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September 28, 2003
Courage to Cross Your Jordan
Speaker: Dave Gibbons
Livin’ Large Series Part 3
Joshua 1:1-18 NLT
1 After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to
Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, 2 "Now that my
servant Moses is dead, you must lead my people across the Jordan River into
the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses:
`Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you—4
from the Negev Desert in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from
the Euphrates River on the east to the Mediterranean Sea* on the west, and all
the land of the Hittites.' 5 No one will be able to stand their ground
against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses.
I will not fail you or abandon you. 6"Be strong and courageous,
for you will lead my people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do
not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. 8
Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you
may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. 9
I command you--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For
the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 10 Joshua then
commanded the leaders of Israel, 11 "Go through the camp and
tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross
the Jordan River and take possession of the land the LORD your God has given
you." 12 Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad,
and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, 13 "Remember what
Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you: `The LORD your God is giving
you rest and has given you this land.' 14 Your wives, children, and
cattle may remain here on the east side of the Jordan River, but your warriors,
fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer
their territory. Stay with them 15 until the LORD gives rest to them
as he has given rest to you, and until they, too, possess the land the LORD
your God is giving them. Only then may you settle here on the east side of the
Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave you."
16 They answered Joshua, "We will do whatever you command us,
and we will go wherever you send us. 17 We will obey you just as
we obeyed Moses. And may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.
18 Anyone who rebels against your word and does not obey your every
command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!"
The Courage to Cross the Jordan Happens When . . .
We Know the Reality of our Position.
We Take a White-knuckle Grip on to God’s Promises.
God’s intention when we cross the Jordan is that we don’t do
it alone but in community.
2003 Message Archives
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