Yeah, yeah. A thousand tongs to see. Bye. Great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his race. This is James Kennedy, inviting you to stay tuned to another message of God's sovereign grace.
story Banks, I stand and cast a wishful eye to Cana's fair and happy land where my possessions lie. I am bound for the promised land, fast 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 extended plains shines one eternal day where God the sun forever rains and scatters light away. I am bound for the promised land, both land, I am bound for.
The promised land. Oh, who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land. No chilling winds or voiced breath can resemble the shore sickness and sorrow pain and death for felt and fear no more 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 when shall I reach that happy place and be forever blessed? When shall I see my Father's face and in his 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 at the Baptist Bible Hour, La Serre Bradley Jr. will bring the first portion of a message titled Life in the Land from Joshua chapter 21.
After years of wandering, conflict, and waiting, the children of Israel entered the land God had promised them. As we consider this passage, we are reminded of the faithfulness of God who fulfils every promise He makes and provides richly for his people. With the first half of the message, Life in the Land, Here's Lasser Bradley, junior Over the past months we've brought a number of messages from the book of Joshua. We're now coming to the End of the book. In these last chapters.
There are detailed descriptions given As to the division of the land, as to the portion that each tribe was allotted. Yeah, a lot of detail given about exactly what the borders of those places were. There's also one chapter devoted to the fact that the Six cities of refuge were upon it. A city of refuge was there.
So that if a person inadvertently kill somebody. It wasn't premeditated. But they were guilty of killing a person. They could run to the city of refuge and they would be safe. Their case would be heard.
by the elders of that city. and they could remain there. until the high priest died. And then they could go back. to their place of regular abode.
In other words, there was a distinction made between manslaughter and murder. And so the cities of refuge were appointed for that purpose. Then there were forty-eight towns with their pasture lands that were assigned to the Levites. Joshua acknowledges the Lord's faithfulness. in leading the people.
blessing them to overcome their enemies. And so we look at Joshua chapter 21. Joshua chapter 21, verse 44. And the Lord gave them rish round about. according to all that he swear unto their fathers.
and there stood not a man of their enemies before them. The LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not aught of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel. all came to pass.
So here is a wonderful acknowledgement of God's faithfulness to His people. that God remembered His covenant, He kept His promises. And as we see that so clearly in these experiences of olden times. We recall that these were written for our learning and admonition.
So we can take courage to know that God is faithful. That he will fulfill all the benefits and blessings of his covenants. and that he keeps and remembers every promise. And after there is this review. of God's blessing upon the people.
in bringing them through all of their trials and they came to possess the land.
Now As Joshua speaks, Faithfulness is commended.
Now he has Clearly declared that they have enjoyed success because God blessed them. They can't take credit to themselves as though it was because of their military strength or their great wisdom or courage. God blessed them. But at the same time, He commends their faithfulness. And we can see that there's a place for that.
So in Joshua chapter 22, verse 1, It says, Then Joshua called the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh, And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. Ye have not left your brethren these many days. Unto this day. But have kept the charges of the commandment of the Lord your God.
Now we should point out that when There is Two and a half tribes. Repealed to Moses that they might have this particular territory on the other side of the river. Moses had some concern about it. because he was fearful That they would not feel an obligation to fight with the other tribes and separate themselves from the nation of Israel. And so he was reluctant at first, but granted the request and gave them that land.
And now They have proven themselves. that they have kept their promise and they have discharged their duty and done what was commanded. of the Lord through Moses. And now the LORD your God hath given you rest unto your brethren, as he promised them. Therefore now return ye, and get ye into your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of Jordan.
So You have completed your work. They have been away from their families for seven years. But they did not turn back. They did not forget their obligation. They were faithful.
They remained in place. They fought in the armies under Joshua's leadership. What a wonderful testimony. that all of these soldiers were firmly committed to the task at hand Faithful in serving God. All that we might conduct ourselves in such a way.
that we would have a testimony of faithfulness. that we would continue on course. No matter how rough the way, no matter how great the discouragements, no matter how fierce the battles. that we would continue faithfully serving God. And so Joshua felt it appropriate Not that he was praising them above God, because he gives all the glory to God, but They were faithful in the service they rendered, and he commends them for that.
Well, we see that in other parts of the Bible as well. We go to the book of Romans, chapter 16. Reading in verse 1. Saint Paul's words. I commend unto you Phoebe, our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Gentiria.
that ye receive her in the Lord as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you.
Sometimes the question arises: how active. ought women to be in the church.
