Same Book, New Chapter, Same Author

I. God prepares the next leader before the new chapter starts.

Numbers 27:18–23

18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. 20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.” 22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23 and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.

A. God chose Joshua long before Moses died.

B. How did God call and shape Brian and Mandee?

1. Call to ministry

2. Call to missions

3. Tanzania

4. Mustang Creek

5. Lead Pastoring

C. Four ways God prepares people for their next season.

1. Pruning

Removing things that you cannot take into your next season.

2. Testing

Remaining faithful through the test, as the test produces endurance, character, and hope.

3. Waiting

It is about God’s right timing. Do not get ahead of God. His timing is perfect. In the waiting, He is preparing, and you are trusting.

4. Teaching

Learn from those in authority over you, learn from the opportunities you are given, and grow in your learning of the Lord. We never stop growing.

II. A new chapter can bring grief but should not paralyze God’s people.

Deuteronomy 34:8

8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

A. We will always honor the past, but we should not allow the grief of change to keep us stuck there.

“Moses was not a failed leader; he was not rejected like Saul. He was faithful in carrying the burden of the people for forty years. He endured criticism, rebellion, pressure, loneliness and disappointment. Moses finished His assignment.”

Pastors Robert and Judy finished their assignment well!

Saul vs. Moses

God spoke it, it is, and it is good!

B. We must arise. A new season requires movement into what God has in store.

Joshua 1:1–2

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 therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.”

“In other words:

The era is over

The grace has lifted

That chapter is complete.”

III. God’s calling transfers in the new chapter, but the Author of the Book remains the same.

Joshua 1:5

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.

A. Joshua did not become another Moses.

The leadership and direction of Moses is what the people needed in the season Moses led in.

The leadership of Joshua is what the people of Israel needed for their new season.

God’s presence remains the same.

Our job is to love and obey God as we trust in Him. This is His church, and we can always trust the Author of this Book.

Although there has been a transition in leadership, God’s presence remains the same.

It is the Same Book, New Chapter, and the Same Author.

Wherever He leads us, we will follow.

He is asking for obedience.

We do not want to take one step without His presence.

IV. In the new chapter, God gives fresh authority.

Joshua 1

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

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.”

A. The authority in leadership has shifted.

B. The people recognized the shift in authority.

Joshua 1

16 And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses!”

C. With new authority and new assignments come new challenges.

We will face these assignments and new challenges together.

Under Moses: He led them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and received the Law.

Under Joshua: He led them across the Jordan, conquered cities, divided the land, and established Israel.

“The wilderness season required one kind of leadership and the Promised Land requires another.”

Moses led the people through survival.

Joshua led them into possession.

Moses led them through manna.

Joshua led them into harvest.

Moses led them through wandering.

Joshua led them into warfare.

Moses led them out of slavery.

Joshua led them into inheritance.

Same God, different assignment, new challenges, new strategy, new authority.

Same Book, New Chapter, Same Author

God spoke it, it is, and it is good.

Philippians 1:27

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

In the midst of transition, it is time to stand firm in one spirit and in one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.