Joshua 3

• Joshua 3:3 – See Exodus 25:10, 22; 26:34. In Hebrews 9:2-5, 9 the previous tabernacle is compared with the greater tabernacle.
• Joshua 3:17 – The Israelites crossed on dry ground – it wasn’t even wet ground even though the water was just stopped in v16. Compare Exodus 14 when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. This time, the Israelites were the aggressors.

Joshua 4

Joshua 4:1-24 – The twelve-stone memorial

• Compare Exodus 12:23-27 when the Passover was instituted, as well as Exodus 13:13-14; Numbers 15:37-41; I Corinthians 11:23-24. God knows we need reminders!
• Joshua 4:18 – As soon as the priests left the riverbed, the water went back to its normal flood stage for this time of year.
• Joshua 4:19 – Compare Exodus 12:29-41. This was within five days of being exactly 40 years. One day we will reach our Gilgal in our Promised Land!
• Joshua 4:22 – They were to teach the children about this memorial. God put the responsibility on the Israelites to teach their own children these things.

Introduction

• II Corinthians 12:20-21

Stop looking for the perfect local church.

• Revelation 2:4-5, 8-11, 12-17 – Messages to the churches. They all had problems and difficulties.
• No local church will be perfect because it is composed of people and people have problems.
• Acts 14:21-23 – These new churches needed to grow.
• Every local church is a work in progress!
• If you find a perfect local church, don’t join it because you will make it imperfect.

Start perfecting yourself.

• Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-12, 15-16 – These are the things they needed to work on in Ephesus. The church is built up as each member grows.

What are some things I can do to make Benchley better?

• Romans 12:10-13
• “I wish the preaching were better.”
• “I wish the elders were more active.”
• “I wish people were more hospitable.”
• “I wish people made better comments in class.”
• Nehemiah 1:1; 2:17
• Pray before I criticize.
• Be active.
• Sincerely and humbly commit to making Benchley better.

Faith establishes trust

• Trust: the assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.
• Matthew 6:25-30 (worry)
• Matthew 14:28-31 (doubt)
• Mark 5:36 (fear) – God is so much bigger than anything we fear.
• John 11:40 (everyday life)
• Matthew 17:20 (evidence)
• II Corinthians 5:6-8 (walk by faith)
• I John 4:18
• I Timothy 6:17-19
• II Corinthians 1:9
• I Timothy 4:10

Introduction

• Psalms 37:1-7

The Bible gives us plenty of examples of those who had to wait

• Genesis 6:3; 7:23 – Noah
• Genesis 12:2, 4; 15:1-4; 21:5 – Abraham had to wait 25 years for Isaac.
• I Samuel 16:1, 12-13; II Samuel 5:4 – David had to wait to become king, possibly 15 years.
• The marshmallow experiment
  • Children who are able to wait and delay gratification historically have much better outcomes in life.

Waiting until marriage

• Hebrews 13:4 – Pre-marital sexual relations are sinful.
• II Samuel 11:2-4 – David’s sin with Bathsheba
• I Corinthians 7:1-5 – Sex within marriage is holy and commanded by God.
• God’s laws are good!
• James 1:14

Material possessions

• I Timothy 6:6-10
• Young people tend to want what their parents have now, even though it took their parents decades to achieve.
• Hebrews 11:24-26
• Philippians 3:17-20 – We must think of ourselves as citizens of heaven.

Joshua 1

• Deuteronomy 34:5, 9

Joshua 1:1-9 – “the Lord spoke to Joshua”

• Joshua 1:2-4 – See Genesis 12:7. This promise will be fulfilled in the book of Joshua, but this plan started before Creation (I Corinthians 2:7).
• Joshua 1:5-9 – God repeatedly told Joshua to be “strong and courageous.” See Ephesians 6:10-11. We are also in a battle – a spiritual one.

Joshua 1:10-18 – Get ready to cross the Jordan River.

• Joshua 1:14 – This would take faith for the fighting men to leave their wives and children and go off to fight, but God would protect them.

Joshua 2

Joshua 2:1-24 – Rahab and the spies

• Joshua 2:10-11 – See Exodus 14-15. Exodus 15:14-16 tells of the terror that other people would have of them. See also Exodus 23:23, 27-30.
• See Matthew 1:5. Rahab ends up in the lineage of Jesus.
• See Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25. Rahab is commended for her faith in welcoming the spies and sending them out safely. She is not commended for lying.