Thank you. A thousand dumpsters seem like Great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace. This is James Kennedy, inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. He leth me, O blessed God, O words with heavenly comfort whatever I do, wherever I live, shift his God's hand and leadeth me. He liveth me, He liveth me, by His own hand He leadeth me His faithful Lord I would be, for by His hand He leadeth me sometimes He seems a deepest loose, sometimes where he I watched the Lord also sing still tis his hand that leadeth me he lived me, he lived me, I is on hand, he leadeth me his faithful Lord I will be for thy his hand he leadeth me Lord I would bless my hand in my forever glory thine content what I see, since is my God that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand, he leadeth me. His faithful follower I would be, for by his hand, he leadeth me. And when my taste honour is done, when by the grace of victory is won, he blessed o' brave I will not free since all who Joy and Heath behind me, he lived by his own hand, he leadeth me. His faithful over I would be for by his hand, he levelled me how firm a foundation he saints of the Lord is laying for your faith in his exiled word. What more can he save and To you he has said, You unto Jesus foreach when through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, my grace also not hurt be thy only design Thy throats to consume and thy goal to red.
The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose I will not, I will not desert to his post that song, though all hell should endeavour to shake I'll never know Today we bring you the first portion of a message from Le Serre Bradley, junior, titled Joshua's Call to Perseverance, based on Joshua chapter twenty three. As Joshua neared the end of his life, he gathered the leaders of Israel and reminded them of God's unfailing faithfulness. He urged them to remain steadfast, to obey God's Word, and to cling to the Lord with wholehearted devotion. His challenge continues to speak to believers today as we seek to remain faithful in our own walk with God. With the first half of Joshua's Call to Perseverance, here's Leserre Bradley, junior Certainly good to see you here today.
Feel thankful for You're making a special effort in these Challenging times to come and be present for this worship service. We've been bringing messages from the book of Joshua. and want to go there today to chapter 23. I began reading with verse 1. Joshua chapter 23.
And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, That Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. And Joshua called for all Israel. for their elders. And for all their heads and for their judges and for their officers And said unto them, I am old and stricken in age. And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto the nations because of you, For the Lord your God is he that hath fought for you.
What a significant difference. Declaration. You've had success, you've enjoyed victory. And the reason is that the Lord your God has fought For you. Verse 4.
Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain to be an inheritance for your tribes from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward. And the LORD your God shall expel them from before you, and drive them from before you, and drive them out of your sight, and ye shall possess their land, and the LORD, as the LORD your God hath promised you. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or The left. Joshua knows that he's nearing the end of his journey here on this earth. In verse 14, he says, And behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth.
Joshua lived to be 110 years old. and probably he was very close to that time when he was speaking these words.
Now, the fact is that we're all going the way of the earth. We're all some day going to die. But as Joshua was of advanced age, he knew the time was close for him. And so I'm going all the way of the way of all the earth. It had a remarkable life.
God had used him as a great leader and a great example. We find first he was living with his people in Egyptian bondage. But then he delivered a faithful report at Catish Barneau, When all the others, the spies that were sent over, ten at least, were saying we can't take the lamb, Joshua and Caleb gave a positive report. but because they listen to the majority. The people then had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
And so Joshua was a part. of Israel during the wilderness wanderings. And then he led when they came to the crossing of Jordan. And he was in front of Israel's army as they went forward to take the land of Canaan. But you see, he's concerned very much for the welfare of the people that he has served.
concern what will happen to them after he's gone. I'm going to soon be leading you. I've had wonderful experiences with you along the way, he says. But I'm concerned. that after I'm gone You're going to continue on course.
makes us think about the words of the Apostle Peter. Very much in that vein. Second Peter. Chapter one, verse twelve. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things.
Mm-hmm. There is a lot of repetition in the book of Joshua. Over and over again, the people are reminded the importance of obeying God. adhering to the truth that had been proclaimed to them. The message coming first from God and then through Moses and then through Joshua, and they were not to turn from it either to the right hand or the left.
