Franklin

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Rolling Hills Community Church – Franklin Make Ready: Aligning Your People Jeff Simmons February 18, 2018 | Deuteronomy 31 Moses speaks to all the people Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel… Vs. 1 • God created us for community • Through Jesus Christ, God’s people today are His Church. o But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 1:9-10 Moses affirms Joshua in the presence of all the people Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them…The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Vs. 7-8 • Joshua has been Moses’ spiritual child in the faith. • Words are powerful. o Praise in public o Criticize in private • Who is your Joshua? Moses emphasizes the Word of God So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests…Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years…you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people – men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns – so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.” Vs. 9-12 • Importance of being at church to hear God’s Word. • The importance of us teaching God’s Word to our children. • Moses is setting the table for generations to hear about God. God knows His people will not keep the Law. Therefore, we all need a Savior. The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.” Vs. 23 • The law cannot save us. The law shows us the depth of our sin and failures. • We all need a Savior, and God made a way for us through His Son, Jesus. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Taking It Home God loves all people. As His disciples today, we must be growing in His Word and pursuing His heart. Moses lived out God’s purposes in his day, and he prepared Joshua to lead God’s people after Moses was gone. We must all pour into those who come behind us. Who is your Joshua? If you have children, then they are your answer. In addition, it might also be those you lead in Community Group, teach on Sunday mornings or even your nieces and nephews. Raising up disciples of Christ must be on the forefront of your mind. Pointing people to Christ and teaching people His Word is the call of all His disciples. Are we preparing those who come behind us to lead our families, churches and communities? Moses did this well – will we?