The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder Lasser Bradley Jr. Mm-hmm. Dozen tumblers seem My great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my god and king, the triumphs of this race. This is James Kennedy, inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. Stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye to Canaan's fair and happy land where my possessions lie.
I am bound for the promised land of this land. I am bound for the promised land. Oh, who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land over all those wide and splendid plains shines one eternal day where God the Son forever reigns and scatters might away I am bound for the promised land of land. I am bound for the promised land.
Oh, who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land. When shall I reach that happy place and be forever blessed? When shall I see my Father's face and in his woes? I am bound for the promised land, I am bound for the promised land.
Oh, who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land today. We bring you the first portion. Of a message titled Much Land to be possessed, based on Joshua chapter 13. Though Joshua had reached an advanced age, and much had already been accomplished, God declared that there was still much land yet to be possessed.
In this message, we consider the ongoing work of spiritual growth and the call to continue serving the Lord faithfully through every season of life. With today's message, here is La Serre Bradley, junior Our last message from the book of Joshua. was entitled Resting While You Work. We noted in Joshua 11, 23 that it said, and the land rested from war. Much territory had been conquered.
many battles had been fought. And one. But now The land rested from war. What a blessing for there to be a time of quietness. The war not to continue.
God had given the land to the people. as an inheritance. But they had to fight to possess it. And as children of God, Our Heavenly Father has given us an inheritance. It's given us by divine grace.
But as we live here in this world, There are battles to fight. We must labor to to enjoy that inheritance. And so We are thankful for the rest that we have in Jesus Christ. But to understand that we must yet work. while we rest.
For that previous message. We use Joshua chapter 13, verse 1 as our text. And I want to use that again today. Joshua 13, 1.
Now Joshua was old and stricken in years, and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and well stricken in years. and there remaineth much land to be possessed. Much land to be possessed. First of all, we see here a message to the aged. Concerning Joshua.
It says There is Much land. that yet remaineth. Although he was not going to be active in the battle any longer. There was still work to be done. And Joshua's job was changing at this point.
He was no longer to go into battle. In fact, at this point, he was probably about a hundred years old. But he was to supervise Dividing the land. giving each tribe that part of the land that was their rightful inheritance. Verse 7 says, Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
He was certainly respected by the people because of his leadership all those years. in fighting the battles that they had so successfully fought, So it seems that he was indeed the appropriate man. to see to it that the inheritance was divided. We do note that at one point There was some grumbling. Complaining on the part of a couple of the tribes that they were not receiving what they thought was their adequate share.
But Joshua was a man that knew how to lead and how to resolve such issues, and so God put him in charge. And then, secondly, in thinking about these men who had come to years. We see Caleb. In chapter 14, verse 7, Caleb says, Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Cadish Barnea. to espy out the land.
and I brought him word again, as it was in my heart. As you will recall, Joshua and Caleb. were the only two that came back with a positive report. Certainly they were not unrealistic. They knew that there were many challenges.
But they believed that because God had given them the land as an inheritance, that they would be able to successfully possess it. They encourage the people to move forward. But he says, Nevertheless, my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people to melt. They came back with these stories about the cities walled up to heaven and these giants in the land and caused the heart of the people to melt. You know, if you Listen.
The reports Whatever they may be, whether we're talking about the conditions with which we struggle in our country today. or talk about the spiritual needs of God's people. There can be a negative report. Even a distorted report that causes the heart of the Lord's people to melt. The fail hopeless and discouraged.
But, Caleb says, I wholly followed the Lord my God. in spite of the negative approach by some. In spite of their declaration that we can't possibly take the land, I followed the Lord my God. And that's something that's said repeatedly about this man. What a testimony!
What a testimony. that throughout his life He followed. The Lord is God. But Moses swear on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever. because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.
Verse 10. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive. as he said, these forty and five years. even since the LORD spake this word to Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness. And now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
Throw here. Joshua is about a hundred and Caleb is eighty-five. And he says, As yet I'm as strong this day as I was the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now for war. both to go out and to come in.
We can't help but Wonder if Caleb was a little overzealous when he gives that report. And so, I'm just as strong today at 85 as I was at 40. I think most would have to admit that's not the case. His situation may have been unique, and the Lord gave him that kind of strength because of the work that was still before him. But he says now therefore Give me this mountain.
Wherefore the Lord spake in that day. For thou hurt us in that day. how the Anicums were there. These were the ones that were referred to as being giants in the land. and that the cities were great and fenced.
If so be the Lord will be with me. then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.
So He's assuming that the giants are still in the land. A formidable enemy, a strong people. But if the Lord is with me, I'll be able to drive them out. And so, indeed, it is evident that That even if he might have exaggerated the situation a little bit about his physical state, his strength in the Lord was indeed as it had always been, his faith and trust in the living God. And so Joshua blessed him.
and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephne, The Kennizite unto this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. There it is again. Repeated number of times. He wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.
