1. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings … for the people of God

2. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings Death of Moses To lead Israel across the Jordan and into the promised land Joshua to be new leader Through the faith of Joshua God will fulfil his ancient promises

3. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings The command and the promise run together throughout the Bible The same is true for us today Both depend on the sovereignty of God As God’s people obey and believe they enter into fellowship with him

4. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings Think about the spiritual map of your life? Do you see yourself wandering in the wilderness or conquering the promised land? Am I in need of a new beginning?

5. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings Important to see the faithfulness of God in receiving the promises of God God gave Joshua three assurances

6. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings Promise: God ‘sets forth’ what he will do 1. God is faithful in his promise God’s promise is dependent on Him, not man God is the source of our blessings

7. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings Greatest promise of all 1. God is faithful in his presence An eternal promise, sealed by the blood of Christ’s cross ‘Great is thy faithfulness’

8. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings God expected Joshua to make His word a priority in his life 1. God is faithful in his precepts God has not changed God requires faith and a willingness to act

9. Joshua: The adventure of faith Joshua 1:1-9 New beginnings Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you …. … wherever you go.

10. Act of Covenant

11. As a Gospel people, let us covenant together before God and each other:

12. Creating and redeeming God, we give you thanks and praise. Your covenant of grace was made for our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.

13. We come this day to covenant with you and with companion disciples:

14. to watch over each other and to walk together before you in ways known and still to be made known.

15. Pour your Spirit upon us. Help us so to walk in your ways that the promises we make this day,

16. and the life that we live together, may become an offering of love, our duty and delight truly glorifying to you – Father Son and Holy Spirit.

17. This day, we give ourselves again to the Lord and to each other

18. to be bound together in fellowship, and to work together in the unity of the Spirit for the sake of God’s mission.

19. In our congregation, and in the wider Union, we commit all that we have and are to fulfil God’s purposes of love. Amen.