TAKING CHARGE

 

Deut 31:5-8 – Moses’ Charge to Take the Land

 

Intro:  This message is very fitting for a summer season.  Right now we are resting yet also preparing ourselves for the fall season.  Deuteronomy was a book that was written at the end of 40 years that Israel had spent in the wilderness.  This book actually covers a time period of only 2 months.  It is written in the style of what is called the vassal treaty style.  This was a document set up between two nations after one had been subjecated by another.  It has six parts, the preamble, a history of the Lord in dealing with Israel, a call to whole hearted allegiance to the Lord, detail laws for Israel to follow, the Lord witnesses the covenant and lastly the blessings and cursing that will result in obedience or rebellion to this agreement.

 

1.  The background to this passage, is Moses is 120 years old, the Lord has told him he

     Cannot lead them or cross the Jordan because of his disobedience.  He struck the rock

     Instead of speaking to it.  Now, some would say that God was too harsh but you must

     Understand the closer you are to God the greater expectation He has have in this

     Relationship.  The greater the responsibility, the greater cost when something goes

     wrong.  Talk about the recent fall of the leader of the evangelical in the states.

 

a. Moses reminds them in vs. 3, the Lord Himself would lead the people across the

     Jordan into the promised land.  The Lord would destroy their enemies as He had

     Done previously.

b.  Today, I am speaking about the 236^th  & 237^th  promises of the Bible.  Moses tells

     Israel, that God is going to deliver their enemies and the land into their hands.  A new

     Era of responsibility is about to begin for Israel.  The time of preparation is over. 

     Now it is time to take hold of the possession and promises spoken about.  I believe

     This truth holds true for Hay River and the church in Canada.  Most of us have spent

      A lifetime getting ready, now it is time to take the land. 

c.  The Canadian church, has heard so many prophecies about the coming revival.  God

      says, this morning, these prophecies are over, I have prepared you.  Get ready, the era

      of preparation is over.  God will not hear any more excuses such I am not ready, not

      trained, have a family, I’m investing in my future, have a house payment.  God says,”

      now is the time to shed those things or refocus and put on your battle clothing and go. 

      If you don’t go, others will get what was yours, you will miss the blessings and live

      With the knowledge and regret of an opportunity missed and your rewards given to

      Another.

d.   Moses tells the people and us, that we must do all that the Lord has commanded.

      For Moses and Israel it was to utterly destroy the inhabitants.  For us it a much more

      Pleasant work.  We are told in Matt 28:19-20, to go and preach the gospel, making

      Disciples or teaching them about Christ.  We are to baptised them in the name of the

      Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Help them to testify and make a public choice for

      Christ.

e.  Mark 16:15-18, reminds us that we are to go into all the world and preach this good

     news to all creation.  Mark states, that whoever believes will be saved and whoever

     does not will be condemned.  He also says that signs will follow those who believe.

 

f.   This our promise church.  In His name we can drive out demons, speak in tongues,

      pick up snakes, drink deadly poison and not it hurt us.  This by the way is only a

      reminder of protection.  Talk about the snake churches in the states.  We can lay

      hands on the sick and they will recover.  If you wondering what this message this

      morning is about.  It is about refocus, about getting our armour, weapons and lifestyle

      ready for the move of God that is about to sweep over our community, nation and

      world’s.  Things are about to change church.  It never going to be the same again.

      Tarrying time is over, the Holy Spirit has come, you got everything you need to take

      Your world.

 

2.  Moses in Vs 6, gives a fourfold statement.  First, to be strong and courageous.  The

     Strength and courage will not be your own but the Lord’s.  Remember, Phil 4:13 says,

     We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  Paul again states in Rom

     8:11 & 37, we have resurrection power in us and that we are more than conquerors..

     The devil in reality is more afraid of us than we should be of him.  Jesus already

      Secured the victory and destroyed his works.

a.  Secondly Moses says to not be afraid or terrified of your enemies.  2 Tim 1:7, says,

     God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.  Church the

      inner Resources are there.  His strength and courage are there.  We just have to apply

      it.  I ‘m not giving another motivational talk.  I am relating biblical truth.  David

     defeated Goliath, Elijah the prophets of Baal, the Hebrew children overcame the fire,

     Daniel survived the lions den, Peter walked out of prison and Paul shook off the snake

     Because they knew in Christ no fear or any thing allied to it, can defeat us.

c.  Why is that church?  Because as Moses said thirdly, the Lord goes with us.  One man

     wrote, “The will of God will never take us where the grace and protection of God

     cannot keep us.  Talk about Patrick taking the nation of Ireland.  God is with us

     church.  In your family, job and situation, God is with you.  Moses lived this.  He said

     to God, if your presence does not go with us, we will not go. 

d.  Fourthly, the Lord will never forsake or leave us.  He is not a fair weather God.  Jesus

     made the same promise in Matt 28:20.  This promise is again stated in Heb 13:5.  We

     also have inside us the resident Holy Spirit.  He gives us power, anointing, authority,

     enablement, wisdom, clarity & boldness.  He gives us gifts and produces in our lives

     fruit that remains.  The Lord is with us Church.

 

3.     In Vs 7-8, Moses brought Joshua before the people.  His task was to go in with the 

People & conquer the land and divide it as their inheritance.  He then gives Joshua the same command and promise.  These promises I have talked about are both for the

      individual believer and the corporate church.  Back in 1994, Carmen stated in a song

      that the world has had it chance, now it is time for the church to arise and take back

     what  is ours.  Hay River Pentecostal Chapel, the churches of Hay River, must arise. 

     Or someone else will come and receive our inheritance, rewards and blessing and as

     far as I am concerned for me and my house that is not going to happen.  I pray it will

     be your resolve as well.