Joshua 1:9: Be Strong and Courageous, God Is with You

Introduction

"No worship service should ever be ordinary." With these words Matthias Mauerhofer opens this message, preached at FEG Bern during the sending service for the new church plant in Köniz. Being able to hear the Word of God in your own language, freely and without restriction, is a privilege, and this "most beautiful of messages" is about to be carried closer, to Köniz.

The preacher thanks the church that supported this church plant through prayer, finances and ideas. He does not hide that the plant has been tested in recent months: hospital stays, accidents, discouragement, illness. "We are not wrestling against flesh and blood. There is an adversary."

For the two pastors being sent, and for the whole church, he chose a verse he received himself, first in Sumiswald and then in Bern: Joshua 1:9. God reminds Joshua that he has commanded him to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or dismayed, because the Lord his God is with him in everything he undertakes.

Outline of the Message

1. Joshua, Shaped by Walking with Moses

The name Joshua means "the Lord is salvation," "the Lord delivers."
Joshua is born at a bad time for a little boy: Israel is enslaved in Egypt, and Pharaoh orders that all the boys be put to death (Exodus 1:22).
God steps in, calls Moses and sets his people free through the ten plagues. Joshua becomes Moses' servant and goes with him up Mount Sinai when God gives the ten commandments.
"Walking with Moses shaped Joshua." The preacher wants the pastors being sent, and the whole church, to be shaped in the same way: humility, gentleness, patience, and the conviction that it is always worth seeking God's presence again.
Joshua and Caleb urged the people to take possession of the promised land. The ten other spies had more success with fear, to the point that the people wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb.
Even in the desert, God's presence was impossible to miss: the pillar of fire, the pillar of cloud, the manna, the quail, clothes that did not wear out and feet that did not swell (Deuteronomy 8:4).

2. The Decisive Encouragement Comes from God

After Moses' death, God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6, 7 and 9). He promises that he will not leave him or abandon him (Joshua 1:5).
"It does us so much good to be encouraged." We are encouraged by our spouse, our children, our brothers and sisters in the faith.
But the decisive encouragement does not come from human beings. It comes from Jesus Christ, the Creator, the One who is present everywhere, the Holy One, the truth.
The prophet Joel calls the land not to fear but to rejoice, because the Lord has done great things (Joel 2:21). The preacher recalls what the church has lived through in recent years: conversions, baptisms, people returning to God, signs and wonders, healings, deliverances, anointings with oil, weddings, church weekends, New Year camps, memorable funerals and God's financial provision.
Our encouragement is often shaped by liking or disliking someone; it changes and depends on mood or circumstances. God's encouragement is for every person. Hence the call: "Encourage people who do not yet know Jesus Christ."

3. The Greatest Encouragement: Jesus and the Cross

The greatest encouragement is the Son of God made human. He left perfect fellowship with the Father and lived a sinless life.
John the Baptist pointed him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Tempted in the desert as we are, he remained without sin, called disciples and showed his divinity through many miracles.
Our encouragement is founded on the cross of Golgotha, where Jesus died for our sins: "our filth, our lies, our curses, our negativity, our greed, our pride, our hatred and our refusal to forgive."
He rose again on the third day. "Jesus Christ is alive."
First gift for Köniz: the municipality's flag, a black cross on a white background. The preacher sees a message in it: "Either black or white: either a believer and saved, or an unbeliever and lost." This flag reminds us that Jesus died for everything that is dark, difficult, sinful and evil, to cleanse us with his precious blood.

4. Do Not Be Afraid: Fear Is Part of the Journey

Carrying this message does not guarantee a comfortable, easy, prosperous, rich, healthy and respected life. There will be situations where you will be afraid, intimidated and disoriented.
Jesus tells his disciples that in the world they will have trouble, but that they should take heart, because he has overcome the world (John 16:33).
The sources of fear are many: worries at the office, a sudden health problem, disappointment in yourself ("every pastor is disappointed in himself"), expectations you cannot meet, disappointment caused by others, criticism, fair or unfair, and the fear of seeing false teaching enter the church.
We are marked by the fall: we often do exactly what we do not want to do.

