WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.379 Thanks. Oh, dear me. Turn me down quickly, Joe. Far too echoey. There we go. Well, thanks 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:26.400 very much, Ralph, for leading this morning, and thank you, Ian, for reading. As you can 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:32.560 see there, we've finished our studies in John, looking at the I Ams. We're going right the 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:37.820 way back into the Old Testament, and we're going to be going through Joshua over the next 00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:45.159 few weeks. I don't know how you feel about going into the Old Testament. As I looked at 00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:51.420 my Bible on Monday morning, I thought to myself, why on earth didn't you just stay in John? 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:56.260 It's a little bit easier than going back to the Old Testament. Sure, it's boring, and 00:00:56.260 --> 00:01:05.140 it's just full of history. Well, I'm hoping not to make it boring, but exciting, and it's 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:14.480 not just history. It's a story about Jesus. Even in the Old Testament, it's a story about 00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:20.040 Jesus. That's what we're going to discover this morning. Let's pray together as we ask 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:30.100 for God's help. Our Father God, we thank you so much for these wonderful true stories 00:01:30.100 --> 00:01:39.380 in the Bible. Although written hundreds and thousands of years ago, although they happened 00:01:39.379 --> 00:01:47.060 so long ago, we thank you that they are there for us, written to tell us something about 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:55.859 how great God is, to tell us about his promises, and to tell us ultimately about his Son, the 00:01:55.859 --> 00:02:02.979 Lord Jesus. Please help us to understand your Word to us. May it encourage us, build us up, 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:12.480 and above all, may it cause us to be people who trust you, the God who makes promises, and 00:02:12.480 --> 00:02:20.640 the God who keeps his promise. So please help us all this morning. In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:22.500 --> 00:02:28.020 There was pens and notes going around. They've all gone, have they? Okay. So you can use the 00:02:28.020 --> 00:02:33.100 back of your news sheet if you want to, and please do come back to me if there's any questions 00:02:33.100 --> 00:02:34.540 later on. 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:53.900 Well, it's been hailed as Barack Obama's finest moment since he took office. Last Sunday evening, 00:02:53.900 --> 00:03:01.420 as I'm sure you saw in the news, he gave the order for US Special Service Unit to attack 00:03:01.420 --> 00:03:08.300 the residents of Osama bin Laden. After months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, 00:03:09.020 --> 00:03:18.020 bin Laden was finally shot, killed, and then buried at sea. The man behind the 9-11 attacks 00:03:18.020 --> 00:03:26.740 in New York and the 7-7 bombings in London has finally been found and removed. Now, when 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:35.439 Obama took office, he promised the world that he would make it a safer place. Top of his priority 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:42.879 was finding Osama bin Laden. He promised that no stone would be left unturned until those behind 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:53.859 the attacks were defeated. But now that bin Laden has been killed, I wonder, is the world 00:03:53.859 --> 00:03:55.139 any safer? 00:03:58.079 --> 00:04:03.340 Of course, Barack Obama's not the only one to make such promises. Political leaders in 00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:10.120 our own country have made similar statements. They vowed to end all sectarian violence and 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:18.199 acts of terrorism. But I think it's very clear that the promises that our world leaders make, 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:30.199 despite their best efforts, are never truly realised. The world is still very broken. There is an unrest 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:41.039 that hangs over us all like a dark cloud. The safer world that we all want is still being sought for. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:49.519 Of course, presidents are not alone in making their promises. God has promised to restore and to renew 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:57.000 this broken world and to bring about an everlasting rest. But again, as we look around the world in which 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:02.360 we live, it seems that God's promises are no better. It's still a very broken world. 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:10.500 So the big question we want to ask as we get stuck into Joshua is this. Can we trust the God of the Bible 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:15.980 who makes such big and grand promises? Can we trust him? 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:26.720 Well, the book of Joshua is here to give us confidence and assurance that God will do what he said he will do. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:33.840 Let's see how all of this is worked out. Let's meet the promise maker. 00:05:34.700 --> 00:05:36.000 Look at verse 2. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:06:04.800 Now this promise, which is restated here, given to Joshua, was given to Moses, 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:11.300 but it was first given to Abraham way back at the beginning of the Bible story in Genesis 12. 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:19.100 In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham that he would build a great nation, a big community, 00:06:19.840 --> 00:06:24.199 that they would have their own land and they would be blessed. 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:31.280 And as the years have passed, God kept repeating that same promise 00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:35.839 to each new generation and to each new people. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:41.959 He kept giving a new promise. He gave it to Isaac and then on to his grandson. 00:06:42.219 --> 00:06:45.000 Listen to what Jacob says to his son. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.479 It comes from Genesis 48. 00:06:47.599 --> 00:06:48.699 Jacob said to Joseph, 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:51.399 God Almighty has appeared to me 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:53.719 And they said to me, 00:06:53.719 --> 00:06:59.579 I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers. 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:10.659 I will make you a community of peoples and I will give you this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you. 00:07:11.339 --> 00:07:15.739 So God has said he's going to gather together a people that belong to him 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:21.259 and they would have their own place in which they can live with God and be blessed. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:26.160 Now when God made that first promise in Genesis 12, 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:28.240 now we're in Joshua, 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:33.480 600 years have passed. 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:37.660 They've become a great people. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:41.640 Someone's worked out there was about 3 million of them at this stage. 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:45.500 But they're still wandering around the desert, 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:48.840 still without any place to live, 00:07:49.280 --> 00:07:52.759 no land of their own and without any sign of blessing. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:55.900 Has God forgotten his promise? 00:07:57.020 --> 00:08:02.560 Added to that, we're told in verse 1 that Moses, their great leader, is dead. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:06.379 He was the one who had rescued them from slavery, 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:08.120 brought them out of Egypt, 00:08:08.700 --> 00:08:10.879 he'd performed miraculous signs, 00:08:11.200 --> 00:08:12.500 he'd showed great power, 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:14.420 he'd done it for over 40 years, 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:17.740 and if anybody was going to bring about God's promises, 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:19.460 surely it would be Moses. 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:22.759 But we're told right at the beginning, 00:08:22.900 --> 00:08:23.640 Moses dead. 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:28.660 It seems like God's promises are all set to fail. 00:08:28.660 --> 00:08:32.560 But in this first chapter, 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:35.320 God is reminding us who he is. 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:38.160 He is the promise maker. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:41.320 He is the one who is in control. 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:42.660 He is telling us, 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.460 the years may pass, 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:47.259 leaders may come and go, 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:52.580 but God's promise will remain firmly on track. 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:59.720 No one and nothing can hinder or stop what God has promised to do. 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:01.320 Look at verse 3 again. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:01.840 He says, 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:06.180 I will give you every place where you set your foot, 00:09:06.680 --> 00:09:09.040 as I promised Moses. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:14.620 But what is that promise? 00:09:15.160 --> 00:09:16.860 Yes, it was a promise of land, 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:18.820 but what exactly was it? 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:20.320 Well, look at verse 4. 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:21.720 He says, 00:09:21.780 --> 00:09:24.920 Your territory will extend from the desert, 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:26.760 which was way down in the south, 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:29.360 right up to Lebanon in the north, 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:32.260 and from the great river, the Euphrates, 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.140 which was right over on the east, 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:36.720 all the Hittite country in between, 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.600 right across to the great sea, 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:39.560 the Mediterranean, 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:42.780 which was on the west. 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:46.120 It was a huge land. 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:48.400 I pulled out my Bible atlas 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:50.699 and got my ruler out and tried to measure it. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:54.379 It's about 500 by 800 miles. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.139 It was huge. 00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:59.199 It was a prosperous land. 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:03.340 You could imagine the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:06.139 Think of all those luscious grapes growing. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:08.939 The fine wines they would enjoy. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.959 The fertile plains of the Euphrates, 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:15.000 where land would grow and cattle would graze. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:21.100 People call this land the land flowing with milk and honey. