Joshua 1:8 - THIS BOOK

JOSHUA 1:8

THIS BOOK

“Over 100 years ago, William Ramsey, a young English Scholar, went to Asia Minor with the expressed purpose of proving that the history given by Luke in his Gospel and in the Acts was inaccurate. His professors had confidently said that Luke could not be right.

“He began to dig in the ancient ruins of Greece and Asia Minor, testing for ancient terms, boundaries, and other items which would be a dead giveaway if a writer had been inventing this history at a later date, as claimed. To his amazement, he found that the New Testament Scriptures were accurate to the tiniest detail. So convicting was the evidence that Ramsay himself became a Christian and a great Biblical scholar. We still look upon Sir William Ramsay’s books as being classics as far as the history of the New Testament is concerned.”

“One of the most dramatic examples of the Bible’s divine ability to transform men and women involved the famous mutiny on the “Bounty.” Following their rebellion against the notorious Captain Bligh, nine mutineers, along with the Tahatian men and women who accompanied them, found their way to Pitcairn Island, a tiny dot in the South Pacific only two miles long and a mile wide. Ten years later, drink and fighting had left only one man alive—John Adams. Eleven women and 23 children made up the rest of the Island’s population.

“So far this is the familiar story made famous in the book and motion picture. But the rest of the story is even more remarkable. About this time, Adams came across the “Bounty’s” Bible in the bottom of an old chest. He began to read it, and the divine power of God’s Word reached into the heart of that hardened murderer on a tiny volcanic speck in the vast Pacific Ocean—and changed his life forever. The peace and love that Adams found in the Bible entirely replaced the old life of quarreling, brawling, and liquor. He began to teach the children from the Bible until every person on the island had experienced the same amazing change that he had found. Today, with a population of slightly less than 100, nearly every person on Pitcairn Island is a Christian.”

From Signs of the Times, August, 1988, p. 5. http://www.bible.org/illus/b/b-42.htm#TopOfPage

Last eve I paused before a blacksmith’s door
and heard the anvil ring the vesper chime.
And looking in, I saw old hammers on the floor,
Worn by the beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, then with a twinkle in his eyes,
“The anvil wears the hammers out you know.”

And so I thought, the anvil of God’s word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon.
Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard
The anvil is unharmed—the hammers gone!

Source unknown, http://www.bible.org/illus/b/b-43.htm#TopOfPage

As we continue looking at Old Testament Treasures we come to Joshua 1:8 this morning. This is probably the best known verse in the whole book. Please read it with me.

Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

· This morning I want to talk to you about the most important book in your possession – this Book.

· I want to talk to you about the book most likely to change your life for the good – this Book.

· I want to talk to you about the book that is the best weapon against sin – this Book.

· I want to talk to you about the Book that presents God, God’s plans, Gods instructions, and Gods’ salvation – this Book.

· I want to talk to you about the book that should motivate you, inspire you, teach you, comfort you, and encourage you – this Book!

OUR OUTLINE THIS MORNING:

THIS BOOK - This book of the law

THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH - shall not depart out of thy mouth;

THIS BOOK AND THIS MIND - but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,

THIS BOOK AND THESE EYES - that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:

THIS BOOK AND THIS LIFE - for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

THIS BOOK - This book of the law

Law can be the Ten Commandments

Law can be the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.

Law can be the whole Bible, which is how we would understand it today.

What do we know about this book?

· It is the inspired Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God…

2 Peter 1:21 - For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

· It is profitable.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

· It is educational.

Romans 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

· It is powerful

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

· It is life-changing.

1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

· It is our guide.

Psalm 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

· It is purifying.

Psalm 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

· It is truth.

John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

A. W. Tozer – “A loving Personality dominates the Bible, walking among the trees of the garden and breathing fragrance over every scene. Always a living Person is present, speaking, pleading, loving, working, and manifesting himself whenever and wherever his people have the receptivity necessary to receive the manifestation.” - Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry 635. Bible Illustrator 3.0.

This Book is the Way to Belief

This Book is the way to life.

This Book is the way to action.

This Book is the way to reality.

THIS BOOK - This book of the law

THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH - shall not depart out of thy mouth;

As Christians, we should talk about the Word of God.

Just examine what we talk about when we Christians get together.

We talk about the weather, about our gardens, about our jobs, about television programs, about sports.

We talk about families, friends, and church folks.

But, how much do we talk about God’s Word?

Why should we talk about God’s Word?

Ø Because it is God’s Word. There is no subject more valuable to talk about than the inspired Word of God.

Ø Because talking about God’s Word might help or encourage another believer.

Hebrews 3:12-13 – Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. [13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Ø Because talking about God’s word might help, encourage, and/or educate me!

Ø Because talking about God’s Word accomplishes God’s purposes.

Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: [11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

We as Christians are Bible illiterates, and part of the reason is we do not talk about the Word of God ourselves. If we did, everyone would be encouraged to dig in to the Bible more.

There is a group of churches known as “The Plymouth Brethren”. What is unique about this group is that they have no Pastor. However, every man is expected to study and be able to share the Word of God. Men, we should strive to know God’s Word that well, so we can discuss it intelligently.

It was said of the new believers in Acts 2:42, And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

As they continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, they would have been instructed in the Word of God.

Another reason for talking about the Word of God is for the benefit of unbelievers.

The more of the Word we tactfully share with those in need of Christ, the more likely they are to come to Christ.

If we are going to see souls saved, saints edified, and this church growing, we must talk about the Word of God.

Talking about the Word God needs to become a habit that we as a church family practice.

THIS BOOK - This book of the law

THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH - shall not depart out of thy mouth;

THIS BOOK AND THIS MIND - but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,

Let me tell you one thing. You can’t have the Word of God on your lips unless it is in your mind and heart. You can’t give out what isn’t inside.

Our Daily Bread: “In order for our body to receive nourishment, the food we eat must be properly digested. This process starts with chewing. The same is true of our intake of Spiritual food – The Word of God. We must digest its truths in a deliberate, methodical way.

“Cud-chewing animals like sheep and cattle provide a fitting analogy for understanding this process. I’m sure many of us have seen a cow in the pasture under the shade of a oak tree, engaged in slow, methodical munching, the cow is ruminating. This means she chews her food, stores it in a special stomach, and then brings it back to chew again. That’s how the cow derives the utmost benefit from the food.”

Meditation is the way we digest the Word of God.

We read, or we think about a memorized portion of Scripture.

After a while we think on It some more, striving to understand its meaning, and how it applies to my life.

When I meditate on God’s Word, I might talk about it to the Lord.

I strive to think of what it means in my life.

I think of what I must do to practice the Scripture.

Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 119:15-16 - I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. [16] I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

If the Word of God is going to be the joy and rejoicing of your heart you need to memorize it.

Don’t say, “I can’t”

Get yourself some “3” by “5” cards.

Write the reference on one side, the verse on the other.

Go over and over the verse until you know it.

Review the verses you have learned continually.

Memorizing and meditation on the Scriptures takes work.

But if you want to know God in an intimate way, you need to memorize and meditate on the Word of God.

You will find the effort to be worthwhile.

THIS BOOK - This book of the law

THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH - shall not depart out of thy mouth;

THIS BOOK AND THIS MIND - but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,

THIS BOOK AND THESE EYES - that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:

God wants obedience from His children, just as you expect or expected obedience from your children.

I am sure that John was echoing the Words of God when He said in 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

You see, the more the Word of God is in my mind and on my lips the more likely I am to observe my behavior and make sure that it conforms to the Word of God. I am more likely to obey it!

Many times you may not obey the Word of God because you are ignorant. It is not a sin to be ignorant. It is a sin to remain ignorant.

2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

And remember that God is not satisfied that we just hear the Word, or even memorize the Word and meditate on it. God is satisfied when we obey the Word of God.

James 1:22 - But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

If you hear the Word of God and not obey it, you are fooling yourself into thinking that you are right with God when you are not.

Ezra the Scribe was a great leader among the Jews.

Ezra 7:10 tells us the secret to His success.

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

May we be those that seek the Word, obey the Word and teach the Word every chance that we get.

Make sure that you eyes observe the Word with the intent of obedience!

1 Samuel 15:22-23 - …Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. [23] For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…

THIS BOOK - This book of the law

THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH - shall not depart out of thy mouth;

THIS BOOK AND THIS MIND - but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,

THIS BOOK AND THESE EYES - that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:

THIS BOOK AND THIS LIFE - for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

What is the value of talking, memorizing, meditating, and obeying the Word of God in this life?

There are two promises here for those who do these things.

The first promise is for prosperity.

No, this is not necessarily financial prosperity. It is prosperity in the Christian life.

As I memorize, meditate, speak of, and do God’s Word, I will be prosperous.

· My prayer life will improve.

· There will be less anxiety in my life.

· There will be victory over sin.

· There will be future reward.

2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

· There will be an unleashing of the power of the Spirit of God in my life.

Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:18-19 would indicate that being filled with God’s Spirit and being filled with God’s Word are parallel.

Ephesians 5:18-19 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; [19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The second promise for those who speak of God’s Word, meditate on it, and obey it is for good success.

This carries the idea of wisdom.

We will still have problems, but we will have God’s wisdom to help us handle these problems.

So this week, concentrate on this book!

THIS BOOK - This book of the law

THIS BOOK AND THIS MOUTH - shall not depart out of thy mouth;

THIS BOOK AND THIS MIND - but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,

THIS BOOK AND THESE EYES - that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:

THIS BOOK AND THIS LIFE - for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.