God leads Joshua to bring Israel into the promise land (Joshua 1-5:12)

AIM: Joshua listens and lives into the promise of God
Attributes of a Leader: Listens to God, Obeys God's instructions, Reminds others of God's Promise

Focus verse: "He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” - Joshua 4:24

What stones remind of God's faithfulness? Gravestones, Mount Rushmore? Monuments remind us of the people who came before us. We ponder what it was like as we read of these fantastic events. It's interesting that even now we have this word and are still telling the story, we have the circumcision and the Passover is still celebrated. Seeing we have archaeology, and geographical evidence, maybe now you should consider these words and see what God may have for you today.

Joshua 1-5:12
A) Joshua listens to the Lord's will for his life and immediately obeys
1-4) After Moses death (Moses life is preserved by God for His eternal purpose), Lord spoke to Joshua-Lead Israelites across Jordan River, I'm giving them (Jordan to Lebanon mountains, Euphrates to the Mediterranean) south, north, east, west
5) No one able to stand against you as long as you live become Lord is with and won't leave you
 - 6) be strong and courageous - it's you who will lead them to possess my promised gift
7-8) Be strong and very courageous - success/prosperity = careful to obey Lord instruction, Moses gave, don't deviate, study continually, meditate day and night, obey everything
9) Lord Commands "Be strong and courageous!" not afraid or discouraged, LORD your God with you wherever you go
 - Principle: Personal relationship with God is the basis of being Strong and Courageous

10-11) Joshua commanded officers tell people to get ready 3 days will cross the Jordan and take possession of the land LORD your God is giving you
12-15) Joshua called together tribe of Reuben, Gad, half-tribe Manasseh: Remember Moses commanded about promised land (Moses life’s end is focused on God’s faithfulness to Israel)
16-18) They answered "We will do what you command, we will go where you send, obey you to the death, be Strong and Courageous!
 - Application: when we hear another person speak the words God speaks to us in private it's a confirmation. I liken this to a harmony of notes coming together and making a cord.

B) God's grace shown to Rahab's household via two spies
2:1) Joshua secretly sent two spies, scouts Jericho prostitute Rahab overnight
 - 2-3) Mole tells the king of Jericho about it, sent orders to Rahab bring out those men
4-7) Rahab hid them roof bundles of flax, lied they left out the city - they believed her
8-11) Rahab knew LORD gave this land, all are afraid, heard LORD made dry path the Red Sea from Egypt - no one will fight you because of LORD you God supreme God of heaven and earth
12-13) "swear by the Lord kindness, let me and family live when Jericho is conquered
14-16) they offer their lives, don't betray - we'll keep our promise when LORD gives us the land
 - Application: Hebrews 11:31, she had faith and put it into action James 2:25
 - 17-20) Follow these instructions: don't betray us, leave "this" scarlet rope from window everyone in the house is safe
 - 21) "I accept your terms" Rahab
22-24) spies return with news from Rahab, it's ours their terrified.

C) Preparation and personal holiness precedes ministry confirmation and miracles of new life
3:1-4) Early next morning left Acacia Grove, Jordan, camped three days giving instruction, Levitical priests-Ark of the Covenant of LORD you God follow them 1/2 mile distance, not closer
 - 5) purify yourselves, tomorrow LORD will do great wonders among you
 - 6) Morning, Joshua to priest "Lift up Ark, lead people across river"

 7) LORD told Joshua, "Today I will begin to make you a great leader in eyes of Israelites, they'll know I am with you like I was with Moses
 - 8) Command priests who carry Ark of the Covenant, few steps in Jordan then stop"

 9) Joshua says, "come and listen to what the LORD you God says
 - 10) Today you'll know living God among you, drive out Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you
 - 11) Look Ark of Covenant, belongs to Lord of whole earth will lead you across Jordan
 - 12-13) choose twelve men from each tribe of Israel (witnesses), priest will carry Ark of the LORD, when feet touch water flow will stop, river will stand like a wall

