JOSHUAChapter 23:01-16

FOLLOW-THROUGH

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Tonight - Chapter 23

1. 20 years since Israel crossed the Jordan.

2. Joshua is old yet the job is not complete!a) 7 tribes have not entered into the land!b) He feels a need to exhort them!

II. JOSHUA 23:1-2

A. Also includes “leaders”!

1. Amongst the group was “Judges” and “Officers”!

a) Prestigious group! (1) Caleb as well as

Phinehas!(a) A “Who’s Who”!

(i) The 7 tribes also there!

B. Look at promise of victory

III. JOSHUA 23:3-11

A. Coming from a man who has “been there, done that”!

1. Some will NEVER hear what he is about to say?

a) Because he is “old”!b) He is talking to a younger generation!

c) How many of us, thought old people

knew ANYTHING? (1) What could be gained by listening?

B. What is “overall” warning?

1. Falling away from the Lord!a) Main message a message of love!

(1) Verse 11(a) The warning:

IV. JOSHUA 23:12-16

A. Most of us are thinking, “I would NEVER stop loving

Him!”

1. Joshua included leadership of Israel!

2. Quote Alan Redpath:

V. FIRST RESULT :

A. Joshua 23:13a

1. Victory was guaranteed 2. Love for the Lord cold – power for victory diminishes.

a) Will see less victory and more defeat!

VI. SECOND RESULT :

A. Joshua 23:13a

1. Notice how “miserable” this sounds? 2. Compromised walk ALWAYS a miserable walk 3. Love waxes cold – we are miserable.

a) Sad part, we might not realize it.

(1) Revelation 3:17-19

b) Give satan a little territory and he will

want the whole land!

VII. THIRD RESULT :

A. Joshua 23:16b

1. “Embarrassment” in this?

a) Love turns cold, will lose things that

matter most! (1) What was once gained – can be lost…

VIII. CONCLUSION

A. 3 IMPORTANT steps in preventing love growing cold!

1. Obedience:a) Joshua 23:6 (1) John 14:15 (2) Compromise will

replace obedience!

2. Separation:a) Joshua 23:7-8

(1) Longer enemy is allowed to live in

the land the more we resemble him!

3. Commitment:a) Staying in love requires commitment! (1) Cannot be haphazard.

2. Cannot be the spouse always making excuses.

a) We need to be “there” committed, and involved!b) NEVER rest until fully

driven the enemy out!