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:23.460 So rich was its produce. 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:30.399 But this land was ultimately going to be a place of rest. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.580 Look at verse 13. 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:38.620 Remember the command that Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave you. 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.960 The Lord, your God, 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:44.200 is giving you rest 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:46.960 and has granted you this land. 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:50.680 It's repeated again for us at the end of verse 14. 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:53.320 You are to help your brothers 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:56.800 until the Lord gives them rest 00:10:56.800 --> 00:11:00.080 as He has done for you. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:03.820 Of course, this promised rest 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:06.980 had been experienced once before. 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:09.080 We've come across it in the Bible story 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.720 right at the very beginning 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.340 in the Garden of Eden. 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:16.200 God had been busy creating the world 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:17.680 over the first six days 00:11:17.680 --> 00:11:19.940 and then on the seventh day, what did He do? 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.580 He rested. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:25.940 This was a place where God's people 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:30.560 would live and enjoy intimacy with God. 00:11:31.160 --> 00:11:33.580 All of creation was in perfect harmony, 00:11:33.920 --> 00:11:35.080 a place of beauty. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.520 It was paradise. 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:40.520 The Garden of Eden was the perfect rest. 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:45.520 And now in keeping with His promise, 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.280 since the world had been cursed, 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.580 God was saying, 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:50.560 I am going to bring that rest again. 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:53.840 I am going to provide a place 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:55.220 for my people 00:11:55.220 --> 00:11:57.580 where they can enjoy rest, 00:11:58.680 --> 00:12:00.400 peace and prosperity. 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.920 Just like it was 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:04.500 way back in the Garden of Eden. 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:06.280 So God again 00:12:06.280 --> 00:12:08.520 would bring His people together 00:12:08.520 --> 00:12:10.420 so that they could enjoy rest 00:12:10.420 --> 00:12:12.060 in the new garden, 00:12:13.020 --> 00:12:14.379 the promised lands. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:18.299 Did God do what He said 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:18.860 He would do? 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:23.019 Well, look at chapter 21 of Joshua. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:25.679 This is a key passage. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:28.220 It's like the big theme, 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:29.299 the theme tune 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.580 of the whole book. 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:32.899 Joshua chapter 21, 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.820 verse 43. 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:34.939 Verse 43. 00:12:34.939 --> 00:12:35.019 Verse 43. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:47.600 Joshua 21, 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:48.600 verse 43. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.919 So the Lord gave Israel 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:52.019 all the land 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.080 He had promised 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.799 to give their forefathers, 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:56.820 and they took possession of it, 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.240 and they settled there. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:00.720 The Lord gave them 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:02.039 rest 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:04.240 on every side, 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:06.200 just as He had promised 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.379 to their forefathers. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:08.820 Verse 45. 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:10.620 Not one 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:12.220 of all the Lord's 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.180 good promises 00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:14.660 to the house of Israel 00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:15.300 failed. 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:16.920 Every one 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:18.420 was fulfilled. 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.200 You see, 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:20.700 God 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:22.720 is the promise maker. 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:24.860 Not even time, 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.780 not even the death 00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:27.540 of His leaders, 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:28.960 not even, 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:29.820 as we'll discover, 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:30.879 the disobedience 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.780 of His people 00:13:31.780 --> 00:13:33.720 will stop 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:35.020 His promise 00:13:35.020 --> 00:13:36.840 of rest 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:38.140 being realized. 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.879 So He's made a promise, 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:42.100 a promise of rest. 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.040 But what about 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:45.140 the rest for us? 00:13:45.280 --> 00:13:46.020 Does that mean 00:13:46.020 --> 00:13:46.940 that we today 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:47.820 have to go looking 00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:48.920 for the same land? 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:50.240 Do we all have to 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.980 pack our bags 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.340 and head up to Cork airport 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:53.920 and head off to Palestine 00:13:53.920 --> 00:13:55.560 in search of this great land? 00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:57.900 Unfortunately, 00:13:58.200 --> 00:13:59.220 that's how many people 00:13:59.220 --> 00:13:59.760 see it. 00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:02.620 If you look at 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.340 what's going on 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.140 in Israel today 00:14:04.140 --> 00:14:04.980 and all the battles 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.640 and the fighting 00:14:05.640 --> 00:14:06.320 that's going on, 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.080 they're still fighting 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.740 over land. 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:10.680 But I think 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:11.340 they're not reading 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.460 their Bibles properly. 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:14.040 You see, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.080 we must understand 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.740 the promise 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.560 as God understands it, 00:14:17.640 --> 00:14:19.120 not as we understand it. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.400 You see, 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.060 the land 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:21.660 that God 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:22.240 had promised 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.020 His people, 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.120 for God, 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:25.980 yes, 00:14:26.160 --> 00:14:26.960 it was the promise 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:27.440 of land, 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:29.080 but that wasn't it. 00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:31.640 It was never 00:14:31.640 --> 00:14:32.900 just the physical land, 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.780 it was always 00:14:33.780 --> 00:14:34.940 so much more. 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.200 the land 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:36.860 that we read 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.840 about in Joshua 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.440 was only a picture 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:41.120 of a much 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.300 greater land 00:14:42.300 --> 00:14:43.020 that God 00:14:43.020 --> 00:14:43.680 had promised. 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:47.820 Keep your finger, 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.200 please, 00:14:48.260 --> 00:14:49.480 in Joshua chapter 1 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.720 and jump all the way 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.600 to Hebrews 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.460 chapter 4. 00:14:54.280 --> 00:14:55.260 I think we've got 00:14:55.260 --> 00:14:56.340 the page number there. 00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:56.960 It's 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:59.040 1203. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.220 Hebrews chapter 4. 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:10.740 Hebrews chapter 4, 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.980 verse 8. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.139 Remember, 00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:15.779 in Joshua, 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:16.540 it's all about 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.720 a land of rest. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.560 Look what it says 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.259 in verse 8. 00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:24.200 For if Joshua 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:26.200 had given them rest, 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:28.360 God would not 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.480 have spoken about 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.080 another day. 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:33.340 there remains 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:34.879 then a Sabbath rest 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.940 for the people 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:36.519 of God. 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.480 So, 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.220 the rest 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.279 wasn't actually 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.700 about the land. 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.000 God was saying, 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.860 there's another day. 