Embracing Courage on the Journey to Promises
Summary
In our journey towards the promises of God, we are reminded that there is always a higher level of praise and a deeper call to courage. As we embark on this 100-day adventure, inspired by Joshua's command to prepare ourselves, we are not just setting out on a physical journey but a spiritual one that demands personal, family, and community transformation. This journey is about embracing a daring destination that God has set before us, one that requires courage and swift feet to engage with His promises.
Reflecting on the transition of the Israelites from the wilderness to the Promised Land, we see a call to courage exemplified by Joshua and the Israelites. They were a people transformed from wanderers to conquerors, a transformation that we too are invited to experience. The story of Moses serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of discerning divine moments and the consequences of failing to do so. Moses, despite his greatness, missed a moment of divine destiny by not recognizing the change in the people he led. This teaches us the importance of being attuned to God's timing and the shifts He orchestrates in our lives.
As we stand at the edge of our own promised land, we are challenged to be courageous leaders who stand against injustice, seek mentors, and discern divine moments. We are called to be a church that transforms culture rather than being transformed by it. This requires a commitment to being missional, relational, and courageous in our approach to the world around us. God is looking for leaders who will speak to the rock, who will speak His word into our culture with love and grace.
In this season, let us embrace the mission God has for us, understanding that His mission is greater than any one leader or moment. As God was with Moses, so He will be with us, guiding us to fulfill His purposes. Let us be bold, brave, and swift in our pursuit of His promises, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.
Key Takeaways:
- Courageous Leadership: True courage involves standing against injustice and seeking mentors who can provide guidance and wisdom. Like Moses, we must be willing to confront wrongs and seek out those who can help us grow in understanding and compassion. Courageous leaders are not threatened by others but learn from them. [14:45]
- Discerning Divine Moments: Recognizing moments of divine destiny is crucial. Moses' failure to discern the change in the Israelites' attitude led to a missed opportunity. We must be sensitive to God's timing and the shifts He is making in our lives, ensuring we do not miss His divine appointments. [19:10]
- Cultural Transformation: The church is called to transform culture, not be transformed by it. We must decide to be a missional and relational church, speaking God's word into our culture with love and truth. This requires courage and a commitment to God's mission. [22:39]
- Mission Over Messenger: God's mission is greater than any individual leader. As He was with Moses, He will be with us, guiding us to fulfill His purposes. Our focus should be on the mission God has given us, trusting that He will provide the leadership needed to accomplish it. [33:57]
- Invitation to Courage: God is inviting us to be courageous, bold, and brave in our pursuit of His promises. This involves loving people into the kingdom and being leaders who speak God's word with grace and truth. We are called to be agents of change in our culture. [40:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:48] - Preparing for the Promises
- [01:59] - Strategic Plan for Transformation
- [03:01] - A Daring Destination
- [03:42] - Invitation to Courage
- [04:55] - Transition from Wilderness to Promised Land
- [05:46] - Moses' Leadership and Challenges
- [07:09] - Consequences of Disobedience
- [09:05] - Call to Courage and Swift Feet
- [11:21] - Moses: A Model of Courage
- [13:16] - Standing Against Injustice
- [14:45] - Seeking Mentors
- [17:02] - Discerning Divine Moments
- [19:10] - Pattern Recognition Failure
- [22:39] - Cultural Transformation
- [24:15] - Leadership Challenges
- [27:23] - Speaking to the Rock
- [31:26] - Mission Over Messenger
- [33:57] - God's Call to Joshua
- [40:24] - Invitation to Courageous Leadership
- [43:12] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 1:10-11
- Numbers 20:10-12
- Joshua 1:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. What command did Joshua give to the officers of the people in Joshua 1:10-11, and what was the significance of this command in the context of the Israelites' journey? [00:48]
2. In Numbers 20:10-12, what was Moses instructed to do, and how did his actions differ from God's command? What was the consequence of his actions? [05:46]
3. How does the transition from Moses to Joshua as a leader reflect God's mission over individual leadership, as discussed in the sermon? [33:57]
4. What does the term "courageous" mean in the context of the Israelites entering the Promised Land, and how is it exemplified by Joshua and the Israelites? [03:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to it illustrate the importance of discerning divine moments and God's timing? [19:10]