14-15) people left camp to cross the Jordan (expecting the miracle Joshua 3:5), harvest season, Jordan overflowing yet as soon as feet of priest touched water at rivers edge
 - 16) water above backed up to town of Adam, Zarethan water below to Dead Sea until riverbedwas dry - all crossed over near Jericho
 - 17) meanwhile priest who were carrying the Ark of the LORD's Covenant stood on dry ground in middle of riverbed as people passed by, waiting until whole nation of Israel crossed Jordan dry ground.
 - Illustration: gawker slow-down, no one had ever seen the Ark of the Covenant because it was always wrapped up during transport.

D) Stones, circumcision, and Passover to remember God is faithful to His promises
4:1-3) LORD said Joshua, "choose twelve from each tribe" take stones from middle of Jordan piled where you camp tonight"
 - 4-5) Joshua does it and adds 6-7) these stones memorial, future children will ask what it means
 - 8-9) They did as Joshua said, Joshua set another twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan
 - 10-11) priests where first in last out
 - 12-13) 40k armed warriors Reuben, Gad, 1/2 Manasseh led Isaraelites across Jordan as Moses directed, Lord was with them
 - 14) LORD made Joshua great leader in eyes of all for rest of his life, revered like Moses
15-18) LORD -> Joshua, "Command priest carrying AotC come out of riverbed" when they did, river flowed again
19-20) tenth day, first month, Gilgal east of Jericho, 12 stones
21-24) Joshua ->Israelites "future children will ask what it means, and you tell them what God did, split Red Sea-> then Jordan, so that all nations of earth might know that the LORD's hand is powerful and you might fear the LORD your God forever"
 - so you might know: Deut 4:34-36, no other 'god' take a nation for himself by trails, signs and wonders and war but by "mighty hand and an outstretched arm" - LORD is God, none beside him - His voice from heaven disciplines you, see His fire on earth you heard His words
 - God lets us know what's in our heart through trials (Deut 8:2-3), we live by his word (not bread alone)
 - Psalm 78:6, children not yet born might know, for His name sake (Psalm 106:8, 145:12), He declared the end from the beginning that we might know (Isaiah 41:26)
"that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" 1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 60:1-15,16 - Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
 - Jer 33:3, ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
5:1-8) everyone under the age of 40 is circumcised because they're fathers failed to do it
9) Lord -> Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt"
10-12) They celebrated Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, never seen again.
 - Priniciple LORD God supplies our needs when we follow his instruction to GO

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Hell as an experience for those not dressed (Matthew 22:2-14)

I've been preparing for Christianity 101 Destiny (happening at work in two days). In my study of the wonderful truths that of the resurrection portrayed as "new clothes" we must put on, giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.

Isaiah 1:18; 61:10; 1 Corinthians 15:53-58; Colossians 3:12-17 ;1 Peter 1:3-9;Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:12; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Hebrews 12:4-11

Came across, Hosea 13:14

“I will deliver this people from the power of the grave;

    I will redeem them from death."

from the Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes Scripture index copyright Martin H. Manser, 2009. As Editor, Martin Manser wishes to thank all those who compiled or edited the NIV Thematic Study Bible, on which this work is based.