Well Sometimes people get a little perturbed when there's a lot of repetition and say, well, I've heard that before.
Well, the question is not whether you've heard it before, but what have you done about it? Have you embraced it? Have you applied it in your life? And so Joshua was repeating again and again the message that he had from God. And Peter is saying here that I want to put you, I don't want to be negligent, I want to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them.
and be established in the present truth.
So in spite of the fact that you know these things, And you're even established in them, I'm not going to hesitate to bring it to your attention again. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I'm in this tabernacle, to stir you up. by putting you in remembrance. I think it's appropriate. As long as I'm in this flesh, in this tabernacle, in this body, as long as I'm with you.
to be putting you in remembrance. Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle. even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. Moreover, I will endeavor That ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. He uses the word remembrance three times in that portion of scripture.
I've taught you the truth. You're established in the truth. But I'm going to tell you about it again. I don't want you to forget it. I want you to remember.
We find in the book of Romans chapter 12 that we need to have our minds renewed. Oh, how true. You can hear a message and think, well, I've heard all that. I didn't learn anything new today. But you go out in the world And some of the things that you've heard and embraced begin to slip away from you.
You come under the influence of the world that's constantly beckoning and wanting you to become a part of its structure.
So Peter. knowing he was reaching the end of his journey.
So I'm not going to hesitate. To tell you again and again, I want you to have these things clearly in your mind. I want you to remember them.
So as Joshua calls all the leaders of the land to gather. to bring this message I entitled this message, Joshua Was Called to Perseverance. And the first thing he does. is speak of God's blessings of the past. How important that we are constantly remembering.
What God has done for us, what great things God had done for them as a people.
So look again at verse 3. And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you. For the Lord your God is he that hath fought for you. What a wonderful blessing. The Lord your God has fought for you.
Can you not say that today when you look back over life? I've had battles to fight. I've had trials to face, I've had difficulties to overcome. And how is it that you're here today? How is it that it's as well with you as it is?
Has it not been that the Lord has fought the battle for you? We're told in Ephesians chapter 6 to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be prepared. for the battle with our great adversary, the devil. And we could not successfully fight that battle unless the Lord fought for us.
So just as Joshua is reminding The people that God has defended them, let us. personally, individually today, remember that and remember as far as our church is concerned. that God has blessed us through these many years. What a wonderful thought then. The Lord has fought.
For you. Verse 4. Behold, I have divided unto you by lot those nations that remain to be an inheritance. You see, basically, they had come in possession of the land, they had conquered it, but there were little pockets here and there. Little places in some of the villages, some of the cities, where there were still a number of the Canaanites dwelling.
And he said, I have divided. these uh the territory by lot. And uh These nations that remain are going to be an inheritance for the tribes from Jordan with all nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
So we can see many examples of how God had fought for them, how He had been with them. When they came into the land, the first battle to face was that of Jericho. And an action did not require warfare, it required simple obedience. march around the walls until God brought them down flat. And then we see it in the ultimate victory at AI.
They were first defeated there because there was sin in the camp. But when that was attended to, then they came back and won the battle at Ai. We see the defeat of the ten kings. and right up to the Battle with the Amorites when Joshua had to call for the sun to stand still. An amazing, remarkable thing.
He needed more daylight to be able to finish that battle. And he asked the sun to stand still, and God heard his request. And so As we see what great things God has done for his people in the past. People that trusted him, people that depended upon him. It encourages us today to know that if we trust in the Lord, And we face our enemies and our trials.
We can face it with courage because we know the battle is the Lord's. We're trusting him. How important it is for us to remember what the Lord has done for us. Psalm 126, verse 3: The Lord hath done great things for us. Whereof we are glad.
And then Going once again to the book of 1 Peter, chapter 1. Here's a marvelous description of what He's done for us by His sovereign grace. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Notice the blessing. To an inheritance.
There are times that people have expected to receive a great inheritance, and when the time came, it had been dissipated, and they were terribly disappointed. But here as an inheritance. That is incorruptible. How often do you think about that? You get discouraged with the troubles of life.