So he's given a bounty. And at this advanced age, he's going forward to conquer it. Expressed in another place that he was concerned to see that the mountain was possessed for the benefit of his children.
So there are a number of practical lessons to learn here. One is that indeed it is appropriate. For the Older generation. To have thoughts and concern about their children, about the generation that's following, particularly about their spiritual status, that they might be correctly. taught and led and an example set for them.
So He had been through many a battle. He had had many experiences with the Lord. There was no doubt in his mind that what God was able to sustain him to conquer this mountain that is his inheritance. He's still ready to go forward and drive them out.
So his faith in the Lord is as strong as ever. And this is a lesson for us. Even as you grow older. There is still a work to do. It may not be one as great a task as Caleb was assuming.
It may be a shift in what that experience may be, as it was in the case of Joshua. Joshua was going to still be active, but he wasn't going to go out on the battlefield any longer. That's all we need to remember. that as old age comes on, But it doesn't mean that we fold our hands and quit. We're to serve the Lord all of our days.
Knowing that he has blessed us in the past, and his promise is he will continue to bless us in the future. There are some things that you may have been active to do when you were younger that you can't do now. But there are plenty of things you can do. even if you suffer from great physical infirmities. Certainly to have time.
for prayer. What it means to have. God's people earnestly pray for the advancement of His kingdom. the blessing of his church. and various ways in which you can reach out to and encourage others.
So, having observed this initial message, a message to the aged. Let's go on to consider a message to all of us. The phrase more land to be possessed is certainly applicable in all of our lives. more land to be possessed when it comes to the knowledge of the truth. We can't ever reach the point to say, well, I've studied the Bible for so many years.
I feel like I've got it all together. I once wandered in Arminianism, but now that I've come to believe salvation by grace, I think I've got it all together. Nothing else for me to learn. No? We find repeatedly in Scripture the admonition From the apostles and others, for us to continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We look at Colossians chapter 1, verse 9. Paul says, For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you. What did he heard? He had heard a positive report about this church. About some things that they were doing in God's service and how God was blessing them.
So, as we heard about it, We continue to pray for you. He didn't say, well, because this church seems to be doing well, I'll just pray for somebody else. No, I'm going to continue to pray for this church and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. My prayer is That you'll be filled with the knowledge of His will, that you'll have spiritual understanding.
Well, where are you going to get that? Where are you going to get the knowledge of God's will? It's going to be in God's Word. He's not going to just mystically send it down. He's not going to give you a special revelation.
He's going to give you the knowledge, the wisdom, the spiritual understanding that you need in his word.
So there's much land to be possessed. He said, well, I've been reading the Bible all my life. But surely no one would dare say to day I I've gotten it all put together. I understand it all. I'm able to read every verse in the Bible with clear understanding.
The more you read it, the more you realize you don't understand. But you see that there is a need to continue pursuing it. In Acts chapter 17, verse 10, we have a good example. Yeah. and the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night under Berea.
There was fierce opposition to Paul's preaching. And so the brethren sent him away for his own safety. who coming thither went unto the synagogue of the Jews, There were these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so. No doubt you've heard over the years The noble Bereans, the Bereans called more noble than those at Thessalonica. Because there was a readiness to receive the word.
But they searched the scriptures on a daily basis whether these things were so. Reading the scriptures. ought to be a daily habit in our lives. God uses his word. to guide us, to instruct us.
To keep us on the right path, to convict us, to encourage us. We need to be at his word. Much land to be possessed. Oh, when you think about The 66 books of the Bible. And there may be some of them that you have read repeatedly and feel like you have a good working knowledge of them.
But no doubt there are books. that um you haven't spent much time with them. And there are some that are more challenging than others. But all scripture is given to us by the inspiration of God is there for a purpose. for a blessing in our lives.
So None of us could suggest that we've gained adequate knowledge and that Daily reading is no longer necessary. You can go back over the same portions that you've read many times. And going over it one more time, the Spirit of God blesses you to see something you didn't see. as you read it before. And what a blessing that is.
And you're reading and something just jumps off the page at you and say, My, I wonder why I didn't see that before.
Now it comes and it's clear. And it Brings joy to your heart. and you give thanks for it. Yeah. There's much land to be possessed.
And then 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, verse 10. Paul says, night and day, praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.
So he says to this church, and he says some commendable things about them in the first chapter of this epistle. He rejoiced that they had received the gospel. and that they had turned from idols, true repentance is here shown clearly. They turned from idols to serve the true and living God, and from you sounded out the word of the Lord.
so that your faith is spread abroad.
So there were many wonderful things to be said about this church, but they weren't perfect. And it says, My desire is that I may come. and perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Much land to be conquered. much territory that we have not traveled.
Much that we need to learn.
So much to be learned about God himself.