Hell as an experience
The state of final separation from God, and so from all light, love, peace, pleasure and fulfilment.
Hell is separation from God
2Th 1:8-10 See also Mt 7:23; Mt 8:12; Mt 25:32; Rev 21:8
The final state of the wicked is one of eternal punishment
Mt 25:41-46 “eternal punishment” means the punishment that is part of, and belongs to, the final order of things that follows this present age. This is usually, though not invariably, understood as an unending process of punishment consciously experienced by the wicked. See also Jude 7
Biblical expressions for final punishment
God’s wrath Jn 3:36 See also Dt 32:22; Zep 1:18; Mt 3:7; Ro 2:5; 1Th 1:10; Rev 19:15-16
Torment Lk 16:23-24 See also Mt 8:29; Rev 14:11; Rev 20:10
Corruption Ps 55:23; 2Pe 1:4
Destruction Gal 6:8 See also Dt 7:10; Ps 88:11; Jn 17:12; Ro 9:22; Php 3:18-19; 2Th 2:3; Rev 17:8
Unquenchable fire Jude 7 See also Isa 66:24; Mt 3:12; Mt 18:8-9; Heb 10:27; Rev 19:20
Intense darkness, emphasising utter isolation Jude 13 See also Mt 22:13; 2Pe 2:17; Jude 6 (Matt 22:2-14)
Death Jn 8:21 See also Job 28:22; Pr 15:11; Isa 28:15; Hos 13:14; Ro 6:23; 1Co 15:26,54-55
The second death Rev 20:14-15 See also Rev 20:6; Rev 21:8
The finality of hell
Lk 16:26 See also Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:26-27; Rev 16:11

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There is a huge difference between believing and knowing

I've been researching how other faiths and people view Christian Bible teaching. By Christian Bible teaching I mean to say, taking the Bible lierally, trusting what it says is true and applying that truth to our lives. Time and again I see offence coming between people who hold to religious dogma and tradition. As a self-professing bridge builder, I like to help people see the way to cross over to a new life relationship with God. 

Big Idea: Knowing is experienced

Time and again I've witnessed this truth, "But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear." Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV

How to build a bridge to knowing

A guy walks into the doctors office, the doctor says, "What seems to be the problem?"
 - "It's not a problem per se, just something strange. You see I pass gas alot but it doesn't smell or make a sound. In fact while I've been in your office I've passed gas 20 times."
 - "I see" says the doctor and he writes a perscription asking him to come back in a week. The guys comes back very alarmed, "Doc, what was in those pills! Now my farts are loud and smell terrible!"
The doctors says, "well now that we cleared up your sinus and unpluged your ears we can take a look at that." (author unknown)

I did a Bible search on "Know" and found the word 1,163 times. Ezekiel 16:59-63 explains how God is faithful to his promise as seen in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(59) Sovereign Lord says: I WILL as you deserve you despied my oath, breaking covenant

(60) I WILL remember my covenant, I WILL establish everlasting covenant w/you (Gen 9:16, Ezek 37:4-6,14, 23-24,26)

• (61) You'll remember, be ashamed. In John 16:7-8 Jesus talks about sending the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of this prophesy - the spirit of truth will convict hearts. I love Ezekiel 37:14, "I will put my Spirit in you an dyou will live...KNOW that I the LORD have spoke, done it, declares the LORD"
• (62) I WILL establish my convenant with you, KNOW that I am the LORD. Luke 1:77 says, " to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins," 
• (63) "when I make atonement for you..." Matt 26:28, Luke 22:20, affirms the new covenant is established by the Cross of Jesus, his blood". The ressurection proved the sacrifice was acceptable to God and Jesus opened their minds to truths pointing to him in the old testiment (Luke 24:44-48)

What is the New Covenant?

Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life

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Dispensationalism attempts to explain a correct philosophy of history, a unifying principle

In Ryrie's book Dispensationalism, he says,
All interpreters feel the need for distinctions.... "Any person is a dispensationalist who trusts in the blood of Christ rather than bring an animal sacrifice" and "Any person is a dispensationalist who observes the first day of the week rather than the seventh"

Dispensationalism attempts to explain a correct philosophy of history, a unifying principle. In progressive dispensationalism, the unifying principle is Christological because of the emphasis on Christ and on the Messianic, Davidic kingdom, already and not yet fulfilled. "Progressive revelation" as we see in actual, literal, plain, normal or historical-grammatical interpretation. This is consistent with hermeneutics.

I like that term "already and not yet" - this is how we accept God's promises by faith. When God says something, it's as good as already happened.

