Preparation for Conquest

Date: December 28, 2014

Sermon Topic: Preparation for Conquest

Scriptures: Joshua 1:3, Hebrews 11:6, Joshua 1:8, 1 Corinthians 22:13, Isaiah 1:19, Psalm 119:15 & 16, 2 Corinthians 4:7 & 8, Psalm 119:112, Romans 8:38 & 39, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 2:14

Sermon Notes:

Joshua 1:3 – Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 

We should be preparing to enter the new year at the next level.

We shouldn’t be dragging ourselves into 2015 with an “I just made it” attitude. You shouldn’t be dealing with the same stuff that you dealt with in 2014.

If you are dealing with the same stuff that you dealt with in January, there’s a problem.

Broken focus is the cause – set your sights on the things above where Christ sits. Don’t worry about stuff. You should have high expectations for 2015, not worrying about the goals, plans and things that are behind.

There are some things and people that you will have to let go of. Some people aren’t going anywhere. Their objective is to keep you from going somewhere.

Begin todays being the person that you want to be next year – I have plans. The quality of your preparation determines the quality of your performance.

You should be training your mind in the word of God. This could be the greatest year ever if you learn to trust in God without full understanding.

Walk by faith!

Your attitude determines your approach and your approach determines your success.

How do you handle life’s problems? What’s your attitude toward your situation? What’s your attitude towards others?

Your attitude determines your success.

Is there anything too hard for God? Then you must have the God-kind of faith. Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Are you diligently seeking Christ? Get a can do attitude in your mind. What you practice is what you will ultimately become. If you practice lying, you will be a liar. If you practice stealing, you will be a thief.

Get the image of an overcomer in your mind. Focus on the word of God.

Faith without works is dead.

Joshua 1:8 – meditate on the word day and night. We can’t just take bits of scripture that we like. The bible is not a buffet table. We must meditate on the entire book.

When I mediate on God’s word I make my way prosperous. When you meditate on the word, day and night you shall be successful.

1 Chronicles 22:13 – Then shalt though prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfill the statutes, and judgments which the Lord charged. Moses with concerning Israel; be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

You’re not successful because you have a lot of stuff, promotion comes from the Lord.

Isaiah 1:19 – If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Be willing and obedient.

God tests us by our faith and he measures us by our obedience.

Job 36:11 – If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. All you have to do is obey and serve. We need a lifestyle of obedience. “Lord whatever you say”

Psalm 119:15 & 16 – I will meditate in they precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. (16) I will delight myself in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word.

We must obey God immediately. You don’t need confirmation. Obey God joyfully. I will be happy about what God asked me to do. No excuses! I’m going to delight myself.

I’m blessed because I delight in his words. I’m blessed because I obey and delight and meditate on your law. Early I will seek you – every morning where I rise, give me Jesus.

One thing that will prevent you from receiving God’s blessing is pressure – a lot of folks can’t handle pressure.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (8) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. (9) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

We will be in situations but God keeps us. When you are in the storm you bend but you need to bounce back up, like a palm tree. Obey God in persecution.

Speak faith-filled words when persecuted.

You give your cares to Jesus. We won’t be free from persecution. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers us all. When you face persecution, you know that God will deliver you.

Obey God continually – Psalm 119:112 – I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. – Always. Always, I will obey God continually, without full understanding. I need to do exactly what he says.

Romans 8:38 & 39 – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When I face persecution it won’t separate me from the love of God. Even when you are dealing with crazy people, remember that nothing will separate you from God’s love.

·      Watch your speech – Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. If you want to be successful in 2015 you need to let go of gossiping, rumors, repeating what you hear and speaking negative. Remember that silence can never be misquoted.

·      Be mindful of your associates – Ephesians 5:11 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Who are your associates? Evil communication corrupts good manners.

·      Have a disciplined lifestyle – Your greatest goal in 2015 should be knowing God.

1 Corinthians 2:14 – But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Spiritual discernment the natural person doesn’t understand spiritual discernment.

We grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.