Joshua 23 is to the of the nation
Joshua is about years old, (v.1) in the Land
(v.5)
There has been , (v.1) but there is still
God will do , but I have to do
God plus one is a (vv.6-10)
(v.16)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)
The Results of Backsliding:
1. There will be (v.13)
…know with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you…
– Joshua 23:13 (NASB)
2. There will be (v.13)
…but they will be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you. – Joshua 23:13 (NASB95)
3. There will be (v.16)
“When you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.” – Joshua 23:16 (NASB95)
Three things to keep us from defeat:
1. to the Word (v.6)
“Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left…” – Joshua 23:6 (NASB95)
2. from the World (v.7)
For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these which remain with you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them and they with you… – Joshua 23:12 (NASB)
Law of Life: We like the people we associate with
3. for the Lord (v.11)
Love for the Lord is revealed by a
“So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God.” – Joshua 23:11 (NASB95)
Joshua 24 is to the
…Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel… – Joshua 24:2 (KJV)
Key Word: Serve means to Him, Him, and only Him (vv.14-20)
(v.19) Why were they not able to serve the Lord?
They dabbled with idols because they lost their of God
“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:14 (NASB95)
Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? “Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols… – Ezekiel 14:1-4 (NKJV)
After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. – Judges 2:10 (NIV)
Jesus: iesous – is a transliteration of the Hebrew “Joshua,” meaning “Jehovah is salvation.” (VCED)
…the LORD said to (Joshua), “…a very large amount of the land remains to be possessed.” – Joshua 13:1 (NASB)
Back in Chapter 1
But to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, …but you shall cross ahead of your brothers in battle formation, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, until the LORD gives your brothers rest…Then you may return to your own land…” – Joshua 1:12-15 (NASB)
Joshua affirms that they were to “The LORD (Yahweh)
your God” (v.3), did what Moses commanded (v.2), did not abandon their brothers (v.3), and Joshua them (vv.6&7)
On the way home they build a large (NASU), imposing (NIV) altar () in the land of Canaan (v.10)
“Any man from the house of Israel, or from the aliens who sojourn among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, and does not bring it to the doorway of the tent of meeting to offer it to the Lord, that man also shall be cut off from his people.” – Leviticus 17:8-9 (NASB95)
Common mistakes of those who live in the Promised Land:
They went on (v.11)
Now the children of Israel heard someone say… (v.11) (NKJV)
And when the children of Israel heard of it… (v.12) (KJV)
Got up before they it out (v.12)
…the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them. (v.12) (NIV)
What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts! – Proverbs 18:13 (TLB)
They didn’t seek and didn’t consult
(v.13) Phinehas: mouth of a serpent, mouth of brass (OTESD)
Israel through Phinehas accused them of and attached to their (vv.15-20)
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain (EMPTINESS), for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” – Exodus 20:7 (NASB)
It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry. – Proverbs 20:25 (NASB95)
With good intentions they made (v.19)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. – Exodus 20:16 (KJV)
They had the right but the wrong
Now the truth of what really happened: (vv.21-29)
(v.31) Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the LORD is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the LORD.” – Joshua 22:31 (NLT)
When they do attack and let the Lord
Occupy till I come. – Luke 19:13 (KJV)
‘Do business till I come.’ – Luke 19:13 (NKJV)
“The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.” – Psalms 35:27 (NASB95)
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. – 3 John 2 (NKJV)
Decide what is (The Big Rocks)
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues vain things lacks sense. – Proverbs 12:11 (NASB77)
Make according to
We should make plans-counting on God to direct us. – Proverbs 16:9 (TLB)
Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. – Proverbs 4:26 (GNB)
Discovering My Life Purpose (What is my life about?):
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose. – Proverbs 16:4 (NASB)
(Paul) “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” – Romans 15:20 (NIV)
“I was not disobedient to the vision from [God].” – Acts 26:19 (NIV)
What Knowing My Life Purpose Will Do for Me:
It will
“… the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn.” – James 1:8 (PHILLIPS)
It
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” – Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained… – Proverbs 29:18 (NASB)
(Paul) “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me…” – Philippians 3:14 (NIV)
It
(Paul) “I am bringing all my energies to bear on this ONE thing: forgetting what is behind and looking forward to what lies ahead.” – Philippians 3:13 (TLB)
Question: What do I need to ?
It
(Paul) “You have helped me in the work of the gospel, from the very firstday until now.” – Philippians 1:5 (GNT)
“If your goals are good, you will be respected…” – Proverbs 11:27 (GNT)
How to Determine My Life Purpose:
Prerequisite: – Galatians 1:17“Be still, and know that I am God…”
– Psalms 46:10 (NIV)
I must identify
“We each have different gifts, according to the grace given us…use [them] in proportion to [your] faith.”
– Romans 12:6 (BSB)
Question: ?
