Trusting God on Our Journey to the Promised Land
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the journey of the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, drawing parallels to our own spiritual journeys. Life often feels like a "choose your own adventure" book, filled with decisions and uncertainties. The Israelites, led by Joshua, faced numerous obstacles, including the daunting task of crossing the Jordan River. Despite the challenges, they were called to trust in Yahweh, the God who had performed mighty acts on their behalf. This narrative serves as a reminder that our journeys, though unique, are part of a larger mission to glorify God and make His name known.
We are invited to join the people of Israel in serving the one true God, Yahweh, and to participate in His mission. This involves loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, loving others, and making disciples. Our ultimate destination is the eternal Promised Land, where there will be no more pain or suffering. However, the path to this destination is not always easy or clear. Like the Israelites, we face our own "raging rivers"—obstacles and challenges that test our faith and resolve.
The journey may not always make sense, and we may find ourselves questioning God's plans. Yet, we are reminded that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He has a purpose for every circumstance, even when it seems incomprehensible to us. The journey is a preparation, a means through which we come to know that the living God is among us. It is through these trials and challenges that our faith is strengthened and our reliance on God deepened.
As we navigate our own journeys, let us keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal: to be with Jesus for all eternity. Let us stand firm in our faith, trusting in God's provision and guidance, and remain committed to the mission of making His name great.
Key Takeaways:
- Life as a Journey: Life often feels like a "choose your own adventure" book, filled with decisions and uncertainties. Like the Israelites, we are on a journey with God, facing obstacles and making choices that shape our path. Our ultimate destination is the eternal Promised Land, where we will be with God forever. [31:34]
- Trust in God's Plan: The journey may not always make sense, and we may find ourselves questioning God's plans. Yet, we are reminded that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He has a purpose for every circumstance, even when it seems incomprehensible to us. [45:10]
- Facing Obstacles: Like the Israelites facing the Jordan River, we encounter our own "raging rivers"—obstacles and challenges that test our faith. These challenges are opportunities to trust in God's provision and guidance, knowing that He is with us. [41:53]
- The Purpose of Trials: The journey is a preparation, a means through which we come to know that the living God is among us. It is through trials and challenges that our faith is strengthened and our reliance on God deepened. [46:47]
- Mission and Community: We are invited to join the people of Israel in serving the one true God, Yahweh, and to participate in His mission. This involves loving God, loving others, and making disciples, all while being part of a community that supports and encourages one another. [34:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [11:00] - Media Challenge Introduction
- [27:57] - Community Service and Impact
- [30:04] - Choose Your Own Adventure
- [31:34] - Life's Journey and God's Word
- [32:06] - Introduction to Joshua and the Israelites
- [33:54] - Invitation to Join God's People
- [35:24] - Unique Journeys, Common Mission
- [36:39] - Standing Firm in Faith
- [38:31] - Onward Orientation
- [39:26] - The Journey's Challenges
- [41:53] - Facing Your Raging River
- [45:10] - Trusting God's Higher Ways
- [46:47] - The Purpose of the Journey
- [50:09] - Closing Prayer and Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 3:1-17
- Isaiah 55:8-9
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the Israelites instructed to do as they prepared to cross the Jordan River, and what was the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in this process? [39:26]
2. How did the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land resemble a "choose your own adventure" book, according to the sermon? [31:07]
3. What were some of the obstacles the Israelites faced on their journey, and how did God demonstrate His power through these challenges? [33:10]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Israelites in making God's name known among the nations? [34:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River illustrate the concept of trusting in God's plan, even when it seems incomprehensible? [45:10]
2. How does the sermon suggest that the trials and challenges we face in life serve a greater purpose in our spiritual journey? [46:47]
3. What does it mean to be part of God's mission, as described in the sermon, and how does this relate to the idea of community and discipleship? [34:24]
4. How can the concept of "God's thoughts and ways being higher than ours" provide comfort and guidance during difficult times? [45:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a "raging river" in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn about trusting in God's provision and guidance? [41:53]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal of being with Jesus for eternity. What practical steps can you take this week to maintain this focus amidst life's distractions? [35:24]
3. Consider the obstacles you currently face. How can you view these challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth and reliance on God? [46:47]
4. How can you actively participate in God's mission by loving others and making disciples in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [34:24]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of community in supporting and encouraging one another. How can you contribute to building a stronger sense of community within your small group or church? [34:24]
6. Reflect on a decision you need to make that feels like a "choose your own adventure" moment. How can you seek God's guidance and wisdom in making this decision? [31:07]
7. How can the reminder that "God is among us" change the way you approach your current circumstances and challenges? [46:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Life as a Divine Adventure
Life is a journey filled with choices and uncertainties, much like a "choose your own adventure" book. The Israelites, led by Joshua, faced numerous challenges as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Despite the obstacles, they were called to trust in Yahweh, who had performed mighty acts on their behalf. This narrative reminds us that our journeys, though unique, are part of a larger mission to glorify God and make His name known. Our ultimate destination is the eternal Promised Land, where we will be with God forever. [31:34]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing today that feels uncertain? How can you invite God into that decision-making process and trust Him with the outcome?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Higher Ways
The journey of life may not always make sense, and we may find ourselves questioning God's plans. Yet, we are reminded that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He has a purpose for every circumstance, even when it seems incomprehensible to us. This trust in God's plan is crucial as we navigate the uncertainties and challenges of life, knowing that He is sovereign and His purposes are for our good. [45:10]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life that doesn't make sense right now. How can you practice trusting in God's higher ways and seek His purpose in this circumstance?