5. Four Markers for a Church That Stands Firm

Do not talk about one another, but with one another.
Be a praying church: gather to pray before the service and before the sermon, and stay honest and sincere with one another.
Know how to say the hardest words: "I am sorry." Both pastors say it, and the preacher invites the church to expect it from him too, then asks: "When was the last time we asked each other for forgiveness?"
Accept one another, because it is the Lord who builds his church: we were all baptized in one Spirit to form one body (1 Corinthians 12:13).
These markers look toward the future: the church, the bride, is walking toward the wedding of the Lamb with Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom (Revelation 19:7-9).
Second gift: a voucher with four corners, one for each marker. This voucher has no value to begin with; it receives it this morning when members sign it. It means: we carry you in prayer, we are here for you in need and in difficulty as long as God gives us life, and you can always come back. "If things do not turn out as hoped, our doors are open to you."

6. The Lord Your God Is with You: Paths, Walls, Victory

God opens a path where you can no longer see one. At the Jordan, he simply brought his people through the obstacle (Joshua 3 and 4).
At Jericho (Joshua 6), it is not our words that count: six days of silence, then a shout on the seventh day, and the walls fall. "Our trust in and obedience to the Word of God will bring walls down."
Be careful with the story of Achan (Joshua 7): be a holy church, blameless and without blemish, and Jesus Christ will keep you from defeat.
Facing the Amorites, God intervened and even the moon stood still (Joshua 10:12-13). "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
God knows your thoughts before you fall asleep, and the feelings you sometimes allow yourself.

7. The Palm Tree: Peace, Fruit, Righteousness and Victory

Third gift: a palm tree. It stands for peace, fruit, righteousness and victory.
Solomon's temple had palm designs carved on its walls (1 Kings 6:29). When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowd welcomed him with palm branches (John 12:13). According to Revelation 7:9, one day we will stand before God's throne with palm branches in our hands, as a testimony to the victory over death. Palm branches are also used at the Feast of Tabernacles.
The palm tree needs light, water, air, soil and nutrients. But "you will not be able to produce the growth yourselves in Köniz. God will give it to you."
"Every time you see this palm tree where you gather: help is coming. We are not alone on the way." Hosanna to the Son of David, to the One who is coming back soon.
The final appeal: if you have not yet brought the burden of your sin to Jesus Christ, do it now and welcome him into your life. There will still be difficulties, but someone is with us, and Jesus Christ prays for us.

Key Takeaways

The courage of Joshua 1:9 does not rest on our own strength: it rests on the promise that the Lord is with you in everything you undertake.
Human encouragement is precious but changeable. The decisive encouragement comes from Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for you.
Fear and dismay will come. Following Jesus does not promise a comfortable life, but he has overcome the world.
A church stands firm when its members talk with one another, pray for one another, accept one another and know how to ask for forgiveness.
Growth comes from God: he opens paths, brings down walls and gives the victory.

Personal Application

What situation frightens or discourages you right now, and how does the promise "the Lord your God is with you" change the way you see it?
Do you look for encouragement mostly from other people, or first from Jesus Christ?
Is there someone you talk about instead of talking to directly?
Who do you need to say "I am sorry" to this week?
Who, among those who do not yet know Jesus, can you encourage today?

Verses Cited

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Joshua 1:9 say, and what does it mean for us?

God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or dismayed, because the Lord his God is with him in everything he undertakes. For Matthias Mauerhofer, courage does not rest on our abilities: it rests on God's presence, who opens a path where there is none.

Where does true encouragement come from, according to this sermon?

Human encouragement does us good, but it often depends on mood, circumstances, liking or disliking someone. The decisive encouragement comes from Jesus Christ, who died on the cross of Golgotha for our sins and rose again on the third day. This encouragement is for every person.

What should we do when fear and dismay come to the church?

Matthias Mauerhofer gives four markers: do not talk about one another but with one another, pray for one another, accept one another and know how to ask for forgiveness. He urges believers to stay honest and sincere with their brothers and sisters, and to gather to pray before the service.