I must review
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“God helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have troubles, using the same help we ourselves have received from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4 (GNT)
God doesn’t waste
Question: What have I ?
(Paul) “I may do anything, but everything is not useful. Yes, I may do anything, but everything is not constructive.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23 (PHILLIPS)
Question: ?
2 Things Will Last Forever:
(Mark 13:31)
(Matthew 25:46)
“For David served God’s purpose in his own [generation] and then he died.” – Acts 13:36 (GNT)
Matthew 6:19-34 is a teaching
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying… – Matthew 5:1-2 (ESV)
“Treasures on Earth”: treasures
(v.19) Heaven’s treasures cannot be destroyed by or (v.20)
“Heaven”: a surrogate name for God
“Tell me: When John baptized people, did that come from heaven; (a reverential Jewish way of referring to God) or just from other people (human beings)?” – Matthew 21:25 (EXB)
Disciples are (vv.19-21)
A disciple’s heart mind are focused on God (v.21)
“Mind and heart are not two distinct realities.” (Davies, 2004)
A commitment to God produces in our lives (v.22)
Clear: haplous – “single, directed towards one object” (PLGNT)
commitments produce
(vv.23-24)
Disciples are committed to God (vv.22-24)
Storing up treasures on earth will produce
(vv.19, 25)
Worried: merimnaō – I am anxious about, I care for (PLGNT)
(v.26) Look: emblepsate – a searching look in order to learn (France, 2007)
Gaze upon the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or store in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of far greater value than they? – Matthew 6:26 (NCB)
(vv.26-27) Birds teach the disciples about God’s character
(v.28)
Notice: katamathete – observe, learn (Strong’s)
(vv.28-30) Lilies teach the disciples about God’s character
(vv.31-34) God’s character is the for an anxious heart
Jesus’ Main Point: upon God’s character (vv.19-34)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
“The antidote to anxiety is the consideration of the character of our heavenly father.” – Jonny Ardavanis
PASSAGES ABOUT GOD’S CHARACTER
December 27/28, 2025
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” – Malachi 3:6 (ESV)
Encouragement for the Lonely:
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. – John 15:15 (ESV)
Encouragement for the Hurting:
“I am the Lord who heals you.” – Exodus 15:26 (CEB)
Encouragement for the Fearful:
…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Encouragement for Those Who Feel Unsafe:
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. – Psalms 91:1-2 (NLT)
Encouragement for the Unloved:
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. – 1 John 4:16 (ESV)
Encouragement for Those Anxious about the Future:
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. – Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Encouragement for Those Lacking:
Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? – Matthew 6:26 (NASB)
Encouragement for Those Falling Apart:
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. – Psalms 54:4 (ESV)
Encouragement for the Restless:
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
– 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NIV)
Encouragement for those who Feel Weak:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalms 46:1 (KJV)
Encouragement for those who Feel Defeated by Sin:
“…I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” – Exodus 31:13 (NASB95)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
– Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will be with child and Bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14 (NASB95)
Immanuel: With us is God – Im: with, El: God
(Chapter 1:31) Jesus: Jehovah the Saviour (Easton’s)
(Chapter 2:4) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from old, From everlasting.”
– Micah 5:2 (NKJV)
The Angel Announced the Gospel of Mega Joy:
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news (euaggelizo) of great (megas) joy that will be for all the people.” – Luke 2:10 (NIV)
euaggelizo: to announce good news, especially the gospel
“And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
– 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NASB)
For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23 (ASV)
In 2026 when I set priorities (Big Rocks) it doesn’t mean I do , but I do more of
Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time…Don’t be vague but grasp firmly what you know to be the will of the Lord. – Ephesians 5:15-17 (PH)
The Big Three:
1st – My Relationship with
(Martha) …had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:39-42 (NASB95)
Martha was and it left her worried and bothered about
Great peace have they which love thy law (God’s Word): and nothing shall offend them. – Psalms 119:165 (KJV)
Mary’s Big Rock was sitting at the Lord’s feet listening. Jesus tells us that Mary chose the
2nd – My Relationship with
My Goal: When the kids are gone we want to still be
Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth…Be exhilarated always with her love.
– Proverbs 5:18-19 (NASB)
Love is spelled
(Jesus) I have this against you, that you have left your first love …repent and do the deeds you did at first…
– Revelation 2:4-5 (NASB95)
Singles: She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. – Proverbs 31:12 (NASB)
3rd – My Relationship with My
Goal: When our kids grow up they would still want to be with and with when they no longer had to be
Lesson: Remember they are and I’m the
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. – 1 Corinthians 13:11(NIV)
Question: If we do family like this, what will it look like in ?
