WBR 2025-26 - Session 1 - The Heart of a Leader

I want to take you back for a moment — back to what God did to bring us all together in the first place. We’re going to return to Celebration Night and kind of re-celebrate it. Every one of you is in that story somewhere.

But after we go back and remember what brought us together, I want to suggest something: there was something bigger going on than you probably realized at the time. We’ll talk about that after we take a moment to honor the Lord again for the special mission He set us on and the special bonds He formed among us.

It’s good to be together again.

Let me tell you two things that were happening during this past summer. Yes, some of the people we saw just now celebrated their first Christmas with Christ in their hearts — because of your faithfulness. But God also had a message for you. Maybe you already sensed it, but we’re going to drill down into it together.

First, God was saying this: you have a future.

Now you might think, “Well, duh.” But the truth is, a lot of people grow up hearing the opposite message — especially in Native and Indigenous communities. You can grow up believing you don’t really have much of a future. God says, “I want you to think future from now on.” Not just your past. Not even just your present. I want you to think forward — because I have something big ahead of you. Your life is more than it has been. You have a future.

The second thing God wanted to say to you is this: you were made for more.

He wanted to stir a holy restlessness in you — a sense that maybe you could be more, do more, and make more of a difference than you ever realized. You got a taste of that this summer. And God wanted you to taste it so you’d want it for the rest of your life.

With that in mind, we’re going to spend our time in the book of Joshua. And I’ll tell you why: in Joshua’s life, we see the pathway to a great life.

Before anything else, Joshua was a slave. We forget that. He grew up in Egypt as part of an oppressed, abused, enslaved people. That’s where his story starts.

God liberated Israel through Moses, and Joshua spent years shadowing Moses. Whenever Moses went into the Tent of Meeting — the place where he met with God face to face — Joshua went with him. He’s called Moses’ aide. And when Moses left, Joshua stayed behind. He had a worshiping heart.

But Joshua was also a warrior. He emerged as the military leader of Israel. Eventually, God said to Moses, “Take Joshua, son of Nun — a man in whom is the spirit of leadership — and commission him in front of the people.”

God was saying, “I see the heart of a leader.”

Joshua’s life shows us a path that every great life follows — and you’ve already been on parts of this path.

First, he was a slave. So were you. So was I. We were all slaves to sin and darkness.
Then he was set free — just like you were when Jesus came.

But some people stop there. They’re saved, but their lives don’t look much different than before.

Here’s the key: you weren’t just rescued from something. You were rescued for something.

God didn’t free Israel just to have them wander. He said, “I have a land for you — houses you didn’t build, vineyards you didn’t plant, resources you didn’t earn.”

So the next step is serving. You start doing something for the One who rescued you. For many of you, On Eagles’ Wings was a vehicle for that step.

Then comes strengthening. Serving makes you realize how much you need to grow. You need God’s Word. You need spiritual depth.

Then comes stepping up. Don’t be afraid of the word “leader.” Leadership isn’t about titles or positions. It’s about influence. It’s dedicating your influence to point people toward Jesus.

And the final step is soaring — living fully in what God rescued you for.

Some Christians settle for a small life. But once you’ve seen the bigger world God has, you don’t want to go back.

Here’s the truth: every new level reveals there’s more. And every “more” requires a risky obedience.

Choosing Jesus was a risky obedience. Serving Him was another. Growing deeper took courage. And the next step God has for you will require courage too.

At every crossroads, you have two choices: settle where you are, or pursue the next step.

Courage comes from trust.

Every time you’ve trusted God before, He came through. Those experiences build trust — and trust fuels courage.

That brings us to Joshua chapter 1.

Moses dies. The only leader Israel had ever known is gone. God says to Joshua, “Moses, my servant, is dead. Now it’s time to move forward.”

God buries His workers, but He never buries His work.

Then God gives Joshua this command again and again:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.”

Fear is the most repeated enemy in Scripture because it’s the greatest obstacle to obedience.

Fear is like driving with the emergency brake on. You’ll never reach the Promised Land that way.

But fear doesn’t have to win.

Courage is not the absence of fear — it’s the refusal to let fear decide.

Courage flows from three places:

God’s presence.
“I am with you wherever you go.”

God’s perspective.
Time in God’s Word lifts you above your fear.

God’s promises.
Not one of God’s promises has ever failed.

When you stand on those three things, you can move forward.

Courage is contagious. God is looking for one person willing to step up — because others will follow.

And I believe God has chosen you to be that kind of leader.

So here’s your Joshua moment.

Every time you sign up, God shows up.
Letting fear decide will cost you God’s best.
People need to see hope to believe hope.

So the question is simple: are you ready for your next step?

“Whatever You command us, we will do. Wherever You send us, we will go.”

Let’s pray.