Series Details
In Joshua, we see a man who is thrust into the role of leader over Israel. He must not only take charge of conquering the promised land, but he must do so without his longtime mentor, Moses.
This new sermon series by Pastor Chuck Swindoll gleans biblical insight from Joshua’s example of how to lead through loss and change and how to overcome impossible obstacles in God’s power. Hear Pastor Chuck’s challenge to keep the Lord preeminent in your life and be bold as you move ahead in God’s plan for you.
Transitioning through major loss or change can be paralyzing, yet God calls His people to move forward with courage. In this 9-part study of the book of Joshua, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores how Joshua stepped into leadership after the death of his mentor, Moses. By examining Israel’s journey into the Promised Land, this series offers biblical strategies for overcoming “impossible” obstacles, recovering from personal failure, and maintaining a “winning mind-set” that is rooted in the preeminence and power of God.
1. Setting the Leader on Fire (Joshua 1:1–9)
- Overview: Addresses the challenge of starting over after a great loss. Chuck emphasizes that while leaders like Moses pass away, God’s Spirit remains as an ever-present help to ignite a new fire in our hearts.
- Key Fact: A winning mind-set begins with thinking rightly about God’s presence, which provides the courage to move ahead even when we feel inadequate.
- Scripture: Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
2. Confident Leadership . . . Ideal Response (Joshua 1:10–18)
- Overview: Explores the immediate aftermath of Joshua’s commission. It highlights the importance of clear communication from leaders and a unified, supportive response from the people.
- Key Fact: Confidence in leadership is built on a shared commitment to the Word of God and a mutual willingness to follow His lead.
3. Are Spies and Lies Okay in God’s Eyes? (Joshua 2)
- Overview: A deep dive into the story of Rahab. Chuck addresses the difficult ethical questions surrounding her actions while highlighting how God uses unlikely people to accomplish His sovereign purposes.
- Key Fact: God’s grace is big enough to encompass those with a “scarlet” past and weave them into His ultimate plan of redemption.
- Scripture: Joshua 2:11 – “For the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”
4. Impossible Walls Still Tumble Down (Joshua 6)
- Overview: Focuses on the fall of Jericho. Chuck explains that “impossible” walls are brought down not by human strategy, but by radical obedience to seemingly illogical divine instructions.
- Key Fact: Victory often requires a period of silent trust and consistent walking before the walls finally collapse.
- Scripture: Joshua 6:20 – “So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets… and the wall fell down flat.”
5. Postmortem of a Deceiver (Joshua 7)
- Overview: The sobering story of Achan’s sin at Ai. This message serves as a warning about the high cost of secret sin and how one person’s disobedience can affect an entire community.
- Key Fact: You cannot move ahead into God’s blessings while clutching onto “forbidden things” in secret.
- Scripture: Joshua 7:13 – “There is things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban.”
6. What to Do after You’ve Blown It (Joshua 8)
- Overview: Following the failure at Ai, God gives Joshua a second chance. Chuck provides a blueprint for spiritual recovery: confession, purification, and a renewed commitment to the Word.
- Key Fact: Failure is not the end of the road; God is a God of restoration for those who are willing to deal honestly with their mistakes.
- Scripture: Joshua 8:1 – “Now the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed… for I have given into your hand the king of Ai.'”
7. Age: Your Ticket to Adventure (Joshua 14:6–15)
- Overview: The inspiring story of 85-year-old Caleb, who requested the toughest mountain to conquer. Chuck challenges the cultural idea of “retirement,” urging older believers to stay active in God’s work.
- Key Fact: A winning mind-set is not limited by age; it is defined by a heart that is “wholly following the Lord.”
- Scripture: Joshua 14:11 – “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me… so now, give me this hill country.”
8. Needed: A Safe Place to Heal (Joshua 20)
- Overview: Explores the “Cities of Refuge.” This message highlights God’s provision for grace and protection, showing how the church should be a modern-day “safe place” for the hurting and accused.
- Key Fact: God’s justice is always tempered with a provision for mercy and a place for restoration.
9. A Choice You’ll Never Regret (Joshua 23–24)
- Overview: Joshua’s final challenge to Israel. He calls them to choose between the idols of the culture and the service of the Lord, emphasizing that a legacy is built on the choices we make today.
- Key Fact: The most important decision you will ever make is who you will serve; the consequences of that choice will echo through your family for generations.
- Scripture: Joshua 24:15 – “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