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:44.759 There's going to be 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.660 another rest 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.300 to come. 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.340 Well, 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.300 what's that rest? 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.440 Well, 00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.240 keep going on 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.700 in Hebrews 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.840 and we find the answer. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:53.060 Look at chapter 11. 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.620 Chapter 11, 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.420 verse 9. 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:05.440 Remember we said 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:06.040 the promise 00:16:06.040 --> 00:16:06.879 was first made 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.480 to Abraham? 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:08.920 Well, 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.820 here it's talking 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.580 about Abraham. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.420 Chapter 11, 00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:12.160 verse 9. 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:14.820 By faith, 00:16:15.180 --> 00:16:16.160 Abraham made 00:16:16.160 --> 00:16:16.840 his home 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:18.320 in the promised land. 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:20.060 Like a stranger 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:21.279 in a foreign country, 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.440 he lived in tents, 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.899 as did Isaac 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.560 and Jacob, 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:26.379 who were heirs 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.060 with him 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.820 of the same promise. 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:31.360 for he was 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.400 looking forward 00:16:32.400 --> 00:16:34.120 to the city 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.680 with foundations 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.740 whose architect 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.420 and builder 00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:38.400 is God. 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:38.700 Well, 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.420 what's that about? 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.520 Look at verse 13. 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.300 All these people 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:44.379 were still living 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.140 by faith 00:16:45.140 --> 00:16:46.080 when they died. 00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:47.940 They did not receive 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.960 the things promised. 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:50.580 They only saw them 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.540 and welcomed them 00:16:51.540 --> 00:16:52.660 from a distance. 00:16:54.780 --> 00:16:56.020 Verse 16. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.919 Instead, 00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:58.899 they were longing 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:00.519 for a better country, 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:03.519 a heavenly one. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.220 Therefore, 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.900 God is not ashamed 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.639 to be called 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.259 their God, 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.460 for he has prepared 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:11.000 a city for them. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.480 Verse 39. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.299 He goes on 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.400 listing all the people, 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.599 Joshua included. 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:20.599 It says, 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.639 these were all 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.220 commended 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.339 for their faith, 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:25.740 yet none of them 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.599 received 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.679 what had been 00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:28.319 promised. 00:17:29.959 --> 00:17:31.199 God had planned 00:17:31.199 --> 00:17:32.299 something better 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.259 for us 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:35.079 so that only 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.319 together with us 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:36.939 would they be 00:17:36.939 --> 00:17:38.299 made perfect. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.539 You see, 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:41.159 people like 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:41.659 Abraham, 00:17:42.399 --> 00:17:42.819 Moses, 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:44.000 Joshua, 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.179 the promises 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:45.980 were all made 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.399 to them, 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.199 but they were 00:17:47.199 --> 00:17:48.179 looking forward, 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.000 the Bible says, 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.759 to something 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.859 not that was 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.799 temporary like 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.819 the promised land, 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.819 but something 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.619 eternal. 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.279 They were looking 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.139 forward to the 00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:58.079 true city, 00:17:58.419 --> 00:17:59.720 the ultimate city, 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.099 heaven itself, 00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:02.899 because that is 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:04.059 the final rest, 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.639 a place of true 00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:07.439 peace and prosperity, 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:09.039 the new creation, 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:11.240 the new, 00:18:11.439 --> 00:18:12.079 ultimate 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.159 garden of Eden, 00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:14.659 where all evil 00:18:14.659 --> 00:18:15.339 is gone. 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:17.419 and the good 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:18.199 news is that 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:19.259 God has promised 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.119 it to his 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:20.720 people 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.419 and nothing 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:23.659 and no one 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.699 is going to 00:18:24.699 --> 00:18:25.419 stop him 00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.339 bringing it 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:26.679 about. 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.059 God has made 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:32.819 a promise of 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.279 rest, 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.279 heaven itself, 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:36.559 the new 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.119 creation. 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:39.959 So, 00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:40.579 back to 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.039 Joshua. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.139 Joshua, 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:44.960 how are 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.539 all these 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.099 people, 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.319 and there's 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.920 about three 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.579 million of 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:48.700 them, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.379 we can imagine 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:49.799 them all 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.680 sitting alongside 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.240 the river 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.779 Jordan, 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:52.940 how are they 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.500 all going to 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:53.940 get into 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.619 this promised 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:54.980 land? 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.259 Well, 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:57.859 they need a 00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:58.119 leader, 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.720 don't they? 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:01.039 And we're 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.779 told who that 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.500 leader is. 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.539 Verse 6, 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:07.339 God says 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.019 to Joshua, 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.720 be strong 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.579 and courageous 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.460 because you 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.259 will lead 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.119 these people 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:13.879 to inherit 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.579 the land 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.579 I swore 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.000 to their 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.720 forefathers 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.200 to give 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:17.480 them. 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.279 Joshua 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.319 is God's 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.200 chosen leader. 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.019 Moses, 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:22.579 who had led 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:22.940 them for 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.720 40 years, 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.399 well, 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.019 he was dead 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.480 and buried 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:25.899 at this 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:26.339 stage. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.440 They needed 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:27.839 a new 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.159 leader, 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.139 and Joshua 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:29.720 was going 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.259 to be that 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.680 man. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.079 Verse 7, 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.939 So Joshua, 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.460 be strong 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.220 and very 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.819 courageous. 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:38.720 Be careful 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.419 to obey 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:40.259 all the law 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.059 of my servant 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:41.839 Moses gave 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.019 you. 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:42.720 Do not 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.279 turn from 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.740 it to the 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.319 right or 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:44.659 to the 00:19:44.659 --> 00:19:44.919 left, 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.579 that you 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.000 may be 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.599 successful 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.319 wherever you 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:47.679 go. 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.519 He says 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:49.899 the same 00:19:49.899 --> 00:19:50.319 thing in 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.919 verse 9, 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.879 Have I not 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.679 commanded you, 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.259 Joshua, 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.819 be strong 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:56.059 and courageous. 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.480 Now we 00:19:59.480 --> 00:19:59.859 have to be 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.500 very careful 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.740 to read 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.460 this properly. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.220 Last night 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.960 I was doing 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.279 a Bible 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.019 reading with 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.440 Ethan, 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.200 and it 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.599 just so 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:09.940 happened 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.640 that the 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:12.160 notes that 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.660 he's going 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.200 through is 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.559 on the 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.099 story of 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.539 Joshua. 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.700 And I 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.099 had a look 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.359 in his 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.700 Bible, 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.279 it's a 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.880 children's 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.120 Bible, 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.380 and I 00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:18.620 had a 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.200 little note 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.099 to one 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.960 side about 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.980 this passage 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.339 here, 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.079 verse 6. 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:24.460 And it 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.140 was encouraging 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.579 people like 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.319 Ethan and 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:27.980 me to be 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.740 strong and 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.200 courageous. 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.860 And the 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:31.180 way they 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.840 described it 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.100 was, 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:32.559 it was like 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.539 a football 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.580 manager talking 00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:35.420 to his team, 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.319 a little 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.840 pep talk to 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:38.140 give them 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.019 great encouragement. 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:40.000 Go on out 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.160 there, 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.080 be strong and 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:41.539 courageous. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.160 And I think 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.680 in some ways 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.299 that's how we 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.779 read this 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.160 passage, 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:46.559 isn't it? 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:46.960 It's like a 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.480 little kind of 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.640 bit of energy 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:49.059 boost, 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.500 a bit of 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.220 LucasAid. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.140 Go on out 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:51.299 there, 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:52.500 be strong and 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:52.960 courageous. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:57.259 But it's not 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.759 really written 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.400 to us, 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:58.900 is it? 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.259 And it 00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.640 shouldn't be 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.140 read that 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.440 way. 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:02.539 It was 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.359 written and 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.660 it was 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.640 spoken to 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:06.140 their leader. 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.700 The people 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.400 are not to 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.160 be strong and 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.619 courageous. 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.180 The leader 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.900 is to be 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.559 strong and 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.000 courageous. 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.460 Joshua is 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.440 to be strong 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.119 for the 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:16.519 people. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.059 And he 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.440 can be 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.720 strong because, 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.579 look at the 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.079 end of verse 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.460 9, 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.740 God says, 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.220 don't be 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:24.720 terrified, 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.839 do not be 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.299 discouraged, 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:26.919 for the 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.440 Lord your 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:27.980 God will 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.460 be with 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.000 you wherever 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.720 you go. 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.299 God is 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:32.720 going to 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.159 be with 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:33.940 this leader, 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.159 that's why 00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:35.680 he can be 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.299 strong and 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.720 courageous. 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.119 Now I 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:40.519 don't think 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:40.819 it's a 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.559 mistake that 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.139 Joshua's 00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:43.039 name actually 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.659 means the 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:45.259 Lord is 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.159 salvation. 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.000 So God 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.440 is saying 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:48.819 to these 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.220 people, 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.240 see Joshua 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.819 over here? 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:51.700 He's my 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.500 chosen leader. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.419 He's going 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:54.899 to be the 00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:55.339 one who's 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:55.740 going to 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.400 save you. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.519 And he 00:21:59.519 --> 00:21:59.859 is the 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.299 one who's 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:00.700 going to 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.079 bring you 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.519 into the 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:01.880 promised 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.400 land. 