Jesus Leads Us in Every Phase of Life (Joshua 1:1-9, Hebrews 4:1-12)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
7 July 2024
Joshua was commissioned by the Lord to lead Israel. It was a time of transition. The Lord leads his people in every stage of their transitory lives.
The name Joshua is rendered as Jesus in the Greek. There are similarities between Joshua and Jesus. Joshua led Israel to their promised land. Jesus leads the church to heaven. To get to heaven we need a leader. Jesus is that leader.
Joshua was divinely commissioned to lead Israel. Jesus was sent by the Father to gather in the elect. Jesus is the shepherd. We are his sheep.
Joshua was chosen. There was no other leader. Jesus was chosen. There is no other leader for the church. Jesus is the only Saviour.
Israel was not chosen because it was holier than other nations. Christians are not chosen because they are good but because God is good.
Joshua was given a special task—to lead Israel to the promised land. Jesus was given a special task—to save his people from their sins. Jesus could say “It is finished.” He has achieved his task.
Israel went through different phases of life leading to the land of Canaan. But the land was not terminal but transitional. Israel must still clear the land and face their enemies. Christians are saved by faith in Jesus but they are in transition. They must still work out their salvation and become more Christ-like while they are on earth.
Joshua would lead Israel to a specific destination—Canaan. Jesus leads his people to a specific destination which is heaven. Jesus has returned to heaven to prepare a place for his church. He will return one day and the church will be with him forever.
The Lord will not forsake his people. He never abandoned Israel. He will not abandon his church. We are safe in the palm of his hands. There is no stronger hand than the hand of God. In him we are secure.
Joshua must be strong and courageous. Jesus was strong when he resisted the temptation of the devil. He was courageous when he faced the unbelief of his own people and the violence of the Gentiles.
Joshua must meditate on the law of God. Jesus meditated on the Scriptures. He would retreat to the mountains and gardens to meditate and pray. He resisted the devil by quoting Scripture. At the very beginning of his public ministry he quoted Scripture.
The lesson we learn is that the Lord leads his people in every phase of their lives. He did so when Israel was in transition. He does so today. Whatever your situation, be assured that in Christ you have someone who is with you in every phase of your life. You may be having sad or happy days. The Lord is with you. You may be a teenager or a young adult and going through the struggles of youth and adolescence. The Lord is with you. You may be in your middle or final days. The Lord will lead you.
In every phase of life Jesus leads his people. What a blessed assurance this is. Come in faith to him now. Enter into this blessed assurance.