But do you stop to ponder the fact that one day You're going to enjoy that inheritance. That is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away. Reserved for you in heaven. The inheritance is sure. It's yours by reservation.
And you're going to arrive. On time. Reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. wherein ye greatly rejoice. You should be able to rejoice in that.
That's a beautiful Gift. A marvelous inheritance to be at home with the Lord. where there will be no more tears No more heartache, no more sickness, no more sin, no more conflict. but eternal joy. With the Lord in the presence of Jesus Christ.
So we greatly rejoice in it, though now for a season, if need be. Ye are in heaviness. through manifold temptations. Yes, sometimes our hearts are very heavy here. Because there are many trials.
many difficulties that we encounter. That the trial of your faith. being much more precious than gold which perisheth. Though it be tried with fire, it might be found unto the praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes people say, I just don't understand. Why did God let this happen to me? Why am I enduring this deep trial? And some because they're not correctly inform with biblical truth. We'll make a statement like this.
Well, God didn't have anything to do with that. Particularly if it's a T Deep trouble. Can't imagine that God would be involved.
So God didn't have anything to do with that. But this passage tells us that the trial of your faith is much more precious than gold. There's a purpose in your trials. God's going to teach you. God's going to train you.
God's going to work in such a way that you look forward with great anticipation to that inheritance that's on the other side.
So at the appearing of Jesus Christ. The trial of your faith. will be unto his glory. whom having not seen, ye love. in whom though now ye see him not yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Sometimes when these many trials come upon us. They weighed us down. We can feel deep sadness. And we're reminded that the Lord says we're to rejoice. Rejoice always in the Lord.
And again, I say, rejoice. You say, how can I rejoice? My life has been so disrupted. I never never dreamed that I would come to this place. Never dreamed the heartaches could be so heavy.
How can I rejoice? He says, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Because you're looking to him. You haven't seen him? Peter had seen him in the flesh.
But you haven't seen him. Yet you love him. You love Jesus Christ. In whom now, though we see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. No, you can't enjoy the difficulties that you may encounter.
You don't rejoice in the trial itself, in the pain that's inflicted in a time of difficulty, but you rejoice that there's something better farther on. You rejoice because of that inheritance that is yours in heaven. Rejoicing with joy. Unspeakable. and full of glory.
And then in chapter 2, verse 9, He describes the blessing that's come upon us like this, but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Isn't that something to rejoice in? That you had called out of darkness. It's getting darker in our country today. You hear more and more outlandish statements that are directly opposed to the teaching of God's Word.
you observe deep resentment. against Christianity. Yes. The way is dark. And you hear some of the statements people make, and you can't help but feel sorry for them.
They feel like they have such wisdom, and yet they're in such terrible darkness. understanding nothing about the truth of the living God and the truth of His Word.
So all of us were in the dark. As a matter of fact, we're described in the book of Ephesians by nature as not just being in the dark, but being part of the darkness. And the fact that you've been called out of darkness. What a blessing. that you're able to see some things you could never have seen.
just as a natural man. It's by his grace that you have been transformed. that you have been effectually called brought into the light. We too. Thy soul the Lord is on thy side Let they sadly the gross of green land Lead to thy god to provide in every change be blame for will we lay pleasure thy soul thy landside.
Friend Brufon reached to our joyful end be still right so in the message today we've been reminded that the Christian life is not merely about beginning well. but about continuing faithfully. Just as Joshua called Israel to remember God's mighty works and remain steadfast in obedience, we too are encouraged to persevere in faith. Join us next time as we continue this message and consider the blessings of steadfast obedience as well as the solemn warnings against turning away from the Lord. Thank you so much for listening, and until next time, may the Lord richly bless you all.
All the mist at last Be still might still know His voice to rule them below Be still might be our fate be all when we shall be forever In the Lord when is a boy and we fetch in our God sorrow for God. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. Be still by soul when change and tears are safe and worse we shall be at last.
