Possessing The Land - Part 1
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 10/25/2026
Possessing The Land - Part 1
The Promise and the Preparation
Foundation Scriptures:
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Joshua 1:3 KJV
And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. Deuteronomy 6:23 KJV
1. Established to Advance.
a. 2026 was the Year of Establishment.
b. As we enter 2027, our theme is Possessing the Land.
c. Establishment gives us a foundation from which to advance.
d. God establishes us in His Word, in faith, in our relationship with Him, and in His purposes, so that we can move forward and accomplish His will.
e. God brought Israel out of bondage in Egypt to bring them into the inheritance He had promised.
f. The same God Who brought them out was able to bring them in.
g. They had to believe God, rise in faith, cross over, and possess what He had promised.
h. Our foundation is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
i. We receive His promises by faith, follow the Holy Ghost, and fulfill the assignment He gives us.
j. We must know what belongs to us, believe what God has said, and prepare ourselves to walk in it.
k. In 2027, we are not standing still; we are putting feet to our faith!
2. Know What God Has Given You.
a. Galatians 3:29 KJV –– And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
b. Ephesians 1:7 KJV –– In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
c. In Christ, we have been redeemed, forgiven, accepted, and brought into the Father's family.
d. By faith, we receive what His grace has provided.
e. The Holy Spirit seals us and is the earnest of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14).
f. Know, through the Word, who you are in Christ and what belongs to you.
g. Let your confidence rest in His grace and faithfulness.
h. You can come boldly to the Father, as His child, thank Him for redemption, and believe His promises.
i. Ask Him to reveal His assignment for your life.
j. Let the Word of God establish your expectation and guide your requests.
3. Put the Word in Your Heart and in Your Mouth.
a. Joshua 1:8 KJV –– This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
b. The Word gives us specific instructions for success.
c. The Lord directed Joshua’s attention to the Word, not the magnitude of the assignment, or the opposition
d. God’s Word must have first place in your heart, mind, and life; and govern our thoughts, words, and actions.
e. Meditate on them until they become established in your heart.
f. Let your words agree with what God has said.
g. The Word of God must become greater in our hearts than the circumstances around us.
h. Mark 11:24 KJV –– Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
i. Faith receives when it prays.
j. If we are going to possess the land, we must fill our hearts with the promises of God and speak words of faith.
4. Refuse Fear and Carry a Report of Faith.
a. Numbers 13:30 KJV –– And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
b. Twelve spies entered the Promised Land and saw the same land, fruit, inhabitants, and fortified cities.
c. But they did not all return with the same report.
d. Ten spies focused on the obstacles; two focused on God’s faithfulness and ability.
e. The difference was not what they saw; it was what they believed.
f. Fear causes people to question the promise of God.
g. Joshua and Caleb believed that God was able to bring them into their inheritance.
h. Joshua 1:9 KJV –– Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
i. Courage is confidence in God in the face of opposition.
j. Our response can strengthen the faith of others.
k. There may be obstacles ahead, or circumstances that appear impossible.
l. But bring your attention back to the Word of the Lord and remember his faithfulness.
m. For 2027, decide whose report will govern your response.
n. Will you magnify the difficulty, or will you magnify the Lord?
o. Will you speak fear, or will you speak faith?
5. Prepare Yourself to Step Out in Obedience.
a. The children of Israel were standing at the Jordan River with the Promised Land on the other side.
b. Joshua 3:5 KJV –– And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
c. They needed to prepare their hearts and be ready to follow His instructions.
d. When the priests carrying the ark stepped into the water, God made a way for the people to cross.
e. Miracles follow obedient response to God's instruction.
f. God's strategy calls for faith, patience, unity, and obedience.
g. Spend time in His presence and yield your plans to Him.
h. Listen to His Word and follow the leading of the Holy Ghost.
i. Obedience is faith responding to God's instruction.
j. Preparation is not a substitute for action; it positions us to act when the Lord directs.
k. As a church, we must move in unity; everyone has a part in what God is doing.
l. We have been established to advance.
m. The promise is before us; the Word is in our hearts; the Holy Ghost is with us.
n. Now is the time to rise in faith.
o. 2027 is the year of Possessing the Land!