Well, we know that they are not called to preach. They are not to usurp authority over the man. But certainly, there is more for them to do than to help provide meal when the church is going to gather. To eat.
So here's a woman that obviously had some, it doesn't identify what all it was, but whatever business she has need of you. want you to assist her, for she had been a succorer of many. She has helped many people. Whatever her field of labor was, she was prominent And important in her commitment to serve the Lord in the church. She had been a succorer of many and of myself also.
She's ministered to me and helped me, says Paul. Great Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have laid down their own necks, unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
So here's Paul. Commending these individuals that have faithfully served the Lord, I give thanks for them and also all the other churches.
Now in the rest of this chapter He lists over 20 people. for whom he is giving thanks. People who have faithfully labored. People who have faithfully labored in the kingdom of God. He acknowledges their service.
He is thankful for them. He expresses his appreciation for them. We see something similar in the book of Colossians, chapter 1, verse 3. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have to all the saints. He is rejoicing.
He is thanking God for them. He is commending them. because he hears of the strong faith they have in Christ Jesus. and the love. that they have to all the saints.
And so if we see God's people. who are very diligent. Very committed. rendering service to the Lord, displaying love. It's appropriate to commend them and express appreciation for them.
In verse seven, He speaks of Epiphras, our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister in Christ.
So he doesn't just identify him as a minister, he said he's a faithful minister. He's providing words of commendation. For a man who is faithful diligent in serving God. And then when we go to the book of 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, We find him commending the entire church. Verse 6, And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost.
Now it said in verse 4, Knowing, brethren and beloved, you're election of God. How did he know that? Because when he preached the gospel to them, they received it. And they became followers of the Lord. You received the word in much affliction and yet with joy of the Holy Ghost.
Now here's the condition: so that ye were ensembles to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. You have set an example. Your faith is spread abroad. People are talking about what's going on in the church at Thessalonica. He is commending this church.
Now let me ask you the question. They've seen the words of Joshua. You've seen the words of Paul. What about your words? Do you ever give appropriate words of commendation.
We're not talking about flattery. We're not talking about trying to manipulate somebody. We're talking about sincere words that can be an encouragement. to the other person. What about your husbands?
How often do you give words of commendation to your wife? to express faith her appreciation for her faithful service. For how much she does to keep the whole household in order and Moving along. What about your wives? How often do you Speak a word of commendation to your husband.
an appreciation. For what you can see in his life of God's work and his faithfulness to the Lord. What about parents to your children?
Some parents become extremely critical. I've counseled with young people who said, I don't think I've ever done anything to please my parents. They're on my case all the time, they're constantly critical.
Well, certainly that becomes detrimental. Because Ephesians chapter 4 tells us that our words are to edify. or to build up or to encourage.
So parents need to Take the opportunity. to appropriately commend their children, particularly if they observe Spiritual progress and dedication to the Lord. What about your words to other believers? It's easy to become a critic. And to find here somebody that's not quite doing everything the way I think they ought to.
They don't live up to my standard. You may criticize them behind their back or even to their face. But what about commending them? When you see somebody that As Made great sacrifices in serving God. Not that their motive is, I want somebody to praise me and recognize me.
Their motive, hopefully, is right, that they're serving God because they love Him. But when you see that to commend them becomes a source of encouragement. Yeah. After Joshua commends these from the two and a half tribes that are going back across the river. He continues with an admonition.
So just because a word of commendation is given, it doesn't mean that you don't ever admonish. Joshua chapter 22 once again, this time verse 5. But take diligent heed to do the commandments and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you. to love the Lord your God. and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Now somebody might say that was unnecessary. That could have been taken as something of a put-down. Why why do you think these men need that kind of an admonition? They've proven themselves. They've done a good job on the battlefield.
They've been faithful in the service that they've rendered. But does this not clearly indicate That even when one has been faithfully serving God, There is still a place For admonition and and instruction. None of us ever get to the place that we can say, I don't need to be admonished. I don't need any further instruction. We're all continuing to grow, and the apostles' prayer was constantly for God's people, that their faith might be strengthened and that their love might increase.
So he gives them this admonition. He refers to the words of Moses.
Well, let's look at Moses' words. Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 4. Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
So Joshua is simply repeating what Moses had spoken long before. Admonitions, then, are needed. They were needed back. In the very beginning of this conquest, go back to chapter one. Joshua chapter 1, verse 7.