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:03.799 My 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.720 chosen 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.400 leader. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.140 Now I'm 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.519 sure we're 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.000 beginning to 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.700 make connections 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.059 here, 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.579 aren't we? 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.640 But we 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.220 don't want to 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:12.740 rush ahead 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.400 too quickly. 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.960 The question 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.660 is, will 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.420 these people 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:19.079 trust God's 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.799 chosen leader? 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.579 Will they 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.240 fall in 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.920 behind him? 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.559 Will they 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.099 follow him? 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:25.959 Well, Joshua 00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:26.659 fresh from 00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.519 his instructions 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.179 from God 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.759 goes back 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.079 to the 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.399 people, 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.059 verse 10. 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.779 So Joshua 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.559 ordered the 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.319 officers and 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:33.799 the people, 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.259 go through 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.759 the camp 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.139 and tell 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:36.579 the people, 00:22:36.719 --> 00:22:37.099 get your 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.579 supplies 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.000 ready. 00:22:38.959 --> 00:22:39.659 Three days 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.179 from now 00:22:40.179 --> 00:22:40.539 you will 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.119 cross the 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.500 Jordan 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.119 here to 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.519 go in 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:42.859 and take 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.299 possession 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.659 of the 00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:44.079 land the 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.519 Lord your 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:44.959 God is 00:22:44.959 --> 00:22:45.339 going to 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.659 give you 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.000 for your 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.259 own. 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:49.680 Are they 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.039 going to 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.339 do as 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:50.819 he says? 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.859 Are they 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.379 going to 00:22:53.379 --> 00:22:54.119 trust him? 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:54.940 Will they 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.660 obey their 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.000 leader? 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.559 History 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.200 tells us, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:58.619 if we know 00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.160 anything of 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.640 the Israelites 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.339 up to this 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:00.619 point, 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.240 that they're 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.799 actually quite 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.440 a rebellious 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.059 and stubborn 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.460 lot. 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.279 So there's 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.920 no telling 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.400 what they 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:05.960 might do. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.960 One 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.559 possible 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.119 obstacle 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.700 might be 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.519 the tribes 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:11.839 who were 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.240 going to 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.720 settle where 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.119 they were. 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.640 There were 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.480 twelve tribes 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:14.900 in all. 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.180 Well, 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:15.660 thirteen. 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:15.940 There were 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.580 two halves. 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.540 The sons 00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:19.019 of Jacob 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.400 and all 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:19.600 their 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.100 families. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.019 And two 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.440 and a half 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:22.800 of those 00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:23.440 tribes had 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:23.740 said they 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.259 wanted to 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.740 settle on 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.759 the east 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.480 side of 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.960 the Jordan. 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:30.220 So were 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:30.640 they going 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.100 to follow 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:31.480 Jacob? 00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:31.880 Were they 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.240 just going 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.480 to say, 00:23:32.580 --> 00:23:32.660 well, 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.040 we've got 00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.420 our land 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:33.620 here, 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:33.960 we're going 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.279 to stay 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.580 put? 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.040 What were 00:23:35.040 --> 00:23:35.380 they going 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:35.680 to do? 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.040 Well, 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.300 look at 00:23:36.300 --> 00:23:36.940 verse 12. 00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:38.480 But to 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.200 the Reubenites, 00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:39.900 the Gadites, 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.460 and the half 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.019 tribe of 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.519 Manasseh, 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.740 Joshua said, 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:43.960 remember the 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.580 command that 00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:44.940 Moses, 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.560 the servant 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.119 of the Lord 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:46.700 gave you. 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.960 The Lord, 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.559 your God, 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.079 is giving you 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.700 rest and has 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.619 granted you this 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.000 land. 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:53.980 Your wives, 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.579 your children, 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.220 and all the 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.819 animals may 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.319 stay in the 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.720 land that 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.379 Moses gave 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:57.879 you east 00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:58.159 of the 00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:58.500 Jordan. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.599 But all 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.419 your fighting 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:02.859 men, 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.899 fully armed, 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:05.339 must cross over 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.940 ahead of your 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.240 brothers, 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.779 because all the 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.240 rest of the 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.519 tribes, 00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:08.099 they had to 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.720 go across. 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:09.919 You are to 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.559 go with them. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.799 You are to 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.399 help your 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:13.799 brothers until 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.940 the Lord gives 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.919 them rest as 00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:16.519 he has done 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.019 for you, 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.879 and until 00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:19.019 they too have 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.819 taken possession 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.500 of the land 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.419 that the Lord, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:21.919 your God, 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.599 is giving them. 