CPC THIS WEEK
August 17
THE E-NEWSLETTER OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
“Jumping Into Joshua”
I knew last week when I decided to write about the death of Moses that some of you may be wondering, “What about Joshua?” In fact, by the time you receive this, we will have read through Joshua 12. So I thought we better do some catching up!!! I’ll simply share a few thoughts about each chapter to get us up to speed. Sound okay to you? Great, let’s get started.
Joshua 1 – Joshua
How do you not read this chapter and hear the voice of an understanding God. Joshua is Israel’s leader – Moses is gone. Listen to the both the comforting and challenging voice of Joshua’s God.
“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them —to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates —all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:2-9
There are some tremendous lessons in leadership here for Joshua – here are just a couple for us to ponder.(Certainly there’s more than three I’ve listed)
· Regardless our circumstance, God is faithful to His Promise(s)!
· Wherever we are, God is WITH US.
· Strength, courage, and success in any task is directly related to our understanding and obedience to God’s WORD
Joshua 2 – Rahab
God is never limited in His Grace. The faithfulness of this women – this prostitute – is repeated for us in the New Testament. And, we have every reason to believe that this is the women mentioned in the genealogy of our Savior.
Joshua 3/4 – Finally Home – Crossing the Jordan
Twelve stones from the Jordan riverbed will be a lasting memorial to God’s faithfulness to His people. First, in the crossing of the Red Sea, and now the Jordan.
He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Josh 4:21-24)
Do you have memorial stories to tell your children, and grandchildren? What a blessing!
Joshua 5 – Circumcision and New Food
God continues to keep His people in the Covenant of Grace through the covenant sign of circumcision. These men would be the new “soldiers” of Israel – the others have died in the wilderness due to their disobedience. The army is now ready to serve Yahweh in the Promise land. And, as they taste the goodness of the Lord, both figuratively and literally, the manna stops because they “ate of the produce of Canaan.” (What a great sermon that would make!)
Joshua 6 - Jericho
“And the walls came tumbling down!” But look how it happened! The lesson. Never underestimate the creativity, surprise, and power of God to achieve the plan of God. What a shout that must have been!!! Any walls in your life need to come down?
Joshua 7 – Achan’s Sin and Defeat
What do we learn here? That we’re a covenant community and personal sins have the ability to affect everyone. And, there are consequences to our sins – personal and public. Even though Achan confessed his sinned, he died – as did his entire family – and members of Israel’s army died.
Joshua 8 – Restoration and Renewal
Following the stoning of Achan, God sends Israel back into battle. And, Joshua displays a cunning leadership in the attack. Next, Joshua leads Israel in Covenant Renewal – A reminder that they belong to God. Not unlike our Communion service – we have the opportunity to renew our covenant, the new covenant, every week.
Joshua 9 – Be Careful – The Enemy is tricky!
The Gibeonites trick Joshua with a great deception. It happened this way.
The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. (Josh 9:14,15)
Joshua had his marching orders, but he allowed the craftiness of the enemy to persuade him into a treaty. This was not what God had planned. His problem, along with other leaders, they trusted in what they could see, hear, smell and taste. It was not of faith, it was not of obedience. And although the Lord uses it for their good, the Gibeonites were a “pebble in the sandal of Israel” for many, many years. We need to constantly seek the counsel and instruction of our Lord – in everything!
Joshua 10 – Daylight Savings Time – The Sun Stands Still!
Oh what God can, and will do for His children – even in warfare! He is the creator of all things and all things will submit to the will of their Maker.
Joshua 10/11/12 – When it comes to God, size doesn’t matter!
Faced with incredible odds God encourages Joshua not to look at size of the enemy army in fear but to trust in the hand of God in faith. Is that ever you? It’s the case with me on occasion. We give far too much weight to ability of the enemy and forget what a big God we have!!! Yes, we may be fearful – because it looks fearful! But, God encourages us to see the victory with eyes of faith!
Well, that’s a very quick – reader’s digest – look at Joshua 1-12. By hope is that those of you may not have read these chapters will go back and view some of the awesome things which God accomplished through His servants – especially His new leader, Joshua. That same God is working on our behalf today through the Victory we gained in Christ’s resurrection. That same power, that same strength, is ours. By the Spirit, we continued to do spiritual battle in the name of Christ – who promised to build His Church.
Let us here the words again of our Covenant God:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Standing with You for HIM!
Bob
**SUNDAY'S SERMON**
“Rats in the Cellar”
Mark 7:20-23
Elder Jim Roszell
**NEXT WEEK’S SERMON**
Series: You Pick The Sermon
“FAST-Food”
Matthew 6:16-18
Bob Clark
SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS THIS WEEK!!!
This Sunday, August 19th, is Promotion Sunday. Classes for all ages begin. Jim Roszell leads the Adult Class about the Faith and Life of C.S. Lewis.
CPC DEVOTIONAL READING, BOOKS, AND MEMORIZATION
The Reading List and Devotional Guide for 2012 are available on the church web site at: http://www.christpca-richmondin.net/books/
All the books on the reading list are in our church library.
The 12 Verses to Memorize are located here:
http://www.christpca-richmondin.net/christian_education.html
SIERRA LEONE MISSIONS TRIP
On Saturday August 25 at 9:00 am there will be a meeting for those interested in going to Sierra Leone. The intent of this meeting is to begin to form the team for Jan/Feb 2013. If you plan to be in attendance, please contact Jim Roszell.
CPC MNA will meet on Tuesday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLY REMINDER
Each week’s sermons are available in audio on our website: www.ChristPCA-RichmondIN.net
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
August
19 Brian Todd
20 Cindy Cook
20 Ada Fowler
23 Brynna Cheek
24 Pat James