Day 3: Overcoming Raging Rivers
Like the Israelites facing the Jordan River, we encounter our own "raging rivers"—obstacles and challenges that test our faith. These challenges are opportunities to trust in God's provision and guidance, knowing that He is with us. As we face these obstacles, we are called to stand firm in our faith, trusting that God will lead us through to the other side. [41:53]
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
Reflection: Identify a "raging river" in your life right now. How can you lean on God's strength and provision to navigate this challenge?
Day 4: Trials as Preparation
The journey is a preparation, a means through which we come to know that the living God is among us. It is through trials and challenges that our faith is strengthened and our reliance on God deepened. These experiences are not without purpose; they are shaping us for the eternal Promised Land and helping us grow in our relationship with God. [46:47]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How has this experience prepared you for future challenges and deepened your reliance on God?
Day 5: Joining God's Mission
We are invited to join the people of Israel in serving the one true God, Yahweh, and to participate in His mission. This involves loving God, loving others, and making disciples, all while being part of a community that supports and encourages one another. Our journey is not just about reaching the destination but also about fulfilling the mission God has given us along the way. [34:24]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission today? Consider one specific action you can take to love others and make disciples in your community.
Quotes
1. "We desire to be the type of church that if we cease to exist, the community would miss us. And so we want to serve our community. When Hurricane Irma came through here, and Hurricane Ian came through, we were able to give out hundreds and thousands of boxes of food, and water. We were able to send crews in the community to cut trees, and pull out garbage from people's houses, stuff, belongings that had been ruined out. And so we just want to be the type of church that goes and serves our community." [28:38] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There were seas, rivers, famine, war, wilderness. And here's where this story connects to our story, because we are given an invitation to be a part of the same people group. That the Israelites were God's children, God's family, Yahweh's people. We are called. We are invited to be grafted into that and to serve the one true living God. And he invites us like he invited the Israelites to make his name. Great. The same mission falls on every child of God to love him above all else to love God with all your heart by your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength to love others to love one another and then to make disciples to go." [34:24] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So whether you're a single mom or a retired couple, whether you're a newlywed or having your first kid or your fourth kid, whether you're single or divorced, we are on a journey. And so we're going to see through this story through the Israelite story that we have the same mission in even though our journeys may look different. There are some similarities. There are some similarities that all of us are going to experience as we journey to be with Jesus for all of eternity." [36:39] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The journey is not always easy. Now, let's look at verses 9 through 13 for a second. Here's what God invites him to do. It says in Joshua said to the people of Israel come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God and Joshua said here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you. And then he goes on to list seven. Armies. These are just seven of them by the way, because there's going to be more battles that they're going to have to face along the way." [39:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God did not promise that this journey was going to be easy and God does not promise you that your journey is going to be easy. So what is your River? What are you facing today? What have you faced? What circumstance? What Raging River death trap stands between you and the life that God has for you? I mean for some it's sin. There is sin in your life that is stopping you from experiencing all that God has for you. Maybe it's addiction. Maybe it's an affair. Maybe for you people have wronged you and and and you've been abused." [41:53] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The journey is preparing something. Now, I want to tell you what the why is. When we ask that question, why God, why are you doing this? Why are you allowing this to happen? Why am I walking through this? Like, the answer is in this. Look at this text. Look at verse 10 with me. Now, for some of you, this may not be sufficient, but I want to tell you, this is the answer to the why. Look at verse 10. And Joshua said, by the way, he gives the answer before he gives them the instructions. I just want to point that out, but verse 10. And Joshua said, here is how you shall know that the living God is among you." [46:47] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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