2. What lessons can be learned from the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua about the nature of God's mission and the role of individual leaders? [31:26]
3. How does the concept of "courageous leadership" in the sermon relate to standing against injustice and seeking mentors, as exemplified by Moses? [14:45]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should engage with culture, and how does this relate to the idea of cultural transformation? [22:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to be courageous in your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? [40:24]
2. Consider the idea of discerning divine moments. How can you become more attuned to God's timing and the shifts He orchestrates in your life? [19:10]
3. In what ways can you stand against injustice in your community or workplace? Identify a specific action you can take this week to address an injustice you are aware of. [14:45]
4. How can you seek out mentors in your spiritual journey? Identify someone you respect and consider reaching out to them for guidance and wisdom. [14:45]
5. Reflect on the concept of cultural transformation. How can you contribute to transforming culture rather than being transformed by it? What specific steps can you take to speak God's word into your culture with love and truth? [22:39]
6. How does the idea of "mission over messenger" challenge your understanding of leadership within the church? How can you focus more on God's mission in your personal life and community? [33:57]
7. Think about a situation where you might have missed a divine moment due to pattern recognition failure. How can you ensure you are open to new possibilities and changes in the future? [19:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Courageous Leadership in Action
In our journey of faith, true courage is demonstrated by standing against injustice and seeking guidance from mentors. Courageous leaders are those who confront wrongs and are open to learning from others, rather than feeling threatened by them. This kind of leadership requires a heart that is willing to grow in understanding and compassion. As we reflect on the example of Moses, we see a leader who was not afraid to confront the wrongs of his time, yet also sought wisdom from those around him. In our own lives, we are called to be leaders who are not only bold in our convictions but also humble enough to seek counsel and learn from others. [14:45]
"Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you." (Joshua 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Who is a mentor in your life that you can reach out to this week for guidance and wisdom in an area where you feel challenged?
Day 2: Discerning Divine Moments
Recognizing moments of divine destiny is crucial in our spiritual journey. The story of Moses serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being attuned to God's timing and the shifts He orchestrates in our lives. Moses, despite his greatness, missed a moment of divine destiny by not recognizing the change in the people he led. This teaches us the importance of being sensitive to God's timing and ensuring we do not miss His divine appointments. In our own lives, we must be vigilant and prayerful, seeking to discern the moments when God is calling us to act or to wait. [19:10]
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was.'" (Numbers 27:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a recent moment where you felt God was prompting you to act or to wait? How can you be more attentive to His timing in your daily life?
Day 3: Transforming Culture with Love and Truth
The church is called to transform culture, not be transformed by it. This requires a commitment to being missional and relational, speaking God's word into our culture with love and truth. We are challenged to be a church that stands firm in its values while engaging with the world around us in a way that reflects God's love and grace. This involves being courageous and intentional in our interactions, ensuring that we are agents of change who bring light into the darkness. [22:39]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can engage with your community this week to bring about positive change while staying true to your faith?
Day 4: Mission Over Messenger
God's mission is greater than any individual leader. As He was with Moses, He will be with us, guiding us to fulfill His purposes. Our focus should be on the mission God has given us, trusting that He will provide the leadership needed to accomplish it. This perspective helps us to remain humble and focused on the bigger picture, recognizing that we are part of a larger story that God is writing. It is a call to trust in His guidance and to be faithful in the roles He has given us, knowing that the mission is ultimately His. [33:57]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from personal achievements to God's greater mission in your life? What steps can you take to align your daily actions with His purposes?
