1. “Be Strong and Courageous”
Joshua 1:1-9
Introduction
Moses was a righteous servant of the Lord and a great leader of Israel.
He was mourned greatly at his death (Deuteronomy 34:8).
Joshua had a big responsibility set on his shoulders. Also physical confrontations to expect.
Like Joshua’s responsibility, our responsibility as Christians requires Strength and Courage.

2. Be Strong A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon.
A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Transformation – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon. (v. 7)
(v. 8) – “not depart from your mouth” (his speech would not be without the teaching and vernacular of the law) Why? Because he would meditate on it (Psalm 1; Philippians 4:8).
“Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left” (v. 7). (strictly follow)
A transformation occurs – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Through time with the word – 1 Timothy 4:15
Complete obedience to the word – 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 12:9; 3 John 11

3. Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

4. Be Strong A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon.
A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Transformation – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Through time with the word – 1 Timothy 4:15
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon. (v. 7)
(v. 8) – “not depart from your mouth” (his speech would not be without the teaching and vernacular of the law) Why? Because he would meditate on it (Psalm 1; Philippians 4:8).
“Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left” (v. 7). (strictly follow)
A transformation occurs – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Through time with the word – 1 Timothy 4:15
Complete obedience to the word – 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 12:9; 3 John 11

5. 1 Timothy 4:15
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Reading, exhortation, doctrine.

6. Be Strong A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon.
A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Transformation – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Through time with the word – 1 Timothy 4:15
Complete obedience to the word – 1 Thess. 5:22; Rom. 12:9; 3 John 11
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon. (v. 7)
(v. 8) – “not depart from your mouth” (his speech would not be without the teaching and vernacular of the law) Why? Because he would meditate on it (Psalm 1; Philippians 4:8).
“Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left” (v. 7). (strictly follow)
A transformation occurs – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Through time with the word – 1 Timothy 4:15
Complete obedience to the word – 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 12:9; 3 John 11

7. 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.

8. Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

9. 3 John 11
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

10. Be Strong A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon.
A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Transformation – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Through time with the word – 1 Timothy 4:15
Complete obedience to the word – 1 Thess. 5:22; Rom. 12:9; 3 John 11
B. While teaching others.
No compromise – 2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 20:20-21, 27
While teaching others.
Do not make compromises – 2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 20:20-21, 27
Strength is saying what needs to be said – Nathan (2 Samuel 12:7); Peter (Acts 2:36); Stephen (Acts 7:51-53)

11. 2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

12. Acts 20:20-21, 27
I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
Record of Paul’s Journeys in Greece. Exhorting the Ephesian Elders.

13. Be Strong A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Strong – châzaq – to fasten upon.
A. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left”
Transformation – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:20-24
Through time with the word – 1 Timothy 4:15
Complete obedience to the word – 1 Thess. 5:22; Rom. 12:9; 3 John 11
B. While teaching others.
No compromise – 2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 20:20-21, 27
Say what needs to be said – Nathan (2 Samuel 12:7); Peter (Acts 2:36); Stephen (Acts 7:51-53)
While teaching others.
Do not make compromises – 2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 20:20-21, 27
Strength is saying what needs to be said – Nathan (2 Samuel 12:7); Peter (Acts 2:36); Stephen (Acts 7:51-53)

14. 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!”
Nathan spoke the parable to David after laying with Bathsheba and killing Uriah.

15. Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Peter in first gospel sermon to Jews.

16. Acts 7:51-53
You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.
Stephen speaking to the Jews. Lead to his death.

17. Be Courageous God is for us. Courageous – 'âmats – to be alert/aware.
While suffering for Christ – Romans 8:18, 28, 31-39
Christ has won – John 16:33; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 3:7-12
Such acts of strength require courage…
Courageous – 'âmats – to be alert/aware.
Be aware that God is for us. (if we are steadfast in His commands) (Joshua 1:7-8 – show that prospering and success is conditional upon obedience.)
Courage in suffering for Christ – Romans 8:18, 28, 31-39
Christ has won (we can be confident and courageous knowing that if we are on His side we will win too) – John 16:33; 2 Timothy 1:12 (able to keep Paul’s life and follow up on promise); 1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 3:7- 12

18. John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Reading, exhortation, doctrine.

19. 2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
able to keep Paul’s life and follow up on promise

20. 1 John 5:4-5
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Reading, exhortation, doctrine.

21. Be Courageous God is for us. Courageous – 'âmats – to be alert/aware.
While suffering for Christ – Romans 8:18, 28, 31-39
Christ has won – John 16:33; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 3:7-12
Courageous – 'âmats – to be alert/aware.
Be aware that God is for us. (if we are steadfast in His commands) (Joshua 1:7-8 – show that prospering and success is conditional upon obedience.)
Courage in suffering for Christ – Romans 8:18, 28, 31-39
Christ has won (we can be confident and courageous knowing that if we are on His side we will win too) – John 16:33; 2 Timothy 1:12 (able to keep Paul’s life and follow up on promise); 1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 3:7- 12

22. Be Strong and Courageous
David – 1 Samuel 17:45
Be Strong and Courageous (examples)
David (facing Goliath) – 1 Samuel 17:45
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (disobeying the King) – Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel (praying while under statute to not pray) – Daniel 6:10, 22
Nathan, Peter, Stephen (mentioned before).

23. 1 Samuel 17:45
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
Reading, exhortation, doctrine.

24. Be Strong and Courageous
David – 1 Samuel 17:45
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego – Daniel 3:16-18
Be Strong and Courageous (examples)
David (facing Goliath) – 1 Samuel 17:45
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (disobeying the King) – Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel (praying while under statute to not pray) – Daniel 6:10, 22
Nathan, Peter, Stephen (mentioned before).

25. Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
Reading, exhortation, doctrine.

26. Be Strong and Courageous
David – 1 Samuel 17:45
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego – Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel – Daniel 6:10, 22
Be Strong and Courageous (examples)
David (facing Goliath) – 1 Samuel 17:45
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (disobeying the King) – Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel (praying while under statute to not pray) – Daniel 6:10, 22
Nathan, Peter, Stephen (mentioned before).

27. Daniel 6:10, 22
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.
Reading, exhortation, doctrine.

28. Be Strong and Courageous
David – 1 Samuel 17:45
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego – Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel – Daniel 6:10, 22
Nathan, Peter, Stephen
Be Strong and Courageous (examples)
David (facing Goliath) – 1 Samuel 17:45
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (disobeying the King) – Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel (praying while under statute to not pray) – Daniel 6:10, 22
Nathan, Peter, Stephen (mentioned before).

29. “Be Strong and Courageous”
Conclusion
We, like Joshua, must “be strong and courageous!”
We need to stand firm in the word.
We need to have confidence that God will reward and deliver us.