I was helping coach a little league baseball team when a strange thing happened.  One of our eleven year old players struck out in a game.  So, it happens every day in little league baseball, but what was odd was just how upset this little guy got.  He went into the dugout and was furious.  His face was red with rage and tears were running down his cheeks, so I went over to try and encourage him.  I've been coaching little league baseball for seventeen years and in that time I have seen thousands of these type of situations arise. 

No big deal, I thought.  This boy looked up at me and said, 'Coach, this is my third season playing ball and I just want to get a hit.  I have never hit the ball in a game.'  His head dropped with a tear rolling down his cheek and I heard him say to himself 'I just want to hit the ball.'  Thousands of these situations over seventeen years, but this one melted my heart.  I can not explain to you why, but it got to me.

At that moment in time, I would have moved a mountain to get this little guy a hit.  My heart and his heart were now melted together for one common goal and that was to get this kid a hit.  I think that this is how God feels about us.  What is your real desire in life?  Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart?  Are you clinging to His Word?  Do you really want to be close to Him?  Have you repented down deep in your heart?  God said He would move a mountain for you if you would just ask with the right motives.

Today we will look at a man who loved God and loved His servant, Moses.  His Hebrew name is Joshua.  If you translate that name into Greek, it would be Jesus.  Moses and the law can take you to the edge of the promised land, but they can not take you inside.  Joshua and grace must lead you into the promised land. 

We will also answer a question about salvation for old testament guys.  You might be asking, what question?  Did old testament guys go into heaven when they died?  The answer is no and I will show you scripture to support that fact.  So what happened to old testament guys when they died?  What about us today?  Does a Christian go to heaven when he dies today?  Allow the Word to answer your questions.  First, open your bibles to . . . 

Joshua 5:7-15
7 Their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way. 
8 Now when they had finished circumcising all the nation, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.
9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day. 
10 While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho. 
11 On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 
12 The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year. 

13 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" 
14 He said, "No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord."  And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, "What has my lord to say to his servant?" 
15 The captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy."  And Joshua did so. 

Think about the form and function of God.  Our God is a God of order.  God operates in a logical method using form and function. 

Before a man can approach God, he must do so in the way God prescribes.  The people of Israel must acknowledge the future seed of God before they can proceed into the promised land.  Circumcision was the covenant from God to mankind through the nation of Israel that God had a solution to the problem of sin.  Man must acknowledge that he accepts the solution God provides.  This is the form and function of salvation.  Yes it is bloody and painful.  Do you have a problem with that?  God is holy and He says man must approach Him in a certain way. 
Open your bibles to . . .

Exodus 4:21-26
21 The Lord said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the Lord, "Israel is My son, My firstborn. 
23 So I said to you, 'Let My son go that he may serve Me'; but you have refused to let him go.  Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn."'" 
24 Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. 
25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and threw it at Moses' feet, and she said, "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me." 
26 So He let him alone.  At that time she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood" - because of the circumcision. 

Why would God want to kill Moses?  What an odd story.  We discussed this a few weeks ago, so I will just remind you that God is very serious about his Word.  Even Moses must approach God in the way God says or else.

From Joshua 5, did you notice that the manna ceased on the day after Passover?  Jesus said He is the bread of life.  Jesus is the Passover Lamb.  Jesus is the seed signified by the covenant of circumcision.  Jesus died on Passover and was raised on another holy day called the Feast of First Fruits.  The day after Passover is a holy convocation called the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord which was a day of rest. 

Who is this Man standing with a sword drawn?  I love the answer given when Joshua asked if He was for Israel?  No or neither. 

Think about that.  He is for all of mankind.  If He is for all mankind and not against Israel, why have the sword drawn?  Maybe He was ready for battle against an enemy Joshua could not see?  Who is this Man?  Remember Jacob wrestled with a Man in Genesis 32 and in verse 30 Jacob called Him God.  Who is the captain of the Lord's host?  What does an angel say when a man bows down to worship him?  A normal angel says get up and worship God only.  This Man does not tell Joshua to get up, but tells him to remove his sandals.  I tell you that this Man is Jesus before He was born of the flesh of man.  This Man is God as Jesus is God as the Son of the Living God.  I know this is a very big idea to wrap our brains around, but that is what I describe as the form and function of the Living God.
Open your bibles to . . . 

Exodus 3:1-6
1 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 
2 The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. 
3 So Moses said, "I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up." 
4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." 
5 Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." 
6 He said also, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."  Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 

I always capitalize the Angel of the Lord, but these bible translators did not.  Who is in the burning bush?  The Angel of the Lord and the text calls Him the Lord.  Then Moses is told to remove his sandals just like Joshua.  Maybe you have never considered God's form and function, but it really helps me understand God and His relationship to man.  Read Exodus 33 and you will see two different relationships with Moses based upon the form and function of God. 
Open your bibles to . . . 

Exodus 33:9-11
9 Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses. 
10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. 
11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.  When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

You might be saying so.  So, the Lord is in the pillar of cloud.  So what?  Did you notice Joshua?  We will get back to him is a few minutes, but first open your bibles to . . . 

Exodus 33:17-20
17 The Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name." 
18 Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!" 
19 And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." 
20 But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"

What?  Exodus 33:11 says the Lord spoke to Moses face to face and now in Exodus 33:20 God says that no man can see My face and live.  What is the deal?  To get the answer, we need to understand the form and function of God. 
Open your bibles to . . . 