Big Rock Areas:
Spiritual
Relationships
Intellectual
Physical
Career
Financial
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant… – Matthew 25:23 (KJV)
They had the () before they had the
Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you… – Joshua 1:3 (NASB)
(Chapter 14:1-2) Their portion was given by , God gave the He wanted
The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the LORD has blessed us abundantly.” “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.” (Giants [KJV, CWSB, NKJV, WBT]) – Joshua 17:14-15 (NIV)
Caleb (The Picture of Faith) Chapter 14:6-13
(45 years earlier) Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size There also we saw the Nephilim (Giants [KJV]) the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim (Giants [KJV]); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” – Numbers 13:30-33 (NASB95)
Based on God’s faith stands in the face
of
Faith believes over
Faith stands in the face of other
But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. – Numbers 14:10 (NASB)
The came in the place of (v.6)
Kadesh-Barnea: desert of a fugitive; wilderness of wandering (OTESD)
Faith for the (v.10)
(Do) …not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6:12 (NASB)
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him… – Lamentations 3:25 (NASB95)
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. – Psalms 27:14 (NASB)
Faith the promise to (v.12)
“…the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” – Joshua 14:12 (NIV)
Faith says “Give me the ” because faith wants all that (v.12)
A growing faith keeps me (v.11)
(v.15)
(Hebron) is found where the biggest (Anakim) are
Hebron: society, friendship (Hitchcock’s); (fellowship)
It was that made Caleb
(God) “…My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.” – Numbers 14:24 (NASB95)
The story of Joshua begins about
The story of Joshua: Faith upon
(vv.1-5)
This time the challenge is at least
This challenge is against overwhelming and far greater
What is my ?
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. – 1 Peter 4:12-13 (Message)
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial… – James 1:12 (NASB)
Faith chooses over
Without a there is no
(v.6) Joshua will have to
God tells Joshua but not
With God’s Joshua gets to
But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NIV)
Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. – Psalms 20:7 (NASB95)
What Joshua about what God will determine what Joshua
To overcome I need to decide to what God about my
(v.7) Victory comes by with
Faith for victory, because faith victory
Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. – 1 Samuel 17:48 (NASB95)
Decide to , use and
(vv.10-15)
Enjoy the and keep going (v.14)
…when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. – Deuteronomy 6:10-13 (NASB95)
Decide to take my of
Sometimes total victory involves a (vv.16-18)
How Long: (v.18)
Decide to go forward in faith as
…fight the good fight of faith… – 1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB)
My unfinished business spiritually becomes a problem
for (vv.21-22) (Genesis 6)
Anakim: long-necked – A tribe of giants (OTESD)
We also saw the Nephilim there (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim)… – Numbers 13:33 (NASB)
(500 years later) …a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits… – 1 Samuel 17:4 (NASB95)
Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. – 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
…so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. – 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NASB)
(vv.1-2)
adoni: zedek adon: Lord tsedeq: righteousness (BD&B)
Jerusalem: Foundation of Peace (BD&B)
(v.6) Joshua-Yehoshua: The Lord is Salvation (BD&B)
(vv.7-9) After being awake all day, they will march all night, 25 miles uphill over 3000 ft. and that’s just the beginning
(vv.12-13)
“Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” – Genesis 18:14 (NASB95)
How to Experience Victory in The Battle:
The principle of the (v.1)
What is my God-Given ?
I have to believe God’s (v.8)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
What does God’s say about my ?
The principle of (v.7)
…including all the best fighting men. – Joshua 10:7 (NIV)
…including his best fighting men. – Joshua 10:7 (NCV)
What skills do I need to ?
The principle of (v.9)
What is my ?
The principle of the (v.9)
You foolish person! Must you be shown that faith that does nothing is worth nothing? – James 2:20 (ICB)
I have to
The principle of
So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all (kol) the people of war with him, and all (kol) the valiant warriors. – Joshua 10:7 (NASB)
all: kol – A particle meaning each, every, all, everything, the whole, entire. It has an inclusive meaning of all or every one of something (CWSBD)
What am I willing to ?
NOTICE: (v.11) God when I
The supernatural takes place when we do all we’re capable of doing in the , and then God steps in and adds His to it
The principle of (v.12)
You do not have because you do not ask. – James 4:2 (NASB)
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. – James 5:17 (NASB)
“Or the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit…” – Deuteronomy 11:17 (NASB95)
Three Steps to Spiritual Depression (vv.1-5)
1. Elijah forgot about God’s
2. Elijah focused on and
3. Elijah was
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. – Psalms 34:19 (NASB95)
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NASB95)
God Lifts Elijah out of His Depression (vv.6-21)
1. God meets Elijah’s
2. God provides Elijah with
3. God allows Elijah to
4. God wanted to meet Elijah
How Do We Hear from God?
1. It starts with a to hear from God
2. I need to for God in my life
3. I need to listen for God’s
Be still, and know that I am God… – Psalms 46:10 (KJV)
5. God gives Elijah a
6. God provides Elijah with a
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalms 34:18 (NASB)