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.039 After that, 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.980 you may go 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.500 back to 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.700 occupy your own 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.079 land, 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.059 which Moses, 00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:28.799 the servant of 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.139 the Lord, 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.960 gave you east 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.619 of the Jordan 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.720 towards the 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.259 sunrise. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:34.240 So again, 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.779 we're asking 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.420 the question, 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.480 are they going 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.339 to obey him? 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.579 Are they going 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:40.000 to trust Joshua? 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.339 Well, look at 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.119 verse 16. 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:44.819 Then they 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.740 answered Joshua, 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.359 whatever you 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.140 have commanded 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:49.680 us, we 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.680 will do. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.140 And whatever 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:53.299 you send us, 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:53.799 and wherever 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.740 you send us, 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.799 we will go. 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.619 Just as we 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.579 fully obeyed 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:02.200 Moses, so we 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.580 will obey 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.539 you. 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.620 You see, if the 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.319 people are going 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.259 to experience 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:11.360 rest, if they 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:11.980 are going to 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.799 enjoy the 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.500 promise that 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.220 God has given 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:15.200 them, they 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.319 have to follow, 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.059 they have to 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:19.380 trust God's 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.740 leader. 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.360 They have to 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.440 fall in behind 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.600 them and do 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.420 what he says. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.080 Well, in the 00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:28.640 coming weeks, 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.240 we're going to 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.980 find out how 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.640 they got on. 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:32.400 how did they 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.000 follow their 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.320 leader? 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:36.620 But again, at 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.380 this point, we're 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.280 forced to ask the 00:25:38.280 --> 00:25:38.920 question for 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.480 ourselves. 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.060 What leader are 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.680 we going to 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:42.960 follow? 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:47.680 Well, the book 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.080 of Joshua starts, 00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:51.320 surprisingly, with a 00:25:51.320 --> 00:25:52.460 death, verse 1. 00:25:52.520 --> 00:25:53.280 It tells us that 00:25:53.280 --> 00:25:54.400 Moses has died. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:57.280 And the very end 00:25:57.280 --> 00:25:57.840 of the book 00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:59.000 finishes with a 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.360 death. 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.000 Go to Joshua 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.100 chapter 24. 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.600 It starts with the 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:14.300 death of Moses, and 00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:15.420 it finishes with the 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.940 death of Joshua. 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:19.000 Chapter 24, verse 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.600 28. 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:21.740 Joshua sent the 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.799 people away, each 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.579 to his own 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.279 inheritance. 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.779 After these 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:28.339 things, Joshua, son 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.000 of Nun, the 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.679 servant of the 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:31.339 Lord, died at 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:33.459 an age of 110, and 00:26:33.459 --> 00:26:34.359 they buried him in 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.139 the land of his 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.000 inheritance at 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.379 Timna, Sarah, in 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.379 the hill country of 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:40.039 Ephraim, north of 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.939 Mount Gash. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.679 So, Moses is 00:26:43.679 --> 00:26:44.000 dead. 00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:45.819 Joshua is 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.159 dead. 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.859 Who's going to 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.559 lead the people 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:48.940 now? 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:52.259 Well, look at 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.139 verse 33. 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.159 Next in line was 00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:56.759 Eleazar. 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.399 He was the next 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.299 one to take the 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.279 position after 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.740 Joshua. 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:01.619 But look what 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.279 happened to him. 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.599 Eleazar, son of 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:05.379 Aaron, died and 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:06.099 was buried at 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.639 Gibba, which 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.319 had been allotted 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.980 to his son 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:10.019 Phinehas in the 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.839 hill country of 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.440 Ephraim. 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.279 Do you see 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.919 what's happening? 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.639 All the leaders 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.539 are dying. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:17.879 They kind of 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.780 get, Moses 00:27:18.780 --> 00:27:19.520 didn't even get 00:27:19.520 --> 00:27:19.960 into the 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.740 promised land. 00:27:21.300 --> 00:27:22.080 Joshua kind of 00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:23.000 just about gets 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.460 there, and as 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:23.820 soon as he's 00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.480 about to enjoy 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.400 it, he dies. 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.220 You see, all of 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.220 these funeral 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.860 notices are not 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.560 a mistake. 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.340 It's forcing us 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.060 to keep on 00:27:37.060 --> 00:27:37.740 reading through, 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.360 saying, okay, 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.000 well, who's the 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.700 next leader? 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:39.759 leader. 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.900 Because as we 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.620 keep on going, 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.299 they all seem 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:44.819 to die. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.860 So it's forcing 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.559 us to look for 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.200 a leader who 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.980 won't die. 00:27:48.340 --> 00:27:49.080 Somebody who 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:50.000 will lead us 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.799 into the 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.920 eternal promised 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:52.400 rest. 