So, well, I know I believe in God. I believe He is the one, true, and living God. I believe he is the Trinity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But oh my to get into the intricate details of what the Scriptures have to say about God. His marvelous works, his ways past understanding, And yet we need to be diligent.
in reading and learning. about our Heavenly Father. The more we see of his greatness and his glory, The more we see of our great need of Him, acknowledge our weakness and our unworthiness. to see the holiness of God. is a marvelous thing.
The truth about man. You know that God created man. Crater In his own image. And yet Man Sin, rebel. is in a fallen state.
Well, we can concentrate a good bit about man's fallen state. He can talk about his total depravity. And some could carry that to a point that they forget that human beings are created in the image of God. Um even if they are not. regenerated and children of God.
And although they're fallen sinners, there is still a resemblance of that image of God in which they were created. That gives us a different attitude about other human beings. Even people that we disagree with. People that may be on a totally different path. They are human beings created in the image of God.
and should be treated. with respect. and kindness.
So much to learn in those areas. And So much to learn about the doctrines of God's sovereignty and grace. The doctrine of predestination. The doctrine of calling. Redemption.
Justification. Sanctification.
Now you're familiar with all of those words, but just think a minute. If somebody asks you, Can you define those doctrines? Can you tell me what you believe about them? What do you believe about justification? What do you believe about sanctification?
Would you not have to admit that there's much land yet to be possessed? There's much learning that needs to be done. And so We pray that God will bless us to grow in grace and possess our possessions. How much do you even understand about the church? about what it means to be a member of a church.
How the church is to function, how it is to operate under the headship of Jesus Christ. and how those that labor in the body. are to serve him. and minister one to another. What about the doctrine of the second coming?
You may say, well, I believe that. I believe Jesus Christ is coming back. But it's a theme that's often repeated throughout the New Testament. And it's not just a doctrine to embrace. Just the fact that you believe in it doesn't mean that there isn't land yet to be explored on this theme.
Because John tells us in his first epistle that he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure. If you understand the doctrine of the second coming, you haven't just acknowledged it to be a fact. It has an impact. on your life. On a daily basis, being conscious that Jesus Christ is coming back.
You are inspired and encouraged to live in a godly way that will bring honor to his name. And so when it comes to the knowledge of the truth. It can't become complacent. Let's say we've got it all together. There's nothing else to learn.
We need to be learning and growing all of our life. Acknowledging that there's so much out there still. to be explored. And then when it comes to our godly walk, Colossians chapter 1, verse 10, Paul says, that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful. Exactly.
being fruitful in every good work. Paul always wanted the best. for the churches. to whom he wrote. That you might walk worthy.
of the Lord. Unto all pleasing.
Well, that ought to be an area that we could ever once say, Lord. I know that I'm not pleasing in every detail of my life. I know there's much room for improvement. I know that there are sins that still need to be confronted. that there are places where changes are in order.
Where my thinking and my attitude and my conduct need to be different. Walk worthy of the Lord. being fruitful in every good work, Paul never stops down on the Low rung of the ladder. He just looks toward the top. I want you to be fruitful in every good work.
How would you review the good works in your life today? Is there clear evidence? That your life is devoted to Jesus Christ, that you're His servant on a daily basis. It's not just a matter of going to church on Sunday, that indeed is good. and sad that so many in our day and time neglect it.
But that's part of what's expected. in the matter of serving the Lord. What about ministering to others? What about the good works? Yeah.
Confirm them. Our justification. As James talks about, being justified by our works before men. That how we live, how we conduct ourselves is a confirmation. of what we are by grace and where we stand in Christ Jesus.
Being fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God.
So once again, there's an acknowledgment that although this church is to be commended in many ways, They can't say, we've got it all together, we've got all the knowledge we need. I want you to be increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience. and long suffering with joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father. Which made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
Well So what ain't that? It's encouraging to know that we don't just gain higher ground by our own effort. He says, I'm praying that you'll be strengthened with all might. That you'll be able to move forward because of the power of the Holy Spirit in you. unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness.
Come we have the Lord and let our joys be known. Join in a song with sweet accord. Join in a song with sweet accord and thus sounds and throws and thus around the throne. In today's message from La Serre Bradley Jr., we've seen that no matter our age or stage in life, there is still work to be done and spiritual ground yet to be gained. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are called to continue trusting the Lord and moving forward in faith.
Join us next time as we continue this message and consider more fully what it means to possess the spiritual territory set before us in the knowledge of God and in our daily walk with Him. Thank you for listening to today's broadcast. And until next time, may the Lord richly bless you all. They Children of the heavenly keep, this Savior does toys from this Savior toil abroad. The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder Lesaire Bradley Jr.
Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. You will see of God in land hours, songs abound, and every tear be dry. We're marching through in manuals crown. We're marching through in manuals crowns to fair.
