Courageous Dads - Joshua 1:6-9 (notes)

Courageous Dads - Joshua 1:6-9

Courageous

• Means, not deterred by danger or pain, brave.
• God told Joshua after having to take the place of probably one of the greatest leaders in history. Moses, the man who stood up to Pharaoh with great signs and wonders and miracles. The one who saw the glory of God and who was given the 10 commandments and the blue prints to the tabernacle, who wrote the first five books of the Bible.

What God Told Joshua:

Joshua 1:6 Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Courage Demonstrated

• The greatest person who can change society is a Godly Father.
• Godly dads protect, serve and teach their children the Word of God.
• Godly dads love their wives, are faithful to them, honor them and are willing to lay down their lives for them as Christ did for us.

Courageous Dads

• Bless their children and teach them to love God with all their hearts, mind and strength.
• Train their children to honor authority and live responsibly.
• Confront evil, pursue justice and love mercy.
• Pray for others, and treat them with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Work diligently to provide for the needs of their families.
• Forgive those who have wronged them, and reconcile with those they have (I) have wronged.
• Learn from their mistakes, repent of sin, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.
• Seek to honor God, to be faithful to their church, obey God’s Word and do His will.
• Courageously work with the strength God provides fulfill these promises.
• Remember what Joshua said. “…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
• Fight for their families. We are called to war as men of God. We fight against evil, corruption, perversion, drunkenness, dishonesty, unfaithfulness and compromise.
• Are called to victory because Jesus was victorious over evil.

When God

• Repeats something three times to someone it is significant. God told Joshua three times to be courageous.
• God tells us (men) to be courageous as leaders of our homes.

God Tells Us

• To be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power in Ephesians 6
• In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Ephesians 6:10

Application

Ephesians 6:11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

(AMP)

The Family

Is under attack by the enemy.

Gay marriage, abortion, divorce, porn, adultery, unfaithfulness, etc. etc.

There is an all out war against families.

Unwed pregnancy, gang violence, drug and alcohol abuse, incarceration etc. are all symptoms of families that are sick.

It starts with fathers being faithful to their wives, connected with their children, involved with their families

What is the Answer?

Courageous Fathers.

• Who protect, serve their families as they teach them the Word of God.
• Who are faithful to their wives, who love and honor them.
• Who bless their children & teach them to love God.
• Who train their children to honor authority & live responsibly.
• Who confront evil, pursue justice and love mercy.
• Who pray for others as they treat them right.
• Who work diligently to provide for their families.
• Who are forgiving.
• Who learn from their mistakes.
• Who honor God, go to church and obey the Word.

God is Looking

Daniel saw the deterioration of human civilization. Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was gold while the succeeding kingdoms were increasingly inferior. Silver, brass, iron and finally clay. The world will become

For courageous men who are willing to stand in the gap for their families, walk in integrity, have pure hearts, obey the Word of God on a daily basis, raise their children to love God, love their wife as Jesus loved the church and who will not compromise with the world.