Seize the Day
Written by Ed Allen
Sunday, 20 September 2009 09:00
“To keep the armies moving to attack and to impede the enemy.” – Mission statement for the Corps of Engineers
“The church is the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members.” – William Temple
“To be and to build authentic Christian community.” – Mission statement for Gateway Community Church.
Sermon Passage: Joshua 1:1-9
The LORD Commands Joshua
(1) After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: (2) "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. (3) I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. (4) 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. (5) 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.
(6) "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. (7) 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. (8) 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. (9) 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."
God Says:
- You will be successful
- v.3 “I will give you every place you set your foot...&drquo;
- I am with you
- v.5 “... As I was with Moses, so I will be with you;...”
- This effort will require great courage and strength
- vv.6,7,9 “Be strong and courageous...”
- The key is obedience to God’s Word
- vv.7b-8 “Be careful to obey...”
- It means increasing capacity - our physical capacity or even our capacity to obey
- Gideon – reduced physical capacity in order to increase obedience capacity
- David – gathered building materials so that they would be ready to build in God’s timing
Mobilizing the fighting force
- This is about moving everyone into a place where they can effectively contribute
- 5-3-1 Campaign
- Identify 5 people to pray for over the next month
- Invite 3 of them to Gateway
- Take 1 of them out to lunch
Increasing our capacity (by increasing our infrastructure)
- This will be about adding to our staff. It will mean giving.