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.400 And of course, 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.100 as we know, 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.019 as the story 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.120 unfolds of the 00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:59.680 Bible, God 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.500 sends his 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.559 final leader, 00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:02.779 the greatest 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.759 leader, the 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.640 king, his 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.840 own son, 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.039 Jesus Christ, 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.619 who would 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.559 come as 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.980 God's leader 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.379 for the 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:10.779 people. 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.500 But what 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:13.940 would happen 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.359 to his 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:14.659 leader? 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.139 He would 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.740 die. 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.339 But his 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.240 death was a 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.159 death for 00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:21.779 us. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.379 As our 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.240 representative, 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:24.859 as our 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.500 leader on 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.420 behalf of the 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.240 people, he 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.899 would go to 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.579 the cross for 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:28.740 us. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.859 He would die 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.740 in our place. 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.700 He would go 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.579 for our 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.639 disobedience. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.819 But there's 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.440 something quite 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.159 different about 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:39.839 this leader, 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.399 isn't there? 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.740 This leader 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.399 wouldn't stay 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:43.839 dead. 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.799 This leader 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.779 would rise 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.460 again from 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.079 the grave. 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:50.220 This king 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:51.119 would rise 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.119 triumphant. 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.420 Death would 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.240 be defeated. 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:55.579 He would 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.420 conquer the 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.319 grave so 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.819 that we 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.460 could live 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:58.960 forever. 00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.779 The one 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.359 thing that 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.099 stops us 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.980 enjoying the 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.519 rest that 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.039 God has 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.579 promised to 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:04.659 us is sin 00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:05.579 and death. 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.099 And it 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.960 has all been 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.220 conquered by 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.220 his leader, 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.680 Jesus Christ. 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.319 Jesus, 00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:17.539 the risen 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:17.960 leader, 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.200 the true 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.880 Joshua. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.700 Joshua means 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.180 the Lord 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:23.740 saves. 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:24.920 What does 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.620 Jesus mean? 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:25.960 It's the 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.539 New Testament 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.019 name. 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:28.460 He's the 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.000 Saviour. 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.380 And he 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.160 comes into 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:31.759 the world 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:33.000 inviting us 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.779 to trust 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.140 him. 00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:35.740 He commands 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.160 us to 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.940 follow him. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.360 so that 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:37.779 we may 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.360 enjoy 00:29:38.360 --> 00:29:38.779 heaven. 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.299 The 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:39.799 ultimate 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.579 rest with 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:40.940 him. 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.400 Rest from 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.319 all evil. 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.460 Rest from 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.519 violence and 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.140 terrorism. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.400 Rest from 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.440 every kind of 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.880 tragedy imaginable. 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.019 Rest from 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.940 all sin. 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.400 A new world 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.980 which would be 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.600 marked by 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:58.380 peace and 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:59.120 prosperity. 00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:01.219 as Jesus 00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:02.059 came on to 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.659 the world 00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:03.279 scene. 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:03.639 Come 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:06.759 unto me 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.899 all you 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.399 who are 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:08.779 heavy 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.559 burdened 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:11.119 and I 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:11.639 will give 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.019 you 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.379 rest. 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:16.099 The true 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:16.519 leader, 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.399 Jesus Christ 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.439 has come 00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:20.119 for us 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.759 his people. 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:21.479 He says, 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.339 I will go 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.039 before you. 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:24.039 I want you 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.559 to follow 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.319 me and 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.019 that's why 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.599 you can be 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.279 strong and 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.079 courageous because 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.619 not even 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.339 death can 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.180 defeat you if 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.440 you are 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.200 following me. 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.619 And as we 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.399 his people 00:30:37.399 --> 00:30:38.359 follow our 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.160 true leader, 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:39.660 Jesus, 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.960 so we are 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.859 showing others 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.680 the way that 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.539 they can find 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.660 ultimate rest. 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:47.720 we are 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.060 on a 00:30:48.060 --> 00:30:48.480 journey. 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.380 Israel, 00:30:50.540 --> 00:30:50.620 we are 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:51.000 on a 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.279 journey. 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.120 We are 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:52.580 on a 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:52.900 journey. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.000 We are 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.940 just strangers 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.560 in this 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:57.000 land. 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.700 We are 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.019 just 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.680 visiting. 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.279 We are 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.800 only here 00:31:00.800 --> 00:31:01.240 for a 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.980 short time. 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:02.580 We have 00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:03.519 eternity to 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.100 look forward 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:04.400 to. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.240 But as we 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.900 go on our 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.259 journey, 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:06.920 so people 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.279 will look 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:07.560 and see, 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.140 where are 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.620 they going? 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.279 We are 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.860 going to be 00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.500 with him 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.980 in that 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.040 final rest. 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:19.259 You see, 00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:19.880 the story 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.600 of Joshua 00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:22.320 is not 00:31:22.320 --> 00:31:22.740 just a 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.100 book of 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:23.560 history 00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:24.160 about a 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.580 people 00:31:24.580 --> 00:31:25.400 thousands 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:25.980 of years 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.279 ago 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:26.680 unrelated 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.519 to us. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.080 It's the 00:31:29.080 --> 00:31:29.779 story of 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.140 Jesus. 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.960 The world 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.759 has promised 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:37.279 and produced 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.000 some great 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.400 leaders. 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:41.180 And the 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.700 world's 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.360 leaders have 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:42.960 made some 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:44.040 great promises, 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.680 haven't they? 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.980 Now, I 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.500 don't doubt 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.259 the sincerity 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.120 or the efforts 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.720 of Barack 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.460 Obama to 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:50.980 bring about 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.779 world peace. 00:31:52.340 --> 00:31:52.860 I think he's 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.340 doing a good 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:53.759 job. 00:31:54.560 --> 00:31:55.180 I don't 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.620 knock the 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.240 plans or 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.800 the promises 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.360 of Ender 00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:57.840 Kenny to 00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:58.740 change Ireland's 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.060 future. 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.340 I think he's 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:00.880 doing a good 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.540 job too. 00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.160 But as 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:03.900 history has 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.380 proved, 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.740 promises will 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.540 always be 00:32:06.540 --> 00:32:07.620 broken and 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.560 leaders will 00:32:08.560 --> 00:32:09.500 always die. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:12.059 the good 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.539 news of 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.039 God's 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.440 story, 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.519 which is 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.299 not only a 00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:17.160 true story, 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.319 it's our 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:18.960 story. 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:19.819 This is about 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.500 us. 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:22.059 It's that 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:23.039 God's chosen 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.519 leader, 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.420 Jesus Christ, 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.079 not only 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:28.140 makes promises, 00:32:29.140 --> 00:32:29.880 but he will 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.980 keep his 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.539 promise. 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.180 What God 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.819 says he will 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.119 do, 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:36.299 he will do. 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.720 we can 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.659 trust him 00:32:38.659 --> 00:32:40.180 and he will 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.899 bring us 00:32:40.899 --> 00:32:41.940 to his 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:43.139 eternal rest. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:46.099 Let's pray 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:46.819 together. 00:33:01.659 --> 00:33:02.259 Our 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.879 Father God, 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.500 we thank you 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.159 so much 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:06.040 for these 00:33:06.040 --> 00:33:06.600 stories. 00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:07.140 Thank you 00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:07.860 for Joshua. 00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:11.040 Thank you 00:33:11.040 --> 00:33:11.900 for his 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:13.640 leadership, 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.540 his leading 00:33:14.540 --> 00:33:15.620 of your 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:16.140 people. 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.460 But most 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:18.779 of all, 00:33:18.840 --> 00:33:19.380 we thank you 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:19.880 for him 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.480 because he 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:20.900 pictures, 00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:21.680 he shows 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:23.540 us who 00:33:23.540 --> 00:33:24.040 our true 00:33:24.040 --> 00:33:24.740 leader is. 00:33:26.120 --> 00:33:26.980 We thank 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.380 you for 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:27.779 Jesus. 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.519 We thank 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.120 you that he 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:31.880 has conquered 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.640 the grave, 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.100 he has 00:33:33.100 --> 00:33:33.620 defeated 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.139 sin. 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.839 He has 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.399 called us 00:33:37.399 --> 00:33:37.959 to follow 00:33:37.959 --> 00:33:39.819 him so 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.199 that we 00:33:40.199 --> 00:33:40.679 may have 00:33:40.679 --> 00:33:41.279 rest, 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.439 rest today 00:33:42.439 --> 00:33:44.339 and rest 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.319 for all 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:45.879 eternity. 00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:48.299 Father, 00:33:48.419 --> 00:33:48.839 thank you 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.239 that you 00:33:49.239 --> 00:33:49.879 have invited 00:33:49.879 --> 00:33:50.519 us on 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.139 that journey. 00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:53.119 We pray 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:53.979 that we 00:33:53.979 --> 00:33:54.359 would be 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:54.939 people who 00:33:54.939 --> 00:33:55.459 go into 00:33:55.459 --> 00:33:56.159 this week 00:33:56.159 --> 00:33:57.859 living that 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.279 journey, 00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.299 telling others 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:00.839 about the 00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.159 journey, 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:02.240 encouraging 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:02.900 others to 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:03.320 get on 00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:03.860 board. 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.860 Father, 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.480 go before 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.000 us. 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:10.700 Help us 00:34:10.700 --> 00:34:11.340 to trust 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:11.680 you, 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:13.099 the God 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.539 who has 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.200 made his 00:34:14.200 --> 00:34:14.720 promise, 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.380 the God 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.780 who will 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:17.639 keep his 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.180 promise. 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:20.180 Amen. 00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.879 Amen. 00:34:20.879 --> 00:34:20.940 Amen. 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.739 Thank you, 00:34:37.799 --> 00:34:37.980 Johnny. 00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:38.759 We're going 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:40.199 to take an 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:40.639 opportunity to 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.279 respond by 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:42.179 singing together, 00:34:42.299 --> 00:34:42.699 respond to 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:42.960 what we've 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.179 heard. 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.239 Amen. 00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:43.299 Amen. 00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:43.359 Amen. 00:34:43.359 --> 00:34:43.739 Amen. 00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:43.799 Amen. 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:44.239 Amen. 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:44.299 Amen. 00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:44.359 Amen. 00:34:44.359 --> 00:34:44.399 Amen. 00:34:44.399 --> 00:34:44.799 Amen.