So far I"m enjoying this book, it makes sense to me as a Project Manager, it shows scripture in a logical sequence of events, leading somewhere. It helps us understand the ideas of spiritual maturity and God's kindness in wanting all to come to Him in faith and repentance.

Scofield's Reference Bible defines Dispensationalism as "A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God. Seven such dispensations are distinguished in Scripture."
1. Deposit of divine revelation
2. man's stewardship responsibility for that revelation, and
3. the time period during which a dispensation operates

This doctrine makes it clear, there is only one way of salvation - "by God's grace through the work of Christ... on the cross."

The Etymology of the word dispensation is Latin verb, "to weigh out or dispense" the English word has these 3 principal meanings; 1) action of dealing out or distributing; 2) action of administering, ordering or managing; the system by which things are administered; 3) the action of dispensing with some requirement. "dispensation is a stage in a progressive revelation, expressly adapted to the needs of a particular nation or period of time... Also, the age or period during which a system has prevailed"

The Greek word oikonomia comes from the verb that means to mangae, regulate, administer, and plan. The word itself is a compound whose parts mean literally "to divide, apportion, administer or manage the affairs of an inhabited house." The central idea of dispensation is that of managing or administering the affairs of a household.

Scriptural use of the word dispenstion (oikonomia), used in Luke 16:2 translated "to be a steward" this is also found in Luke 16:3,4; 1 Cor 9:17; Eph 1:10;3:2;Col 1:25;1 Tim 1:4 (translated "stewardship", "dispensation", "administration", "job", "commission") - the noun (oikonomeo) appears 10 times, Luke 12:42;16:1,3,8; Rom 16:23; 1 Cor 4:1,2;Gal 4:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10 and usually translated "steward" or "manager" (but "treasurer" in Rom 16:23

Christ's teaching is confined to two parables in Luke 12:42;16:1,3,8. In both cases it's a concern of the steward or manager of a household.

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Eschatological, theological and doxological interpretations of the Bible

I love it when I see different perspectives or facets of scripture truths. When reading we can look at the text from a human perspective (what does this say about people), personal perspective (what does this say about me) or a divine perspective (what does this say about God). I was reading my Ryrie study Bible given to me by my now wife before we got married. I was joining a Bible Study with my brother in law Jon and my Pastor Daniel Henderson. Brian Vaughn was in that class and was the minister who married me to Kim on April 8, 2006.

Reading Dispensationalism by Charles Ryrie, Eschatology is viewed from the goal of "where we are moving", theological perspective is viewed from the self-revelation of God while the doxological view is the perspective of the overall manifestation of the glory of God. Right off the bat, Ryrie talks about another classic author C. I. Scofield, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth - my brother Paul is always bringing this topic up to me - so I'm delighted this book is free online here:
http://www.biblebelievers.com/scofield/index.html

What a joy it is to think deeply about the scriptures.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers (Isaiah 40:7, 5:24, James 1:10) fall,
    but the word (Isaiah 55:11, 59:21) of our God endures (Proverbs 19:21, Isaiah 7:7,9 Jeremiah 39:16) forever.(Psalm 119:89, Matthew 5:18, 1 Peter 1:24-25)”

I wish this book where available on audible... got it on kindle

So what is Dispensationalism? I'm finding out...it seems that it makes a distinction between Judaism and Christianity, distinguishing Old from New Testament. This is clear, God makes a promise and fulfills the promise. Where in the promise are we and how is life different for us, rather than for the people who lived before Christ? We don't know - as the world we live in and were born into is under the new covenant of Grace.

See "pour out my spirit" Isaiah 44:3, Ezekiel 39:29, even includes everyone Joel 2:28, 29 and fulfilled in Acts 2:17,18

So the doctrine of Dispensationalism is to make a distinction between how God has revealed himself to people at different times. Reminds me of Hebrews teaching how Old Testament points to Jesus and even says in the past God gave this and that.. but now has given us new revelation by his son. See Hebrews 1-4

Interesting reading, more to come

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