Exodus 14:19-20
19 The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. 
20 So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night.  Thus the one did not come near the other all night. 

Who is in the pillar of cloud?  The Angel of the Lord is in the pillar and he spoke to Moses face to face.  The Angel of the Lord is Jesus the Son of the Living God.  Jesus is God.  The Father is God.  The Holy Spirit is God.  God is one, but God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is not the Father.  The Father is not the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is not Jesus.  They all three are one God and they are all three distinct.  This is the form and function of the Living God. 
Open your bibles to . . . 

John 15:26-27
26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 
27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. 

John 18:37
Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king.  For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Form and function of God are clearly seen in the gospel of John.  Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Helper whom He will Send from the Father.  The Truth is another name for the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is also known as the Word.  Jesus never did a miracle until after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him at His baptism.  Jesus set aside His thrown as God to be born as a man to create a spiritual kingdom.  The Father never left the throne.  The Father sent the Holy Spirit to Jesus.  The Holy Spirit testified about Jesus by the miracles performed and Jesus testified to the Truth by His life.  The Father testified about Jesus at His baptism and at the transfiguration. 
Open your bibles to . . . 

Joshua 1:1-9
1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying, 
2 "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 
3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 
5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life.  Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 
7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have 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 success. 
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." 

Do you have a map? Genesis 15:18 also gives a boundary description when God spoke with Abram.  Israel has never come close to occupying the land mass of either description.  This always makes me think of the spiritual land mass Christians could occupy, but they simply do not walk in the land.  God says every place on which the sole of your feet treads.  Think of that in relation to your spiritual walk with Christ.  Do you trust God in all areas of your life?  Tread over your fears and worries of this world and walk with Jesus.  Do not be held captive with drugs and alcohol, but walk in freedom and victory and tread over those chains.  Do not be dominated by money, but be content with what you have and live a humble life with Jesus.  Be strong and courageous being careful to walk with Christ and not in your own strength.

Now on to our second point for today.  As a young believer I remember reading the transfiguration and wondering why Moses and Elijah would leave heaven to talk to Jesus.  Then I realized that they never went to heaven, but were in a holding place until the Messiah had completed what He came to do on earth.  If the blood of lambs and goats can send people to heaven, then let the slaughter begin.  Those sacrifices of animals were just shadows, copies and patterns of a heavenly concept for a future blood sacrifice which was God Himself in the form of Jesus as the Son of the Living God on the cross.
Open your bibles to . . .

John 3:13-15
13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 
14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 
15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
 

Luke 16:19-31
19 "Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.
20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores,
21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.
22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 
23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' 
25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.'
27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house -
28 for I have five brothers-in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'
30 But he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!' 
31 But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"

I have shared this story and had people come up and disagree.  That's fine.  I am just a man and I always encourage people to think for themselves. We all should be working out our salvation with fear and trembling, but Peter and Paul agree with me. 
Open your bibles to . . .

Ephesians 4:4-10 (verse 8)
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 
8 Therefore it says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men." 
9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 

Paul says Jesus led a host of captives to heaven.  Who do you think those people were?  I believe they were old testament saints waiting on the Messiah.  That would have included Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Daniel, Elijah, etc. 
Open your bibles to . . .

1 Peter 3:13-22 (verse 19)
13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 

18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. 
 

Matthew 24:36-41
36"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away;
so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

Peter said Jesus made proclamation to the spirits now in prison.  Who are they?  It says they once were disobedient.  Maybe these are people who finally believed that crazy guy Noah who spoke of God's judgment over a hundred years.  Maybe these people got saved just before their death and trusted in God.  Maybe these people joined the host of captives Jesus led to heaven? 
Open your bibles to . . .

1 Peter 4:1-10 (verse 6)
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 
3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 
4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. 
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 
8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

Does that phrase 'to those who are dead', does that refer to physically dead or spiritually dead, or both?  Peter was one of three close friends of Jesus as He walked this earth.  Peter was about to be killed in a prison, but God answered the prayers of the saints and released Peter.  God does not need Peter.  Peter needs God.  God does not need me or you.  We need God.  I know I was dead and now I walk in life.  All men have a ticket to hell.  Jesus changes the destination to heaven. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 
17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
 

1 Corinthians 15:20-28
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 
21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 
23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, 
24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 
25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 
26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 
27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 
28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 

Jesus will judge the living and the dead.  Romans 14 tells us that every knee will bow and every tongue confess.  That does not mean everyone will be saved, but it does mean everyone will know who Jesus is.  Some will know life because they chose to walk with Jesus and the rest will know death because they chose to reject Jesus.

If you believe in Jesus as the Messiah, that should be reflected in your walk.  Are any of these areas places your foot has not tread? 
Open your bibles to . . .

Colossians 3:1-17
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 

5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 
6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 
7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him - 
11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 
17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 

Open your bibles to . . .

2 Peter 1:4-9
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 
6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 
7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 

Are you a partaker of the divine nature?  Faith . . . moral excellence . . . knowledge . . . self-control . . . perseverance . . . godliness . . . kindness . . . love.  Are you a fruitful servant?  Does the peace of Christ rule in your hearts?  Do you teach and admonish other believers with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs?  Are you thankful in your heart to God?