Step Up, Step Out

The foundation passage today is Joshua Chapter 1 where Joshua takes over after the death of Moses.

The message is entitled Step Up, Step Out

Joshua stepped up in his relationship to God

He stepped out to achieve what God had called him to, rising to the challenge.

Christian Life is all about stepping up and stepping out

Stepping up in our commitment and devotion to God

Stepping out in faith

As we face challenges, change, as we respond to the Holy Sprit’s leading in our lives, we are encouraged to step out – to “Go For It”.

As we move, then God moves on our behalf.

As Paul said in Phil 3:12 …I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. There are times in life when we simply have to acknowledge that God is with us, even if we feel alone. We have to be strong even if we don’t feel it, trusting in His strength.

This is the way we take possession of our land

Today’s world is in turmoil. This is a word for God’s People.

Israelites slaves in Egypt, plague of total darkness for 3 days BUT there was light the Israelites lived.

God is our provider and in this day we His people are getting stronger and stronger

Joshua 1:1-9 READ

Themes:

Passing on to the next Generation

Stepping up in our devotion to the Lord = giving Him our “A game”

Stepping out to truly live by faith

Facing challenges head on

The importance of the Word of God

The importance of our words

About not living in fear or being afraid

v 2 Moses my servant…is dead….Now then….Get ready An acknowledgement of the past but not focussed on the past. Again Paul in Phil 3 says …Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press toward the goal…

Quite simply the past is past. Live in the now

…the land I AM about to give them God is the one in control, we are the simply walking by faith in cooperation with Him. Phil 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

What a difference that makes! The battle is the Lords – the victory is ours

Land – here it was a physical piece of land, but this also speaks of areas of our lives where we need to grow. You may be facing a challenge at work, going for a promotion, a new job, an area of ministry. A relationship that needs restoring, whatever it is, God is at work, and He wants to increase your sphere of influence.

v 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.

What a promise! God is with us, so we face life’s challenges with Him, not alone.

In this passage we see some keys revealed by God to Joshua to step up and step out in his life.

v 6 KEY No 1 BE strong and courageous

God didn’t say, when you feel strong and courageous – step out. Would he ask us to be strong and courageous if it was not possible? No.

Great key here

We tend to rely on feelings. I am sure Joshua felt the challenge of filling Moses’ shoes. I am sure he was stressed at times – most likely fearful of the task that lay ahead. Which is why God said “Be strong”. Are we going to be led around by our feelings or are we going to “step up and step out” and trust God?

Christian Life is all about growing from one degree of glory to another

Ps 23 Through the valley of the shadow of death. We face challenges head not. We can go around, we can run away, but we’ll end up facing them again. Israelites – 40 years – even wanted to go back to slavery – such is the extent to which our enemy can deceive us.

Do it afraid, step out anyway when you don’t feel strong or courageous – and step into God’s strength. Ephesians 6:10 quite simply to Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

God’s power kicks in when we step out – otherwise we don’t need it – I don’t need the power if I’m not stepping out in faith

v 7,8 KEY No 2 The Word of God must have a prominent place in your world.

Here the Lord tells Joshua the “How to”

How to be strong and courageous, and lead the people

He said to have a habitual focus on the Word of God

To read it, Obey it, Meditate on it, Speak it out.

Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path

Proverbs 4:20-24 …listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those find them

This is building our house, our life on the rock. When the storms come, you will stand.

Ps 112:7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord

v 9 KEY No 3 DO NOT FEAR

…Do not be terrified or afraid

Just like God told Joshua to BE strong, God says do not be terrified.

Living in FEAR is a terrible way to live.

Fear is real. Feel it. It’s OK to be feel afraid – not a contradiction. Joshua felt fear.

Devil will deceive you into thinking you have no faith because you are afraid. NOT TRUE.

Jesus was afraid - in the Garden of Gethsemane – He was so stressed that He sweat drops of blood. BUT He didn’t stay there - He stepped up and stepped out in faith for the joy set before Him

Same for you and I

Don’t run from fear, otherwise you could end up running for a long time and keep coming back to the same issue.

As I heard TD Jakes say recently “You cannot change what you cannot confront”

Afraid of making mistakes? You will make mistakes – its how we learn – it’s a part of life.

A mistake is an opportunity to learn …and that’s a good thing

Looking back mistakes have been invaluable to me – because I have learned.

I think if we are honest, we know what the challenge is and the steps we need to take.

But we can stay supposedly “safe” for decades and find we have not progressed and missed out. Peter and the boat

STEPS

Ps 37:23 The steps of a good/righteous man are ordered by the Lord

Steps - Not intentions

God moves when you move

Do you want to have fun in life? Seriously – do you want joy! Then take a few risks -

Could be a phone call you have needed to make for some time – perhaps to reconcile with someone.

I cut my neighbours front grass yesterday!

Apply for a job or a promotion

Start a business you’ve been thinking about

Could be a smile

Volunteer for one of the Teams in church

Shake hands with someone and ask them how they’re doing

Encourage someone

Compliment somebody

Give some money away

Step out in some way

Don’t be distracted by the Big Vision – I’m not saying it not important to have a big vision because it is. But a community is changed one person at a time. Listen to someone – be a friend – show kindness

James 1 has been a personal revelation this last year for me Trials/Pure Joy –

The joy of knowing that what used to make you fearful doesn’t bother you any more because you stepped up and stepped out and grew in God

Mark 5 TM Woman who had been haemorrhaging for 12 years – Jesus said to her “You took a risk of faith and now you are healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

Conclusion:

v 10,11 Joshua stepped up and stepped out, doing exactly as the Lord had instructed. He stepped up to the challenge, into a place of leadership, strong and courageous, aware of what God has said and he spoke it out of his mouth

3 KEYS:

BE STRONG

OBEY, MEDITATE ON AND SPEAK OUT THE WORD OF GOD

DO NOT BE AFRAID

STEP UP – in your relationship, your devotion to God

STEP OUT – in faith and watch God work in and through you

Paul Addison, 20/07/2008