Sunday, 9/20/2026

From Ordinary to Extraordinary: POSSESSING YOUR FUTURE

Joshua 1:1–11 (ESV) After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the

Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2  “Moses my servant is

dead. Now terefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into

the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3  Every place that

the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised

to Moses. 4  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river,

the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the

going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5  No man shall be able to stand

before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be

with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6  Be strong and courageous, for

you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to

give them. 7  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do

according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn

from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success

wherever you go. 8  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,

but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do

according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way

prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9  Have I not commanded

you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be

dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

10  And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11  “Pass through the

midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for

within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take

possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ ”

God promises the land, His presence, and success — but Israel must

________ possession of what He is giving.

The future holds a mixture of blessings and battles.

1. Set Up a Plan (Seek, get, understand, and live by God’s plan for your life)

Joshua 1:2–3 – “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this

Jordan… Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given

to you…”

Joshua’s response (v. 11): “Prepare your provisions…”

The future belongs to the person who prepares for it.

One way to prepare: Let go of the past.

Proverbs 20:18 – “Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage

war.”

2. Stay in the Word (and See that the Word Stays in You)

The Bible is your instruction manual for the battles of life.

Joshua 1:7 – “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do

according to all the law… Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left,

that you may have good success…”

Do not get sidetracked.

God’s promise of success has nothing to do with your ability and everything

to do with your commitment to His Word.

Three ways to stay in the Word

1. Talk about it – “Do not let it depart from your mouth.”

2. Think about it – “Meditate on it day and night.”

3. Live / obey it – “Be careful to do everything written in it.”

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is useful to teach what is true, show what is

wrong, correct us, and teach us to do what is right.

Spurgeon: A Bible that is coming apart is usually owned by somebody who is

not.

3. Step Out in Faith

Two enemies that keep you from possessing your future:

Fear – keeps you from getting started.

Discouragement – keeps you from continuing / finishing.

Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is moving ahead in spite of

your fear.

The first step is always the hardest.

Joshua 24:15 – “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But

as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

The name “Joshua” means Deliverer / Savior. Jesus (Greek form of

Joshua) also wants to take possession of your life.