Only be thou strong and of a good courage. that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Now somebody might be thinking, Seems it has been an awful lot of repetition. in this book. because there are many admonitions of this kind. But it simply makes the point. that they were necessary, they were needed, they were important, and it's important for us to be constantly admonished from the teaching of God's word.
And let's just look one by one at those six admonitions you see a great similarity between them. You might not be able to make a clear distinction from one to another. but it simply focuses upon the fact that we have an obligation in loving God and serving God. The first one. Be careful to keep the commandments.
Of course, they needed to know what the commandments were. People didn't have a Bible back in those days that they could read at home. They had to depend on the priests. To be constantly instructing them and admonishing them. But they were to be careful to keep the commandments.
Needed to know what they were. And then be careful in carrying them out. Secondly, to love the Lord your God. To love the Lord. That seems basic.
Isn't it? And Maybe sometimes we assume that our love is even stronger than it is. We can sing hymns about how much we love the Lord, and that's good, and that's appropriate. But whether we love him Ultimately, it is seen in the third item: walk in all his ways.
Now we can make all kinds of claims about how much we love God. But if we're not walking in his ways, it clearly indicates that our love is not what we have suggested that it is. And then the next, obey his commandments.
Well, the first one was be careful to keep the commandments, and now just another reminder: obey his commandments. You know become selective and say, well, I don't know.
Some of these commandments are Extremely strict and I just can't see myself being able to fit in with all of that. But here's the command, obey his commandments. And then the last one, serve him with all your heart. Can't be a half-hearted service. Can't be something that's just a sideline in your life.
This is something that's Above all else, of the greatest importance, to serve him enthusiastically, zealously, with all your heart. And really all of this is summarized In the words of the apostle in 1 Corinthians chapter 6. as he instructs the church at Corinth about how they are to live. He says Verse 19, what? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?
Which ye have of God, and ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price. You're not your own. You're not this independent person that can say, I'll chart my own course, I'll set my own standards, I'll live as I please. If you're a child of God, you're bought and paid for. Purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, so that you're not your own.
Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
So here's the Apostle. Giving the same sort of admonition that was given by Moses and by Joshua. And This is a standard. No. And this issue comes up.
But somebody says, well, it seems to me that there's an awful lot of repetition, going over the same ground, hearing the same words of encouragement and admonition again and again. But there's a biblical reason for it. Peter says in the second epistle that he wrote, 2 Peter 1, verse 12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of those things, though ye know them.
So admits, I'm telling you some things you already know. But I'm not going to be negligent. I'm not going to shirk my duty. I'm going to always put you in remembrance of these things, although you know them and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I'm in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.
So you may come to church and say, well, Everything that was talked about today, every verse that was read, I've read those verses, I've heard those instructions, I've heard those admonitions.
Okay. It's appropriate that you hear them again. Because you can be under the preaching of God's Word. Endorse it in your mind and heart. Say, this is right, this is good, this is what I believe.
But you get up the next week. and you face temptations of the world. And before you know it, You can be easily distracted. and turned down the wrong path.
So continued admonitions are vital. in the lives of God's people. And then Sing. The words of Paul, as he writes to the church at Corinth, and the words of Peter saying that he's not going to be reluctant to give these admonitions repeatedly, let's look at the words of Jesus. and see how they fit with what we read that Moses said and that Joshua repeated.
Matthew chapter 22 verse 37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. and the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. These are the words of Jesus. Jesus said, Here's the summary of the law. The first and greatest one is: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God. with all thy heart, with all thy mind.
Do a little searching of your heart. Can you really say that? I love the Lord with all my heart. My heart's not divided. I'm not distracted.
I'm not trying to fit in with the world all at the same time that I profess to love the Lord. He's first and foremost in all my decisions. In everything that I do. I want the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be acceptable in His sight. Love the Lord.
with all your heart. Uh The throne of grace then let us go and offer all our prayers. All grace of God will mercy show to all that worship. In today's message, we've seen that God faithfully brought his people into the land he had promised them. Not one of his good promises failed.
and his covenant faithfulness was evident at every step of the journey. Join us next time as we continue this message and consider what life in the land teaches us about enjoying the blessings God provides and walking faithfully in His service. Please remember the Baptist Bible Hour in your prayers, and for more information on our ministry or to take advantage of our many online resources, please visit our website at baptistbiblehour.org. Thank you for listening to today's broadcast. And until next time, may the Lord richly bless you all.
Is open still to God your complaints and then inquire his will. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. Throne of glory then shall glow with peace on Jesus face and we alone shall know nor need a throne of grace.
