The God Who Completes

The Gospel Story 
The God Who Completes 
Joshua 3

God finishes what He starts both in us and through us

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Lessons from a River Crossing

1. Get into Position to hear and follow God (1)

Ways we put ourselves into a position to hear from God:

• The Word of God
• Prayer
• Other Christians
• Seeing circumstances from God’s perspective

2. Keep your Eyes on the Lord (1-4)

Notice what they did not focus on:

• The Obstacles (15)
• Joshua

Be obedient to God; let Him determine who will be exalted 

Times when focusing on God is especially important:

• During new Initiatives (3:4)
• During times of Conflict (Joshua 6)
• During times of Failure and Confusion (Joshua 7)
• During times of Worship (Joshua 8:30-35)

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. Live a life of Reverence and personal Purity (4-5)

The Distance points to the Difference between the Creator and the creature

To walk in the presence of a Holy God and live an unholy life is spiritually impossible

A high view of God brings a high view of sin; a low view of God brings a low view of sin

4. Obey God wholeheartedly, without Reservation (6-17)

Sometimes God will require a crisis time of waiting for the fulfillment of His promises (14-17)

The shortest distance between you and the life you truly want is total trust and obedience to God

There often is a difference between what you want Most and what you want Now

There often is a difference between our Strongest desires and our Deepest desires

God finishes what He starts both in us and through us

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Making It Personal:

• Where in your life are you sensing the greatest struggle between what you want most and what you want right now?
• Where in your life are you finding it difficult to trust God and obey Him fully? What may be behind that difficulty?
• What practices or rhythms can you build into your life to help you to hear and follow God by keeping your eyes on the Lord?
• Is today the day for you to turn from self-rule and self-righteousness and trust in Jesus Christ to be the forgiver of your sin and the leader of your life?
• What is your next step of obedience to God today?

Ready to take your Next Step?

• See Pastor Jeff after the service today
• Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box
• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”