our train course bent into a tunnel right after the old man
spoke, and we came out on the other side of the mountain.
That's the way it is with most trouble ahead in this world,
Jackie -- if we use the common sense and courage God gave us.
But you've got to study the hazards and build wisely....
"God is with us in this, Jackie," Mr. Rickey said quietly.
"You know your Bible.
It's good, simple Christianity for us to face realities and
to recognize what we're up against...
We've got to fight out our problems together with tact and
common sense."
#2275
Knowing God is with you helps cut obstacles down to size.
2) Obedient. 1:7
a) Obey ALL the law - not just the easy part.
b) Success depends on not turning left or right.
3) Focused on Word. 1:8
a) Knowledgeable.
b) Remembered commands to Moses.
c) Meditated on it.
The Bible remains a critical resource for Christian
leaders.
James Dobson quotes the following from one of our more
liberal Supreme Court chief justices, Earl Warren.
In 1954 Warren said this:
"I believe no one can read the history of our country without
realizing that the Good Book and the spirit of the Savior
have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses.
Whether we look to the first Charter of Virginia ... or
to the Charter of New England ... or of Massachusetts,
the same objective is present --
-- a Christian land governed by Christian principles.
I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because
of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and
their belief in it.
I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the
Christian religion.
I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great
harm can come to our country."
#4119
C. Courageous and bold. 1:9
1) A big emphasis - temptation would be to run.
2) Also tied in with discouragement.
3) It is important to have a bold vision.
Charles R. Swindoll gives an alphabet of vision that fits
right in with this passage:
A-B-C-D-E
A. Attitude. When you have vision it affects your attitude. Your
attitude is optimistic rather than pessimistic.
B. Belief. This is nothing more than having a strong belief in the
power of God;
having confidence in others around you who are in
similar battles with you;
and, yes, having confidence in yourself,
by the grace of God.
C. Capacity. A willingness to be stretched, to try new things.
Great leaders have a capacity for taking risks.
D. Determination. Determination is hanging tough when the going gets rough.
E. Enthusiasm. Great word. Its Greek origin is entheos, "God in."
It is the ability to see God in a situation,
which makes the event exciting.
#1602
D. Committed to an ultimate goal. 1:14-15
1) Fight until God gives rest.
a) Comparison with Vietnam, which rotated soldiers.
b) Christians are in "for the duration."
1> Don't just be a Christian when it's easy, or when
crisis hits.
2) Have a forward-looking perspective.
a) Book of Hebrews tells us the "rest" is still in the
future.
IV. Impact of Joshua.
A. Successfully led Israel.
B. Inspired future generations.
C. Commended for his faith and integrity.
V. Are you a Joshua?
A. Even if you're not a leader, you can be a Joshua.
B. Attitude is everything.
1) Are you a serious Christian?
2) Do you want to make a difference with your life?
C. Choose your principles.
===========================================================================
SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
#4119, James Dobson Letter, by James Dobson. (I forget which one, but I
entered it in my database on June 15, 1997.)
#1602, "Living Above The Level Of Mediocrity, " by Charles R. Swindoll,
page 88.
#2275, John Haggai, WINNING (New York: Inspirational Press, 1991), quoted
in "Isn't It Time To Get It Right?", Dynamic Preaching, Spring 1992.
===========================================================================
OTHER RELEVANT ILLUSTRATIONS:
These and 4,300 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://users.nac.net/wdh2000/illust.html
SOURCE: Discipleship Journal, #89
TITLE: Seven Questions Every Leader Should Ask
AUTHOR: Judith Couchman
PAGE: 97 DATE: 9/1/95 Typist: ENTERED: 9/11/95
DATE_USED:
ILLUSTRATION__________________________________________________________________
: How to keep your leadership on track.
1. Do I have a good reason to lead?
a. A sense of God's calling.
b. A passion for the purpose.
c. Fitting the role.
d. Confirmation from others.