Day 5: Embracing the Invitation to Courage
God is inviting us to be courageous, bold, and brave in our pursuit of His promises. This involves loving people into the kingdom and being leaders who speak God's word with grace and truth. We are called to be agents of change in our culture, standing firm in our faith while reaching out to others with compassion and understanding. This invitation to courage is not just about grand gestures but also about the small, everyday actions that reflect God's love and truth in our lives. [40:24]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to be more courageous? How can you take a step of faith in that area this week?
Quotes
1) "When God is involved in every part of our daring destination, we are able to do it. And last Sunday, we provided a PowerPoint presentation with 10 preparational steps. And I would encourage you to go to the website. If you have not seen that PowerPoint presentation, go to the event section on the website, and it's right at the top. 10 preparational areas that the Lord is helping us to prepare for a big assignment. 10 preparational areas that the Lord is helping us to prepare for a big assignment in 2025. As a church, we're not just getting in a car going anywhere. We're going to Andy's Frozen Custard." [01:59] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The problems may be great, but the promises are greater. God loves to turn our desolation into consolation. Our grief into his saving grace. Our trauma into triumph. And today, I want to look at the transition that took place as the children of... Israel transitioned from the wilderness into the promised land." [04:55] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Courageous leaders stand against injustice. When we look at the highlight reel of Moses' life, we see so many times where he stands up against injustice. He stands up in the face of injustice. Here he is, a Hebrew, a prince in Pharaoh's house. And he sees an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew. And he stands against that injustice. And perhaps he stood in a wrong way and he slew the Egyptian and had to end up running for his life on the backside of the desert for 40 years. And yet there was still this passion. in him to stand against injustice." [14:45] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Courageous leaders look for mentors. They seek mentors. They seek out people who will help them to see things that they don't see and understand things that they don't understand. Care about things that they really should care about. And of course we know Moses did this with his father -in -law Jethro who was a Midianite, someone of a different ethnic culture. And he seeks out, he seeks out Jethro for mentoring and advice." [17:02] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Courageous leaders discern moments of divinity. I want to dwell here for a few minutes because if we had the time, we could walk through the pages of Scripture and see all these moments of divine destiny where God used specific people just like the men of Issachar who understood the times, who discerned the times to do great things. And in this particular moment of time with Moses, we see a moment of divine destiny where this courageous leader for some reason misses it." [19:10] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Do you really think that God is going to let us into the promised land? If the promised land is going to change us rather than us changing the promised land? So in our culture today, God is aware. Is the church a transforming church? Will the church of Jesus Christ transform our culture? Or will our culture transform the church? Can I say that one of my hopes and prayers for Bethesda is that we won't have to take another lap in the wilderness around the mountain." [22:39] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "God was looking for a speak to the rock leader. Rather than a strike the rock leader. God was looking for a courageous leader. Who knew how to transition. And discern a divine moment of destiny. That would move his people. From this culture of. Wandering in the wilderness. To this culture of possessing ground. And the promises of God. And Moses. When he gets to the moment. Rather than. Speaking to the rock. He strikes it. And he doesn't strike it just once. But twice. Almost as if to say. God. I know what you're telling me to do. But I'm still going to do it my way." [27:23] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Because what God is saying is this, irregardless of the leader, it's not about the leader. My mission is more important than my messenger. My mission is more important than my servant. My mission is more important than my servant. Moses, my servant. Oh, by the way, he's my servant, not yours. Moses, my servant is dead. Listen to a God who turns his attention away from one of the most greatest leaders of all time and he focuses on Joshua and he says, there's something that needs to happen in the hearts and lives of the children of Israel and I'm not giving you a choice. I'm asking you to lead them across into my promises." [33:57] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "I'm so glad that God is a God of mission. That he's a God of mission. That he is building his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. That everything that we go through doesn't have to be wasted but God can use it to help us cross over and experience his promises for our lives. Today's issuing an invitation to be courageous. to be bold, to be brave. Young leaders, God's issuing an invitation to you to be courageous." [39:09] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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