2. Do I harbor selfish motives?
a. Self-esteem.
b. Recognition.
c. Power.
3. Do I follow God's guidance?
4. Am I actually leading?
a. Management is not leadership.
b. Leaders must guide, inspire, challenge and motivate.
5. Who's really in control?
a. God must be in control.
b. Leaders must refrain from manipulating.
6. What's the vision?
7. What's the goal?
#3340
*
CATEGORY: Joshua, Leadership, Courage, Risk, Failure
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT: Num 14:6-8, Josh 1:5-9, Josh 7:7, Josh 8:30-35, Josh 23:14, Josh 24:15
Number: 2420 Hard copy:
SOURCE: Sermon
TITLE: "Be Strong And Courageous"
AUTHOR: Serm93e.pco
PAGE: DATE: 1/31/93 Typist: ENTERED: 1/31/93
DATE_USED: 1/31/93
ILLUSTRATION__________________________________________________________________
: Old Testament Heroes sermon series: Joshua.
Joshua 1:5-9
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
I. Joshua's background.
A. His name.
B. His significance.
C. His daunting task. 1:7
II. The fear of failure.
A. Joshua had plenty to worry about. 7:7
B. The "Imposter Phenomenon."
III. How Joshua overcame failure.
A. He had an accurate assessment of himself. 3:7
B. He had a strong faith in God. 1:8; 5:13-15
C. He had his priorities right. 8:30-35
D. He dared to take risks. Num 14:6-8
IV. The influence of courageous leaders.
A. Courageous leaders make an impact.
B. Following the leader.
V. Joshua's invitation.
A. All of God's good promises came true. 23:14
B. Choose whom you will serve. 24:15
#2420
*
CATEGORY: Willpower, Perseverence, Goals, Don't Give Up, Success, Resolution,
Positive Attitude, Change, Habits, Self Control
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT: 1 Cor 13:7-8, Josh 1:7-9, 1 Chr 28:20, 2 Chr 19:11, 2 Chr 20:15F,
2 Chr 25:8, Luke 8:15, Rom 5:3F, Heb 10:36, Heb 11:27
Number: 1780 Hard copy: y
SOURCE: Readers' Digest
TITLE: Ways To Boost Your Willpower
AUTHOR: Edwin Kiester, Jr., And Sally Valente Kiester
PAGE: 60 DATE: 2/1/92 Typist: ENTERED: 1/29/92
DATE_USED:
ILLUSTRATION__________________________________________________________________
: For every hurdle we want to overcome, we need willpower. Willpower is a
skill that can be developed, strengthened and targeted to help us achieve our
goals. "Fundamental among man's inner powers is the tremendous unrealized
potency of man's own will," wrote Italian psychologist Roberto Assagioli 25
years ago. "The trained will is a masterful weapon. ... The key words are
power and control. The power is there, but you have to control it," says Alan
Marlatt of the University of Washington.
1. Be positive.
2. Make up your mind.
Four stages in making a change:
a. Precontemplation (resisting the change).
b. Contemplation (weighing the pros and cons of the change).
c. Action (exercising willpower to make the change).
d. Maintenance (using willpower to sustain the change).
3. Zero-in on your target.
The most successful at keeping New Years resolutions are those who
make specific goals.
4. Believe in your cause.
5. Feed your ego.
6. Act as if...
Acting as if you're strong-willed can help you be strong-willed.
7. Sharpen your will.
Make a list of Saturday-morning errands and don't eat lunch until you
have done them all. Schedule one evening a month for paying bills,
and stick to that date.
New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley was a basketball star with the champion
New York Knicks. On top of regular practice, he always went to the
gym early and practiced foul shots alone. He was determined to be
among the best from the foul line. True to his goal, he developed the
highest percentage of successful free throws on his team.
8. Expect trouble.
9. Be realistic.
10. Be patient.
11. Keep it up.
#1780
*
First Baptist Church; Ledgewood, New Jersey
This document last modified December 4, 1998